Originally posted by Rurouni KJS:
Gee, ML...that was quick.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Cosmic Boy - Re-Imagined]](graemlins/CosmicBoy3.gif)
COSMIC BOY: [Who we learn is still from Braal in this reality] Cos has regained his poise... conversing with Brainy with self-confidence and assurance... directing things from the HQ (standard op for Legion leaders, personal preference, or a coincidence peculiar to these two stories?) He didn't communicate with Dreamy and co. on Naltor, though... hmmmm.![[Brainiac 5 - Re-Imagined]](graemlins/Brainiac53.gif)
BRAINIAC 5: [We now know he's '5' and from Colu] "How handwringingly dramatic." Detached, take charge, sarcastic, distrustful of what he doesn't understand (here, Dream Girl and Naltorians, in general), didactic... all qualities exhibited by Brainiac 5 in other boots. But, so far, I'm not warming up to *this* Brainy, though he does make the 31st century's best joke-butt. ![[Element Lad - Re-Imagined]](graemlins/ElementLad3.gif)
ELEMENT LAD: [Of Trom, we now know] The glowing design on the cape border and tunic look *great*; now if we could do something about that red...![[Karate Kid - Re-Imagined]](graemlins/KarateKid3.gif)
KARATE KID: [Of Earth!!!] "Some of us enjoy getting our hands dirty." Perfect. He's much more impulsive and confrontational than the serene reboot K-Kid. "We're supposed to be a team." Sounds like he'd fall in the Sun Boy camp, if we're so dividing the characters.![[Dream Girl - Re-Imagined]](graemlins/DreamGirl3.gif)
DREAM GIRL: [Of Naltor] Now really, *why* wasn't she given the cover?![[Shadow Lass - Re-Imagined]](graemlins/ShadowLass3.gif)
SHADOW LASS: [Of Talok VIII, apparently only 'creates darkness'-- that's a bit disappointing... but only a bit.] Again she questions authority, asking Brainy about his 'supplanting the U.P.' comment. "Is that what passes for [B]due process on Naltor?" Shady has a legal bent, perhaps? quote:A lot of team members seem to have a more rough n' tumble attitude. I think Ultra Boy, Sun Boy, Colossal Boy and Shadow Lass have an attitude as well. If Waid's not careful, he's going to approach "Claremont bad-ass posturing" soon...
KARATE KID: [Of Earth!!!] "Some of us enjoy getting our hands dirty." Perfect. He's much more impulsive and confrontational than the serene reboot K-Kid.
quote:We've seen that people in the 31st century communicate primarily via electronics. Since this seems to be one of the things the Legionnaires are rebeling against, it makes sense that they'd try to talk to each other in person whenever possible.
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
SUN BOY: Uh-- why not use the snazzy flight ring communication tech to alert Dreamy and co.?
quote:As long as he doesn't constantly give them power upgrades he'll be fine.
Originally posted by DrakeB3004:
quote:A lot of team members seem to have a more rough n' tumble attitude. I think Ultra Boy, Sun Boy, Colossal Boy and Shadow Lass have an attitude as well. If Waid's not careful, he's going to approach "Claremont bad-ass posturing" soon...
KARATE KID: [Of Earth!!!] "Some of us enjoy getting our hands dirty." Perfect. He's much more impulsive and confrontational than the serene reboot K-Kid.
quote:Except for Lyle.
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
Note that no 'civilian' name has been uttered in the LSH, as yet.
quote:Good point - although we have had Lyle. That sort of made me assume the other names were the same.
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
COSMIC BOY: This Cos seems brasher and more given to snappy comments (at least to Brainy...) than other versions of the character. And it seem he's a practical joker, given the issue's concluding panel. The 'ego' comment was funny, as well.
The ending redeemed Cos - so far. Up until that, we just saw a worry-prone, somewhat doubting leader - not without cause, but it's good to see he's got a lighter side, and is not going to get pushed around by Brainy. O not too much.
BRAINIAC 5: "How handwringingly dramatic." Detached, take charge, sarcastic, distrustful of what he doesn't understand (here, Dream Girl and Naltorians, in general), didactic... all qualities exhibited by Brainiac 5 in other boots. But, so far, I'm not warming up to *this* Brainy, though he does make the 31st century's best joke-butt.
Maybe it's just the haircut and resemblence to Vril Dox... complete with mysterious 'plan'.
The Vril Dox resemblence is very strong - physically and in his plans to supplant the U.P. I was wondering if we were going to have Brainy the Bookie - just calculating the odds on something happening - but his analytical skills are used more broadly in this issue. He's not without compassion - he makes the effort to offer hope to Dream Girl - he could have just ended with the "we processed data" line. I also suspect that he's spent a lot of time "studying" Nura - and that they've had some of these conversations before. How did he know she was going to be interrupted by the Micro Lad/Ultra Boy skirmish? It's an interesting twist that he's a precog in his own way. "Hebetudinous child" - well, I had to look that one up. Funny that he calls he child as well - I think he likes her.
ELEMENT LAD: The glowing design on the cape border and tunic look *great*; now if we could do something about that red...
The power signature of the gas-to-helium transmutation was beautiful. We learn E-Lad's a touch-transmutor... at least in some situations.
This touch thing seems like a great limitation to me, but we'll see. I was wondering if his cape glowed with the symbols of what he was transmuting something to, or if it's fixed.
I enjoyed the interaction between K-Kid and E-Lad. We'll have to watch to determine if their trash talkin' was playful banter or an ongoing difference in style. I like the mischievous expression of E-Lad's face on page three and the wry grin on the bottom of page five (directed at K-Kid? Dreamy? The delegates?)
I hope E-Lad's getting more of a spotlight soon...
Absolutely! And we know he's bickered with Cham over religion too - maybe he still has some of the spiritual E-Lad of the past, coupled with a more relaxed/playful nature. Makes me wonder if the people of Trom havn't been murdered... yet.
KARATE KID: "Crossing martial arts with anti-gravity. Inspired." Indeed. I hope this isn't forgotten.
Has K-Kid invented this as a new martial art?
The tandem fight scene with Shadow Lass was loads of fun. More of this pairing!
"...find your ajna shakra..." Cute.
I'm liking this Karate Kid. The reboot version was such a cipher right up until the end of that boot... this one's already a much more distinct personality. Though I hope some of the serenity finds its way in.
Now that we've seen it, wonder why it took so long to combine the martial arts with the flight ring?
He's an interesting mix of personality - a bit bring-it-on brawler with a bit of eastern mystic, but you know he's highly disciplined. I like his look too, sometimes he seems more or less Asian - so maybe he's mixed parentage again. He and Shady make a great team!
DREAM GIRL: I'll have to wait and see how this time-split focus is handled when Dreamy *isn't* a primary character... otherwise it still reminds me a bit too much of narcoleptic Dreamy.
This is one aspect I'm a bit doubtful on - it does seem a bit ditzy for someone who is such an exceptional precog and has obviously had a lot of training. maybe they're all like that on Naltor...
How come the High Seer didn't foresee her destroying the Public Service? Does she see further, or is this an example of Brainy's unpredictable universe?
Her parting shot at Brainy's going to be grist for lots of Legion fans' mills for a good long while. Interesting.
Well, they certainly make a great couple - and it doesn't have to be a romance. Their powers lead to the same result from opposite paths. She may be one of the few people who can consistently stand up to him. I never saw them as a couple before this, but figured he would be fascinated - and befuddled - with somebody whose powers are mystical.
Maybe she'll have a dream of something horrifically catastrophic from which she'll awake with white hair...
Or just dye her hair...
SHADOW LASS: [Of Talok VIII, apparently only 'creates darkness'-- that's a bit disappointing... but only a bit.]
"Ah, Legion. I genuinely think I have found my calling," this after wokking Dream Girl into future-glimpsing unconsciousness. Ha! Does give rise to curiosity about just why and how she was searching for her calling. And what she might've rejected along the way.
After the power of the shadow force in the previous series, creates darkness does sound a bit tame. It's early in the story, though. I hope to see their powers develop more strongly as they gain experience - not just Tasmia.
She was pretty quick to slug Dream Girl. Some hostility there?
MICRO LAD/ULTRA BOY: Some boys just can't be housebroken.
Looks like we got the team jocks in place.
Naltor's green skies and clouds, twisty, tentacly architecture and biologically inspired interiors made an evocative, if slightly queasy, setting... one I'd like to see again.
There was something a bit creepy about the architecture - it certainly didn't look very comfortable. But it was different.
Page nine, top panel... Who is looking askance at Brainy? Little 'l' legionnaire looking for a bathroom? Someone we haven't met yet? Devlin O'Ryan? Sean Erin? Reflecto?
Panel two... Who's that hooded entity in the background? GATES!!!???
Gates - I wish! At first I thought the "askance" guy might be Lyle, without his headgear - but there's no real clue.
I've wondered if socialization between human-looking species and other sentients is frowned upon, and if that's a source of the generational friction? Would that be a reason why no nonhumans are on the team?
In the Issue #1 crowd scenes, there were a number of nonhumans so it does seem odd that the actual Legion doesn't have any. Except Cham, who is sort-of non-human.
Note that no 'civilian' name has been uttered in the LSH, as yet.
quote:Dreamy actually asked him this (fourth from last page). He replied that he was simply tired of the burden and that whatever happens will now be on their heads.
How come the High Seer didn't foresee her destroying the Public Service? Does she see further, or is this an example of Brainy's unpredictable universe?
quote:I like this about him, provided it's really part of his personality not just something glommed on to fit because he was the background character of the issue. He sure stands pretty stiffly, though. I reiterate my baseless theory that he is a robot.
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
COSMIC BOY: ...seems brasher and more given to snappy comments (at least to Brainy...) than other versions of the character.
quote:I love him. He has some of the best lines of the issue:
BRAINIAC 5: "How handwringingly dramatic."
quote:Okay, I've got some issues here. I can live with him having to touch. Not because I like it, but because so many other folks seem to like it well enough. I can't cope with him not being able to sense the composition of things. How can you change something into something else if you can't even sense when you've gotten to that something else? I can see one good reason why he would want an analysis from Brainy, though. If it were some unknown complex molecule, perhaps he shouldn't go about transmuting the component parts without analyzing whether the process would start some combustion or something. That could be something he wouldn't be able to tell by sensing composition.
ELEMENT LAD: We learn E-Lad's a touch-transmutor... at least in some situations.
quote:I think I would prefer more of the reboot version. He fights... he talks... I imagine there will be enough of that on the team.
KARATE KID: much more impulsive and confrontational than the serene reboot K-Kid.
quote:That's precisely why I like her much better than the reboot Dream Girl. She's completely comfortable with her power, and it's one that she's shown to be quite competent about. The side-effects that may seem flakey or dizzy are well-handled as a natural aspect of her culture--one that's really alien instead of just like humans, but with a kooky twist.
DREAM GIRL: still reminds me a bit too much of narcoleptic Dreamy... This Dream Girl's calm... as detached as Brainy in her own way.
quote:I hadn't actually put these together. It's good to see a character aspect develop. There's really nothing about Shadow Lass that I don't like. I'm cautious, though, because I dread that, as we learn more about her, I may have to suffer through some tedious tribal ritual history or other bother.
SHADOW LASS: Again she questions authority, asking Brainy about his 'supplanting the U.P.' comment. "Is that what passes for due process on Naltor?"
quote:
The idea for the covers 1-6 was that they wouldn't be too related to the interiors but give a 'flavor' of the book. After #6 when a deal more of what's happening has been revealed they will be more story related...or that's the plan at least
quote:Hmmm. And Chameleon is apparently coming to blows with Sun Boy during an off'screen' religious discussion... Cosmic Boy has a temper tantrum... Element Lad seems a little ... scruffier, for want of a better word. Though he was also shown reading a book, then playing chess with Karate Kid, who'd been playing with Chameleon. Which isn't to say that the more genteel pursuits cancels out the prospect of 'bad-ass posturing'...
Originally posted by DrakeB3004:
A lot of team members seem to have a more rough n' tumble attitude. I think Ultra Boy, Sun Boy, Colossal Boy and Shadow Lass have an attitude as well. If Waid's not careful, he's going to approach "Claremont bad-ass posturing" soon...
quote:Now this makes sense and fits with the 'story-behind-the-story' we're gradually learning.
Originally posted by Arachne:
quote:We've seen that people in the 31st century communicate primarily via electronics. Since this seems to be one of the things the Legionnaires are rebeling against, it makes sense that they'd try to talk to each other in person whenever possible.
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
SUN BOY: Uh-- why not use the snazzy flight ring communication tech to alert Dreamy and co.?
quote:I was lucky-- I had the day off.
Originally posted by Rurouni KJS:
Gee, ML...that was quick.
quote:If anything, it seems power *down*grades have been the order of this LSH. Element Lad, probably Shadow Lass, maybe Brainy... all are or may be less powerful than the their reboot counterparts.
Originally posted by ferroboy:
As long as he doesn't constantly give them power upgrades he'll be fine.
quote:Or, more to the point, more predictable characterizations in the stories we're reading.
Originally posted by ferroboy:
I do like some of these people having this sort of attitude. They're trying to stage a revolution, so those sort of people are necessary - especially if they're the ones fighting on the front lines. Naturally, not everyone should be that way or else you risk having poor leadership when you win.
quote:Hello to a fellow Tennessean! What did you enjoy about this issue? And what will keep you enjoying the stories in the future?
Originally posted by Energy Trail:
As someone who wasn't completely sold on the first issue, let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Now I'm looking forward to the next issue.
quote:Maybe it's the self-contained stories? Or the extra-long issues?
Originally posted by imskian78:
thought this issue was great! Things are already starting to gel! This Legion reminds me alot of the Grell period for some reason..love it! Dreamy was the best since Giffen days! I am really longing to see Projectra, brown boots and Violet. Hopefully soon! All in all another fantastic issue.thanks Barry and Mark!
quote:True... but that didn't happen in the LSH!
Originally posted by jimgallagher:
quote:Except for Lyle.
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
Note that no 'civilian' name has been uttered in the LSH, as yet.
As Dean (Sketch Lad) later points out, the Precommandos call Dreamy 'Nura' in #2, as well.quote:I did too... the latter distinguished her from the several other shadow-casters of the comics universe. And tied in neatly with a part of Talokian culture seemingly forgotten in the transition of old to reboot... that of Lady Memory and the desert tribe.
Originally posted by jimgallagher:
I too am disappointed that Shadow Lass has apparently been depowered to mere shadow casting. I liked her darkforce and communing with her ancestors from the last boot.
quote:You'd think there'd be some sort of narcotic that'd do the trick. She should've asked Element Lad along to turn a bit of Naltorian atmosphere into sleeping gas. Or maybe she could carry an atomizer with a sleep-spray... one with a moon and drifting clouds on it.
Originally posted by jimgallagher:
I'm also a bit leery of the newly flake-ified Dream Girl. Having to be knocked unconscious every time she wants to see past tomorrow is just ridiculous. The girl's going to have a concussion by issue #5 at this rate.
A 31st century Kathy Kane...
quote:I'd say the banter between Cos and Brainy actually broadened the character more than the ending... that scene was the capper... the punchline.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
The ending redeemed Cos - so far. Up until that, we just saw a worry-prone, somewhat doubting leader - not without cause, but it's good to see he's got a lighter side, and is not going to get pushed around by Brainy. O not too much.
quote:Looking back over the issue, I think I've discovered that my reservations are almost completely based in the art and Kitson's history as artist of L.E.G.I.O.N. That and Brainy's out-of-comics mention as 'science advisor', not member of the team. This isn't a criticism of Barry's art... far from it. I'm just not comfortable with the choice that's been made to remind the reader of Vril Dox this heavily.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
The Vril Dox resemblence is very strong - physically and in his plans to supplant the U.P. I was wondering if we were going to have Brainy the Bookie - just calculating the odds on something happening - but his analytical skills are used more broadly in this issue. He's not without compassion - he makes the effort to offer hope to Dream Girl - he could have just ended with the "we processed data" line. I also suspect that he's spent a lot of time "studying" Nura - and that they've had some of these conversations before. How did he know she was going to be interrupted by the Micro Lad/Ultra Boy skirmish? It's an interesting twist that he's a precog in his own way. "Hebetudinous child" - well, I had to look that one up. Funny that he calls he child as well - I think he likes her.
quote:It looked like the whole border was glowing, not just the symbol of either the element he was transmuting, or the element he was transmuting *to*. Maybe they all glow when he's scanning? Just because E-Lad was waiting for Brainy's scan doesn't mean he wasn't doing one of his own.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
This touch thing seems like a great limitation to me, but we'll see. I was wondering if his cape glowed with the symbols of what he was transmuting something to, or if it's fixed.
quote:Actually, it was Sun Boy who had the spat with Cham.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
Absolutely! And we know he's bickered with Cham over religion too - maybe he still has some of the spiritual E-Lad of the past, coupled with a more relaxed/playful nature. Makes me wonder if the people of Trom havn't been murdered... yet.
quote:I *love* the aspect of combining the flight ring with martial arts! What a visual idea... very cinematic. I like the brawler/philosopher mix, too and I agree that he made a great fighting partner for Shady. I thought he had potential in the earlier scene as a great partner for Dreamy, as well. He was the one who first called her into 'play' (aside from Nura herself, probably).
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
Now that we've seen it, wonder why it took so long to combine the martial arts with the flight ring?
He's an interesting mix of personality - a bit bring-it-on brawler with a bit of eastern mystic, but you know he's highly disciplined. I like his look too, sometimes he seems more or less Asian - so maybe he's mixed parentage again. He and Shady make a great team!
quote:How do we know the High Seer didn't foresee the Public Service's destruction? Hmmm. Maybe what occurred is exactly what the Seer knew would happen. Possibly what he wanted to happen.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
This is one aspect I'm a bit doubtful on - it does seem a bit ditzy for someone who is such an exceptional precog and has obviously had a lot of training. maybe they're all like that on Naltor...
How come the High Seer didn't foresee her destroying the Public Service? Does she see further, or is this an example of Brainy's unpredictable universe?
quote:I have to point out that just because Dream Girl dreamed (or didn't dream-- I love this aspect of Nura playfully mentioning her power... using it whether she's actually had a prophetic dream or not) that she'd marry Brainy, *doesn't* mean that they'd necessarily *have* to have a romance.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
Well, they certainly make a great couple - and it doesn't have to be a romance. Their powers lead to the same result from opposite paths. She may be one of the few people who can consistently stand up to him. I never saw them as a couple before this, but figured he would be fascinated - and befuddled - with somebody whose powers are mystical.
quote:That'd be interesting, I suppose. I kind of think this Shady'd have done the same for/to any Legionnaire, though. It didn't seem personally directed, really.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
After the power of the shadow force in the previous series, creates darkness does sound a bit tame. It's early in the story, though. I hope to see their powers develop more strongly as they gain experience - not just Tasmia.
She was pretty quick to slug Dream Girl. Some hostility there?
quote:The interiors reminded me a bit of something familiar I couldn't quite place. At first I thought it was the sets aboard the living starship, Moya on FARSCAPE. Then, I remembered a long-dead series put out by DEFIANT comics and former Legion scribe Jim Shooter that had very similar-looking alien interiors. It featured either a character called Lorca or aliens called the Lorca... I still can't quite place the name of the series...
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
There was something a bit creepy about the architecture - it certainly didn't look very comfortable. But it was different.
quote:Sigh... maybe there'll be some reason for Gates-lovers to be glad sooner rather than later.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
Gates - I wish! At first I thought the "askance" guy might be Lyle, without his headgear - but there's no real clue.
quote:But could always *appear* human when necessary.
Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
In the Issue #1 crowd scenes, there were a number of nonhumans so it does seem odd that the actual Legion doesn't have any. Except Cham, who is sort-of non-human.
quote:Hee, hee! Maybe Supergirl's the one pining for her Brainy boy in this reality-- she's off searching the galaxy for the Brainy-bot she created as a replacement while fevered, not dreaming her invention would end up advising a team of super-heroes!
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
I like this about him, provided it's really part of his personality not just something glommed on to fit because he was the background character of the issue. He sure stands pretty stiffly, though. I reiterate my baseless theory that he is a robot.
quote:Or laughing at him before he says it.
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
I love him. He has some of the best lines of the issue:
"Stop being so defiant! Cause then effect. Cause, effect. Cause, effect!"--I can just picture Dream Girl placidly staring at him.
quote:Everyone seems comfortable with this Brainy but me... and I don't *dislike* him-- just not used to him yet. He's the biggest 'cognitive dissonator' for me, so far.
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
Brainy had more good moments, but overall he just seems a better blend. He's got some plan that explains him being there better than just being the resident scientist, but he's not obsessing about it to such a degree that he doesn't get along with Cos and even show an interest in reforming Dream Girl.
quote:GASP! Oh, NO! Grown-up cooties!
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
It's also good to know that he includes christianity in his equations (see jesus fish, page two). At least we know the Legion will be expecting the Spanish Inquisition.
P.S. He called Dream Girl a child! He's one of THEM!
quote:I agree with you, for the most part. 1). Though I'm not yet convinced that E-Lad *has* to touch *everything* in order to transmute it. That's going to be particularly problematic with gas-to-anything-else transmutations. Or liguid-to-other ones, as well. 2). I *really* hope E-Lad was relying on Brainy for confirmation and/or advice about side-effects (not the best choice of words) here. We'll have to see him in action with no Brainy in sight or hearing to be sure of anything, I think.
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
Okay, I've got some issues here. I can live with him having to touch. Not because I like it, but because so many other folks seem to like it well enough. I can't cope with him not being able to sense the composition of things. How can you change something into something else if you can't even sense when you've gotten to that something else? I can see one good reason why he would want an analysis from Brainy, though. If it were some unknown complex molecule, perhaps he shouldn't go about transmuting the component parts without analyzing whether the process would start some combustion or something. That could be something he wouldn't be able to tell by sensing composition.
quote:There is a problem in terms here, isn't there? Elemental transmutation might conjure the image of turning fire into air or water or earth, mightn't it? We have to keep an open mind, though... maybe this Element Lad *is* accomplishing 'molecular' transmutation. It isn't what other Element Lads have done, historically.
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
Also, please note that you wouldn't transmute molecules--except maybe into more or less rubbly molecules. And Chemical King would be the one to do that. You transmute elements. So next time you've got to fill his caption please note Element (or even atomic) Transmutation, not Molecular Transmutation.
quote:I dunno-- I liked him. I sort of wonder why he isn't the 'combat advisor' or something, similar to Brainy's position as 'science advisor'. Though we've yet to see that really made concrete in the series itself.
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
I think I would prefer more of the reboot version. He fights... he talks... I imagine there will be enough of that on the team.
quote:I want to see more of the Naltorians... certainly more of Nura. Will she be dependant on articial means of consciousness alteration?
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
That's precisely why I like her much better than the reboot Dream Girl. She's completely comfortable with her power, and it's one that she's shown to be quite competent about. The side-effects that may seem flakey or dizzy are well-handled as a natural aspect of her culture--one that's really alien instead of just like humans, but with a kooky twist.
quote:I'm *very* curious about her life before joining the Legion... more so than about many other (but not all) of the characters we've seen so far.
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
I hadn't actually put these together. It's good to see a character aspect develop. There's really nothing about Shadow Lass that I don't like. I'm cautious, though, because I dread that, as we learn more about her, I may have to suffer through some tedious tribal ritual history or other bother.
quote:Yes, this adds immeasurably.
Originally posted by Awkward Pause Boy:
It was great to see everyone else. I hope we continue to see casual placement of legionnaires about the HQ.
quote:I can't believe I didn't spot this until you mentioned it, Dean! But I didn't.
Originally posted by Sketch:
NURA! They called her NURA!
quote:Definitely... I liked the in-story use of the alien's touch-communication and physical secretions, too.
Originally posted by Tromium:
S*QUIR
Kudos to Barry for this wierd and wonderfully imagined alien. How long did it take him to draw all those tentacles?! The interpreter (shades of Molecule Master) and delegates were nicely rendered too. I genuinely appreciate the loving care he puts into these secondary characters.
quote:Has she worn star earrings in other versions? Hmmm... maybe she's met Donna Troy.
Originally posted by Tromium:
DREAM GIRL
Her famous beauty mark has been replaced by star-shaped silver earrings. You can see them clearly on the next to last page.
quote:I *like* the clouds! I think there should be a bit of blue somewhere in her top, though, to tie it all together.
Originally posted by Tromium:
Yet another vote for platinum hair. And why so thin? Prominent boobs aside, the girl could use a few more feminine curves. Love the shiny silver halter top and bracelets, but those low-slung, psychedelic tie-dyed pants ruin the overall effect, imo.
quote:You have a thing for fish-faced warriors?
Originally posted by Tromium:
I wonder about the guy at the center of Nura's apocalyptic vision. If he's a villain, he's the most attractive baddie I've seen in ages. Bring him on!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Oh, you mean the *other* guy!quote:Y'know-- it'd be kind of cool if this is hinted at from time to time but isn't actually confirmed or denied for a good long time. Sort of like the Adult Legion stories from Adventure through LSH #300.
Originally posted by Tromium:
By the look in her eyes, I think Nura was DEAD SERIOUS about B5. I never would have thunk it, but the prospect of these two together is absolutely tantalizing.
quote:While I wanted to see the dialogue leading up to the blows!
Originally posted by Tromium:
BRAINY
Nice dialogue. The creators are clearly in love with B5, but does he deserve a full page pin-up, not to mention 4 panels just to depict his reaction to Dreamy's little "joke"? If only they'd stolen a couple of panels from him to show Sun Boy and Chameleon trading blows.
![[LOL]](graemlins/lol.gif)
quote:So much we don't know-- what else might he have been working on? 'Unparalleled'= lots of wiggle room, for the writers.
Originally posted by Tromium:
So, 12th level intellect becomes "unparalleled" intellect. Yet his inability to process data quickly enough in the early scenes (even with the wires) suggests a real limitation.
quote:That's what I'm afraid of-- I'd really dislike that. Even if it is well-told and illustrated.
Originally posted by Tromium:
If Vril's, uh, Brainy's ambition to supplant the U.P. ever comes to fruition, we may have to send the Legion to take HIM down.
quote:Love Cos-- turning deaf ear to Cos slams. Wonder who'll get the first honorary 'inspirational speech' this go round? Or the more desperate measure of Braalian Slap Therapy?
Originally posted by Tromium:
COSMIC BOY
This issue, "wry" Cos replaces "ballistic" Cos. Both seem odd to me, as if WaK had created an entirely new character and stuffed him in Rokk's body. Turning him into a practical joker (so where'd he get the goats?) didn't help matters, as if the writers were willing to try *anything*, however ludicrous, to make him interesting.
I guess Cos just grates on me, no matter how they depict him.
quote:Guess we'll have to wait for the E-Lad spotlight... whenever that gets scheduled.
Originally posted by Tromium:
ELEMENT LAD a.k.a. MOLECULE MASTER II
"Molecular transmutation" suggests he's capable of altering compounds and there's no need for him to transmute (or in theory, even identify) the constituent elements first. So then what was that whole bit with Brainy about? Doesn't make sense to me.
quote:I don't mind the soul-patch... it fits the mischievous facial expressions we've seen. And dovetails (at least for me) with Element Lad's earliest characterization in ADVENTURE.
Originally posted by Tromium:
I'm still not digging the wizard costume or the soul patch (ugh!), but I like his new-found spunk. The (remote) possibility of seeing a populated Trom makes me giddy.
quote:Now, now-- don't make fun of other races' physical characteristics. Didn't you know Talokian's have spiked *heels*-- and I don't mean just their shoes.
Originally posted by Tromium:
SHADY
She's wearing stiletto heels. Who needs Umbra's mystical dark-field when you have lethal weapons of that caliber?
quote:Entertainig dork? Wasn't that a movie?
Originally posted by Tromium:
KARATE KID
Heh, I've been waiting a long time to see someone punch the crod out of him. That said, I prefer this KK to his previous incarnations. Nura was right. He's a dork, but he's an entertaining dork.
quote:Obviously.
Originally posted by Tromium:
MICRO LAD/ULTRA BOY
This was my second favorite panel, after page 1. I have real sophisticated reading tastes.
quote:
Originally posted by Tromium:
I wish I could say this issue sold me on the new series, but the truth is I'm still suffering from LSH cognitive dissonance.
quote:We don't yet know that any other Legionnaires want this, do we?
Originally posted by Charles Phipps:
Brainy
I think its appropriate that Brainiac and some of the other Legionaires honestly want to see the United Planets dissolved. It makes the Legion movement more realistic.
quote:Definitely after. The events of #2 take place a week after those of #1. In addition, the closing scene of #1 takes place some time after the battle on Lallor... which in turn takes place after the civil exchange earlier in #1.
Originally posted by MYG:
I can't tell you how much I love what we're seeing with the Legion! I have one question...was the fist fight between Cham and Sun Boy (supposedly they came to blows over religion according to Brainy) before or after their "civil" exchange in the first issue? Just curious.
quote:I don't mind when covers aren't *exact* reflections of what's inside... but they should *suffest* an *idea* of the contents.
Originally posted by Loser Lad:
I was more than a little bothered by the fact that Star Boy, who is pictured so prominently on the cover, didn't even get so much as a cameo in the story. After the first issue, I was looking forward to seeing a little more of him, as he was probably my favorite walking away from that issue. Why put him on the cover as opposed to Nura, who, you know, actually appeared in the book?!?
So next issue has Triplicate Girl on the cover. Does that mean I should be looking forward to a spotlight on Ultra Boy?!?
quote:#2's cover on #1 would have made more sense. And #1's cover on #2 would have as well!
Originally posted by Johnny B Loves Zoe:
Heck, Saturn Girl was there too- you think maybe somebody stuck the wrong cover on this issue?
quote:Thanks for the quote, Mario. That sentiment is fine when it comes to cover composition, theme, etc. But I still say, if a character is looking out at me from a cover, I have a reasonable expectation to see that character somewhere in the book when I open its pages.
Originally posted by Mario Di Giacomo:
Didn't Barry say something about the covers?
Ah yes, here it is:
quote:
The idea for the covers 1-6 was that they wouldn't be too related to the interiors but give a 'flavor' of the book. After #6 when a deal more of what's happening has been revealed they will be more story related...or that's the plan at least
quote:Maybe not THE DEMON... but The Devil-Fish!
Originally posted by THE LABRADORIAN:
are they trying to give the impression that JASON BLOOD/THE DEMON is the cause, or did it just look like that, maybe i should take another look?
quote:I didn't notice it, either, so don't feel bad. But you could be right about the secret identities. OTOH, in a place as information rich as the UP, is it even possible to keep people from knowing who you are just by calling up info based on your face?
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
quote:I can't believe I didn't spot this until you mentioned it, Dean! But I didn't.
Originally posted by Sketch:
NURA! They called her NURA!
I still wonder if the Legionnaires know each other's civie ids-- or if they choose not to use them.
quote:I thought Brainy said he was replacing the SPs? Or was I just translating it that way in my head because I'm thinking police force SP to police force LSH?
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
quote:We don't yet know that any other Legionnaires want this, do we?
Originally posted by Charles Phipps:
Brainy
I think its appropriate that Brainiac and some of the other Legionaires honestly want to see the United Planets dissolved. It makes the Legion movement more realistic.
quote:Because running it is a *lot* of work, and we genuises are a very lazy lot. If someone offered me the chance to rule the universe, I'd turn them down.
Originally posted by doublechinner:
Brainiac 5 -- Why wouldn't the smartest man in the universe want to run it?
![[Disgusting]](graemlins/puke.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Because I hated that. I really really really hated that
quote:Ha! So who was KK's partner?
Originally posted by jimgallagher:
Maybe Cham, Jan, and KK were playing a new 31st century tag team version of chess...
quote:They really should've... Star Boy and Shady have in common the fact that they could potentially be members of a heroic lineage dating back the 'Heroic Age' revered by the LSH. We don't yet *know* that they are, though. And, of course, Brainy has his own DC lineage backing him as the central figure on #1.
Originally posted by jimgallagher:
I agree that the characters on the cover should appear in the book and that the covers to issues 1 and 2 would have been more appropriate if they were switched.
quote:GREAT question! Why aren't they? Maybe Naltor has blue skies and white clouds during part of their year?
Originally posted by jimgallagher:
If the sky and clouds on Naltor are green, how come they're not green on Nura's pants?
quote:Let's go for the simpler approach. Maybe she bought them on Earth.
Originally posted by Mystery Lad:
quote:GREAT question! Why aren't they? Maybe Naltor has blue skies and white clouds during part of their year? [/QB]
Originally posted by jimgallagher:
If the sky and clouds on Naltor are green, how come they're not green on Nura's pants?
quote:'Ultimate' after one issue? Wow... I loved her here, too... but it'll take a bit more to earn ultimate from me.
Originally posted by doublechinner:
Dream Girl -- hair color issues aside, this is clearly the ultimate Dream Girl, integrating all the best aspects of her previous incarnations (Flaky AND brilliant, non-chalant AND kick-ass, smart AND sexy) into a truly impressive new synthesis. Her relationship (?) to Brainiac 5 is brilliant, a great example of how starting the characters fresh from the beginning (rather than trying to re-tread the past) can lead to interesting, logical and entertaining new stories.
quote:You're right-- Shooter seems to be an influence for KK... just as the ADVENTURE Sun Boy and possibly Element Lad are the 'source material' for those characters. So far...
Originally posted by doublechinner:
Karate Kid -- he reminds me a great deal of the original Shooter KK -- confident, physical, humorous, but very, very disciplined.
quote:I don't think so... KKid was in zen-practitioner mode here. That doesn't mean he and Dreamy *didn't* have an earlier 'thing'... but I don't think his touching her here or use of 'chakras' was referencing that.
Originally posted by doublechinner:
BTW, did anyone else get the impression that Dream Girl and Karate Kid have been more than just colleagues? In the whole "clock me/dream" sequence, he touches her hair & neck affectionately BEFORE she asks him to hit her, and then he seems very knowledgable about how her sleep-based visions work.
quote:That was a nice touch. Not overly done, either.
Originally posted by doublechinner:
I also really love how Waid incorporated time/prophecy-oriented phrases into the Naltorians' dialogue. Especially "clock me!"
quote:As I've said, I'm not sold on this Brainy yet. The 'takeover' comment worries me more than making me nod my head 'yes'.
Originally posted by doublechinner:
Brainiac 5 -- Why wouldn't the smartest man in the universe want to run it? This may turn out to be Brainy's central character arc for the new series (along with his possible Naltorian paramour). He clearly has the brains, but it takes more than brains to govern successfully. Again, the science/sorcery conflict seems obvious in retrospect, which means it is a brilliant insight by Waid to build a story around it.
quote:Always welcome in a character. Let's hope it's consistently used.
Originally posted by doublechinner:
Cosmic Boy -- A sense of humor, thank God!
quote:I liked that difference between the Lad and the Kid, too. And I'm glad you read it as banter, as I did.
Originally posted by doublechinner:
Element Lad -- I like his distinctive look and it seems to fit very well with character. It's worth saying that one of the best things about Barry's art is that the Legionnaires DO look distinctive and like "real" people. I liked the implication of cultural/style differences in his banter with Karate Kid.
quote:That would be an... interesting... heroic motivation. Honest, though. Careful about the clinginess, though... M'onel/Mon-el hasn't shown up yet (maybe *he'll* be the clingy one this time... though I hope they don't get paired up at all).
Originally posted by doublechinner:
Shadow Lass -- Does she love the Legion because it's an excuse to hit people? I love her "dark elf" appearance. Again, she seems a true synthesis of past incarnations, not as clingy and melodramatic as the Shooter/Levitz Shady, but a more urbane, humorous and sophisticated tough-girl than the DnA Umbra.
quote:Maybe the flight rings somehow scramble visual tech? Just enough to obscure the faces? Perhaps it's so subtle that the SP/media/UP don't even realize they're being fed incorrect visual info...
Originally posted by ferroboy:
I didn't notice it, either, so don't feel bad. But you could be right about the secret identities. OTOH, in a place as information rich as the UP, is it even possible to keep people from knowing who you are just by calling up info based on your face?
quote:Which is probably a comics creator's most wished-for compliment. Just 18 or so days...
Originally posted by armsfalloffboy:
I thought this issue was really well done in every way. I can't find anything at all to bitch about, other than having to wait for the next issue.
quote:I dunno. I thought Brainy was coming across as a spoiled brat who just found out maybe he *WASN'T* the best thing around for most of the issue. But there was one thing that turned me around on his character.
Mystery Lad:
BRAINIAC 5: [We now know he's '5' and from Colu] "How handwringingly dramatic." Detached, take charge, sarcastic, distrustful of what he doesn't understand (here, Dream Girl and Naltorians, in general), didactic... all qualities exhibited by Brainiac 5 in other boots. But, so far, I'm not warming up to *this* Brainy, though he does make the 31st century's best joke-butt.
quote:I guess you hated it, then.
Originally posted by Infectious Drura:
If Mon-el turns up please don't have her saying 'my love' and clinging to him for 30 years, please?
). And guess what? That initial version of Umbra had "mere" shadowcasting powers, which were quite mighty in their own right, able to absorb any form of radiation (as she did to aid the wounded Radion).