Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Long Live the Legion! LSH #2 preview

I'm finding his extreme caution about everything a bit odd, having grown used to the extremely decisive, inspirational speech giving Cos of the reboot.

- Interesting dichotomy that Dreamy is uber-competent but comes across as "ditzy" because her mind is focusing on another point in time. It's like her mind floats through the timestream (is her range merely a few seconds? How much control does she have over what she can see?) and her mind is always alert, but you wouldn't know it unless she's focusing on the here and now, which is where we exist.
- Karate Kid is not the same zen like Val anymore. I like the bit between him and Element Lad about "getting your hands dirty". It's great to see characterization come through in bits of dialogue like that (which considering how many characters there are, is a vital tool in this book).
- I thought Molecule Master too -- I was surprised to see the oblique silver age reference, but it could be fun to see what other ones will be snuck in.
- I hope they explain how Brainy knows what he knows. I don't think any math equation can give him the info he imparts here (or can it? That'd be interesting).

In #1, Takron was referred to as both 'delegate' and 'senator' in different panels.

Mmmm... not sure I like that. Is Brainy going to have to calculate temperatures for Sun Boy? Tell KKid which martial art to use? Determine mass and weights for Light Lass and Star Boy?

I think its Star Wars logic, Senators are members of their world but also representatives of their world. It's possible for a person to be a delegate without being a Senator (Queen Amidala was a delegate of Naboo) but not possible for a Senator not to represent his world. I think the delegates were also a small portion of the delegates of the U.P. that were going to be assassinated.

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Mmmm... not sure I like that. Is Brainy going to have to calculate temperatures for Sun Boy? Tell KKid which martial art to use? Determine mass and weights for Light Lass and Star Boy?

It's not so problematic really, presuming he doesn't have to transmute a complex situation like this, he'll know most metals and alloys etc by sight.

As regarding Brainy's machines, I think he was only collecting data on the political situation and the security measures to make an educated guess. In this sort of situation, you need to take a leap of logic. Sometimes comics are supposed to be FUN like with the Legionaires chosen by tiny ball hitting them in the hid by roulette wheel.

Sounds like Issaac Asimovs' "Foundation" series, where a mathematician is able to correctly predict the future based on formulas devised from sociological trends and historical precedent. Of course, this "Math" was only able to predict societal changes over (very) extended periods of time. What Brainy's doing seems a little more precise.

Mystery Lad wrote: "Mmmm... not sure I like that. Is Brainy going to have to calculate temperatures for Sun Boy? Tell KKid which martial art to use? Determine mass and weights for Light Lass and Star Boy? "

Theory: Given enough time, E-Lad would have sensed the composition of the strange "funk" on his own, but Brainy had already identified it, and the danger was so imminent, Jan relied on the available data to speed the process. We have a something of a precedent for this at the climax of Earth War.

I'd like to hear Barry's take on this scene.


Sketch Lad wrote: "The Legionnaires sure have no hesitation to call each other names, do they?"

So far, we've seen Lyle screaming at his parents, Ultra Boy snapping at Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy calling Sun Boy "stupid", Sun Boy calling Brainy a "geek", Brainy snapping at Cos, E-Lad calling KK a "barbarian", KK insulting Brainy with the "big, hairy a..." comeback, not to mention "eat it, grandpa".

I guess that's Waid's way of making them edgier but if he takes it much further and makes them ALL insufferable twits, he's lost me.


EDE wrote: "I'm finding his extreme caution about everything a bit odd, having grown used to the extremely decisive, inspirational speech giving Cos of the reboot."

Personally I'd much rather see a more human Cos who harbors doubts, than the reboot "robot" Cos who bored some of us to tears. That said, his melodramatic behavior last issue was over the top, imo.

Loved it! What a great way to open the issue!

One of the things I thought was missing from the first issue was an easily-identifiable villain so I'm glad to see the team tackling one straight off the bat. The fact that he was so cool-looking was an added bonus. I hope he gets a name and that we see him again Barry!

Speaking of cool-looking - I'm surprised no one has mentioned how unique and interesting all of the different delegates looked! One of the most important abilities a Legion artist should have IMO is a fantastic design sense for aliens, landscape, technology and architecture. In a little over one issue Barry has proven himself to be probably the Legion's best ever artist in this field. Congratulations here Barry! This seems to be one of those things that most people overlook so consider this a shout-out to let you know your efforts are very much appreciated!

Other thoughts :

* Looks like those teleporter things aren't just limited to the Legion's use. I approve of this even though I'm still not really sold on the idea that we have to have them at all.

* VERY glad to read that Karate Kid's yin/yang symbol was just accidentally omitted for that one panel and will be back for the rest of the issue! I love his costume and that huge symbol is a big part of why!

* The colouring - is *still* a problem! This guy really needs to add some brighter colours to his palette. Everything is so dull. If it weren't for those computerised costume and power effects there'd be no brightness at all. I'm also not very keen on any of the hair colour changes that seem to have been arbitrarily applied to certain Legionnaires. Why, when we already have Gim, Jo and Lyle on the team with brown hair, has the group's only black-haired male member (not counting Val or Thom) been changed to brown as well? Black hair for Cosmic Boy please Barry! And while we're at it - red for Sun Boy and white for Dream Girl too please!

* Loved Dream Girl's characterisation! She's still kick-ass but without being from the same boring, cliched stable that every other female physical fighter character comes from. I love the layers that her 'caught in a time bubble' persona gives her. Not at all keen on her costume though I'm afraid. It may even be the worst on the team IMO.

* I wonder if we'll find out whoever hired the assassin and tried to start the interstellar war. Could this be foreshadowing of the Legion's first big nemesis?


Can't wait to read the whole issue!

I actually love the fact that there seems to be some personality clashes going on within the team. It adds depth and characterisation and is much more realistic than the 'Partridge Family' Legion that we've been seeing up until now.

I wouldn't call any of them an 'insufferable twit' after a bit of name-calling either. Its something we all do every day and is relatively harmless (when its not too insulting). Certainly, none of the 'insulted' Legionnaires have shown any signs of being bothered by it.

I like how they seem to have power limitations. This is a lot more like the Silver Age LSH and the concept of the LSH where they're stronger as a group than individually. If you make one member too powerful, what do you need the rest of them for? It's why Superboy wasn't always around for missions and Mon-El disappeared from time to time.

This was a great preview! So many interesting things.

1) Cool-looking, interesting aliens. Both Waid and Barry really must be commended for the great spacey, sci-fi context for the new Legion.

2) Interesting insights into Legionnaires' powers and personalities. KK thinks E-Lad is prissy. E-Lad thinks KK is a brute. Dream Girl is unclear on when "now" is. All very cool. Waid suggested that the Legionnaires would come from different species and cultures, but this is the first REAL taste we have had of their diversity and the tensions it can cause.

3) A time-honored Legion trope, swooping in to save the diplomats, delivered in an updated way. Of course the delegate is going to be furious about KK knocking down the wall--these are unruly anarchist children interrupting an important meeting. Oh, we're in danger? Nevermind. (BTW, since when is KK so strong as to knock down walls?!?!?)

4) Cos continues as the voice of caution, ever-worried about the Legion's reputation and relationship with the UP. Good characterization (SOMEONE has to take this posiion in the group). Nevertheless, I look forward to Cos's midlife crisis already.

5) A cool-looking and acting villain. Again, Barry deserves an ovation for the originality, detail and beauty of his character designs.

One question: didn't KK look kind of brown of complexion in #1? Here he looks much more caucasian.

I agree. We finally got an obviously minority KK in #1 and now he seems to have disappeared.

Something else else else for the colourist to remember to pay attention to.

Bah. That's site's blocked on my work pc. Are those up anywhere other than popcultureshock.com?

Might be even simpler than that - maybe E-Lad could sense the composition of the gas on his own but didn't know which compounds were the dangerous ones. Just becuase he can identify the relative concentrations of various elements doesn't mean he automatically understands what every combination of those ingredients will do. Turning all the oxygen to helium isn't much help if it's hydrogen that's the problem.

And Brainy figured out the general plan, but had to actually analyze the compounds to know what specifically was being used.

Has any Legion story ever addressed how E-Lad actually percieves his surroundings? I can't recall anything like that ever being done.

I will say that the color to the cover looks much improved over the previously released image.

I only peeked at page 5, the Nura/Val page.

I ***really really really*** like the pairing of Val & Nura on this page. Reminds me of their frequent pairings in the original continuity (examples I can think og offhand: S/LSH 199, 268-- trust, it was more pairings than many other non-couple Legionnaires got).

I always got the impression that Nura and Val were good platonic pals back then, and wondered why Timber Wolf-- who wasn;t really ever shown toi be close to Val that I recall-- was chosen to plant that seed on Lythyl instead of Dream Girl.

Hi Guys
Glad you enjoyed the preview
Rather than give too much away - I hope you'll bear with me if I hold off answering most questions or responding to comments until you've seen the whole issue.... I have a feeling there'll be lots to discuss!

Here.

Thanks, that's much better. Very nice. Brainiac doesn't come off as creepy as he looks in those few pages.

Yeah! What he said!

Isn't Dreamy awfully strong in this scene? She broke off the metallic arm of the bad guy with one kick! Has she been this strong before?

I've been thinking about Brainiac's role as 'science advisor'.

Element Lad probably *could* determine the composition of the gas, but perhaps Brainy could do it faster.

I'm guessing he'll be giving other Legionnaire's similar advice.

I wonder if the rings, along with providing flight and holocommunication might somehow link to the computers and machinery that have been obscuring our view of ol' green-face in his appearances.

Nanotech? Nanocams... nanosensors... nanoscrubbers, cleaning up exposure to various energies... all directed by Brainy through their manufacture and release in/by the flight ring.

Saturn Girl, Dream Girl and Shrinking Violet could serve as 'checks and balances'.

Invisible Kid, Shadow Lass, Chameleon and Phantom Girl and Vi could be the only Legionnaires able to 'hide' from Brainy... thus becoming the shadowy Espionage Squad, if the team ever has a mission that needs to be completed without Brainy's involvement (for whatever reason, not just 'Omega' fears).

Element Lad and Karate Kid--- trash talk or playful friendly banter? Remember, they *were* playing chess together in #1 (unless Chamelon decided to mimic Element Lad for some reason).

I'm leaning towards the latter.

Ah, but have we not had a refrence to "Brainy's recruits." I would not be surprised if all, or even most, of the Legionniares owe either their abilites, or current power levels, to Brainy.

Not unless someone else was mimicing Cham in the background.

Proty?

Pro As long as Projectra's around, who knows what we were really seeing?