So I picked up the one issue of the Magic Wars that I was missing the other day, which gave me an excuse to re-read the whole thing last night.
The Magic Wars is, of course, the last arc of the Levitz era Legion, and is often maligned as not being his best work. I actually found that it holds up pretty well. In contrast to more recent Legion stories, which we have complaining have been streched out for more issues than there was story to tell, I thought that the biggest weakness was that this arc really should have been one or two issues longer.
For those who haven't read it, the plot concerns a being called the Arch-Mage, who is some sort of embodiement/personification of the mystical energies of the universe, and whom is imprisoned at the center of Zerox, the Sorceror's World. Well, various changes in the balance of magic in the universe have caused his bonds to weaken, allowing him to break free over the course of the story. As he breaks free, the "laws of magic" come to replace the "laws of science" as the dominant governing structure in the universe. As technology slowly fails and 30th century civilization collapses, the Legion must travel to Zerox to stop him.
Highlights include the fact that this is the only story we get to see from Sensor Girl's term as Legion leader and Timber Wolf's term as deputy. It is interesting to watch both of them as they try to handle/adjust to their respective positions.
Another nice highlight is the characterization of Ultra Boy. Most associate the Levitz era Ultra Boy with a kind of "dumb jock" stereotype. Here he's portrayed as someone who deeply cares for the citizens who are suffering, and even willing to challenge the SP's who are engaging in "crowd control".
There's an interesting allusion to Sun Boy's past as well, as he is helping with the evacuation of Weber's World. When it is commented that even his usual cheeriness has faded, he mention the fact that the evacuation brings back bad memories, no doubt of his leading the evacuation of Xenn way back in the Adventure era.
Many of the Legionnaires who have left the team over the course of v3 re-unite with the Legion in order to help them in the final battle. We also get glimpses of the Heroes of Lallor and the Substitutes trying to help. Two Legion deaths occur in the story, but by the end, the remaining Legionnaires are left standing on the remains of Zerox, ready to rebuild civilization.
Even though I think Giffen's 9-panel grid was often put to effective use during v4, I don't think it really works for this story. The more conventional narrative structure demanded more conventional art. I do actuallly like a lot of his later v3 costume designs, though it's frustrating that we rarely get full body shots of anyone to see them. I also felt that we didn't quite get the sense of the tragedy that was occuring. We get told about the destruction quite a bit, but there really should be some clearer depictions of people's suffering. It's not that I'm a huge fan of grim and gritty, but this story seemed to demand more than we got.
One complaint that I've often seen is that the villain doesn't really have much of a personality, and that probably is fair. We do get the sense that there is a backstory, which might have been explored if space were available, or perhaps in a future issue if Levitz had continued on the title.
So, while it may not be the best story of the Levitz era (but come on, with so many great ones, is that a surprise?), I certainly don't think that it's a weak story at all, and recommend that those who haven't read it give it a try, and those that have re-read it!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
I think "Magic Wars" isn't as good as most of Levitz's run, but is still better than many other Legion stories.
Basically, it has most of my favorite Legionnaires in it, acting like themselves. And seeing Sensor Girl and Timberwolf as leaders is cool to see!
Pol's death isn't as big a problem for me as it is for others (I know Lardy hates it).
Overall, I'd definately reccomend it to any Legion reader, but I'd warn them that it might not be there cup of tea.
Posted by Kent Shakespeare on :
I've noticed a similar theme in Gail's story, with tech not working right...
the art really went south on MW too
Posted by MLLASH on :
I rather enjoyed MAGIC WARS, especially its focus on Projectra.
That scene where the bird is warning her of the upcoming crisis and the lights all pop out is pretty darn chilling.
Posted by lancesrealm on :
quote:Originally posted by Kent Shakespeare: I've noticed a similar theme in Gail's story, with tech not working right...
I noticed the similarity too. I wonder if this was intentional?
Posted by DrakeB3003 on :
I hadn't thought about that -- the two series ending on similar themes of 31st century tech failing. Taken differently, it's almost saying the ideals of the 31st century that the comic embodies has itself failed (again) and we're going to be forced to revert to more 21st century sensibilities of superheroes. TMK followed Levitz, it remains to be seen what's going to follow "Legion".
I remember liking Magic Wars for the most part, but the art was a step back -- was it the inker? I don't remember. I know Giffen looked awesome during the Emerald Empress storyline that preceded it. The main villain was also the unfortunate "big gaping mouth with teeth" thing that Giffen overused during this period of his career. It could have been more interesting looking. I also wasn't thrilled with most of the new costume designs (though I liked Phantom Girl (Phase), Projectra and Jo's "Kenshiro" look).
[ July 23, 2004, 08:38 PM: Message edited by: DrakeB3003 ]
Posted by MLLASH on :
Projectra's new look was aboslutely top-notch.
Drake, I'm pretty sure it was the inker of those issues. IIRC and correct me if I don't, Al Gordon did the Empress issues and DeCarlo did the MAGIC WARS issues.
Posted by Blockade Boy on :
With a forty year history, it has to be nearly impossible to write a story without some similarities. Many of the pre DnA stories had pre-boot corollaries. This one's not yet been done and isn't so much a repeat, at least not yet. Maybe if a magical bird flies out of Canary's mouth or the rifle turns out to be not from the artifact institute but from the magical one...
quote:Originally posted by MLLASH:
That scene where the bird is warning her of the upcoming crisis and the lights all pop out is pretty darn chilling.
As well for me, the slow buildup and the voice over as the baddy slowly gains release. I do remember the art style causing me some visual difficulties, kind of like listening to a "foreign" accent for the first time. Once I got used to it, the art did it's job well.
Posted by Kid Quislet on :
The Magic Wars saga came out when two important things were going on with the Legion: 1) LONG time writer Paul Levitz was leaving the title for an upcoming Big Change (the TMK disaster) 2) The Legion itself had gone through a mostly dark period for months where many of the characters and the team itself was having bad luck. For these two reasons, the Magic Wars to me was very satisfying because it finished many of its subplots in an upbeat manner (the death of Magnetic Kid not withstanding) and was truly the finale of the golden era of the Legion which has not been matched since. After TMK's V.4, the reboot, and much of DnA's run, the reading of back issues of Levitz's stories makes me appreciate him even more than when they originally came out.
Posted by Arachne on :
What issues made up Magic Wars? It came out when I sisn't have a local comic shop. Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Issues 60-63 of the Baxter series.
Posted by Arachne on :
Thanks. I saw one of them when I was looking for the Waid post-boot issues I don't have. Since there was only 1 Waid issue in the bin (at least it was one I didn't have), I might pick those up next week.
Posted by Jorge Martinez on :
I enjoyed Magic Wars but it did have some sore spots. Mostly Giffen doing just breakdown...the finishing work wasn't much.
I did enjoy the story though. Plus I did like the new costumes save Cham. They are hard to see in just one panel. I've recreated them on my website...
I remember the one cover by Lightle...with Violet, Sensor Girl and Timberwolf...and then a bunch of fairies and magics creatures...wow.
I so wish to this day they just pick up where that left off.
Jorge
Posted by Blacula on :
WOW! Is that your site Jorge? Its *really* impressive! Great job! Posted by Kid Quislet on :
quote:Originally posted by Jorge Martinez: I so wish to this day they just pick up where that (Magic Wars) left off.
Jorge
Amen.
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
One thing I would have liked to see in the arc was the battle between the wizards of Zerox and the Arch-Mage; we learned that the few of them who survived had chosen to give up, abandon their powers and world to save their lives.
In this sense, technology failed, but the forces of good magic hardly fared any better. Only Mysa and Harlack were willing to fight to the end. Finally, the Arch-Mage sowed the seeds of his own destruction, unable to survive without the Sorcerer's World. No evil without good, and, one suspects, vice-versa.
At least we did get to see Computo blow out his circuits.
Posted by Super Lad Kid on :
Wow, Jorge, great site! I think the thing that threw me was the costumes. It just seemed too much of a change and distracted from the story. Now that I've seen clearer images of the new costumes, I think I like them! The shoulder pads are a bit much, but with the proper artists I think they would have worked. This is by far the most intresting outfit that Chameleon had.
My favorite part of the Magic Wars story was when the magic-based Legionnaires held the seance in which Projectra talked to several deceased Legionnaires only to be broken up by the Emerald Eye. Cool scene.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
quote:Originally posted by Fat Cramer: One thing I would have liked to see in the arc was the battle between the wizards of Zerox and the Arch-Mage; we learned that the few of them who survived had chosen to give up, abandon their powers and world to save their lives.
In this sense, technology failed, but the forces of good magic hardly fared any better. Only Mysa and Harlack were willing to fight to the end. Finally, the Arch-Mage sowed the seeds of his own destruction, unable to survive without the Sorcerer's World. No evil without good, and, one suspects, vice-versa.
One interesting aspect of this would be the role that Mordru would have played in the battle. One of the ongoing subplots of v3 is the deppowering/apparent reformation of Mordru. In v4 he is shown to have taken charge of the survivors.
Posted by Jorge Martinez on :
I thought the arch-mage was the "evil" of Mordu imprisoned under the earth. Kinda bummed me out Mordu wasn't really a part of it atleast. It seems like him to start a big mess and pretty much tell the Legion...all you have to do is sacrifice one of your own and I am gone for now.
I can't wait to see Geoff Johns Mordu in the Legion!
Jorge
Posted by Jorge Martinez on :
Oh and thanks Blacula and Super Lad Kid. It took me some months to make all of those and I've since lost steam. But I just loved making them and couldn't stop.
Jorge
Posted by Future on :
Spiffy site and work, Jorge!
I actually enjoyed most of the Giffen costumes during the Magic War. Sure, some were bulky, but there were some unique costume ideas (T-Wolf's fur accessories, Cham's hood, and Imra's cape). I especially liked Magnetic Kid and Sensor Girl's new duds, mostly because I just felt Pol needed to get out of his brother's suit by then and I'm a love-slave to anything Jeckie wore as Sensor Girl. She was always mysterious, royal, and ultimately commanding in that guise.
I loved the storytelling too in this arc. As others have said, the Legionnaires reunited per se by tale's end, lots of interesting problems and crazy characters came out of science giving way, and there were lots of cool scenes I can remember. I loved watching the Espionage Squad members manage to easily slip through the Arch-Mage's prison trap, only to have muscle like Blok and Colossal Boy to break the whole sphere apart and save them the effort of rescuing the others.
I actually found Pol's sacrifice endearing, the unbeatable Mon-El succumbing to something as trite as mechanical failure realistic, and just found most of the characterization spot on. These were heroes who have been through hell (particularly around then), but managed to pull together and stay true to themselves and the organization they joined no matter what. Great scenes with Thom/Dreamy, Drake/Dawny, Blok/Mysa, Jeckie/Brin, and many more.
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