Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Long Live the Legion! Story X really defines Character Y...

So I was thinking (one of those many times when I really think about the Legion too much) and came to the conclusion, at least to me, that there are certain stories that really define who a character is. That I cannot think of a character in any situation without comparing them to how they were presented in that one story, so a character is in or out of character based on that story.

Now, I don't have an extensive of a collection that many (if not all) of the rest of you have, I have the first two showcases (and am doing the happy dance at the knowledge that vol 3 comes out in April), I have the from Earthwar to about the Time Trapper arc in the Baxter Series, have some of the Bates and Grell stuff (just a smattering), have some 5YL stuff (that I read once and promptly haven't looked at since), the first chunk of the PZH Legion as well as DNA's Legion (no all of Legion Lost, but a decent amount plus Legions World and The Legion) and I have all of the threebot.

So of that collection, here are three stories that I think define completly who three charactrs are to me and that I think of everytime I see the character in action.

Projectra in an "Eye for an Eye"--specifically the snapping of Nemisis Kid's neck.

To me this perfectly defines who Projectra (and later Sensor Girl) is and the story that should define her no matter what version she is (she should always be the Legionnaire who would snap someone's neck). First, I think it represents how different Jeckie is from the other legionnaires. Jeckie, is old-school royalty, meaning that because of her birth, she is imbued with certain rights and authorities that other people do not have. The rest of the Legionnaires come from a society (as far as I know) based on American traditions, where there is no idea of birth-based class or aristocracy, where everyone has the same basic rights and no one has the authority to remove those rights (again, at least as far as I could tell none of the Legionnaires came from a culture where this would not be the case). So I always saw Jeckie as slightly aloof, not because of arrogance or any negative traits, but because she was different in her worldview and in her view of herself. To quote Louis XIV "I am the state." Jeckie would be raised in a worldview/culture where that was true of her and her family, whereas no other Legionnaire comes from a background where ANYONE from their planet could make that claim.

So the execution of Nemisis Kid hilights this difference (because she sees herself as having the authority to legally execute a criminal, she does not try to justify it as a crime of passion or anything). The execution of Nemisis Kid also shows me how she deals with her emotions, she internalizes them. Rather than scream in rage or burst out into tears, she makes a very cold decision and again, as an agent of the state (or as the state itself) she executes Nemisis Kid, yes she was grieving, but she didn't act in a hot passionate rage, she internalized her grief and put up a wall between her emotions and the world. The shot of her eye as she does the deed defines who Jeckie is.

This internalization of her emotions and the wall she already has around herself and then further erects after Val's death adds to her removed status from the Legion. She loves them and what the Legion is, but she doesn't express these emotions. Anyways, that story is what defines who Projectra is and any story that has her acting outside of the characteristic presented in that story would drive me completly insane.

Two other examples of stories that define characters to me (but I won't go into why) is The Death of Lightning Lad defines Imra, not because it's Garth's death, but because she gets this message that a Legionnaire will die, so she makes Legionnaires vote for her, proceeds to steal their powers, kicks them all out of the Legion, and goes willingly and knowingly into her death so that none of the other Legionnaires would perish. That to me is Imra all the way and why I love old iron-butt.

The third example is Dream Girl and the Great Darkness Saga, I think how Dream Girl is portrayed (as smarter than she lets others think she is) is how she should always be portrayed, or at least it needs to be understood that that is the case.

So, if you've made it to the end of this post, I would be really, really, really interested in what everyone else thinks of as stories that define who a character is, or which stories would be a definative story for them...

Ultra Boy: "LSH #2" (5YL) - for me, this is Jo. The pirate, the leader, the roguish charm, but an incredibly capable and skilled Legionaire who, while sometimes a little too emotional for his own good, (beating on the andriod rather than using flash-vision from the get-go) is amongst the most loyal. (digging through the rubble to retrieve his "LLL" shaving kit)

Excellent thread, Steph, and your reasons for selecting each story are insightful and thought-provoking.

Because I was reading the Legion long before any of those stories, I pretty much had set notions of who the characters were, but it's interesting to me how the stories you cite redefined the characters. LSH # 5, for example, did a better job of delineating Jeckie's royal world view than any previous story, and it did so for the reasons you give.

For me, Timber Wolf is always defined by SUPERBOY # 197: "Timber Wolf: Dead Hero, Live Executioner." That was the first time I encountered Brin, and Dave Cockrum's rendition of him was by far the most feral and charismatic (and even sexy) version. The story also defined Brin as someone who is normally in control of his animalistic side, but who can be extremely dangerous when he's not in control.

Also, Star Boy is always defined to me by ADVENTURE # 342: "The Legionnaire Who Killed." This story vividly illustrates the high standards that Legionnaires held themselves up to, and how easy it would be to fall short of those standards. Thom is a very sympathetic character throughout, and he maintains his dignity even in the loss of his Legion membership. I remember reading the story and thinking how bitter I would be in his circumstances. But Thom rises above it all and emerges as a winner on three fronts--he gets the girl, gets the Subs, and (later) gets to rejoin the Legion. A true winner embraces the positive aspects of his or her circumstances.

The definitive Karate Kid story has got to be Adventure Comics # 378, in which 5 Legionnaires discover they have only a day to live, and Val decides that he'll go out fighting, so he figures out where the Fatal Five are hiding out and he goes after them single-handedly.

The first one who comes to mind is Ferro Lad, that in Adventure #353, his legacy (for a very short career) is defined by his death. More than any other Legionnaire, his death, resulting from his bravery, is what he was famous for.

The Universo Project really came across as a major shining moment for Imra, for me. She's the first one to break Universo's control, she's the one who breaks Brainy, Dreamy and Cham free, she's the one who seems to be 'taking charge' through much of the following action, and she's the one who confronts Universo *and* mind-controlled Mon-El and Ultra Boy (whom she shuts down cold) in the big showdown at the end!

The display of her telepathic power is one thing, but also the display of her intellect and leadership and sheer determination shone through.

After three or four years of Brainy, Brainy, Brainy (with both the threeboot and the cartoon making heavier use of him), and a much quieter (literally) and less take-charge Imra, it's a treat to read this story, where Brainy is Guy Friday to General Ironbutt, and it looks completely right. She's the one who has been a leader. She's the founder. There's never even a question of 'who'se in charge.'

I don't remember the name of the story, but I think Cham was best portrayed in the story where he returns to Durla to regain his powers. He's powerless through half the book, which means that his character ends up shining through a bit more than normal (as it's otherwise too easy to obscure his characterization with shapechanging sight-gags, like issue 48's 'Is it hot in here?' moment or the scene earlier in the threeboot where he and Imra are sitting in the back of the shuttle and he's turning into Garth, herself and / or Brainy for her amusement, or pretty much any issue of Marvel's Exiles involving the character, Morph...).

Once he gets his powers back, and has to face a shapeshifting challenge from one of his fellow Durlans, he shows off his ingenuity and quick thinking, and yet retains a fun side, making a few smartass comments to annoy his opponent.

One of my favorite back up stories was in LOSH #285 (I think) when Dream Girl figured out how to use her flight ring as an offensive weapon. A first in Legion history and it sort of helped her in a coming-of-age kind of way to break out of her character's "lame power" stigma and helped her gain the confidence to eventually apply for and get Legion leadership shortly thereafter.

Not a first in Legion history; Cosmic Boy used his flight ring offensively in the backup story of Superboy # 215.

Wildfire in Superboy/Legion 251. Standing alone at the doorway to Legion HQ wating to face down Omega after it has already plowed through the entire team. Then the end scene of him sitting in the rubble of the Legion HQ talking to Superboy.

To me that really more than anything showed why Wildfire was one of the cores of the team. The outsider with no where else he will fit in who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Bouncing Boy: SUPERBOY # 199: "The Impossible Target." Chuck is kidnapped by a villain who wants to off him as "the weakest Legionnaire." Chuck proves that there is no such thing and humorously uses a sneeze to prove it.

Man, great topic. Some of you really nailed a bunch of them.

Steph, you are so right about Imra being defined by "The Death of Lightning Lad".

Drake, you're right about Ultra Boy, but I'd add that TMK Annual #2 really defines him IMO. It touches on every aspect of Jo and adds a whole new layer of how smart and crafty he is and how tragic his life has been.

Chaim, you nailed it for Karate Kid - the Fatal Five story is his greatest moment and sums up why he is beloved by his fans.

Zero Khan--the Wildfire moment that defines him, is indeed his willingness to fight Omega alone. Arrogant and overconfident? Sure. But courageous, bad-ass and loyal to the Legion to the bitter end. Its why he's my favorite.

For preboot Luornu, the first Mordru story probably does for her. Its the ultimate "character progression to the next stage" story for a Legionnaire and shows the heartbreak so many have felt as a teenager realizing an unreturned love is doomed and its time to move on; and at the same time, it shows her a smart and brave Legionnaire with perhaps 'lesser' powers against the Legion's greatest foe. It encompasses so much about her character.

Definitely agreed on Luornu!

For Tenzil, I always think of the definitive story as the Vi date issue, with his wacky family and his standing up to Dupe Boy at the end. Of course, TMK probably did more to define most people's conception of the character.

Also agreed on Luornu. That story also showed her ingenuity and physical strength when she saved the 2 truckers, and her sarcasm. Superboy: "Why here? It's the first place Mordru will look?"
Duo Damsel: "I'm sorry! I was in a bit of a hurry when I set the controls!"
Her envy of Shadow Lass going after Mon-El in a way she doesn't dare go after Superboy is also evident.

That's true! Can't believe I forgot about that one.

I agree that Luornu's defining story is ADV. 369-370 (the Mordru story).

Another one that defines her for me is "1+1=3," a backup story from S/LSH # 216. She fakes being unconscious so that Chuck, her de-powered husband, can single-handedly defeat a group of street toughs.

In a way, this story is a continuation/culmination of her development in the Mordru story. Whereas Lu downplayed herself to the point where she could not confess her feelings to Superboy, here she downplays herself deliberately and for a far nobler reason: love.

Brainiac 5 - the Conspiracy story. When the Time Trapper looked down at the Legionnaires and said they had "tested" his power, and Brainy looks him square in the hood and demands acknowledgement: "Broke it. We traveled through time."

The Trapper continues to be dismissive, and once again declares his ultimate victory at the end of time. Brainy responds with "Ha!" and that gets the Trapper really mad.

Brainiac 5 of course considered Superboy a good friend, but his main beef with the Trapper was the proving false of his greatest scientific achievement, time travel. And he was willing to go to no limits to see that goal realized.

If Legion of 3 Worlds pays off nicely, that may yet be a more defining Brainiac 5 story.

Hm . . . I guess Brainiac 5 is defined by several stories to me:

ADV. 340-341: The Computo story. It sets the stage for his later madness and shows him as someone so devoted to his research and inventions that he shuns his friends and responsibilities (he was Legion leader at the time), and fails to consider the dangerous implications of those inventions.

ADV. 344 or 45: Nardo tries to break Brainy by exposing him to holographic projections of himself. There are so many psychological implications here: does Brainy love/hate himself so much that Nardo chooses to use this strategy against him? In any event, Brainy successfully resists the pull toward narcissism--for now.

SUP # 204: While sleepwalking, Brainy builds an android duplicate of Kara and then runs off with her, again abandoning his friends and responsibilities.

S/LSH # 250: . . . where Brainy is revealed to be as mad as a proverbial hatter.

LSH (3rd series) # 51: Brainy wins the court martial trial for his role in the Conspiracy--only to resign from the Legion immediately afterwards. Again he abandons his friends and responsibilities. He seems to do this quite often, as if he's only serving as a Legionnaire until something better comes along.

This one really stuck out for me as well. His teammates are voting as to whether or not he's going to be kicked off the team, and he's calmy working in his lab. He has zero regrets and is utterly confident in the correctness and necessity of the choices he made. To get all Vorlon, 'The avalanche has already begun. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.'

When a teammates gets in his face at the end, 'Don't you even care?' he's all, 'I already know the outcome. Hold your little vote.' and he turns out to be wrong by only a single vote, having misread Quislet's vote (but still right in how it ended up).

[It's also pointed here that Imra is the one who comes to tell him, and when she tells him that he's wrong, he looks surprised, and she immediately tells him that Quislet voted against him. Imra knew him well enough to know that he'd guessed *everyone elses votes correctly!*]

He's absolutely in command of himself in this issue, and it's interesting that Brainy has two modes that he weaves between throughout the years; infuriatingly in control or batshiat insane.

His hug with Imra, where he admits that she's the only real friend he's ever had, and suggest that she's the only person who has ever known him, is chilling, and not just because Imra said as much.

And his condescending parting quip, "I leave you my lab and my research. Do with them what you will, or what you can." was cute.

Adventure Comics 365 - 366
Shadow Lass

- Five against five! Don't think you can keep me on the side lines!

- Blame yourself Green-locks 1 You used up most of your gimmmck's power! Now let's settle our little disagreement , woman to woman!

For me....one wondeful way to introdincg a female warrior heroe!