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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Saturn Queen Attacks

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #2
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar and Francis Portela

 

Saturn Queen shows up and brainwashes Brainy and Ultra Boy. At the same time, the Legion is dealing with xenophobic protesters as the refugees from Titan arrives on earth. There are so many plot threads going on and I love all of it. This is how you write a comic. It manages to have action, adventure, relationships, and politics but it doesn’t seem too busy. Levitz is a freaking master at storytelling. I love this series so much already and it isn’t even “My legion.” I never read the Reboot Legion but was Gates always so cranky or is that a new part of his personality? He seemed to be so here. A part of me misses the Phantom Girl from Earth-Prime who talked to herself and Saturn Girl being a mute. Those were cool additions to those characters but I Guess I will just have to get used to their Earth-0 counterparts. This book is great and I hope everyone keeps reading it!

Levitz Returns To What Made Him A Legend And Succeeds!

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #1
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar

 

Okay I went into this a little worried. This isn’t “my legion”. I got into them during the threeboot or what is now known as the Legion of Earth-Prime and I fell in love with those characters and this is the original Legion that I do not know so well. But Gosh darn it this was FUCKING AMAZING! I mean everyone said Levitz writes great Legion stories but I did not expect it to be like this. So much happened in this issue and he managed to fit in quite moments, action, and great characterization. There was truly never a dull moment. I think this could become one of my new favorite books! Pick this up people you will not be disappointed if you are a new Legion fan or old. There is even a strong connection to the rest of the DC Universe – the upcoming Flashpoint event is mentioned as well as Sodom Yot being involved. The art is fantastic as well might I add. Every page was breathtaking and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Oh and for a second there – I actually though they were hinting that Miss Li was actually Cassandra Cain with memory loss?? I wouldn’t be against that idea although I don’t know how she ended up in the future – but I doubt that is what they were going for. Maybe I am just looking for her wherever I can.

Action Comics 860 – 871

Action Comics #860
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While I am more familiar with the threeboot legion, it is still cool to see all of the original Legionnaires come back and I can’t even comprehend the excitement of the fans of those characters while reading this. This was a fantastic issue for fans and newbies alike. Check it out. Frank’s art is amazing.

Action Comics #861
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Another fine issue of Action Comics. There were a lot of fantastic moments, I liked the foreshadowing of the Crisis of the 31st century and all that stuff. Frank’s art is beautiful and perfect for the Legion. I am really getting into all these characters, many of whom I am meeting for the first time. Eye-Full Ethel is hilarious. Is that a new character? I will have to find out.

Action Comics #862
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

I am now in love with the Legion of Subsitute Heroes. What a fascinating bunch…from Chlorphyll Kid’s belief in talking to plants to Rainbow Girl’s mood swings they are a lot of fun to read about. As for the main plot, I really hope Superman gives Earth-Man a good ass whooping.

Action Comics #863
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While this arc was a little long, it was a lot of fun. This was a great conclusion. Superman kicks Earth-Man’s ass and tells the xenophobic humans he is for everyone. And the ending flashback was so heartwarming. Great stuff Johns!

Action Comics #864
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Joe Prado

This story really set everything up for Legion of Three World and for fans of the DC Universe, it is very exciting. Batman and Lightning Lad play off each other well. I like the tie-in to Countdown with Karate Kid and Una whom I had forgotten even died. This was a great issue with great use of continuity.

Action Comics #865
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jesus Merino

This issue focuses on Superman’s famous villian, the Toyman and in perfect Johns fashion, explains away basically all the changes and continuity glitches about the character. Apparently all the different Toymen, even the Hiro one, were just robots created by Winslow Schott. As usual, it’s perfect and I can’t believe no one has thought about this before. Johns is a genius! Toyman may come off as someone who was taken advantage of and someone who does care for children in this issue, but Johns shows with the ending that he is still a deeply disturbed individual. I loved how Toyman doesn’t want to go to Arkham because he doesn’t want to be associated with Batman’s villains. Great issue.

Action Comics #866
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Johns is really doing a lot to revitalize everything about Superman’s world. Everything from his villains to the Daily Planet staff is being fleshed out and made better. This arc is going to revitalize Brainiac and it looks like it is working. He is certainly creepier then ever here. But my favorite parts of this issue were at the Daily Planet and the interaction with the staff. The Superman books are the best they have been since I started reading comics thanks to Johns.

Action Comics #867
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Frank’s art really makes this issue. There were some fantastic moments because of his art. I especially like his design for Branianc’s Robots. Supergirl’s revelation about Brainiac is similar to Toyman and how most Braniac’s that Superman has met are just probes and not the real Brainiac. In fact, Superman has never met the real Brainiac. One thing I am confused about is how Supergirl’s parents remember Kandor disappearing but over in Superman and the New Krypton storyline they are in Kandor. Hmmm…I bet this will be explained though. Oh and what about the Kandor that Supergirl visited with Ultraman, is that not the real Kandor?

Action Comics #868
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank`

Superman comes face to face with the real Brainiac in this issue and he is one scary mother fucker. So he basically takes a sample of a culture and destorys the rest, so I wonder if he is responsible for Krypton’s destruction. I wish Johns’s run wasn’t so focused on Krypton as I always preferred the Post-Crisis Superman who considers himself to be a human thing but this is good writing and good story-telling so I can’t complain. The whole thing with the Kents seems a little forced though, what is it that made them think this thing with Brainiac was any different? Nothing really.

Action Comics #869
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

So the stuff with Supergirl’s parents is explained in this issue and in a way that harkens back to the pre-crisis idea that Argo City survived the initial destruction of Krypton. As for Metropolis, it looks like it has become a bottled city. Oh and I was right, Brainiac is responsible for Krypton’s destruction! Good guess on my part. Kudos to me haha.

Action Comics #870
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While the conclusion to this arc was action-packed and awesome, I am not too saddened by the death of Jonathan Kent. The fact of the matter is he died the same way in Superman: The Movie and in Smallville so I have seen it before and I really don’t care. I don’t really get why things have to be like the Donner movie, a movie that my generation doesn’t even remember. Although, it doesn’t matter to me if he is alive or not, at least it fit in this story. As for the New Krypton stuff to come, we will see how that goes, I don’t know how I feel about it yet.

Action Comics #871
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Pete Woods

This is part 4 of the New Krypton Storyline that began in the New Krypton special, then continued here, and in the Guardian Special. I wasn’t really looking forward to this storyline but so far it has been a blast! The scene of all the Kryptonians taking out Doomsday on the moon was fantastic and I think that it really shows the strength of artist Pete Woods. Sam Lane doesn’t look like a total bad guy here as it makes sense that there should be some defense in case the Kryptonians go rogue. I love how he shot Luthor is the shoulder when he mentioned Lois. Wasn’t expecting that. As for the Kryptonian Nightwing and Flamebird, I really hope they show them interacting with our Nightwing and Flamebird. That would be interesting. Oh and Doomsday deserved to die just for fucking with Connor’s statue alone.

Action Comics 855 – 859

Action Comics #855
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

While I understand the appeal of the character, I really don’t enjoy Bizarro. I find his speech patterns kind of annoying I am sorry. I don’t find it amusing. That’s not to say this issue wasn’t enjoyable. The art was fantastic and I like the idea of Bizarro World, I just wish they didn’t talk like that ah! I am curious to learn where Bizarro World comes from.

Action Comics #856
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

Now this issue was more like it. I liked all the Frankenstein references and all the Bizarro characters. The idea that under a blue sun Bizzarro can make duplicates is pretty cool. I liked how he just basically smashed some asteroids together to make Bizzarro World. Very creative on Donner and Johns’ parts.

Action Comics #857
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

Haha I ended up really enjoying this arc. Bizzarro World is a fun place to visit. I liked the Bizzarro Justice League and how easily that all turned on Bizzaro Luthor. It was really clever. I definitely enjoyed this a lot and smiled a few times. No complaints here.

Action Comics #858
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

The art is fantastic at the start of this new arc. I love the idea of reintroducing the original Legion of Super-Heroes and the flashback to when a teen aged Clark first met them was fantastic. Now I have never read a single original Legion comic but I still got into this, it is very accessible to new readers. I liked the ending where it was revealed that in the year 3008 the sun is red. Very cool.

Action Comics #859
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

I am being introduced to the original Legion of Super-Heroes through this story arc and I really am liking them. I am even tempted to go get some back issues. I like the many levels that this story can be read. It can be read as a commentary on modern-day Xenophobia and even on stuff like true life of Jesus. It can be taken in different ways. Johns proves to me once again he is one of the best writers DC has right now and I almost always enjoy his stuff. I look forward to next issue.