Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Visionaries of Tomorrow Shooter: It's Official

OMG!!!!!!

Have I died and gone to heaven?

Jim Shooter back on the Legion in time for the 50th Anniversary is absolutely perfect.

And best of all, he can reintroduce Condo!!!!!

well, it seems most of Legion World is happy.

but here's the real question: will the rest of the DC buying public give a hoot? after all even the much despised(not my opinion, but examples abound on various message boards) Waid stuff started off in the low 60s and then dropped. which I imagine, was a combination of LSH fans not liking it, and Waid fans just not liking the LSH.

can Shooter please the core(the current 30,000 +) and bring in all those folks(at least several thousand) that just don't dig LSH?

Ditto.

But I *am* excited now. Am running over to read the Newsarama article ASAP.

This could really be something special.

Dr. One: Shooter's written a tremendous amount of stuff, but a good example of how he sees comics is to check out the Valiant line of comic books in the 1990's, many of which were suberb.

Update---okay, read the article. Even more excited. Shooter seems to have a lot of energy and a clear sense of what the Legion means.

I'm more apprehensive than anything else. But nine times out of ten that's how I feel when I'm unfamiliar with a writer before they take over a book. And that's what I am with Shooter-- unfamiliar.

Sure, I've read some really interesting stuff about the history of his tenure at Marvel and, of course, I know about his runs on Legion, but I can't think of anything I've ever read written specifically by him. And, to be honest, it holds little appeal to me to go back and check it out because that was an age of different comics and it's one that I'm not especially interested in.

But if they're good stories-- or even just decent ones-- and it generates excitement about the threeboot, I'm behind it. Because I'm behind the threeboot in general. I'm glad we're not throwing it out, and I'm interested to see where Shooter takes the Legion for their anniversary.

My only real fear is that this will be like when Bilson and Demeo took over the Flash. Sure, it was kind of a shoddy premise to begin with (Bart was so not ready) but, well, y'know... I'd hate to see that again with characters I love. Just... no thanks.

There's only one way to prove your fears wrong Cali (when the issues come out of course), but I'm feeling pretty optimistic about this, and I felt exactly the same way you did when Bilson & Demeo took over Flash.

The thing is (I've read Shooter's stories), he understands things like sticking to established continuity & characterization while leaving room for things to grow organically in a new direction, as well as how to pace a comic book story to gain maximum excitement. Whereas the guys who took over Flash where really TV writers brought from outside the medium because they had experience writing a Barry Allen Flash TV show years after Barry died in the comics. What I mean is, he's a master of the comic book medium, so in terms of story-telling quality, it should be pretty good.

He's definately a forward-looking writer, which can help ease the fears of the fans of the threeboot Legion a bit I think (which to be honest, I am not).

Not read the summary of his almost-happened Korvac sequel a couple of years back? [that got nixed when people actually threatened to quit over him going back to Marvel]

Hey, Lad Boy -- I didn't point to his 1976 thumbnails as a hoped-for roadmap to the current one, just an encouraging indicator that he has always thought carefully and lovingly about these characters. Remember, in 1976, sex was pretty much the only thing left to care about!.) While I am not sure I like it, I find his "Ultra Boy" sketch fascinating, and a very unique take on that character, even in 1976. Also, how interesting that Matter-Eater Lad's profile matches so closely to Bedard's portrayal.

Shooter can be a professional, and is of an earlier, more workmanlike generation than some of the current creative divas. His comment about changing the Legion "organically" over time is an example of this, I believe. Like Tamper, I imagine Shooter welcomes the challenge of taking the Legion where it is and going from there. After all, the Legion had a lot of history already when he started with it in 1966-67. You may not have liked the execution of Waid's Legion, but almost all the important pieces are there (except Bouncing Boy!).

Francis -- it is so great that Jim is so excited to work with you. He does not seem to hand out praise lightly (and he's pretty much entitled to be stingy with it).

Oh, please let that be the case before the crisis crossover of Amazons attacking Braininc 5 is published.

Hurray!

A year long arc -- is that supposed to bring in new readers? Ugh!

Hint: Clark Kent is a household name.

The best thing I can think of to explain why Shooter will be a very welcome addition is that he really "gets" the Legion. They are teen/young adult HEROES. Not social misfits, not brats with super powers but heroes that see the good in people and use their powers to serve mankind as best they can.

Shooter has an incredible imagination and a great sense of timing in the comic book medium. Most of the comicbook stories I consider "the best of the best" are Legion stories written by Shooter. But most important of all, he loves these guys. They were his friends growing up and he will treat them with the respect and care they deserve.

Long Live The Legion!

Wow! This *is* exciting! Makes me wonder about the LSH that'll be appearing in ACTION Comics in a couple of weeks, though. Could we actually be getting *two* LSH books set in alternate futures or different universes?

I wonder if Jim Shooter has written or is writing little blurbs like those from '76-- I'd love to see a glimpse of *those*!

I just re-read the Shooter character summaries. They're obviously replies to someone else's comments. That might account for the seeming preoccupation with sexual matters (I really hope his view of Dream Girl has changed...)

I'd like to see those original comments, too. I wonder if they were ongoing... if there was further 'dialogue'?

I'm really excited about this. I know Jim can have an attitude at times (battling with the powers that be) which has cost him (his EiC position at Marvel, and getting dropped by Valiant when he made some comments to the prospective buyers... but he's always had a love of fun, intelligent super-hero stories!!

The first two years of Valiant was brilliance, right until the end of their "Unity" event, and then it all went to hell in a handbasket!

I met Jim over a dozen years ago at a book signing when he and David Lapham where doing Harbinger for Valiant. I worked at the CBS at the time, and Jim was real pleasant, signing tons of Valiant books for all the fans. At the end of the day I gave him a few books to sign too. At the bottom of the stack was Adventure Comics #346.

David Lapham took the issue and thumbed through it, laughing at the "simplicity" of the 60s. Jim said, "What do you expect, I was 13..."

It was a great day! And now, so is today. I find myself thoroughly excited to see where this ride is going to go! LLL!!!

Jim Shooter's Valiant creations sold anywhere from 240 thousand to 90 thousand copies per issue, in 1991, and they seriously challenged DC and Marvel as the top publisher right out of the gate.


His Valiant Titles dominate the lists of the most important comics of the 90's.

Magnus started out selling 90k copies, and then the readership went up. The Legion readership hasn't gone up, just because of the writing, since the Great Darkness Saga...probably the only truly classic Legion arc not written by Shooter.

Jim Shooter was run out of Valiant and replaced by guys like...oh, Mark Waid and Keith Giffen, they didn't sell 90 thousand copies per issue...


That was from a brand new indy publisher featuring extremely obscure and brand new characters.

When Shooter was the EIC at Marvel, they brought fans back to comics, and flat out dominated DC, the most one sided the contest has ever been in Marvel's favor.


When Jim Shooter wrote the Legion, he inspired guys like Paul Levitz and Mark Waid to get into the industry. His Legion was the birthmother of organized fandom.

Something else else not talked about often dealing with the Shooter Swan era...

Jim Shooter wasn't just writing those stories, he was doing the layouts too, Swan just penciled over them. That was arguably the most critically acclaimed work of Swan's legendary career.

The last time Jim Shooter wrote the Legion, it bcame DC's top selling title(probably due to Grell).


Shooter creates iconic characters and I think most of the people that aren't excited about his return to this book, just don't realize how many elements of all the Legions he created, as a child.

His additions to the Legion, have fared better than the Legion itself. Mordru, all his alien races...these guys are doing well..it's the Legion that's not.


Best Legion news in a long long time IMO.

I agree.

A lot of creators have egos...Shooter's just more honest about his.

One thing about Valiant...he was Valiant Comics. When he left, they became standard independent fare.

hmmm does that mean that Jim will bring back Ferro Lad, Nemesis Kid, Dream Girl (back alive), and Mon-El into the Legion? How? that the question has me curious and reserved to see how Jim will write them in the Legion stories.....However there is one bright spot ( I really really hope that I am right this time *figner crossing*) that Jim will reintroduce the Legion of Espionage Squad, Legion of Substitute Heroes, Legion of Super Villains, etc etc!!!!!!

OmniCraig, are you the guy that runs the Legion Omnicon Site that did the piece on Byrne's hatred of the Legion?


If so I wanted to add something to that...John Byrne hates Shooter and that's probably the source of his Legion hatred, regardless of what he says on his forums.

It's funny that Shooter gets a bad rap, but Byrne has been badmouthing guys and taking shots at them in Comics for his entire career...nice guys, like Chris Claremont.


Has anyone ever read Legends? If you ever decide to read it, take note of the StarBrand parody...that's Jim Shooter that Byrne is roasting. Whose leg he is blowing off.

Byrne actually went and took over StarBrand and killed the character(which many felt was a Shooter self portrait), and then he nuked the city of Pittsburgh(Shooter's home town) in that comic.


John Byrne is a petty mean spirited man and I don't have a doubt that he knew he was going to ruin the Legion with his needless retcon, and in doing so, destroy the most Legendary work of Shooter's career in the process.


I also bet, you won't see any work from him at DC now that Shooter is there. IMO, he was the guy that raised the biggest stink about Shooter's last Legion story that was in the works a few years ago.


Shooter > Byrne


Can't wait for this stuff.

I don't even care which Legion it is that Shooter writes...it's going to wind up being one of the best ones. It'll make sense. It'll have a coherent continuity, and it'll be intelligentally written by a master story teller, who was mentored by two of the finest minds ever produced by the Comics indistry in Stan Lee and Mort Weisenger.


Shooter's #1 way of fixing the Legion will be to tell great stories. That's always been his philosophy, and it's something he always succeeded at until he got sucked into office politics.

Assuming his opinion of her hasn't changed since 1976, don't expect Dream Girl to come back. Of course Bedard could bring her back first.

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This is the first I've been online today. I actually heard about this afternoon when I made my bi-weekly visit to the CBS.

At the very least, this will be interesting!

Well, I just read Shooter's thoughts on Wildfire:

"Bleah. How dull. A hothead, yes. A bright but juvenile person (?) who is dull, dull, dull."

I certainly hope his thoughts about my favorite character has changed.

Don't get too concerned over those thumbnail remarks from Shooter. Put yourself into the mindset of a teen/tween male in the society of the 70s (with a number of inferiority/other family issues) when you read them. As over the top as many of them sound, the comments aren't too difficult to understand when looked at from that perspective. And I would point out that he didn't portray the Legionnaires that way when he wrote them.

Wow, now I feel all guilty and stuff for bringing up those character sketches! I second what Vee said. After all, Wildfire was the "Marvel" character, and Shooter went on to have a fantastic run at Marvel.

This is absolutely HISTORIC NEWS! I guarantee you'll remember everything about the day you read Shooter's first LSH book!

Anyone still doubting?

I predict Shooter's LSH in the top 20 or higher.

Nope, that's not me. We just share a prefix...

Holy Sh!t I can't believe this WOW!

Absolutely agree with this!!! He was the captain and the rudder, and was basically the reason Valiant was being sold off (the owners had a big cash cow and figured for the right price they could take the money and run). From what I heard, it was during a meeting with the new owners that Jim put his foot down and told them basically "you can own the company, but don't get in my way..." since the comics being told were his vision (and making the company all that $$$$). What's the phrase??? "If it ain't broke...don't fix it."

Naturally his attitude soured the prospective buyers, who then told the current owners, "We'll take the company, but only if he's not part of the package". That was, my friends, the day Valiant died.

He has an attitude, but he loves comics!