Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Comparing the Legionnaires

Comparing continuities: which version of a Legionnaire did you find the most interesting, which was a downgrade, and who was wasted potential?
Single Legionnaires only, not the entire Legion: I think that too many times we consider each Legion continuity as a whole, with nostalgia being a huge reason, but I?m sure that even if you prefer one continuity above all others there?s at least one Legionnaires where you actually like a different version.
It goes without saying, but it?s all personal opinion.

My personal list, starting from the founders:

SATURN GIRL
Best: a very tough one, but my personal favorite is the reboot by an extremely slim margin. The only thing that pushes this version above the original, for me, is that she got more time to develop independently, while the original relied more on other Legionnaires for character development.
Worst: threeboot. I don?t mind her being mute, but the idea never went anywhere.
Honorable mention: the cartoon. A nice adaptation and I especially liked the subtle visual hints of her not being human.

COSMIC BOY
Best: pre-Crisis version. Once again by a slim margin, thanks to her relationship with Night Girl which developed over time. Reboot version was really good and threeboot had the potential to match it if given enough time.
Worst: the cartoon. Season 1 was a nice interpretation but in Season 2 he was unsufferable.

LIGHTNING LAD
Best: reboot. This could be an unpopular opinion, but I think the clash of his personality with Cosmic Boy made a more interesting dynamic for the founders. And he had a consistent personal growth; the original also had tons of character development but with too many sudden changes for my tastes. Also his relationship with his sister was more interesting in the reboot in my opinion.
And while I don?t have a strong opinion on the Live Wire codename, it?s far easier to write if English isn?t your first language! :-)
Worst: the whole business with Proty. WTF!?!?


Splitting this into multiple posts since there's A LOT of Legionnaires.

TRIPLICATE GIRL
Best: reboot. I don?t think too many people will pick this one. The original received an enormous amount of character development, sure, but she had interesting relationship with very few Legionnaires and she was rarely interesting in action scenes. Whereas the reboot had some interesting interaction with almost all members, with the added bonus of having more than one attitude towards them due to the different personalities. I think the original is a better character but the reboot is a more interesting team member.
Worst: threeboot. Having an entire planet with her duplicates is very interesting, but never went anywhere and kind of defeats the purpose of her original power.

PHANTOM GIRL
Best: reboot. Tons of development that doesn?t revolve entirely around Ultra Boy, and her mother was a welcome addition to the lore.
Worst: threeboot. I don?t think Waid gave enough thought to the ramifications of her being visible in one dimension when she?s physically in the other one?

CHAMELEON BOY
Best: reboot by an extremely small margin. Mostly because he was shown as extremely alien from the start, whereas the original took a long time to get there. Also his introduction, with the subplot of him learning to speak Interlac in secret, was top notch.
Worst: the cartoon. Calling him a bargain bin Beast Boy is a compliment he doesn?t deserve.

COLOSSAL BOY
Best: pre-Crisis almost by default, since the reboot died so quickly.
Worst: threeboot. The idea of him being a giant that shrinks is cute, but what?s the point?

SUN BOY
Best: pre-Crisis, if we ignore 5YL and post-Infinite Crisis retroboot. I never found him particularly interesting, but he had a less bland personality than the threeboot.
Worst: pre-Crisis, if we include 5YL and post-Infinite Crisis retroboot. What is it with writers wanting this version of Sun Boy to suffer and/or be treated as an absolute monster!?!?
Honorable mention: reboot version. Sure, he didn?t do much, but at least he was spared the wrath of the writers!!!

INVISIBLE KID
Best: reboot version. I put it above the original mostly because we spent more time with him, otherwise I would consider the pre-Crisis version to be equivalent.
Threeboot would then be the worst by default but that?s because he never got enough time to shine.

STAR BOY
Best: pre-Crisis. Best costume ever, no contest. Tons of believable character development. I liked the reboot version, especially towards the end, but he never rose to that level.
Worst: the amnesiac version of the whole Lightning Saga. I found him to be absolutely unsufferable.

BRAINIAC 5
Best: reboot. I know some of you prefer the non-jerkass and relatively humble original version, but to me the reboot version had more interesting interactions with the Legion. And he had massive character development, growing as a person throughout the reboot, becoming far easier to work with. Compare how he treats the Legionnaires at the start of this continuity versus the end of it; I find it more compelling to see him grow into his ?you don?t have to treat other people as idiots all the time? phase slowly, instead of being kind from the beginning.
Worst: the retroboot version, post Lightning Saga. When the reboot and threeboot are jackasses, at least the story treats them as being wrong to act this way and they typically have reasons. Retroboot Brainy, despite being older, seems to be far less mature.

SHRINKING VIOLET
Best: reboot version. Much like Triplicate Girl, the original grew into a better character but the reboot was a better Legionnaire for me. Also, while the original?s transformation into a badass seemed to come out of nowhere, reboot Vi had ?extremely competent fighter even without powers? integrated into her origin.
Worst: threeboot. Badass Vi doesn?t really work if we don?t see the shy version first....

ULTRA BOY
Best: reboot. The original had a distinct personality and character development... but it took a while to get there, while the reboot started that way. And being introduced before other Superboy equivalents made him more distinct.

MON-EL
Tie: pre-Crisis and reboot. The original has Shadow Lass and the reboot has the religion based on him... no version really stands out above the others, for me. Added bonus of not having a single version that I dislike.

ELEMENT LAD
Best: pre-Crisis. You really can?t top his character development in the later years; he?s even among those that I liked in the 5YL period, and I liked almost nobody there. I really like the reboot version as well (and Progenitor is one of my favorite villains), but his zany period lasted way too long.
Worst: threeboot. I get that it?s hard to write such a powerful character but the restrictions he was given were too much.

LIGHTNING LASS
Best: reboot. Another character where I don?t have a version I dislike, but watching her grow from brat to badass was immensely satisfying.

DREAM GIRL
Best: pre-Crisis. Reboot post-Legion Lost would be my favorite if we saw more of her, but otherwise original Nura wins by default.
Worst: post-5YL. What happened!?!?

KARATE KID
Best: pre-Crisis. This is a weird case... pre-Crisis had the best stories and he was better integrated into the team, even if I found the reboot zen-minded version more interesting.
Worst: threeboot. Did they do anything with him? He was kind of... there.

PRINCESS PROJECTRA
Best: pre-Crisis. No contest thanks to Sensor Girl. I really liked the reboot version as a character and as a concept; if she had been an original character like Gates I think most readers would?ve loved her more.
Honorable mention: threeboot. Fun idea of her wealth being her only power. Ironically, a little too generic once she grows into her regular persona.

SHADOW LASS
Best: reboot. This could be another unpopular opinion. She had a FAR more distinct personality in the reboot version, and even in the threeboot. Also far more independent as a character, whereas most of the character development of the original was centered on Mon-El. Still, another one where I liked all versions.

TIMBER WOLF
Best: pre-Crisis by default. Reboot was okay but we didn?t see enough, and the ?think fast? catchphrase grew old very quickly.
Worst: retroboot. Didn?t see enough and it?s hard for him to stand out if everyone in the team is a rebel to some extent!

WILDFIRE
Best: pre-Crisis. Reboot was great after Legion Lost, but his new origin is unforgivable.
Worst: post-5YL. He?s always been a tragic figure to some extent, but this is way too sad?

Finally, the kind-of-equivalents.
I can?t treat these characters like the others because they?re not technically the same across continuities, even more so than the others, but there are things to talk about.

MATTER-EATER LAD
Best: post-5YL. He?s the only character where I like this version better than the others. Once he starts to embrace his ridiculousness he becomes extremely entertaining.

BOUNCING BOY
Best: pre-Crisis by default, as in the reboot he?s not technically Bouncing Boy. I really like Chuck in his support role regardless, but you can?t compare the level of character development.
Honorable mention: the cartoon. Just as likable as you?d expect, but not limited to comic relief and with a surprising amount of characterization.

DAWNSTAR
We?ve been told Shikari wasn?t supposed to be her equivalent, but come on. As a Legionnaire, I prefer Shikari over Dawnstar for a number of reasons: her origin and personality are more unique, the Kwai and the Second Galaxy are far more interesting than Starhaven, she is more interesting and more useful in combat instead of relying on her tracking sense, she has a unique speech pattern, and she serves a particular role... she?s a point of view character that is as alien to us as the Legion is alien to her. That?s not a role you see often.

FERRO LAD
Best: reboot version. More screen time, more character development, and a connection to the 20th century that doesn?t cause continuity problems. Speaking of which...

SUPERBOY
I have not read the current Superboy so I wouldn?t know how to rate him.
Best: pre-Crisis by default. Connor technically joins during the reboot but he feels like a guest star.
Worst: Superboy Prime. ?Nuff Said.

SUPERGIRL
No version of Kara stands out to me as a Legion member. In my opinion, both best and worst version are her equivalents.
Best: reboot Andromeda. Interesting character development, almost from anti-hero to hero.
Worst: post-5YL Laurel Gand. I never felt like they really knew what to do with her.

nice thread! I will definitely have to consider this carefully, I grew up with the Reboot so I'm biased (the memories growing up + nostalgia factor weigh heavily into how I see some of them!) So I don't know if I can give an objective answer.

I will say that:

DEFINITELY Reboot:

Brainiac 5 - especially under DnA's pen, he developed a beautiful mix of intellectual snobbery and empathy / connection to his team members. It started before DnA with Brainy's friendship with Gates (see LSH 120 for a beautiful story starring these two against the Fatal Five!). But Legion Lost pushed it WAY forward. Key moments: Brainy calling Jo out calmly and supporting Garth in Legion Lost (when fake-Tinya had disappeared and Imra was out, Garth had to step up as acting leader and Jo was acting all cuckoo). Also Brainy comforting Jazmin while defending Imra after Monstress died (Kid Q II's initial reaction was that maybe Imra was lying about Candi's death, and Brainy said it was a dreadful thing to say while comforting her too!)

Saturn Girl - although she also had the "even lying to my fellow Legionnaires are justified" mentality, Legion Lost showed the human toll it took on her. She definitely struggled with her decision to create a fake Tinya and lie about it to all her fellow Lost-ies, to keep Jo from freaking out. I didn't see this when Preboot Imra was all righteous hypocrisy during the Conspiracy. Plus, her pre-DnA arc showed the struggles she faced as an extremely powerful telepath, being initially somewhat of an outcast and fighting to rein her powers in.

Umbra - just because Preboot Shadow Lass had too many moments of meh. Sorry, but I can't forget that annual where COMPUTO attacks and IK II joins, and Tasmia basically spends the whole issue shrieking and crying at Element Lad and Shvaughn instead of being constructive... Tasmia had her own good character arc, again under DnA, where she finally admits the Legion is her family and throws off her old preconceptions and prejudice against the United Planets

Wildfire - again, DnA gave him a sense of tragedy re being an energy being, and he was still brash, but he wasn't just angry all the time. Made him more refreshing to read.

Invisible Kid (Lyle) - well, he wasn't around very long before, but his Reboot persona had a touch of brashness and cheeky arrogance that the SW6 version lacked. Both were very competent, but cheeky Reboot Lyle had that extra ZING that saw him have a rivalry with Brainy and form an Espionage Squad because he didn't trust Cos during the Chu Sting days...

Triad - her origin story still breaks my heart, and touches a chord in me as a gay man growing up in a conservative, religious society. And although 5YL already introduced the different personalities, the Reboot really developed and expanded on that. Plus, her combat abilities were heightened, as were her administrative skills (P.A. to RJ Brande, and occasionally taking over the organization for the team in-between Leaders)

Live Wire - had a realistic growth arc from immature novice to experienced, cool-headed leader that the Preboot never got. Key moments: his relationship with Imra, in Legionnaires 75 he stops using a mission to get close to her and starts taking it seriously, prompting Imra to realize she wasn't communicating well with him... leading Garth very sweetly proposing marriage a couple issues later... his sacrifice in Legion Lost broke my heart, and I was so happy to see him eventually return after in a way that didn't totally cheapen the original sacrifice (IMO). I still tear up whenever I read Legion Lost 12.

Apparition - drama with mama, check. Being in love with Jo, but not fawning over him (love the way she stands up to him while he's chasing her AND still dating Spider-Girl!), check. OK, it dipped a bit in the middle when her "I'm reborn as a phantom!" phase lasted too long, but she got over it and had some small, good development later under DnA and especially in Gail Simone's arc, where we got a taste of Tinya-as-leader (a what-could-have-been, alas the Retroboot messed that up...!)

Chameleon - loved the zinger where he reveals he was pretending NOT to know Interlac, just to trip up President Chu. Loved his continued evolution re Durlan society, loved him growing to be one of the most empathic Legionnaires who helped glue the team together, while calling out teammates for terrible behavior (defending Monstress vs. Umbra, than later on defending Umbra vs. Monstress, and both times being completely awesome about it)

Ultra Boy - Fanfie will agree with me, that the development of the 5YL version was waaaayy over the top. Great powers, smart and crafty, extremely attractive to women with everyone falling over him?!?! nope. Preboot was too much of a dunderhead for most of it as well. Reboot didn't have him always that smart, but he had his moments; and wanting to better himself out of love for Tinya, aww.

DEFINITELY Preboot:

Dream Girl - the perfect mix of playful vamp and effectiveness. Reboot Dreamer took the visions to the next level (under DnA, she could trigger waking visions!), but only Preboot Nura had the wonderful mix of personality and kick-ass-ness!

Element Lad - alas, the Reboot version never really went anywhere while on the team. His "spaciness" hid moments of deep insight, but... and the Progenitor arc, while tragic, didn't do his character any favors, either. I know, it was an extreme act of heroism and a great story, but it didn't necessarily make the CHARACTER better.

DEFINITELY 5YL:

Cosmic Boy - this is where the Cos-as-elder-statesman thing really took off, IMO. The Reboot also had elements of this, but Cos' character was derailed towards the middle/end. Ok, Imra was manipulating him mentally (unconsciously) for much of the Team20/Team30 arc, and he recovered really well by forgiving her and promising to reunite him with Garth. But there were portions in the DnA run where he was unduly harsh towards Superboy (Connor)... and anyway, 5YL laid the foundations. Having him be the Legion's heart and soul DESPITE losing his powers really showed the depths of his character.

On the fence:

Violet - both 5YL and Reboot had their moments

Timber Wolf - Reboot version wasn't around all that long, so I have to think about this one

Spark - Ayla was great in the Reboot, and I loved her role as voice of reason among the Ranzz siblings... she also had some good growth Preboot, though

M'Onel - 5YL thereabouts also introduced the Valor myth, but Reboot M'On was more stable and had more strength of mind...

Ferro - the Reboot version had some good growth, especially the part where he's comfy enough to take off his mask. But the SW6 one was interesting, had a great personality from the get-go

A trifecta of total agreement from me. Thanks, guys.

we know each other's opinions well, Fanfie.

Dragonmage: Reboot vs. SW6, I give it to the Reboot one. He had the whole "arrogant reject trying to prove himself" arc. Ended up with him losing his magical powers once, and unleashing forces that destroyed Dryad and G'ild, among other things. Turned himself in in shame after helping beat those magical forces.

I think I like a lot of the Threeboot/cartoon versions for the same nostaglic reasons others like the the Preboot/Reboot/Retroboot versions. They were the series in publication when I started reading the series. I don't feel like doing a full run-down of the entire roster at the moment, but I will make a few comments on four members.

Waid made a good decision to drop the Shrinking Violet codename in favor of Atom Girl. They made her capable from the very beginning. She was a valuable spy and fighter for Brainiac 5. I am hoping some of the changes Bendis/Sook have made to the team, such as White Witch's costume, point to a more confident take on that character.

Bouncing Boy also seems more confident in the newest version of the Legion. I have a feeling Bendis is aware of the Legion cartoon, which features my favorite version of Bouncing Boy. He was a very good leader.

I feel like Star Boy has had the most variation in different versions. The Reboot version has the best powers from what I have read in article. They gave him some of the Superman-like powers he had in early Adventure days. I like the Threeboot Star Boy as he was a good teammate and Waid/Kitson added little details to differentiate Xanthu from Earth (people on Xanthu are allergic from sugar).

I will dwell on it some more, but some quick agreements that:

Pre-Crisis Dream Girl is the best Dreamy
5YL Matter-Eater Lad is the best Tenzil

I'll have to think about Cham as I suspect either pre-Crisis or 5YL Cham might edge out on top for me but I do agree that the reboot version secretly learning Interlac was an awesome storyline (probably one of my favourite Legion subplots in any era actually)

I will think about some others...

Great point. Shrinking Violet would definitely NOT have fit that version of Salu.

SATURN GIRL
Best: The Original. The culmination of the Universo Project story made goosebumps stand up on my arm so as enjoyable as the others have been that wins.
Worst: No nomination.

Due to Universo Project , Legion Lost, and the Blight storyline when they power her up I'd say she's the most powerful Legionnaire or Legionnaire I'd want to face the least in battle.

COSMIC BOY
Best: Reboot, the trick of Dirk Magz to reunite with the Lost Legion probably puts it over the top for me. This was really tough too. Original I liked his relationship with Night Girl and cutting loose before stopping himself for killing his parents murders. 5YL was nice to see him bargain with Mordru without powers and continue to push on without powers (I felt bad for Dirk Magz in reboot when he lost his powers too). Threeboot I actually liked too despite being a jerk (like B5) he was shown to be an effective jerk and using Triad to run intel on the others is a bit insidious but if I was running a teenage powerhouse I'd probably be worried too.
Worst: No nomination.

LIGHTNING LAD
Best: Reboot, op describes it well.
Worst: SW6, I think that was a brief version that made fun of future Emerald Empress (with Sun Boy).


TRIPLICATE GIRL
Best: Reboot (Triad). The issue looking back with her grandmother was a great issue and puts this version above the others for me.
Worst: none spring to mind.

PHANTOM GIRL
Best: Reboot. Her getting scorched by a Daxamite was brutal.
Worst: Retroboot , I didn't like the way she handled her leadership and her appearance during the end of that run; something about it didn't feel right where as watching Lightning Lad fail during Threeboot was understandable without feeling "wrong" but maybe that's because I like PG more than LL.

CHAMELEON BOY
Best: Reboot.
Worst: none spring to mind.

COLOSSAL BOY
Best: pre-Crisis almost by default, since the reboot died so quickly.
Worst: Threeboot, felt like no personality.

I'd be interested in knowing good Colossal Boy stories because he seems to be the hardest to remember (pre-crisis with Yera).

SUN BOY
Best: The 5YL qualifier is a good one, if we have to include that then Threeboot, took awhile for him to come into his own in the run but I liked it.
Worst: 5YL/SW6. Fun loving playboy sells out was brutal to read ( I'd like a bit more explanation). Not like this, then they have the SW6 version make fun of a try out who would become Emerald Empress.

INVISIBLE KID
Best: Reboot. Letting him invent the Flight Ring and be "close" to B5's intelligence level helped his perception a ton.
Worst: Threeboot but probably just because Reboot was so good.

STAR BOY
Best: Liked Original and Reboot a ton. Original helped restrain Mon-El and Reboot was great in the Robotica storyline.
Worst: Bendis version , dislike the look ...Threeboot version if I have to choose one because he didn't have the Dream Girl love interest which I like, they did eventually power him up near the end of the run but he falls short of the other 2.

BRAINIAC 5
Best: Original including 5YL, I like when his force field is basically impenetrable and when he has a love interest. 5YL showing him regret drifting away from Laurel Gand was good stuff. I even like the Threeboot version as I like Dream Girl too.
Worst: the retroboot version, post Lightning Saga. Letting Tharok run wild and being secretive about is rough.

Yeah, I agree about SW6 versions of Garth and Dirk. Realistic, sure. But I expect more from my heroes! They were brutal to Cera Kesh, indirectly responsible for her turning into the Emerald Empress.

This is also why I detest the 3boot version of Ultra Boy... "irresponsible jerkwit", as that era's Cosmic Boy called him. And unlike Brainy and Cos, who acted like jerks, that Jo wasn't anywhere near as effective a hero

SHRINKING VIOLET
Best: Pretty much all of them. Original including 5YL, Retroboot was fine too, Reboot was really good, even enjoyed Threeboot.
Worst: Bendis version by default, don't like the artwork for her.

I think Shrinking Violet/Atom Girl has been consistently the most interestingly written of all version of the Legion if we exclude Bendis current run (would have to be Saturn Girl if Bendis is included), though I must qualify there's a huge gap in my reading from their original stories to like 1984 that I haven't read.

ULTRA BOY
Best: 5YL, missing PG and grinding on through the chaos.
Worst: None spring to mind.

MON-EL
Best:: pre-Crisis and reboot like OP.

ELEMENT LAD
Best: pre-Crisis including 5YL.
Worst: Threeboot. Seemed like an annoying anti-war caricature where as I liked the Reboot's Gates and Mano's anti-war stances.

LIGHTNING LASS
Best: Reboot. The cham relationship didn't seem to meet the buildup to it.

Random: Aside from Dream Girl she seems to stick out as being drawn very attractive on quite a few occasions (Shady too).

DREAM GIRL
Best: Threeboot if we tie Original/and 5YL or Retroboot together. I liked the Threeboot version a lot and I think I like it because her playfulness with Brainiac 5 feels more justified where as with Star Boy she came off as mean. The Retroboot seemed to correct that though. Reboot was good too though they ignored her
Worst: none I'm aware of.

She's one of my favorites.

KARATE KID
Best: Original, pop that collar.
Worst: Bendis version though there is time to adjust that.


PRINCESS PROJECTRA
Best: Original Version. The Reboot version is amusing though to look at the snake which seems out of place but was a fun chance to take.

Worst: Threeboot though I guess they still did a good job of characterizing her even if I didn't like her , I would like to see where they were going with Threeboot version before it ran out of steam.


SHADOW LASS
Best: Original. Cutting off her finger and being a ride or die until the end is admirable.
Worst: none spring to mind.

Note: Like Lightning Lass and Dream Girl she seems to be top 3 drawn sexiest frequently (Dawnstar would probably be 4).

TIMBER WOLF
Best: Pre-Crisis
Worst: I like them all.

WILDFIRE
Best: Original. I enjoyed him with Quislet and getting the jarring costume change and his relationship with Dawnstar.
Worst: 5YL, the reason for his temporary demise should've been a bit more clear.

MATTER-EATER LAD
Best: 5YL. I think the 5YL appearances are the funniest thing I've read in comics. Super impressed with them.
Worst: Reboot...he didn't get to do super heroics except sort of defend the base that one time.

BOUNCING BOY
Best: Original.
Worst: N/A

DAWNSTAR Vs. Shikari
I like both.
Dawnstar is attractive and her relationship with Wildfire is interesting.
Shikari is a neat newer character and the "alien" look and perspective is a nice change.

FERRO LAD
Best: All are fine. Batch SW6 called him a heavy hitter and the Bendis version seems to position him there too.

SUPERBOY
Best: Original.
Worst: I don't mind Jon but I do hope there is a bigger twist for why they brought him there instead of what they've said so far

SUPERGIRL
Best: 5YL Laurel Gand.
Worst: Threeboot Supergirl , she thinks they are hallucinations; sort of but not really potential love interest with Cosmic Boy, later fails to recognize Karate Kid and Triplicate Girl (though in fairness different continuity versions).

My favorite versions of most of the Legionnaires are by default the pre-boot versions because I grew up with them. However, the reboot took almost all of the characters and added interesting dimensions, twists, and interactions with fellow Legionnaires. I say without any disparagement towards the preboot that the reboot versions were better written and imagined, at least during the first two years and during Legion Lost. I have not read the Legion consistently since the Reboot ended. It sounds like the threeboot had a lot of novel ideas that went nowhere.

Some general thoughts:

MON-EL
Although preboot Mon was my favorite character, the reboot version was handled much better. As an unwilling savior/messiah, he was quite temperamental and protective of his true identity until it leaked. I liked this very nuanced depiction of someone who is so noble and heroic yet who gets unwanted attention. It was much better than the Levitz-era version who was often on the verge of blowing up for no discernable reason.

TRIPLICATE GIRL/TRIAD
Agree with all of the comments above. It was a sign of the times that Edmond Hamilton said in one interview that he didn't know what to do with the character, yet in the reboot she became one of the Legion's most effective fighters as well as an administrative assistant (showing other skills). The idea of her three bodies having separate personalities was also used to good effect.

INVISIBLE KID
I liked both versions equally. Preboot Lyle still stands out for socking the much more powerful Ultra Boy in the jaw when the latter disobeyed a direct order. Reboot Lyle came to the fore as a spymaster during the Chu sting.

STAR BOY
One case where I like the reboot version much better. Preboot Thom was kind of bland and often portrayed as dim (pun not intended). Under Levitz, he became the constant complainer. No wonder Dream Girl broke up with him. In the preboot, he was accident prone and constantly tried to please only to have Gim ride his ass. Who can't identify with that?

SUPERGIRL/LAUREL GAND
Different characters, but Laurel was much more effectively integrated into the team. Coming from a xenophobic culture and having to change her feelings towards aliens gave her an effective character arc.

CHAMELEON BOY
Although a lot of great things were done with Cham in the reboot, I preferred the original Reep. He was just one of the guys who happened to look different--which was one of the Legion's core themes: Being an alien was no big deal. There was mention of people being prejudiced against Durlans, and the whole reason he joined the team was to change the perception of his race, but these ideas were not emphasized. Cham had a sense of humor, such as when he winked at the reader while imitating a human spider, and later emerged as an enigmatic sleuth during Ultra Boy's trial for murder.

FERRO LAD
The original Andrew Nolan died before developing much of a personality, and though later stories played him up to be assertive, I preferred the insecure reboot version. Being awkward and downright sweet gave his personality a place to go. One of my favorite scenes is when he stands up for himself and tells Triad they can't be friends because one third of her thinks he's dumb.

SHRINKING VIOLET
The idea of "shy Vi" coming into her own was a recurring theme in both versions, but I thought it was handled better in the preboot. She endured a traumatic experience--being locked in a sens tank for six months--and came out of it a much more aggressive character. Her overcompensation felt psychologically real, though I'm no expert. In the reboot, she became Emerald Vi, a convoluted story that took up too much time and didn't convincingly (in my opinion) portray her as a stronger character when it was over. I did enjoy her friendship with Kinetix, though.

LIGHT LASS/SPARK
Much more active and interesting in the reboot.

Another plus for Reboot Ayla, I think her emotions were handled better and she came across as more sympathetic. Preboot Ayla? I read a Facebook discussion recently where pretty much every commenter felt her breakup with Brin was forced; and that her reasons were a tad flimsy.

Yeah, Spark was a much more well-rounded character.

I'm not sure I understand the reasoning of Ayla's breakup with Brin being forced. We saw very little of them as a couple to that point, and Ayla was always portrayed as the supportive girlfriend--not much character development. I got the feeling she was repressing a lot. This came out when she broke up with Brin and left the Legion. She let her hair return to its natural red after dying it blonde for years. We got to see the real Ayla emerge.

Personally, what I felt was lacking there was Ayla being all jealous that Brin was hugging Imra on the asteroid. It was only a hug, not a kiss. I always thought Brin was treated unfairly then.

Then her ultimatum: "The Legion destroys lives, Brin. Come with me, or else." Always found it odd, she performed well in battle vs. Darkseid... Garth got sick (stress from his powers turning back on him blah blah) but got better... then all of a sudden, she just ups and goes. eh?

A lot of commenters on Facebook also felt Ayla was being selfish for making Brin choose between her or the Legion. I'm neutral in that regard, but I just found the whole thing rather sudden and odd.

though as you say, perhaps she was indeed repressing a lot! so that would make sense, it just all boiled over.

Ah, I see . . . and I agree: There wasn't much build-up for her breaking up with Brin and her resignation from the Legion. At the time, I thought it made sense because I know a lot of people (I'm one of them--hah!) who keep things bottled up until push comes to shove, and then a lot comes out that should have come out earlier.

Yeah, Brin got a bad rap after that--and Imra got off the hook, even though she was complicit in the hug. I think this reflects a real-life double standard. Men are often portrayed as sexual aggressors and women as innocent victims whether those assumptions are accurate or not. And Brin was literally Timber Wolf, a name which carries all sorts of connotations, even though he had never displayed so much as a wandering eye before. (Dirk, on the other hand . . .)

I imagine Ayla was grappling with her own feelings and looking for someone to blame. Rather than blame Brin directly, she blamed the Legion for destroying lives. And, yes, it was unfair of her to demand he choose between the Legion and her, but she desperately needed him to "prove" his love. Unfair but quite real.

I am actually one of those people, too so there is a lot of reality in Ayla's reaction - but I guess I expect a bit more exposition in literature

and indeed, Imra got off basically scot-free compared to Brin, except for one or two scenes with Element Lad of all people being snide and sarcastic (which lowered my opinion of Jan too, as I felt he was being judgemental - without even trying to get the side of Imra or Brin! Judge, jury and executioner?)

I also remember one scene with Imra saying she had doubts about herself. Which I felt was EXTREMELY silly. come on! It was a comforting hug between friends who thought they were going to die...

there I also agree, Ayla's actions were unfair BUT realistic. And I remember her saying she had given up a lot to help Brin, but he was not there when she needed him. which is fair, Brin could have taken a leave of absence and accompanied Ayla for a while, without completely quitting. That part, I have no problem with. It was the whole drama on the asteroid that I had trouble with. Poor communication kills, and in this instance I remember being very annoyed at everyone involved for not communicating...

... but again, this is real life in art, I suppose. In real life, people don't always talk and share information or parse out feelings maturely, either!

It would also follow that Ayla would be mad at both Brin and Imra, and feel like Garth should be more 'on her side' and equally outraged, and the fact that he isn't is causing strain in *their* relationship as well, which makes her even more motivated to get the hell away from the Legion.

Good points, Set. I don't recall if Garth and Ayla ever discussed what happened, but it would have been interesting conversation!

Interesting discussion. I too was a bit bemused by the big deal the writer was having all the other legionnaires make out of the incident on the asteroid. I suppose there was Cham being even more of a loner thinking about his idiocy, Gim and "pseudo-Vi" coupling over in another corner, then seeing Brin and Imra physically together in another might put some thoughts towards the fore.

Still, having thought about it, I think that if I had found my wife being comforted by a mutual friend/companion in a very stressful situation I would be a bit sorry that I couldn't have been the one to do so but grateful to the friend that he was there and supported her. Bu then I am confident of our mutual love and perhaps we are meant to see that Brin and Ayla already were not.

I feel a bit like Levitz wanted to portray the drama more so but wasn't sure how in the restrictions of comics perhaps. The thoughts we get from Brin and Ayla afterwards suggest that even to them there was something more than just comradely support, and a subconscious unintended attraction in times of stress has often appeared in literature so maybe. I guess we can see what Levitz was going for but agree that he didn't quite hit the mark in this case.

My take on the Ayla / Brin breakup was that she realized how one-sided their relationship was. She was all-in to support him through whatever and he wasn't. Levitz essentially has her say that when she quits the Legion - referring to the Conway-era storyline where Brin is poised to quit the Legion and leave "civilization" and Ayla is ready to go with him, but when the situation is reversed, he is unwilling to go with her. I don't think that makes either of them a bad person, just that she realized before he did that their relationship wasn't as healthy as it should have been.

Well put and good point.