Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Long Live the Legion! Rebooting Dragonmage

Hopefully, WnK will eventually bring back all of the latter-day Legionnaires in exciting new forms. And, to help differentiate, Jin's magicks from Mysa's, I hope W. or K. note this site:

www.szgdocent.org/cc/c-dragon.htm

Xao Jin as the new Storm Boy!

Though I'd much rather see Computo or Catspaw back (which probably will never happen), I wouldn't mind Dragonmage if he was used in an interesting way. Actually, his humble, novice self we got in Legionnaires was really fun. Trying to make him all-power and arrogant postboot failed to make me develop any feeling for the character.

Xao as Storm Boy could be VERY interesting.

FYI for anyone interested, Jin is actually Dragonmage's first name.

As with most Asian names, the surname is listed first: Xao and the 'Christian' name is listed second: Jin.

I think of Levitz-era Sorcerer's World where the teachers all represented a primal element. Perhaps Jin studied under Water and Wind.

And Mysa, of course, is a student of Light.

I am jonesing for some Legion.

I would DEFINITELY like to see Dragonmage in the relaunched Legion! He had a cool power, a cool costume and as an Asian male is probably one of about 3 superheroes in all of comicdom!

Let's see Xao Jin come back and get some spotlight for once!

Was his power ever really developed? Unfortunately his stint in Legion lore was cut too short and then he was rebooted in an unflattering way. His original characterization and unique ethnicity (Val should be made Asian too - if Star Boy can be black, Val should definitely be Asian!) made him stand out.

It was his vague magic powers in the form of a dragon illusion that seemed weird. But, if he were reimagined as using spells that controlled wind and water, and, thus, weather systems, that would really set him apart!

The only problem with Dragonmage is that the "dragon" motiff is a bit stereotypically Asian (as is "Karate" Kid having been made half-Asian in the preboot). I do like the idea of him being a magic-based character whose spells are limited to some particular field, such as weather control, which could serve to set him apart from Mysa's more general mastery of magic.

I disagree Eryk - with explanation. Most Legionnaires' powers and or motifs are cultural, i.e. Saturn Girl's use of "saturn" in her name. To a Titanian, that must be rather obvious. Of course Titanian culture is fictional and doesn't read as stereotypical to us.

I would argue further that the 'dragon' is inherently symbolic to the Asian culture. It has been for 1000s of years and it isn't improbable to see it continuing to be a powerful symbol, richly woven into their culture. Jin is an Asian Earther, after all. Also, there is a type of magic called dragon magic. Perhaps this magic tradition migrates to the Sorcerer's World.

Similarly, karate, Val's favorite martial art is Japanese and I don't think it's stereotypical to imagine Japan as the reigning champion of the art and an ethnic or cultural native identifying with it.

I do, however, see Tyroc as stereotypical. As originally portrayed he's an American black man with several attached 1970s sensibilities. If, however, Jacques Foccart's invisibility were linked to an African legend or even French folklore, that - to me - would be non-stereotypical and an exciting development into the character.

But the main thing is I like the thought of Jin weaving spells over wind and water to control the weather! *tee hee*

I can see it now. Dragonmage "reimagined" as Feng Shui Lad. (Feng=wind and Shui translates into wind for the uninitiated.)

I guess he was a bit generic in terms of dragon-chineseyness but it was nice to see him as a Legionnaire all the same. He had a nice costume!

The criticism about his powers seems valid to me too - it looked nice when Chris Spouse drew him, but was just a bit confusing mess otherwise.

The re-boot Dragonmage was super unappealing with his arrogance and all round dislikablity. But then the re-boot Mysa wasn't too nice either!

I quite liked him I suppose - but there are a lot of other Legionnaires I'd like to see in the new series before we get to him! (Gates!)

Xao Jin is one of my favorite legionaires who hasn't really been used much. I like the idea that he might specialize in elemental magics. The Feng Shui idea would be an interesting way to go too.

I agree. Too often, Asian superheroes (particulurly males) are given super-powers that are mystical (especially dragon oriented) or sun-like, or are just excellent martial artists. I'd prefer to see an Asian males with Ice powers, telekinesis, etc.

Hopefully this trend will end and there'll be more diversity of powers, just like the 'angry black male' model of super-hero has left us to some degree.

I can see Miss T's point too though, about each Legionnaires power being typical to their culture. And mystical powers are ones I find cool, so I see no reason to not have Asian mystics, just b/c it's a stereotype.

However, I do like Dragonmage quite a bit, and would like to see him return. I LOVE the adventure era, but I like seeing my Legion very diverse.

Well if they wanted to go in another direction they could have him be some sort of were-dragon but that might make him more attractive to Catspaw.

For the record I was a big White Witch fan (Levitz/Giffen) but in the postboot era wanted more Dragonmage as the Legion primary magician.

I think he was cool.

And there have been some Legion fans throwing out the idea that the Starheart Alan Scott had somehow ended up in Xao's hand. I like that idea personally.

But would love to see Xao around in any form!
Jorge

Xao should be somewhat a loner the sole defender of his planet and then join the Legion inspiring others behind him