Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Long Live the Legion! Karate Kid's series

I remember that series. I was SO looking forward to it and not only was the writing bad the art was just horrid!!

Maybe Ric Estrada is a good animation artist but as a comic book artist he really sux, IMHO! Big blocky characters and the facial expressions were just so bland that it was hard sometimes to tell who was who!

Joe Staton as the inker, I'm sure, did not help matters along. If they would have pulled in Bob Layton (who was, I believe, becoming popular at that point) it MIGHT have been pretty good. His work over Joe Staton's All Star run was really nice (IMHO).

Then DC has the NERVE to include Karate Kid #1 in the overly expensive Legion Archives #12, God I was pissed about that but I guess if they didn't do that then they would have had to include James Sherman's debut as the last issue presented there, which would have been nice considering it was a self contained story! Oh well!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Juan Ortiz. Hmmm, I wonder what ever happened to him?? I kinda liked his style. It was a little stiff but was not all that bad compared to Ric Estrada.

Anyone own that issue of Adventure Comics when the JSA was finishing up their run with that horrid rendition of Wonder Woman by Jack Abel? Cripes, what was DC thinking letting all those bad artists work on such good characters anyway??

Thanks for the feedback guys! I can see that not many look at this series as the 70's version of "Watchmen"

Scott, I wouldn't mind seeing the rest of the series synopsis if you have the time and the inkling to do it!

And one last question: was it "70's fun" in the sense that Luke Cage, Spectacular Spider-man and the Titans getting groovy were fun, or was it just plain bad?

IMHO, just plain bad all the way around. I think I bought the first 4 issues, I stopped buying by the time Juan came on board! I only remember Juan because he did other work at DC that I liked!

Cobie, it wasn't anywhere close to the grooviness of the TEEN TITANS' campy 70s run.

Campy?

Lash, are you dissin' Mal "Hornblower" Duncan?

No, I LOVE that version of the TT! My all-time fave version! I mean, their HQ was a DISCO, man!!

Karate Kid No. 6
January-February 1977
Cover: Karate Kid vs. Commander Blud //Ernie Chua / Mike Grell (signed)
Story: "Showdown With Commander Blud" (17 pages)
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Writer: Barry Jameson (David Michelinie)
Penciller: Ric Estrada
Inker: Joe Staton
Feature Character: Karate Kid
GS: Legion of Super-Heroes (Cosmic Boy (between SUPERBOY #222 / 226), Princess Projectra, Sun Boy (both between SUPERBOY #224 / 225), Star Boy (between SUPERBOY #224 / 226)
Supporting Characters: Iris Jacobs, Emily Geichman
Villain: Commander Blud (last appearance)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Four Legionnaires arrive to snap Karate Kid out of his madness, but he insists on fighting Commander Blud alone.

Karate Kid No. 7
March-April 1977
Cover: Karate Kid vs. Gyro-Master //Mike Grell (signed)
Story: "The Gyro-Master Strikes Twice" (17 pages)
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Writer: Barry Jameson (David Michelinie)
Penciller: Ric Estrada
Inker: Joe Staton
Feature Character: Karate Kid
Supporting Character: Iris Jacobs
Intro: Aaron Temple, Harry (only appearance for both), Liz Day, her son and daughter
Villains: The Gyro-Master and his gang (first and only appearance for all), Pulsar (Benjamin Day; first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in issue #9)
Comment: Story continues in part in next issue.
Synopsis: Karate Kid goes up against the Gyro-Master, a spinning villain whose motion repels all attacks.

Karate Kid No. 8
May-June 1977
Cover: Karate Kid vs. Pulsar on stage //Mike Grell (signed)
Story: "Pandemonium, Panic, Pulsar" (17 pages)
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Writer: Barry Jameson (David Michelinie)
Penciller: Ric Estrada
Inker: Joe Staton
Colorist: Liz Berube
Feature Character: Karate Kid
GA: Princess Projectra (last appearance in SUPERBOY #227)
Supporting Characters: Iris Jacobs, Emily Geichman, Commissioner Earl Banner (last appearance in issue #4)
Intro: Eddie Vaccaro (dies in this story), Vinnie, Hennesey (only appearance for both)
Other Characters: Liz Day
Villains: Pulsar, Kade (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Pulsar, a reluctant but deadly hitman armed with a power staff, is given a contract on Commissioner Banner, and Karate Kid has to defend Banner.

Karate Kid No. 9
July-August 1977
Cover: Kade, Pulsar, and hood vs. Karate Kid //Al Milgrom (signed)
Story: "The Black Belt Contract" (17 pages)
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Writer: Barry Jameson (David Michelinie)
Penciller: Ric Estrada
Inker: Joe Staton
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Karate Kid
GS: Princess Projectra
Supporting Characters: Iris Jacobs, King Voxv (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #?)
Other Character: Liz Day
Villains: Pulsar (also appears in flashback, his earliest chronological appearance, preceding his introduction in issue #7), Kade (last appearance) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in part in next issue.
Synopsis: With Princess Projectra back in the 20th Century to complicate matters, Karate Kid must try to defeat Pulsar and save him from the gangster who holds the power of life and death over him.

Karate Kid No. 10
September-October 1977
Cover: Black Dragon II, Karate Kid, Phantom Girl, Lightning Lad, Superboy, Cosmic Boy, and Princess Projectra //Al Milgrom / Jack Abel (signed)
Story: "Death-Duel On Orando" (17 pages)
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Writer: Barry Jameson (David Michelinie)
Penciller: Ric Estrada
Inker: Jack Abel
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Karate Kid (next appears in SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #231)
GS: Legion of Super-Heroes (Princess Projectra (next appears in SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #231), Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad (last appearance of both in SUPERBOY #229; both next appear in SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #232), Phantom Girl (last appearance in DC SPECIAL #28; next appears in SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #233))
Supporting Character: King Voxv (last appearance)
Cameo appearance: Sensei (in flashback)
Villains: The Black Dragon II (Sadaharu; last appearance in SUPERBOY #210; last appearance) and his minions (including Hong Lo), Airn (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Story continues in part in SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #231.
Superboy appears on the cover but does not appear in the story in this issue.
Synopsis: Karate Kid returns to the 30th Century to save Projectra's father from the Black Dragon, who has sworn vengeance upon the Kid for his mentor's death.

Karate Kid No. 11
November-December 1977
Cover: Karate Kid vs. cavemen //Al Milgrom / Jack Abel (signed)
Story: "Disasters of Yesteryear" (17 pages)
Editor: Denny O'Neil
Writers: Barry Jameson (David Michelinie), Jack C. Harris
Artist: Ric Estrada
Feature Character: Karate Kid
Supporting Character: Iris Jacobs
Intro: Ugly (a caveman; only appearance)
Villain: Major Disaster (last appearance in issue #2)
Comment: Story continues in part from SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #231 and continues in next issue.
Synopsis: On his way back from the 30th Century, Karate Kid is plunged into a chaotic setting of cavemen and 20th Century technology by Major Disaster.

Karate Kid No. 12
January-February 1978
Cover: Karate Kid, Superboy, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Colossal Boy, Sun Boy, Chameleon Boy, and Lightning Lad //Al Milgrom / Jack Abel (signed)
Story: "The ‘Time' of Your Death" (17 pages)
Editor: Al Milgrom
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Juan Ortiz
Inker: Bob McLeod
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Karate Kid
GS: Legion of Super-Heroes (Superboy (last appearance in SUPERBOY #131 (2)), Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy (last appearance for both in ADVENTURE COMICS #345), Lightning Lad, Sun Boy (last appearance for both in ADVENTURE COMICS #343), Cosmic Boy (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #362 (flashback)), Colossal Boy (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #341); last team appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #345)
Supporting Character: Iris Jacobs
Intro: Dr. Lewiston
Villains: Major Disaster, Lord of Time (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50)
Comments: Story continues in next issue.
With no indications of exactly where this story falls in Legion continuity, we have placed their appearance here just prior to Karate Kid's initiation in ADVENTURE COMICS #346.
Synopsis: Karate Kid is thrown back in time by Major Disaster and his mysterious partner to a mockup of Smallville, where he does battle with the real Superboy.

Karate Kid No. 13
March-April 1978
Cover: Major Disaster vs. Superboy, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Sun Boy, Karate Kid, Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy, and Colossal Boy //Rich Buckler / Bob McLeod (signed)
Story: "Tomorrow's Battle--Yesterday" (17 pages)
Editor: Al Milgrom
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Juan Ortiz
Inker: Bob McLeod
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Karate Kid
GS: Legion of Super-Heroes (Superboy (next appears in SUPERBOY #131 (3)), Cosmic Boy, Chameleon Boy, Lightning Lad (all next appear in ADVENTURE COMICS #346), Colossal Boy, Sun Boy (both next appear in ADVENTURE COMICS #348); next team appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #346)
Supporting Character: Iris Jacobs (becomes Diamondeth in this story)
Intro: Carl Teaberry
Villains: Major Disaster, Lord of Time, Diamondeth
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Either the Legionnaires lost their memories of this encounter with Karate Kid before he applied for membership in ADVENTURE COMICS #346, or they kept their knowledge of this prior meeting to themselves.
Synopsis: Karate Kid and the Legion of Super-Heroes try to stave off three disasters brought on by Major Disaster and the Lord of Time, while Iris Jacobs is converted into a crystalline menace.

Karate Kid No. 14
May-June 1978
Cover: Robin and Karate Kid vs. Diamondeth //Rich Buckler / Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: "Diamondeth Is Forever" (17 pages)
Editor: Al Milgrom
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Juan Ortiz
Inker: Bruce Patterson
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Mario Sen
Feature Character: Karate Kid
GS: Robin (last appearance in SECRET SOCIETY OF SUPER-VILLAINS #12; next appears in BATMAN FAMILY #18)
Other Character: Carl Teaberry (last appearance)
Cameo appearances: Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Superman
Villains: Diamondeth (Iris Jacobs), Lord of Time, Major Disaster, King Rat and his gang (first and only appearance for last two)
Comment: Story continues in part in next issue.
Synopsis: Karate Kid teams up with Robin to find a way to subdue Diamondeth, while falling more surely into the Lord of Time's manipulations.

Karate Kid No. 15
July-August 1978
Cover: Karate Kid, Dr. Canus, Pyra, Diamondeth, Kamandi, beast-men //Rich Buckler / Jack Abel (signed)
Story: "Bring Back My Future To Me" (17 pages)
Editor: Al Milgrom
Co-plotter: Jack C. Harris
Co-plotter, scripter: Bob Rozakis
Artist: Juan Ortiz
Letterer: Clem Robins
Colorist: Mario Sen
Feature Character: Karate Kid (next appears in KAMANDI #58)
GA: Kamandi (between KAMANDI #57 / 58), Robin (next appears in BATMAN FAMILY #18)
Supporting Characters: Dr. Canus, Spirit, Doyle, Pyra, Mylock Bloodstalker (all between KAMANDI #57 / 58)
Villains: Major Disaster, Lord of Time (both next appear in KAMANDI #58), Red, Crabby, Crawdaddy, crabs (all between KAMANDI #57 / 58)
Comment: Story continues in KAMANDI #58, in which Karate Kid and Kamandi conclude their battle with Major Disaster and the Lord of Time.
Synopsis: Karate Kid is catapulted into the future of the Great Disaster, where he meets with Kamandi and his friends and finds his time bubble will no longer function.

Talk about post-whoring . I guess you earned it though, especially if you read the series

Any chance to build my post count and be informative at the same time.

And for good measure, here is the synopsis for Kamandi #58. I still don't have a copy of this issue.

Kamandi No. 58
August-September 1978
Cover: Karate Kid vs. Kamandi on movie screen; Dr. Canus, Mylock Bloodstalker, and Karate Kid and Kamandi in capsules //Jim Sherman / Bob McLeod (signed)
Story: "Enter: The Legionnaire" (17 pages)
Editor: Al Milgrom
Writer: Jack C. Harris
Penciller: Dick Ayers
Inker: Danny Bulanadi
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Mario Sen
Feature Character: Kamandi
GS: Karate Kid (last appearance in KARATE KID #15; next appears in SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #244)
Supporting Characters: Dr. Canus, Spirit, Pyra
Other Characters: Mylock Bloodstalker, Doile, Diamondeth (last appearance in KARATE KID #14; next appears, as Iris Jacobs, in SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #246)
Cameo appearances: Robin Hood, King Kong, Frankenstein's monster
Villains: Red, Crabby, Crawdaddy, clams (last appearance for all), Lord of Time, Major Disaster (between ? And ?)
Synopsis: Both Kamandi and Karate Kid find themselves taking part in movies watched by the crab-men who worship them as gods.

And I always give credit were it is more than due. These synopsis' come from http://darkmark6.tripod.com/legionind.html, for the Karate Kid series and http://darkmark6.tripod.com/kamandind.html for Kamandi.

I would have just direct linked but Tripod sites are horrible with pop-ups now plus open up the stupid sidebar search on the left. Can't stand that.

For some reason, I woke up thinking about this series, which I used to own - and really wasn't very good. Iris was a red-head, with big glasses. Sort of a Babs Gordon copy, but not as interesting. Still, I think we've forgotten poor Iris for all our ex-girlfriend, redhead and obscure character threads. Iris on the cover here. )

What I was really thinking more about, though, is that I've really liked all the versions of Karate Kid. It's too bad that series was so lame.

That was 70s DC - by the time it caught onto the martial arts fad, it was over, and 70s DC was all about botching every opportunity.

I actually liked the concept - Val secretly having to prove himself to Vovx without LSH support - but the execution was L.A.M.E.

I was all of 12 when KK # 1 debuted, so I didn't have much of a sense of judgment. I was just delighted to have a second Legion title at a time when the wait between issues was too long.

What I remember from the series is this:

1. KK taking an apartment which had been decorated for a female occupant. Iris called the apartment "quaint."

2. KK versus the Revenger. Not a memorable villain, but a name somebody should have thought of long before.

3. KK versus the Silver Age Legion. Val met his comrades years before they met him. One of the great time travel paradoxes of my youth.

4. Well, actually, three's about all that's worth remembering. KK was cancelled in the midst of a storyline featuring Kamandi, a character I knew nothing of and cared nothing about, so it was actually a relief when KK showed up (with Diamondeth) in LSH near the end of the Earth War. They just skimmed over the uninteresting parts.

Eventually, we found out that KK lived in the 20th century to prove his worthiness to marry Jeckie to her father, King Voxv. It would have made more sense for him to live in the middle ages, but such was comic book logic in those days. (I suspect Val cheated a bit. Perhaps the good king wasn't that familiar with earth history and thought that all eras of the past were equally "barbaric".) In any case, Val inviting Iris to his wedding is my last significant memory of the series: It showed that Val didn't have a clue how Iris felt about him. I felt sorry for her.

I only remember that SA Legion issue and the Robin team-up, and I bought the latter because of Robin.

Not the most memorable series, I agree.

I liked the idea, loved Karate Kid but I just did not care for the art. Who was that... Ric Estrada? I think the last issue or two there was a new artist, can't remember his name but liked the work and then the book got canceled. I remember I loved the covers and that's what prompted me to buy in the first place!!