Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Need some help

The following question was sent to me on reddit as I am known for loving the Legion on /r/DCComics. Truth is, I've only read the issues in question once and I do not recall this specific part.

You think you could help me with a Legion question? It's a weird one. In the Deluxe Edition of The Great Darkness Saga, in issue 296 Sun Boy tell Tinya that he has a hobby. Two panels later, Tinya is calling him a sexist and dumping a drink on his head to which he responds, "Well, you asked!" There's no reference to this throughout the rest of the issue, except the next time we see the two of them together he asks Tinya "Are you okay?" And she replies, "No. I'm going to be sick." And then she adds in what seems like it would be a condescending way, "Wanna watch?" And sun Boy says, "Hey, relax."

So A. Is it a joke that Sun Boy has some sick hobby and the gag is we never get to know what it is?

B. Is the hobby explained in a future issue outside of the Great Darkness Saga collection which I wouldn't have read?

C. Is the joke that Sun Boy's hobby is some weird/kinky thing about watching girls throw up? Because that just blows my mind.

I don't have the issues handy, but I'm pretty sure that this incident:



Happened after the firebombing attack which killed Cosmic Boy's mom and severely injured Pol and his dad. Tinya was feeling sick after seeing the victims.

I wish I could help, but I don't really remember the scenes in question.

Okay, I dug out my back issues and here's the full text of those panels:

First scene at a party hosted by Garth and Imra (page 4):

Tinya: You disappeared fast when we reached Earth, Sun Boy.

Dirk: Well, I wasn't picked for the Daxam mission, so I figured I'd catch up on my hobby.

Tinya: I didn't know you had one.

Dirk: Sure...

Two panels later -

Tinya: Sexist! Don't you ever tell me a story like that again.

Dirk: Hey! Phantom Girl - you asked what I did the night we got back to Earth!

Tinya: Oooh!

Second scene is just as I remembered, the Legionnaires are investigating the site of the firebombing. (page 7)

Dirk: Tinya, are you Okay?

Tinya: No, I'm going to be sick. Wanna watch?

Dirk: Hey, relax. You won't do anyone any good like that. We still have a couple more houses to dig out.


There is nothing in these panels that implies that Dirk's hobby is watching women throw up! And Tinya's "wanna watch" line was said while she was crying and shaking, she was just trying to compose herself.

As for the hobby, I can't recall if it was ever mentioned again in a future issue.

I think the hobby in question is just womanizing.

Heh, I had typed out the text too, only to have to go and pander to a cat whim

The first scene is Dirk descibing his night in lecherous detail.

The second is Tinya's all too real reaction to seeing the effects of the firebombing. Disgust, anger, and possibly shame at her own reaction to it.

I've never thought of the two as connected.

The two aren't connected (other than showing that despite his grossing her out earlier they are still friends and care about each other when it all hits the fan).

Later in the Levitz run there's a call back where she again dumps a drink on him, but we never hear what he says.

I thought the two scenes were connected; that doesn't mean Dirk likes watching women throw up, but he might have some equally disgusting (to Tinya) interest, perhaps involving food stuffs or other bodily fluids. There's an implication that Dirk is rather kinky.

The beauty of the two scenes is that they are open to interpretation, so fans can read into them whatever they choose.

However, it's also telling that Dirk responds to Tinya's "Wanna watch?" with compassion. He may be kinky, but he's also good guy!

I never thought they were connected either, other than highlighting beautifully what Dave mentioned - that even though Tinya found Dirk's story disgusting, the two are still staunch friends.

I agree that it's possible (and great) that fans can read between the lines, which is why it's important to show the dialogue (and scenes, if possible!) so everyone is interpreting the same thing.

Except when he's in charge. Well, he might still be kinky then too...

Alas, power corrupts.

Thank you guys all so much for your answers! Hopefully this satisfies the redditors curiosity!