Boy Man

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #11
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Daniel HDR

 

So Starman is going back to being called Star Boy now? Seems kind of strange…why is Earth-Man the only one allowed to be called Man now? None of them are really teenagers anymore right? Anyways, this was a fantastic start to the Legion of Super-Villains arc as all of the Legionnaires search for the villain group. Levitz sure knows how to pack a lot into one issue.

Lamprey

Adventure Comics #524
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Phil Jimenez

I liked the second issue of this book focusing on Legion Academy even better then the first. I would love to see Lamprey become a full-fledged Legionnaire – she is just too cool looking. I wonder if this is Chemical Kid’s mom who is the big bad? Speaking of Chemical Kid, he was way more likable in this issue.  I want to see more Variable Lad in action. Jimenez’s art is as beautiful as ever.

Bad Aunt

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #10
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar

 

So it was Chameleon Boy’s aunt all along behind everything as she wanted Brande’s money to pay for rebuilding Durla (That is if I am not mistaken) this was a good issue but the resolution seemed a little fast. Not much else to say here.

Durlan Foes

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #8
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar and David Hdr

 

The Legion continues to fight the Durlans that blame the United Planets for Brande’s death. It was pretty good and Levitz continues to kick ass at writing this book…I was a tad disappointed at the outcome of the election but I can see why people voted for him considering his recent rise to stardom in the DC Universe. I guess XS isn’t an active Legionnaire which kinda blows…maybe Johns is saving her for Flashpoint?

And The Ring Goes To…

Adventure Comics #521
Written by Paul Levtiz
Art by Geraldo Borges
Co-Feature by Jeff Lemire
Art by Mahmad Asrar

 

Well I won’t spoil it…but I don’t know how I feel about the one who finally gets to be Green Lantern of the Future…it makes sense…it is just not anything new and I guess I was expecting something more surprising. Element Lad kicks ass here with his powers and I wonder why we haven’t seen much of him in the main legion book. The Atom back-up was okay and it is the last time we will see that back-up in this book, which I don’t mind, I am still to pissed about Ryan Choi to enjoy Ray Palmer.

The Power Of Tyroc

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #7
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar and Francis Portela

In the main story, the Legionaires deal with the murder of a United Planets Council Member by Durlan Asassins and Levitz really shows how powerful Tyroc can be. I thought he dislike Tyroc? I guess not. And hey it takes a good writer to challenge themselves and make a character they dislike look awesome right? In the back-up Brainiac 5 meets with Professor Li – who we know is old, very old. I can’t wait to find out who won the election!

The Legion’s First Death

Adventure Comics #520
Written by Paul Levtiz
Art by Kevin Sharpe
Co-Feature by Jeff Lemire
Art by Mahmud Asrar

 

The final early days of the Legion story was in this issue and it was really good as it focused on Saturn Girl’s thoughts after the death of Lighting Lad (who came back to life as we all know) although there was some annoying editorial mistakes (that was the original Invisible Kid, yet he is listed with the name of the secone one – come on they don’t even look the same!) I enjoyed it and it looks like Supergirl was officially a member of this Legion now. The Ant Farm concept is what is saving the Atom back-up from the boringness that is Ray Palmer but the annoying I am the science hero stuff was unnecessary.

Vote For Gates!

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #6
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Francis Portela, Phil Jimenez, and Yildiray Cinar

The first part was really good…so Brainiac 5 put “Morality Enhancement” in Earth-Man’s ring, which explains his quick change of heart about offworlders. I liked that because I found his change to be too rapid to be believable and I wonder what he will be like now that he has asked for a standard ring. It was good to see Chameleon Girl too. The second part was great as we visit the Legion Academy – I have to say that Dragonwing and Variable Lad seem to be the coolest possible Legion recruits and I can’t wait to see who wins the election. I voted for Gates!

Ant Farm

Adventure Comics #519
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Eduardo Pansica
Co-Feature by Jeff Lemire
Art by Mahmud Asrar

 

The main Legion story was okay…kinda boring but kinda decent I don’t know I really didn’t care either way. The back-up story was the first time I actually dug the Atom story as we learn about the secret society of scientistis called the Colony and how Ray’s Uncle Dave has come up with a mini-planet for the human race to go to if something happens to our planet. It is called the Ant Farm – clever idea and I would like to see it explored more. Ray Palmer is still no Ryan Choi – but I at least like the concept.

Xenophobia

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #5
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar and Francis Portela

 

A xenophobic group called EarthForce attacks the refugee camp for the Titanians and it is up to the Legion to save the day. There was a lot of good stuff and some interesting revelations about Harmonia Li – apparently she is immortal or something like that. I still think she is up to no good. Earth-Man seems to be changing rather quickly – and seems to be a lot less Xenophobic now, even sleeping with Shadow Lass – that was quick, too quick! I wonder if something is up with that and he isn’t being genuine or his mind is being effected. I don’t know but Levitz continues to bring the Legion to new heights.

Superman Batman 75 and 76

Superman/Batman #75
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Jerry Ordway

 

The anniversary issue has a bunch of tiny back-up features that I won’t cover here cause most are not in continuity but the main story was an epilogue to Levitz’s previous arc as a future Lexor citizen comes back in time to kill Superman and the Legion and Batman team up to stop them. It was good and Ordway’s art was great but nothing to get too excited about. I am kinda sick of the same four Legionnaires always being used – let’s mix it up a bit Levitz.

Superman/Batman #76
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Marco Rudy

Now this was great! We finally get to see Superman’s reaction to Batman’s “death” during Final Crisis and it was a really great. Winik could have made this cliche and dumb as hell (imagine if this was written by Meltzer) but instead we get a look at how Superman views death and the fate of his friends as well as some awesome moments between him and Wonder Woman. I loved it!

His Future

Adventure Comics #518
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Kevin Sharpe
Co-Feature by Jeff Lemire
Art by Mahmud Asrar

 

The main feature was okay…definitely not the best chapter of these early Legion stories Levitz is doing as it was basically Superboy confronting the fact that he will be killed by doomsday one day and a weird ghost talking to him. The Atom back-up wasn’t bad – still find Ray Palmer to be boring and missing Ryan Choi but ugh oh well.

Storylines

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #4
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar

 

So was thinking about Gates…since he comes from the Earth-247 Legion, could there be an Earth-0 version of himself running around that he could run into? Levitz should deal with that at some point. Anyways this book is fileld with so many plots and storylines one can always find something to like. This issue was great and I wonder why Shadow Lass is so interested in Earth-Man, who will be the new Legion Leader, and all that jazz. Levitz continues to kick ass here.

One Night Stand

Adventure Comics #517
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Kevin Sharpe
Co-Feature by Jeff Lemire
Art by Mahmud Asrar

 

The main Legion story…not sure what to think of it. Teenagers do drink and have sex in real life, but I don’t know, seemed a tad inappropriate for the Legion at this point in their history for Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy to be going out on a barcrawl and ending up in a one night stand! Saturn Girl wanting to prove herself was a good storyline though and everything. The back-up with boring old Ray Palmer did nothing to excite me. I miss Panda and Head and all the great Ryan Choi supporting characters and Ryan himself. Why isn’t Ray trying to solve Ryan’s murder? I really don’t like seeing freaking Calculator again and I hope this is the last we see of him for a while.

Brave and the Bold 34 and 35

Brave and the Bold #34
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Jesus Saiz

This was a decent issue featuring the Legion meeting the Doom Patrol and stopping a black hole. It was okay, but nothing really to write about it.

 

 

Brave and the Bold #35
Written by J. Michael Straczynskiz
Art by Jesus Saiz

 

This was an amusing story about the Legion subs teaming up with the Inferior Five. I love how the Legion Subs just leave them in 2010 at the end haha. I hope we see them again soon.

Darkseid Worshippers

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #3
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar and Francis Portela

 

Levitz knocks it out of the park for the third time in a row as his Legion is filled with so many twists, turns, action, and character moments. There is just too much I could talk about here. Earth-Man’s ring bringing him to planet to save sentient bugs, the defeat of Saturn Queen and her revelations about the history of Titan, and finally Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl discovering Avalon worshipping Darkseid???? No idea where they are going with this but I am excited and I am not even a fan of THIS version of the Legion. Great stuff.

Secret Origin Of The Legion

Adventure Comics #516
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Kevin Sharpe
Co-Feature by Jeff Lemire
Art by Mahmud Asrar

 

The main feature was really good as the now deceased R.J. Brande tells his life story and how he created the Legion. It was a heartwarming tale about an alien who just wanted the universe to work together and be peaceful. I loved it and it made a great “secret origin” for the Legion. The first part of this new Atom back-up annoyed the hell out of me, not just because it stars the boring old Ray Palmer instead of Ryan Choi who was brutally murdered over in Titans – but because the villain is Calculator! We don’t need any more Calculator stories for a while! Come on he should have stayed in Arkham after the Batgirl arc. I am so sick of this guy.