Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Levitz talks Legion

Sometimes the universe produces good news just when you need it. I've learned that my interest in comics in general is pretty closely tied to the publication of a good Legion comic. As a result, the past year I've found it harder and harder to trek to the comic book store and fork over ridiculous sums of money. The last week I was seriously considering chucking the whole thing. And then this happens. No pressure, Levitz, but my comic reading future, and DC's continued revenue from ME, rest entirely on your nebbishy shoulders. Do NOT disappoint me!

The IO9 article is a must read. Levitz just gives wonderful interviews -- without spoiling anything major, he conveys a thoughtfulness and insight that few of his "peers" manage (DiDio!).

It's so interesting that Paul has latched onto Earth Man. On the one hand, I worry that Paul is repeating his pattern of doing variations on existing themes rather than striking out into new creative territory. On the other hand, maybe it only makes sense to include a character that recent readers will recognize, especially if you have a good story to tell about him.

Random speculation time:

During the 80s, Shadow Lass cut off a finger to symbolize her "marriage" to Mon-El. She clearly has all her fingers now (as Levitz himself emphasizes in the IO9 interview). Did the marriage never happen? Or is it over? How do Talokians regrow fingers? Mitigating against this is the fact that we saw Shady and Mon together (at least working together in their old familiar way) during FC: Lo3W, when they went to rouse Sodom Yat on Oa. I agree we don't seem to have seen Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy together, so maybe that relationship is over? I honestly can't remember, did they marry during Levitz's last run? Were they ever married in the original Legion? And with Tyroc back, I now agree the homeworld destroyed might in fact be his!

Also, here's a link on the artist Yildiray Cinar

http://www.yildiraycinar.net/

whose work looks really exciting. Wow. I'm almost in good mood now, and for me, in the 2nd week of January in Chicago, that's saying something.

He's also got a DeviantArt page.

http://cinar.deviantart.com/

Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy nearly got married during the Five Year Gap, but she was supposedly killed instead.

Tyroc was from Marzal, an island, not a planet--unless this has been retconned or changed over the years.

Wasn't Marzal given some sort of Brigadoon status? Also, maybe in the intervening years, Marzal relocated to an actual planet?

Marzal shifted periodically into another dimension, a la Brigadoon, but it was still an island.

Wow, Yildiray Cinar looks awesome! He might be like another Olivier Copiel or Frances Manupal!

Of course, once I stop having an easy way to copy and paste his name from other posts you better believe I'll never spell that right...

Just think of it as futuristic Legion name.

If one of the biggest problems around Marzal was the idea that it was an island populated solely by a race descended from African American slaves who wanted nothing to do with the rest of a predominately white Earth, and that they might be the ONLY black people left on Earth, I doubt anyone would think it'd be a good idea to transfer it to another planet. It'd be enough to cause continuous orgasms throughout most of the skinhead community.

I'm so shrill, aren't I?

Maybe they make the mistake of settling on the remains of New Krypton? Note to all comic book characters -- NEVER sign a long-term lease on a planet named "Krypton."

I too am excited by Cinar's art. On the one hand, he seems to be trying hard to honor the character designs Gary Frank used for the mature Legionnaires. On the other hand, his character studies have fullness to them, a humane quality, that I really like. Cos is particularly interesting. One of the best things about the 3Boot, and the JohnsBoot too, to a lesser extent, is Cosmic Boy's transformation from a generic-looking superhero kid to a distinctive human being. Yildiray seems to be continuing that, which is nice. His close-up of Cos reminds me a lot of Christian Bale in "Batman Begins" -- the prison/ninja apprentice Bruce Wayne. Also, his group shot suggests a decent skill for 31C cityscapes, which is a prerequisite for Legion artist in my book. I would LOVE to see an artist's take on what a 31C Istanbul or Shanghai or Baghdad or Dubai looks like!

Who is that, front and center of the group shot?

A Turkish artist. This could lead to some interesting cultural aspects to the art, we've not previously seen.

Brainiac 5. I didn't recognize him, either, until I saw the force field belt.

Not in favor of the sleeveless look on Ultra Boy. Or any of the other guys for that matter.

I'm with most every one here...estatic! That was a great interview. I really liked his answers and where he is heading with things...and his approach.

Can it get better? Yes...an unknown artist who ROCKS! Beautiful stuff man. I agree he makes these new costumes look better. (not that i disliked them before)

Agreed. Since it is the Legion and has a different setting than the rest of the DCU he can add something exotic and new to the landscape/design of the 31st century.

Set gave a nice run-down of who's missing from that group shot, but forgot Invisible Kid. Unless we're assuming he's there but invisible.

IIRC Shady performed the ritual after Lar was devastated by the Trapper during the conspiracy storyline. Like I said IIRC...it's been a while since I read that run.

He was on life support and failing, so she did it to show her commitment to him.

He "died" during the Magic Wars due to technology failing.

If he never faced the Trapper, or certain things have changed...she would probably never have performed the ritual.

I was like, 'Invisible Kid, isn't he dead?' then I remembered Jacques. Ah, poor Jacques. I remembered to look for Chemical King (who I *know* is dead), but didn't remember Jacques.

If Levitz isn't forced to integrate his Legion stories with the rest of the DCU, it might be good or even great. But otherwise, all bets are off as far as I'm concerned. I'm just so sick of the DCU under DiDio, and I'm wary of buying anything because every little bit makes it less likely DiDio will be fired.

I'll Byrne-steal Levitz's new Legion at first and see what I think.

where are Matter Eater Lad, Bouncing Boy, and Duplicat Damsel?
I see Blok - thought he permanently stays with Black White??

Unless I've missed something, no one has mentioned Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel as a marriage that could potentially break up.

and looks like the 21st century Legionnaires are still busy teaming up with Superman - Sensor Girl, Element Lad, Cham (now where is HE!!??!!??), Tellus.

I really like the art. He has a firm grasp of real anatomy. The new costumes are still god-awful for the most part. I'm encouraged by Levitz's statement that the costumes might get an update.

You know, from the drawing it looks like someone finally realised that Brainy fits the Byronic Hero archetype. I really used to hate the longer hair but it really fits here. I've had enough of the nerdy social misfit interpretation of the character, lets get back to basics.

As for the interview, such big changes so quickly worries me because its going to end up upsetting core fans and they don't need bad word of mouth.

The image appears to be from within the comic itself, not a poster or cover. So it would appear it's not meant to be a catch all group shot.

Hooray!

Except for destroying a homeworld. That's just silly.