Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Long Live the Legion! re-reading the REBOOT LEGION

As I've in recent months become somewhat vaguely dissatisfied with the current re-imagined Legion, I have decided to give the reboot era a thorough re-read. Many of these stories I haven't read in years. I'll post reviews here as I go along.


REVIEW # 1:

The Beginning of Tomorrow/Planet Hell

LSH # 0 - LEGIONNAIRES # 23

Everything old is new again!

I rather enjoyed the bulk of TMK and TM-sans-K, but became mostly frustrated with what followed, so I was willing to accept whatever came after Zero Hour with open arms.

Little did I suspect that I was going to see the whole thing, this time from day 1.

LSH # 0:

Excellent Stuart Immonen artwork started the reboot (and ironically, it was his swan song for the Legion) with a bang. Usage of the word "stupid" in this issue clearly shows that this creative team (writers Mark Waid & Tom McGraw) knew their Legion stuff.

I think they handled it correctly; they wasted NO time in getting our 3 founders together with ol' R.J. and featured enough well-known characters (Ayla, Mekt, Luornu, Shvaughn) on the side that you KNEW these guys knew their nass.

Garth & Rokk become fast friends; leave it to Imra-- a bossy one from the start-- to interrupt the strokefesting.

LEGIONNAIRES (hereafter referred to as L*) # 0:

Moy's art was rough at this early stage, but strangely appealing too.

Again, our writers barrel things along at an approriate pace; one can almost sense that they were actively trying to keep old readers engaged while not confusing new ones.

The correct decision was made in keeping the first 5 Legionnaires the same in this reboot, as Apparition and Triad quickly join our founders three.

And if that wasn't enough, the stage is set, in a unique and realistic fashion-- for us to have tons more members added to the cast in even quicker succession. We glimpse Gim Allon, an unknown speedstress, some familiar faces on Xanthu, Durlan society, Lyle Norg and Brainiac 5.

The usage of characters such as Atmos and Kid Quantum once again says a lot (all of it good) about the writers!

LSH # 62:

Lee Moder comes on-board for art; I found it similar enough to Stuart Immonen's style to keep me happy.

One can almost sense the civilian chicks trying to think of ways to trick Cosmic Boy into marrying them on page 4, which is a good sign.

Our newer members (sans Brainy) make the scene; one can tell the UP is new at this point, as poor Durlans are apparently attacked on sight.

Quickly, the new, beefed-up-with-numbers Legionnaires are sent on their first mission, in an (understandable) attempt to gain some newsworthy clips to help gain support for the fledgeling team.

It is here that I think our writers made their first mistake: killing off a team member on the first mission.

Actually, it was their SECOND mistake; the real first one was changing James from the sweet-natured, well-liked guy he was in T&M's L* to the egotistical sassy-sister he was in the reboot. That set a precedent that was later taken advantage of: irritating character changes.

Nice "Cos as leader" moment with Gim, though.

L* 19:

Tom Peyer joins the writing team. A nice spotlight on the unknown XS; the usage of Probes, Marla Latham, the Legionnaires'penchant for funerals and Mano continue to show to me that these writers are trying to honor previous continuity (for the most part) while also trying to remain fresh & new.

LSH 63-66/L* 20-23:

The writing team continues to wow me by bringing in Tenzil Kem, Ayla (Spark) Ranzz, Ultra Boy, Karate Kid, Spider Girl (!!), Evolvo (!!!), Andromeda and Shrinking Violet.

They also frustrate me by putting Dirk Morgna's code-name and powers on an evil female, making Laurel a ateful xenephobe and giving Tenzil a very minor role.

We witness a prelude of sorts to what will become mass Legion tryouts.

Too-excellent-to-be-forgotten characters such as Gates are introduced, and yet another all-new Legionnaire becomes part of the team in Kinetix.

The Planet Hell storyline shows that these writers know their villains as well, as the likes of the Brain-Globes of Rambat and Carress mingle with all-new thugs like Titanor.

Moy's art begins hitting a stride with L* # 23 (his images of Laurel/Andromeda are lovely), and the Legionnaires get their flight rings in a pretty unforgettable scene.

And by the end of this issue, the stage is set for the nextbig reboot storyline, the "White Triangle" Saga.

Well, I really liked the first couple years of the reboot. But, as a whole, the Archie Legion holds little favor in my mind.

To be fair, I didn't start reading the Legion til 2000 , when DNA was writing. Maybe if I had read the reboot issues as they came out, I'd look at them differently.

LSH #0 was a perfect origin/first issue. I've always thought that if a Legion cartoon were made, they could use this issue word for word for an excellent first episode.

And one thing those writers did a *lot* better than the current team (or DNA for that matter)was getting the story rolling and handling the large cast.

I have always maintained that the first years or so of the reboot Legion was extremely good. But when it falls, it falls hard. And never manages to get up again.

I'm really wondering, in retrospect, just how much direct influence Waid actually had in the first year. Yes, he pushed The Button that time too, but the codename and character (and costume) changes (mostly) came straight from the preboot SW6/Legionnaires book which was T&M's baby & he had little or no involvement with. XS was McCraw's, Gates was a one-scene joke until after he left; he didn't write a single issue solo, Peyer took over Legionnaires solo fairly quickly (#20, the third postboot issue - albeit plot credits were reinstated for McCraw & Waid, presumably because of the back-and-forth between titles meaning that he wasn't plotting in isolation rather than because they were working more on L*, as a credit for Peyer started appearing in LofSH at the same time), and Waid dropped down to scripting-only on LofSH by #68, only the fourth postboot issue of that title.

one of the main reasons why i liked the reboot(1994-2004) legion was because of legionnaires like XS,Shikari,Thunder,and gasp, even Gates!

Reboot up to about v4 #80 was quite good. The 20/30 split weakened it, and it descended from there, until DnA lifted it up again.

DnA at their weakest were still better, story-wise, than anything Waid's done on Threeboot as of yet.

I'm surprised to learn that. I always associated her with Mark, both because of the Flash connection and because he wrote the best story featuring her (Impulse #12).

I also loved the early issues of the Reboot, and thought they were excellent. It wasn't really until Tinya was killed in the White Triangle storyline that I started to feel that things were a little off. However, those fears went away with the Chu Sting storyline, which was great.

At that point, the reboot was rocking along. Then came Emerald Vi, which ...eh...brought it down a little. the 20/30 split was a bad move, and the title quickly turned into crap. By Sneckie, the reboot Wildfire, etc. it was probably one of the comic books I dreaded more than any other, and there were some *weak* comic books at that time.

Still, those early years of the Reboot were great!

I do disagree with Kent though--DnA at their worst were as bad as Gerry Conway, the pre DnA reboot Legion and Legion on the Run at their worst. They really dropped the ball and screwed things up more. *However* DnA at their best was excellent. While Legion Lost IMO is nowhere near as good as some people make it out to be, the earliest issues of the relaunch were exciting and fun. Right now Waid is far ahead of DnA at their worst, but not at the level of DnA at their best. I guess thats a discussion for another thread though...

Looking forward to more Lash reviews!

I'll admit, I was surprised to find it out too. But that was what first got me *really* wondering about whether Waid ever did anything significant with the postboot after the zero issues.

Considering that the first real indications that there was something seriously wrong in the reboot began almost as soon as Waid left, I think it's difficult to maintain that he didn't have significant influence on the book, if only in making sure it maintained quality.

See, I don't see that (certainly not "something seriously wrong"). For me, the first serious problem is when Andromeda comes back as a nun with a new personality.

I see the trend of vastly inferior ripoffs of Silver Age stories/concepts as beginning shortly after Waid's departure, particularly with the whole Chu/Fatal Five story. That led into the massive jumping of the shark that occurred with the whole "Emerald Vi"/Death of Gim/Team 20-Team 30 split, shortly after which I quit reading.

I would more or less agree. The quality started to drop seriously after Legionnaires Annual #2, although I only notice it now in retrospect.

Perhaps they shouldn't have killed off the most interesting character in the series, and then brought her back as a nasty, jealous shrew and, later, a teenage single mother... sorry, I'm still a little bitter about that.

I will agree the turning point was the time split issues even though I did continue to enjoy the Legionaries book during the split. Legion on the other hand was pretty bad during that period. After the books were both put back into the 30th century it just got worse until DnA came on with Legion of the Dammned.

I thought DnA's run was fantastic until they brought in Superboy. That was were their run started falling apart hard.

Agree, agree, agree! I did not like the 20th/30th century split! Imra + Rokk = EW! EW, EW, EW!!

And then there was that really weird anomaly thingy... yeah, that still gets me. I'm just so not a fan of that. At all. At alllll.

Legion of the Damned was... like... so different than the series had been. I felt like I'd just totally missed a step between. but I did like where it went and I really enjoyed Legion Worlds.

Yes, I still have to read Legion Lost and The Legion (that's not gonna happen 'til after finals, though) but still!! Overall, I enjoyed the reboot, especially through that first year.

Next review coming soon, the White Triangle tale and the first few Waid-less issues!

But I wanted to take a moment to note how much fun I am having re-reading the letters pages in these issues.

Lots of repeat letterhacks like Jim Kelly and especially David Taylor-- who really tickled me by asking for the return of Calorie Queen (as well as Gas Girl and a few others). Unfortunately, he showed no love for other fine characters like Lester Spiffany, Calamity King and Infectious Lass and did not include them in his suggestions, so his requests were flatly denied.

Hopefully he has since learned his lesson.

The first year of the reboot was actually quite good! Artistically, I actually preferred Moy's art to Moder's, and overall they were a solid combination. I felt Waid's influence leave the book with the culmination of the White Triangle story, and it went downhill fast (let's be honest, it was a sheer cliff). I have long said that I am not a fan of Peyer's writing in general, but his Legion work was straight up not good at all!

This legion just never clicked with me and in fact takes a lot of my scorn. Part of the issue is that most of the characters just seem to be unlikeable and make horrible personality choices.

They had some good moments but they were outweighed by the bad.

* Imra pupeteering Cosmic Boy's body (ruining possibly one of THE best ideas for a relationship since....everyone hates Garth)

* Phantom Girl and Ultraboy was the worst handled relationship ever. I even LIKED the reboot Ultraboy more than the original.

* Cosmic Boy was a jerk to Superboy, one of my favorite characters.

* They started the characters at 15 years old and frankly that is VERY creepy.

* Princess Snake.

* The Garth-Element Lad situation and everything that lead up to it.

* The Psycho-Goth cheesecake depiction of Shady

* Randomly changing names.

* The smack in the face to years of continuity with the time travel episode where they met Superboy.

* Trying to pass Mon'el off as Superboy...AGAIN. It never worked.

The list goes on and on. I dropped the title during the Great Darkness Rip Off when they had Superboy accidentally kill a dozen people.

I loved the White Triangle but in terms of characterization, it just failed for me.

I enjoyed the early reboot through the conclusion of the Chu sting in issue #80. What came next was just abominable writing and cartoon caricature, but I think the editor KC Carlson must also share blame with Peyer & Stern. Imo, they all abandoned their mission after the first mega-arc was finished.

DnA instilled it with danger and excitment, and transformed it into real sci-fi/adventure. I hated some of their characterizations (Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl), and rue some of the choices they made (Element Lad), but it was great rollercoaster ride overall, imo. In retrospect, they probably should have left when Coipel did - which was their original intention - but they still get a thumbs up for giving me a reason to read the Legion again.

David Taylor didn't even ask for the inclusion of Cobalt Kid? Bah!! I expect better from Legion fans!

Jeepers! How could this David Taylor guy have failed to ask for Calamity King? I seriously doubt his credentials as a Legion fan!

David Taylor once laughed at me after I had fallen into a well and needed to be rescued! Then he threw acid into the well!

Back up a sec! In addition to this David Taylor person (probably not even a real person), the former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills also wrote a letter to the Legion editors? Cool!

We very well may have to do a Thomas Fatsi-style stalking of this Taylor weirdo, but for now, another review....


LSH # 67:

And Tangleweb becomes the first repeatvillain of the reboot; I felt he was creepy enough for it. The scene with Gim mocking Imra was cute. Lots of nice character moments all around, really, as Cos has to pick a select crew of Legionnaires to tackle Tangleweb, alienating some of them in the process.

L* # 24:

The excellent "spotlight on Triad" issue. Granny Murlu was the character find of 1995, and I loved discovering how Lu came into Brande's employ. "Mr. Brande didn't laugh, he TRIPLED my pay." This issue was a bit of a spotlight on our estemmed Mr. Brande as well. Good stuff.

LSH # 68:

Andromeda finally starts to become a little more likeable; another nice Cos/Gim bit at the end.

L* # 25:

The Composite Man! Eh, he was alright, but what I liked most was the slickers-- of space (see page 16)! Plus a groovy scene involving Tenzil and a cactus.

LSH # 69:

It's put up or shut up time for Saturn Girl; it just seemed she was pretty weak to be considered powerful by Titanian standards. This is possibly the first time we have ever seen a Legionnaire drool (but NOT the last)! In general, I didn't care for this development.

LSH ANNUAL # 6

Shvaughn becomes LSH liason as she was destined to be; the Tornado Twins! Origins for XS, Leviathan and Kinetix-- who also LOSES her power for some never-explained reason.

L* # 26:

YAY, more Workforce! The Jo/Tinya romance begins to ignite, and a quite interesting scene where the President refuses to oust a now-powerless Kinetix from the team (for fear of offending Aleph) exposes the fallacy of the Legion Draft.

LSH # 70:

A powerful read still, as the 2 most arrogant, self-superior Legionnaires have it out; of course, Brainy gets the best of Laurel, as he is saving her life, and reader-hope for the return of the TMK-Laurel is advanced. But then sneaky Vi finds Laurel's white triangle medallion....

L* # 27:

Cos impresses me by facing down Laurel; Laurel unwittingly sets into motion events that will cost millions of lives; more of brain-damaged Imra (I prefer her as hussy man-thief) and... ROXXAS. Can a certain blonde Trommite be far behind?

LSH # 71:

Now THIS. THIS is how you destroy a planet. Compare this with the blah destruction of Orando in the 3boot. It's like comparing a Lexus convertible to a tricycle with 2 flat tires. The murderous Daxamites are genuinely scary, and the destruction of Trom is a tear-jerkingly powerful image still. Plus some good face time for Zoe and some Legionnaires begin to form a squad that would be good at espionage and stuff. Plus: a certain blonde Trommite!

LSH # 28:

The Espionage Squad in action! David Taylor's suspicion that Tinya and her mother are very similar people (from an earlier lettercolumn) is confirmed on page 11! Hopefully he got a $5 idea check. And-- Daxamites attack earth!

L* ANNUAL # 2:

WHEW! All-Out-Action Issue doesn't begin to do it justice. Mistake: killing Tinya, which was absolutely unnecessary and allowed crappiness to later take over her character. Done well: Andromeda's survival and subsequent self-jailing. At last you get the feeling that the Laurel you liked back in TMK is finally back, only in jail off-panel and stuff for the foreseeable future. More Workfrce! And the idiotic brain-damaged Imra nonsense is done away with!

So, so far-- still good.

But coming up: The Legion goes Waidless! How will it hold up?

These are fun memories to revisit, Lash!

I was and am very disappointed that Jan became a nonentity in his own origin. But at least another character didn't swipe it, like in the fourboot!

It's telling to compare RJ's treatment of Luornu (and even Brainy) with that of Jan. All three given to his care, one never received it. Even worse, it's the one whose *parents*, as opposed to his *world*, placed him in Brande's hands.

I sort of disagree about the Tinya-thing. I thought her death was moving and well-written. I basically wished she'd stayed a phantom that haunted the Legion, instead of having that awful half-Carggite origin tacked on. Maybe she could've had a supernatural adventure in which she gained the ability to sometimes manifest a physical body for short periods of time.

Zoe was never the same after that annual. She had such a strong debut, too.

I enjoyed those years of the reboot-- I found something to like right up to the god-awful SUMMER WORLD story. Admitedly, sometimes that something took some searching.

This, despite the fact that I didn't *want* to like the reboot at all- I much preferred the idea of the ongoing LSH alongside the proposed retelling of the ADVENTURE years with 'modern' storytelling we were promished at one time.

Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane!