Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Starman #50, guest-starring reboot-Thom and reboot-Tasmia

This, in my opinion, is not only one of the best issues of Starman, but possibly the best-written story taking place in the 30th Century of the reboot era.

Also, one of the best Tasmia portrayals of any boot: regal and fierce, with a softer side she keeps well hidden. The panel where she hugs Jack and says, "Thom, if you tell any of the Legionnaires I was ever this nice to someone, I swear I'll kill you!" is one of my favorite panels of all time.

If the reboot LSH itself had been this well-written, it would never have needed DnA to come in and grittify the Legion, and it would never have been cancelled.

The same could be said for Justice League of America.

Ironic, given who wrote this story, no?

Yyyyyyyyyyyyyep.

Wow. I'm surprised to see this thread plummeting towards page 2.

I know Legion World has some hardcore Tasmia fans, some hardcore Thom fans, some hardcore Starman fans, and some hardcore fans of all three.

Where are you?

It's been years since I read the issue; I dropped STARMAN not longer after this issue and sold off all my run, so I don't feel educated enough to discuss the issue.

Well, if it's any consolation, the Grand Guignol arc which follws the (wonderful IMO) Stars My Destination arc is a near-unreadable mess, although the last few remaining issues are good.

Was Tasmia ever as cool in the reboot as she was in this issue?

IIRC, it was during "Grand Guignol" that I brought the axe down on STARMAN.

Oh yes, Tas was VERY COOL, especially during Legion Lost.

She handily whips the asses of both Monstress and Ultra Boy in one scene. And Coipel's 1940's hairstyle for her.... BE. YOND. FAB.

Will have to check out Legion Lost. Thanks, Lash.

It reads better in TPB format, but certainly wasn't up to the series' usual snuff.

generally, yes. Although she rarely had center stage, except in L-Lost and the Lightle issue (24?).

Ah, yes, the Lightle issue! Thanks for reminding me about that, Kent. Will add it to my list of back issues to search for this week.

Kent, what did you think of Stars My Destination overall? I think even though it's not the "purest" Starman arc, it's got a lot of wonderful stuff in it.

I liked a lot of it. I loved the Ditko Starman, so it was neat to see so much of that revisited - without really undoing his pointless death in COIE. It was also neat to see Tigorr back in action. While I didn't like seeing Gavyn's best-bud Jeddah be a villain, it was handled well, and I came to accept it.

if memory serves, the first story in this volume was the one with the Space Ranger and others telling variations on the Starman story as they'd heard it? I loved that! especially the one where they're talking like pirates.

There was also an issue of the Legends of the Legion mini that spotlighted Tasmia, but I don't remember how well that one was done.

I might the Legends of the Legion issue a go. I'm sure I can find it super-cheap. Thanks, Kent.

My favorite moments from Stars My Destination, besides the issue that inspired this thread, were the Jor-El and Adam Strange issues.

they were great. I thought those were from the prior TPB, tho, so I didn't mention them.

so I gather you were referring to the entire space run, then?

my least favorite was the visit to Swamp Thing's blue world. Alan Moore did that better, and in the context of the whole series, it was one Solomon Grundy appearance too many for me.

Yes, the entire space run.

Wow. That is amazing. The blue world is my least favorite segment, too.

I also have to say that I really liked Thom in this issue, too. I've never been a fan of the preboot Thom because he broke Nura's heart.

Nura was hardly an innocent, as I recall.

The only Starman story I liked reading so far, I mean REALLY liked, is the Legends of the Dead Earth annual with the Prairie Witch.

Oh, I know. But Thom could have handled it better than just giving her the cold shoulder and moving back to Xanthu.

Yeah, and he did handle it better for years. She just wouldn't grow up until it was too late for them.

Actually a rather real life couple with these two. Things should have worked out, but didn't...things happen sometimes that we can't, or in Dreamy's case, choose not to control. Could Thom have taken the high road...yeah, but he finally just had enough of her games.

What you say is true, Dev. I just find it very easy to turn a blind eye to Nura's faults. She seemed to me like deep down, underneath all the frivolity, she was very lonely and needy. Could she have taken responsibility for her behavior? Sure, but then she wouldn't be Nura.

As much as I love Nura, she did take Thom for granted one time too many. I know that she loved him, but I think deep down she didn't know how to be with him.

I thought this was a great story! It's been awhile since I've read it but I remember loving it at the time. It was a great chance to see Star Boy & Umbra removed from the rest of the Legion and then have connections to Starman, Mikaal and the Shade.

I loved the space-arc in Starman in a big way. Remember just loving it at the time and thought it just kept getting stronger as it went. The Moore blue planet was 'okay'; the Jor-El stuff was better and then things got really good after that.

I also really liked the story in the back of Space-Cabbie's cab with Space Ranger, Starfire, Ultraa, etc.

This arc made me a fan of Prince Gavyn as well.

As for preboot Thom, I've always blamed Nura for their break-up. She had it coming, for taking him for granted far too often. Still, I love Nura and actually like her more than Thom--she's a favorite. But you can't be that needed and self-centered and not suffer the consequences. Just another reason why she was such a strong, complex character.

As hard as we try and as much as we want them to, some relationships just don't work out.

I've been there...