Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Re-Reading the Legion: Archives Volume 20

All good points, but I think we have to look at these in context. Once Ayla and Mekt were trapped on Zymyr's world, the dynamic changed. Mekt was no longer in charge. They were forced to work together to escape. I would like to think Ayla saw a glimmer of hope in her brother that he could be saved. Zapping the boy on Winath may have destroyed that hope, but it would have been nice if she'd had some hope to begin with. It's hard to give up on a relative, no matter what he or she has done.

I don't understand how she would have appeared weak if she had expressed kindness or hope in Mekt. I think it would have been a sign of strength that she still had faith in him.

Yeah, I had trouble expressing that idea. I saw it more as a temporary attitude, given what she'd been through and her view that the Legion now faced much more serious foes. Trying to put myself in her place... she could have said something along the lines of "I can't deal with you now, you're evil but maybe in the future you'll come around". I was thinking of "weakness" in terms of her begging him to change - Mekt needs some tough love (which he will eventually get) and tough love certainly takes considerable strength of character.

Good points about the need to spin Ayla off into her own narrative. Another point to consider is that Issue # 6 is the first time she really exercises agency in the story line. From the time she was captured on Winath, everything was out of her control. Even breaking away from her restraints and freeing the other Legionnaires resulted from the accidental restoration of her lightning powers. Zymyr's ship could only return to Orando, we are told. Even her defeat of Mekt on Orando was a temporary victory, at best.

But, in # 6, she persuades her villainous and obviously insane brother to work with her. After they return to Winath, she defeats and captures him. To me, this is a much more decisive completion to her arc.

I’m beginning to think I should have used “spotlight” more than “fill in”, especially when I saw the benefits of pushing Ayla’s subplot into a separate issue. A later lettercol would tell us that it was Orlando’s first full issue for DC in the 17 years he had been given an editorial position. As a result of his other duties, it would take 3 months to complete. So, this wasn’t the result of any deadline crunch caused by Giffen’s departure, or Lightle needing the extra time.

Excellent point about Ayla exercising agency. Thanks for pointing that out, as it’s pretty central to her return. Orlando gives us a visual of her eyes glowing as she destroys a robot, of her smiling thunderbolt appearance as she convinces Mekt, and of her delight in returning home.

Levitz will make her a proactive member of the team on her return. While she did defeat Mekt in the first arc, this story does, as you say, result in her making decisions and plans for herself.

Good catch. It explains a lot. Levitz probably had to deliver a full script on # 6 to Orlando before completing the scripts on #'s 3-5. Levitz would have known that Ayla and Mekt had been spirited away by Zymyr but may not have known the exact details (or the details may have changed from the conception/plotting to the scripting of # 5). This may explain why it feels contrived that Zymyr teleported away and accidentally took Ayla and Mekt with him.

I remember Steve Englehart discussing a similar occurrence when he took over from Roy Thomas on The Avengers. IIRC correctly, Englehart's first issue was supposed to be Avengers 105, which was to begin with a brooding Vision holding the amulet given to him by a villain. However, the art took longer to complete than expected, so the story had to be pushed back to 106. A fill-in story (also written by Englehart) and artist were slotted for 105. Englehart knew the new 105 had to end with the Vision brooding over the amulet but initially had no idea how he would get there. (The situation is described in a later lettercol; someone with easy access to the issues can double check my recollection. )

It's fascinating to know the mechanics of comic book creation and the unexpected detours publishing can take.



Indeed. One of the highlights of the "second phase" of Levitz's tenure is how he transformed Ayla into a much more proactive, powerful, and interesting character.

Tales #319 If Memory Should Fail by Paul Levitz, art by Terry Shoemaker & Karl Kesel, Colors by Carl Gaford, Letters by Adam Kubert



Lar flies into space, driven mad by 1000 years of memories. Tasmia and Grev are prisoners of the rebels, who have advanced to the walls of the city.

Gim, Brin and Thom approach Talok VIII, sent by Nura after Lar and Tasmia failed to report in. They monitor Tasmia planet-side in the grip of The Persuader but then see the maddened Lar approaching them.

Lyla and the Monitor observe the Legionnaires near Talok as well as Legion HQ from their ship. They prepare to procure an item from the HQ for some clients.

Within the HQ, Brainy continues to work on augmenting Dawnstar's tracking abilities as Nura watches.

Near Talok, the three Legionnaires manage to capture and subdue Lar. On the planet, Persuader taunts Tasmia and Grev, threatening to kill them but only slashing their restraints. Lady Memory recounts her history and prepares to sacrifice Tasmia.

In Dark Circle territory, Dev-em knocks out a guard and impersonates him, using a distorter.

Gim, Thom and Brin call for help from Imra; she responds that she's too far away but has an idea to help Lar.

Lady Memory, with a dagger, and Tasmia engage in hand-to-hand combat. Lady Memory uses her power on Tasmia, but Tasmia shrugs it off, hides in a shadow then knocks out Lady Memory as the priestess advances to kill her. Persuader is about to kill Grev and have the rebels turn on Tasmia, when Lar swoops in to save them. Brin, Gim and Thom defeat the rebels and Lar captures Lady Memory. As Mon-el explains what happened to him, Superboy lands with the Phantom Zone Projector. He used it to shock Lar out of his memory-induced madness. Lar thanks everyone and says that he needs some time alone, then flies off into space.

At Legion HQ, Dawnstar's augmented power enables her to sense the missing Legionnaires' track, but the equipment explodes and she loses the trail.

Comments:
Despite the miracle save by Superboy, I found this to be a satisfying issue. That being said, I don't know how else Lar could have been restored to sanity as quickly. One can imagine that the Legionnaires didn't want to take any chances with a potentially uncontrollable Daxamite, not to mention not wanting to see their friend continue to suffer.

Using the Phantom Zone Projector to shock Lar out of his insanity strikes me to be like slapping a hysterical person, but at least Imra warned that there could be risks. The added advantage of the Projector (not stated) was that, if all else failed, Lar could have been sent back to the Zone.

He recovers very quickly, but that's easily attributable to the confines of the story. It is acknowledged that he needs more recovery time by having him fly into space alone. These memories may have faded with time and have now been revived in full force - or he's been keeping a lid on 1000 years of memories. Have the memories faded or been suppressed again, or does the effect linger? The idea of 1000 years of memoreis is faxcinating. I think Lar could be a character with considerable wisdom, but we don't generally see that side of him.

How do you subdue a Daxamite? Thom, Gim and Brin came up with a competent solution, which could have been used on Ol-Vir had they been available. It did make me think that the Legion needs battle plans to deal with each Legionnaire's power should they for some reason go rogue. These three not only managed to keep Lar immobile, they ably handled the rebel forces. It was good that Superboy only showed up at the end (if he had to show up at all), which let the others shine on their own.

Tasmia rocks! She stands up to Persuader, battles Lady Memory and fakes her out, doesn't miss a beat when Lar flies off in a deranged state, doesn't waver when she appears to be defeated. She must have had an idea what Lady Memory could do to Lar; she warned him. For herself, not only is she well enough grounded to handle a memory assault, she has a lot fewer years to deal with than does Lar; it only causes her to stumble momentarily. Nevertheless, the priestess seems surprised that Tasmia has not become incapacitated by her memories. Could Lady Memory not have the full power of her ancestors, or is Tasmia very strong?

Grev doesn't do so well. He's clearly not in Tasmia's league, despite Academy training. Thinking more about what Grev was up to: he left the Academy and was possibly even asked to leave to investigate the rebels. It may have been a test for him to be named Planetary Champion at some point, or Vice-Planetary Champion. Tasmia would have known about this mission, as his cousin as well as Planetary Champion. Her concern, in the previous issue, over his lack of contact makes more sense in that light; it's a special ops gone wrong. That the U.P. refuses to get involved and warns tourists off Talok indicates that many eyes are on the situation, but politics are at play.

Who supplied the arms and money for the rebel forces? The mountain people are poor and non-technological. Could the rebels ever have won? Those city walls looked extremely high and it's not clear who had the numerical and armament advantage. One wonders if someone else is involved in this fray, notably the Khunds. Their warlike culture would be easily accepted by the rebels (and they would get involved in Talok in 5YL). Another possibility is the Dark Circle. This could be another reason the U.P. didn't want to get directly involved, but doesn't mind Legionnaires in the mix.

The Cult of Maakas has elements of Tibetan Bhuddism (search for the reincarnated priestess) and ancient practices of ancestor worship and human sacrifice. It's not hard to believe that such a cult would persist, given the presence of such practices in our own time; there may even be elements in the city which adhere to those practices. While the city is technologically and socially advanced, having moved beyond the old and brutal practices, there must be a reason for those very high walls and the fear shown regarding the rebels. The development of all these aspects of Talok VIII society is the reason I like this story so much.

The Brainy-Dawnstar scene promises, but fizzles in terms of advancing the lost Legionnaires storyline. The Lyla/Monitor scene provides a bit more information on what they're up to, but not enough to grab my attention. Dev-em's installment, however, delivers more solid fare now that we know where he is and what he's planning.

TotLoSH 319

I had thought that 318 was the start of a consecutive run of the Legion for me. But #319 is still in its little baggie, showing that I bought it from a comic shop for over twice its cover value! Admittedly, twice its cover value is only 70p, but still.

Somewhere along the way, I picked up a second copy of 318. It has a mark up sticker on it for 5p, and that came from a second hand book store haul.

Oh yeah… the comic…

Last issue, Levitz had built up just how invulnerable Mon-El is, only for Lady Memory to show that his millennia in the Phantom Zone made him particularly susceptible to her powers.

The splash page shows Mon El flee Talok VIIIfrom the weight of his past, as much as from the villainess. In space, no one can hear you scream, unless it’s “Noooooooooo!”

We get three glimpses of that past. The torment of being a hero, stuck with all the Phantom Zone criminals for centuries, shows that Mon El wasn’t isolated from immediate threat in the Zone. The second shows a city about to be devastated in a nuclear attack. Mon-El, the invulnerable hero, unable to save civilisations or to help in any way. The third is a happy Superman and Lois. While that seems to be a happy memory, it shows the life and love that Mon-El wouldn’t have, the children he would never have. Also, that he would watch the people who were closest to him die, and never be able share another moment with them. On the plus side, another branch of the family ended up producing Eltro, and that worked out well.

In a nice switch, Mon El has enough sense to realise what has happened. Often, this would mean a swift return to Talok. But even with that knowledge, Mon El still has to get away from the pain of so many overwhelming memories.

Back on Talok, Lady Memory is triumphant on front of her army. She claims to be the reincarnation of a line long since destroyed by the Mallors. She seeks to destroy the city and return her people to traditions past. It’s an eerily accurate summary of any number of real world religions/cults build on themes of the spiritual to capture the hearts and minds of the people. Since Mallor herself comes from a traditional lineage connected to possibly supernatural origins, both sides of the Talok VII conflict have fascinating parallels.

It’s just a shame that we didn’t get to see how Shady got captured at the end of the last issue. It’s all very well that Mon El was forced away. But Shady had just blinded the Persuader. The whole issue could have gone a different way had we seen an initial conflict between Tasmia and Memory, before Shady perhaps rallying the locals herself and defeating the villains by herself.

Instead, Thom, Gim and Brin are approaching. They are there because Lar and Tasmia didn’t report in. That indicates a substantial gap between Lar’s departure and Memory’s speech in front of her troops. Since Levitz doesn’t waste many opportunities to pace a subplot in such gaps, it’s a little odd to see the other Legionnaires appear so quickly. Brin has been the butt of a few comedy moment, so little things like him telling the others to steer the cruiser, while he finds Lar go a long way. Thom gives a deadpan assessment of having to ace the Legion’s mightiest member gone insane. His call-them-as-they-are approach brings a different outlook to the team. But I can’t help but think Nura’s recent prominence, has led to stress in the relationship, because Thom drags things down (appropriately) with his slightly gloomy pragmatism.

We then get our second Editorially Mandated appearance of The Monitor. As early as January 1983, Giordano, Wolfman and Wein had advised their editors and writers about using the Monitor in their series. In January 1984, as the series was firmed up, editors were told that “the need to include The Monitor in your plans is not optional but absolutely required.”

In February 1984, a list of titles where The Monitor was required to appear was distributed. The memo said “Please plan on using the character twice before January 1985 on sale comics (April cover dates). Remember, the first appearances should not show us what The Monitor looks lie – That will occur in the second appearance.”

The Legion had his first appearance in November 185 and the second, here, in January 1985 cover dates.

In February, editors were told that the original plans for The Monitor had changed. “However, we have made him a more important figure than originally planned, so his appearances in all of our titles are deceiving.”

This is why, in the Legion, The Monitor initially comes across as a shadowy supplier of weapons to the villains. Lyla is less of a “dumb-bunny” sidekick, and more of a personal assistant, as her role had also changed during the evolution of the series.

It shows that, right from the beginning, the inclusion of Event Comics in regular series were fraught with changes and revisions. Crisis had the possible excuse of blazing a trail. But, as we’ll see, DC didn’t learn many of the lessons from this. And this was when the inclusions could be basically cameos. Now think of all the mandated plot hoops later regular titles had to jump through.

The Monitor and Lyla have arranged for an item involving the Legion. As the Monitor and Lyla look into the Legion HQ we transition nicely to the subplot involving Brainy and Dawny trying to increase her powers to find the missing Legionnaires. Nura arrives to see the results and we return to near Talok as he activates his Q-Wave Amplifier.

The Monitor interlude provides the setup for 320. Additionally, The Monitor viewing Dawnstar is a set up for the beginning of the Crisis itself. Levitz makes the scene work particularly well to the title’s advantage.

Dawnstar is still concerned about the boosting of her powers. Last issue, there was a hint that they, and she, could be damaged. It’s always a little ominous when Dream Girl turns up for something. That might just be me, but I often wonder if its going to be her powers giving her a nudge.

I think that both these subplots could have been placed between pages 2 (Mon El’s memories) and 3 (Memory outside The City).

In the last page of the issue, the attempt to boost Dawny’s powers nearly, but doesn’t succeed. It’s really a place holder subplot to show us that the team are actively trying but won’t find their colleagues before they reappear in the Baxter book.

Thom, Brin and Gim intercept Lar. They aren’t looking forward to it. It’s good to see Thom being the field leader here. There were hints of that role quite a while ago (possibly under a previous writer). It’s his powers that bring Lar down, while the others run interference. There’s some very good visuals for all concerned here, and it’s a short battle between sides that initially looked to be very unbalanced, power wise. Fortunately, Mon El, isn’t thinking at all clearly.


Back on Talok, we get a tease of The Persuader about to execute Tasmia, only for the axe to cut her bindings. Fortunately for the Legionnaire, Lady Memory wants to kill her in single combat. The story would have gone quite another way, had The Persuader carried out the execution, or had Lady Memory been more like a lot of real world leaders.

We’ve spoken about Jeckie and Tasmia’s other responsibilities as Legionnaires. Of her role as Planetary Champion taking her away from Talok VIII, Tasmia says “I left them to join the Legion to serve them better.” It’s a shame that there’s no follow up to the UP pretty much abandoning The City to its fate, merely warning off UP vessels and taking a course of non-interference. Tasmia’s desire to protect her world from foes that would enslave/ destroy the galaxy couldn’t be more at odds with Lady Memory’s attempts to return the people to their past.

But I wonder how much of those goals are actually hers. We’re told a bit of her background as the “soul of living memory” was reborn in her. We see her, as a girl, at the centre of a ritual or service. But behind her are The Monks of Makaas. They have been the ones conducting an “ageless search” for such a reincarnation. Strangely, just like any group looking for a messianic focal point, they just happen to find one. If the monks raised her, I imagine that they have shaped her outlook, including those to hate. I’d have liked to have seen a representative of them try and dissuade her form the single combat, knowing that it was an unnecessary risk in achieving their goals.

As Lady Memory draws a short, stabby weapon… it’s off to a one page subplot as Dev-Em infiltrates the Dark Circle. We know that Officer Erin is also involved in this mission, and the caption box tells us that the goal is to infiltrate the organisation. It sets us up for a future storyline. This is another candidate for use between pages 2 and three. It’s only a page, but it’s a distraction.

Elsewhere, Thom, Brin and Gim call Saturn Girl to see if she can assist in dealing with Mon El’s condition. She tells them that she’s too far away, but that she has an idea. Sure they contacted her due to her telepathic powers, but Imra is also clearly a leader who can provide options that the three here wouldn’t have come up with.

We finally catch up with Lady Memory and Tasmia. Shoemaker’s art on their single combat is excellent. The traditional combat dialogue is concise and doesn’t distract. Memory gets an initial advantage. But one of the benefits of Tasmia’s broader view, is that she’s received training from the likes of Karate Kid. “Go back to your cave priestess,” she says as she knocks Memory into the dust. Memory is forced to use her powers. They overcome Tasmia, but only for a moment (Levitz made sure to have Brainy included as a “heart’s desire. Nice to see old stories not being retconned away). Memory enters Tasmia’s shadow field and is easily beaten. “Memories are only memories, priestess. Today is real.” The effect of Memory’s powers on Lar and Tasmia gives some insight into their relationship. You can see the level of emotional strength Tasmia must give Lar. That comes with its own issues, which we’ll no doubt come to in later Baxter issues.

Lady Memory might be beaten, but the Persuader and the army are still intent on victory. The Persuader raises his axe to execute Grev, as a blur speeds in from beyond the planet. The axe falls… only to be blocked by Mon El’s arm. The axe, that is supposed to be able to cut through anything, meets its match. Mon El holds his forearm as the stunned Persuader lies at the edge of the crater formed by the explosion of the tow meeting. I do wonder how Grev managed to stay in one piece form the explosion. He’s suddenly shown to be off to one side of it, but that axe was going straight for his neck. I also wondered why Tasmia didn’t just blind the Persuader again, as she did earlier in the story. But then, we wouldn’t have had the return of Mon El work so nicely.

The panel of Tasmia and Lar’s reunion would feature in the DC RPG. It’s not so much the use of “lover” but the clear love between them that showed the legion as a more mature/refined book, in the RPG

The Persuader rallies, only to encounter Gim and a red eyed Brin. Gim fought The Persuader in #219 and he would go on to face him in later issues too.

With Thom sinking the rebel army, Mon El shows he’s back to his best by wrapping things, and Lady Memory, up. Saturn Girl’s idea was to summon Superboy and his phantom zone projector. The shock of reliving the moment when he was projected into the zone shocked Mon-El from the memories. The old treating trauma by inflicting trauma approach

Of course, Superboy could just have been the one to save Grev, but that wouldn’t have given us the Mon El mini spotlight in the conclusion of the story.

Lost Legion stories here include Lar and Kal fighting due to Lar’s fear he was going to be put back in the zone. Also, Lar sabotaging Kal’s mindwipe, enabling him to recall the solution to Lar’s lead poisoning on his return to the 20th century. There, Kal would cure Lar resulting in a divergent DC timeline.

Having been reminded of his past, all at once, Lar is also reminded of his explorer origins and his desire to return to that life. “But once day I’m going to talk Shady into coming with me… and then we’ll find out exactly how far away forever is.” is a lovely summing up of his dreams and love for Tasmia. By giving responsibilities and goals to his characters, Levitz extends the arcs of his cast well beyond what you get in nearly any other title. It’s something that adds a lot of depth to his run on the book.

Shoemaker’s art continues to impress. It seems a little scratchier here than last issue, but that’s not a bad thing in a sandy environment. All the cast look suitably heroic, or villainous. There are plenty of highlights from Gim’s determination at facing Mon El to Shady throwing off her bonds to battle Lady Memory.

It’s been a very solid story, providing plenty of action, impressive villains and character moments. If there’s any complaint, it lies with the subplots. One is a holding one for the Baxter book (Dawny tracking the missing). Another, while a lead in, is forced through a Crisis crossover. It makes the Dev-Em plot more of an intrusion than it should have been. Dev-Em is about to have appearances in both books, so the interweaving of both titles is still providing bonuses.

Comments



Superboy was a bit handy. Off panel, he takes Mon El back to the 20th century for intensive therapy sessions. Unfortunately, in the 1950s this meant electroshock therapy and an insane Mon El destroyed much of the planet. Superboy then travelled forward to stop himself taking Mon El back and provided the projector.




I think that they linger. Actually, I think the shock of having to relive them all at once may be directly related to what we’d see Mon El go through later and leading into v4.




Fortunately, The Legion have Batman from World’s Finest 172 as a member! He’s a much nicer version than a lot of the later Batmen though. SO, he might not be too keen.

That’s a good point about the three getting to shine. I wonder if a Superboy vs Mon El on the cover (and a few panels inside) would have been a big sales booster.




We saw Lar be overwhelmed at the end of the last issue. Shady was still free,. But she’s been captured at the start of this one, when she could have been shown carrying on the fight.

If the Makaas have been gone for centuries, perhaps knowledge of their powers have become as much legend as fact. That would mean that Tasmia wasn’t fully aware of what Lady Memory could do? Being lost in legend and myth may also make it harder for Lady Memory to harness the true powers of her ancestors.

I think Shady’s strength of will brought her through. She survived the caves of her own ancestors on Talok, and come out stronger. Her views have expanded beyond her world and there’s a lot of inner strength there. All of which means that she’s no easy prey for Memory to exploit.




Grev inexperience in being involved in a mission parallels nicely with Dev-Ems confidence in being with the ICC nicely. Grev’s young, but he’s had plenty of time at the Academy. After a good start, he’s captured and would have died here had it not been for Lar and Tasmia. It reminds me of issue #304 where they couldn’t recommend any of the students for membership, due to the risk. They may have had a point. But that’s why letting them on the team would at least mean they’d have Legionnaires around them while they improved.

As much as Lady Memory wants to back to the old ways, Talok is part of a wider galaxy, and there’s no going back. Grev might have fared better with Lady Memory had it not been for the off-worlder Persuader’s intervention. Mon El’s intervention certainly helped turn the tide of the wider conflict. All of Talok has already been affected by entry into the UP and the arrival of the Fatal Five earlier.



All really interesting points, and ones I’d like to have seen explored even a little. As above, with Talok now being influenced by the outside, they could well be exploited by everyone form gunrunners to the UP itself.




This story builds nicely on Shady’s first appearance. The seeds of the City/ tribesmen conflict were sown then. Following this story, I recall Memory and Grev married, but I’ll have to wait until those issues to see what happened more widely on Talok. It would suggest a peace process of sorts. That goes back to your point about politics at play and Grev’s role in the story.



It’s only the last one that has any real ongoing plot strength to it, so perhaps that’s why it comes across as the strongest. The others are either editorially mandated or mandated to keep events between the two books consistent.

Tales 319

"If Memory Fails" has so much going for it, yet the whole package falls short for me. As a Mon-El showcase, it's so-so; as a Tasmia showcase, it's somewhat better. I can't help feeling Levitz wanted to push his pro-women sensibilities to the forefront yet was somehow constrained by the comic book conventions of the time. The main convention is that the male hero must win against the villain. I guess that's why we're treated to the wholly unnecessary image of Lar putting Lady Memory in a cage. Tasmia had already defeated the villain; the cage scene is redundant. It gives Mon a chance to get even, I suppose. It also echoes the disturbing image of Lar and Jo gloating over Titania in a cage. I'm starting to worry about Lar . . . or Levitz.

The second thing that doesn't work for me is the resolution to Lar going nuts. Superboy shows up with the Phantom Zone projector to scare his "big brother" into behaving. Gimme a break. This is pop psychology at its worst--the equivalent of force feeding a kid who doesn't want to eat. Good thing Lar doesn't hold grudges.

Yet other things are nice to see, such as Gim, Thom, and Brin showing enough power and skill to bring Mon-El down. The highlight of the issue for me is the fight between Tasmia and Memory, two strong-willed women who represent opposite sides of an age-old conflict. I couldn't help smiling a bit that the aptly named Lady Memory wants to take Talok back to the past--a sentiment shared by many these days, including our president. Tasmia represents the future in more ways than one; she's the future of Talok and also, as a Legionnaire, a representative of the 30th century. The future wins over the past, as it should.

Another aspect that works for me is that the Persuader isn't the big bad guy. He's just a hired hand. When Gim and Brin defeat him, I felt as if these were mature Legionnaires who knew their stuff. (I recall how Superboy was forced to hit himself in the head with the Persuader's mentally controlled axe back in 198; perhaps the Legionnaires have outgrown Superboy.)

The story also gives us some more insight into Lar's personality as an explorer--how he needs some away time to process what he's been through and also how he plans to one day persuade Tasmia to join him in exploring the galaxy. It's a nice and romantic notion, but it doesn't really take into consideration that Tasmia--as planetary champion--may have other goals. But Lar is over 1000 years old; 20th century chauvinism dies hard.

As a Mon-El fan, I wish I liked this story more. It's rare enough to see him featured, let alone in the spotlight. But although Levitz includes lots of nice character moments and subplots (and Shoemaker's art is always lovely), I feel like this story is just marking time. That's a shame because the Talok situation, Lady Memory, Tasmia's background, and even Lar's means of coping with his memories are fascinating concepts that should be given more than cursory attention.

Good point! I almost wish the Legion had considered or even pursued this option. How horrible to send a friend back to his worst nightmare, but that might be the only way to prevent another Darkseid situation. Other worlds must be very concerned about out-of-control Daxamites now.



Or lazy writing.



Good questions--and perhaps worthy of some psychological exploration. I think it's been well established, scientifically, that body memory is different from what we think of as memory--the ability to recall specific events, associations, and people. When a person suffers trauma--a car accident, for instance--it's common for the conscious memory to block it out. However, the body remembers and seeks to repair itself as best it can--to keep the person alive. (Author Krista Tippett, whom I've mentioned before, quotes one person who describes such experiences in Becoming Wise.) If this is true, then part of Mon may always remember what happened to him in the Phantom Zone, even though his conscious mind has blocked things out.

Of course, since Mon existed as a non-corporeal phantom for centuries, who knows how body memory would affect him?



This, too, would be a very interesting idea to explore. One might speculate that Lar didn't really "live" for a thousand years; he watched things from the sidelines. This could be the equivalent of watching a movie on historical events instead of living through those events. The participants would have different and more well-rounded experiences than the watchers.



Tasmia does have fewer years than Lar, but I wish Levitz had given us something more than a recap of her adventures as a Legionnaire. We learn nothing about her life outside the team that we didn't already know. There must have been some traumatic experiences--where were her parents?--for Lady Memory to tap into. Tasmia could have shown how strong-willed and resilient she is if she had overcome personal challenges.

I think that's one of the most poignant images and for exactly that reason. It shows how much Mon-El is missing out on. It reminds me of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," in which the narrator is tortured by the sound of a passing train and can only imagine the people in the fancy dining cars--a life he will never experience.



The trio does acquit itself very well. They are able to express their personalities yet show their competence as Legionnaires.



Heh. Thom's power matches his personality. I think he's developed into one of those people who always looks for the negative side of things. Whether this is because of Nura or not, I don't know. I think the changes in the Legion and their relationship have brought out his "natural" tendencies.



Interesting. I was not aware that the conception of The Monitor had changed. Thanks for the chronology.



Yes, but it's stretching things a bit that they allowed Grev to live. He's dead weight in the story at this point. Executing him in front of Tasmia would have demoralized her and given Lady Memory an edge in the battle. [/Thinks-Like-An-Evil-Genius Lad]

Of course, this is comics. A good way for a character to survive is to be related to a hero, be an academy student, or both. (Pol's downfall was that the should have stayed at the academy. )

I saw a lot more reflections of out real world this time around than in the original reading. Talok VIII now seems more like Afghanistan, without the presence of foreign troops and NGOs.



That would have been an interesting turn of events and would have seriously validated Tasmia's position as Planetary Champion.



That one page goes far to develop the personalities. Gim isn't the bumbling kid anymore, Thom is world-weary and Brin, unfortunately, is the new dumb jock.



Thanks for including the backroom history of The Monitor and editorial interference!



Interesting. I hadn't noticed a connection between Nura wandering into a scene and a sense of the ominous, but it's something to watch out for in the issues ahead, as I recall she does have a number of "walk into a room" scenes.



It would have given us at least the illusion of more time having passed on Talok before the rebels got to the City walls.



Unlike the LSV, the Persuader isn't driven by a desire to kill Legionnaires - he's more of a businessman. It's nothing personal between him and Tasmia. (One of those LSV nutters probably wouldn't have been able to exercise restraint and would only have failed by spending the time talking.) How many times have people said they'd like to see our world leaders settle things in personal combat rather than send us little folk to war? Maybe Talok is on to something.



I hadn't thought about it until reading your comment, but there is a definite absence of those monks. Someone as young as Lady Memory, despite her training, would probably have been accompanied by "advisors". Despite her failure, she'll remain priestess, but you have to wonder what happens to her and the Makaas believers between this issue and her 5YL marriage to Grev.



This was a good way to remind us that she's still involved with the Legion and the team still needs her experience.



Here again, it's just reading what you wrote that made me think that there's a power structure behind Lady Memory calling the shots. She paid The Persuader, but does he have his marching orders from the monks?


One of my favourite panels! It's a lovely, simple reunion scene.



The Persuader vs Gim on a number of occasions? That's a curious match power-wise, given the danger of being swiped by that axe. Even at giant size, Gim could suffer a cut artery.



There must have been times when Lar was tempted to sabotage that mindwipe and skip the misery of the Phantom Zone years, especially now that his memories have been revived. Presumably, those memories have already faded somewhat due to the shock treatment of the Projector. And Superboy won't be investigated by the Association of U.P. Psychiatrists, since he's gone back to Smallville (and the whole thing was probably covered up).



In real life, one might not be surprised by such retaliation but we do expect more of our comic book heroes. It is a bit odd coming after the Titania incident. It's also unnecessary, since Lar defeated The Persuader. Lady Memory should have been left entirely to Tasmia, since it's her planet and she defeated the priestess.



Agreed, this was a questionable solution. It might have been less effective, but Gim, Thom and Brin could have conceivably dealt with The Persuader if the timeline had been adjusted, leaving Lar to (possibly) come to his senses gradually. The other possibility is, since Imra had already summoned Superboy, he could have flown Imra to Talok at top speed - and she could have helped Lar with her mental powers.


I had forgotten that scene until you mentioned it, although now the image has returned clearly in my head. Is that your Lord Memory power?



I wonder if that would be written the same way today. She did give up her position for him in 5YL, first from grief then to join him.

bump

^ Was that The Persuader's axe hitting me on the head?

Thinking more about the Phantom Zone Projector - what's to stop the Legion from using it on any villain, apart from due process? Somebody must be thinking, if only we had that when Darkseid was around. Some of these devices raise too many questions when they're introduced or brought back.

Klar goes bump in the night.

The Phantom Zone of the 30th century was uninhabited, except for a criminal called The Mighty Gazor, correct? If so, Mon may have had nothing to worry about if he had to return to the Zone temporarily--unless Gazor was his chief tormentor.

But, yes, the the Phantom Zone projector were combined with the Miracle Machine and Brainy's antimatter generator found in the Batcave, the Legion would never have any problem with villains again.

Whenever Mon-El appears I’m always curious to see what you’ll think of it.




Is there a general feeling that Levitz was purposefully pro-women? I’ve always just felt he had a strong grip on the characterisations of a large cast, regardless of gender.



I think that’s exactly the case. Looking back, Tasmia is sloppy for not ensuring the capture of her enemy. But, that’s to allow Mon-El to get a win after his previous confrontation with Lady Memory. We only see Memory’s powers work once on her foes. That means the story gets a neat conclusion. But there were a number of ways that those powers could have made her a more versatile opponent.

Good point on “The proper way to preserve you—in a cage.” I think we’ve had some previous commentary on the Phantom Zone rather twisting Lar down the centuries

Lost Tales of the Legion: It’s not Mo-El that is freed from the Zone in the first place. It’s one of the Zone criminals. Even though only one was supposed to have been left by the 30th century, who was keeping tabs on the prisoners form a dead civilisation?




It wasn’t the thought of going back that bothered Lar. It was the knowledge that Kal wouldn’t give a stuff about him for a thousand years afterwards that got to him. Some pal.




Playing devil’s advocate here, but is The City such a great bastion of Talokian culture? It seems that the culture discriminates against the hill people for their choice of lifestyle (from Shady’s original appearance). The Mallors’ millennium of active champions is a red flag to show that a culture is involved in the preservation of an elite. That preservation could easily have been the reason that The City reached out to the UP in the first place. More to do with keeping the tribes down than a genuine attempt at integrating with other planets. Note the UP’s hands-off approach in this story.

This rebellion could be a desperate attempt to reclaim a political system more suited to the majority. Sure, it’s been hijacked by a messianic leader and a shadowy cult. But there could well be plenty of support for other reasons. The memory figurehead could be the one to fall in the next power struggle. Often, groups will discredit what has gone before as being outdated or backward. But just as often, it’s simply for greed and power, rather than for any hint of “progress.”



Superboy does appear as combination of plot resolver and genuinely nice nod to fans. But he always looks out of place to me in this era. The Persuader could train and lead a planetary revolt, but can’t stop the Legion for long. It’s a good panel between Brin and the Persuader. The Persuader concept may be due an upgrade at this point. But if a writer were to ever let The Persuader really cut loose with that axe, we’d be seeing a hefty Legion body count.



The “one day I’m going to talk Shady into coming with “ line did stand out. But it struck me as a relationship containing two people with different goals, at least in the short term. It sounds as though it’s something that comes up between them, but Lar’s still very much on the team. Telling you how those talks ended up.



I quite liked all of the Mon-El parts to this story. At the end, we see he’s a well rounded character with dreams, goals, flaws and plenty of heroism that he a particular way of implementing. It is a self-contained story, but I don’t think it suffers from that. Lar’s coping mechanisms would come up again, so this issue is a set up for those.

Yeah, there’s all sorts of real world analogies to pick up on when reading it as a grown up, rather than a young ‘un. Unfortunately. I wonder how much of that sort of thing was in Levitz’s mind when he scripted it.



Does she? That’s going to be interesting. It just occurred to me as I was typing. Definitely something to remember for Bits though, if its not in the books.



Yup. If it’s important enough for a leader to tell us to die for something, they should be first on the front line. I mean, if it’s that important after all. Those closest to their position/ organisational centre can be next.



From what I recall of this part of the 5YG, I got the feeling that Memory was the stronger partner in that relationship/alliance.



Gim is protected by the Comics Code, which Brainy discovered was far tougher than any variation of a transuit that he could come up with

For me, if a character picks up a stabby weapon as part of their standard equipment, then it’s there to be used, and the repercussions explored. The likes of Slaine would have a regularly high body count in 2000AD. Over in DC, we have endless glancing blows, or knockouts with pommels. Katana and the Persuader are just two characters that might as well be one handed a lot of the time.




At Legion HQ, the front bell goes…

Brainy: Dirk, could you get that? I’m just putting the last of the criminals in the Phantom Zone. There will be no more litterers or jay walkers now!
>door opens<
Dirk: Hi! Can I help you?
Stranger: I’m Steve Rogers. I’m here for the crossover Event?
Dirk: Really? We weren’t told.
Rogers: Yeah, as Captain UP, I’m supposed to fight against those who incarcerate criminals and infringe their human rights.
Dirk: Despite it creating a happier, safer world for everyone else, and it being considered legal by everyone in society.
Rogers: I don’t think you get the principle…
Dirk: You could always join us. Got any powers?
Rogers: Well, I have this shield that…
Dirk: Rejected!
>door slams<

Me, too.

It's been years since I last read these stories, and I like to think I've grown since then. It's fascinating to pick up on things I didn't notice before or can understand in light of what I've learned since then.



I can't prove this without doing some heavy duty research, but I had the impression that Levitz was very liberal in his depictions of women. Certainly, he created among the strongest and most well-rounded female comic book characters of the time, including Nura, Shady, Shvaughn, Gigi, and Lady Memory. Given the Legion's large cast--and large female cast--this was unusual for the time.



I was thinking of Shady and Memory more in broad philosophical terms, but you raise an excellent point about their roles as representatives of political factions. One thing I've learned about politics is that there's more than one way to interpret/spin a situation, and political leaders may have several reasons for doing the things they do. They spin the truth in a way that aligns with their constituents' beliefs and values. Elites usually think of themselves as the best and most refined people and use that self-appraisal to justify marginalizing "lesser" people.

How much Shady bought into this political spin is unknown. Perhaps one reason she did not return to Talok (other than Mon-El's injuries) was because her adventures with the Legion taught her to see the political situation on Talok as provincial, self-serving, and unfair. If so, she came away with a very different understanding of her hereditary role than Jeckie saw hers.



Me, too--and Superboy looks more and more out of place as time goes on.

One of the things I loved most about the Legion during this era was the acknowledgement that actual time had passed in the series. According the Legion Sourcebook, we're in Year 13 of the Legion's timeline, which makes Cos and others about 26-27. Superboy must still be roughly 17-18 since the Kents haven't died yet and he hasn't gone on to college. Why would a teenaged Superboy travel farther into the future to hang out with older Legionnaires? As usual, I'm putting more thought into this than the writer did, but it's one of those things that grates at the back of my mind every time Superboy appears.



All good points, and I stress I liked these things about Mon, too. But I always feel a story works best when it shows a character growing or changing in some way; things should be different than they were at the beginning of the story (otherwise, there's no point to the story). "If Memory Fails" seems to show us how Mon is; I don't get a sense of him being different because of this story--though he does need to process what he's been through. It will be interesting to see if some change occurs in his next appearances and spotlight.

Thanks for clarifying. I had read “pro-women” as something at the expense of other genders, rather than the more equal approach that I thought was there (cue that stance being picked apart, as I’m not put much thought into it ) and that you meant.



Well put and it is quite sad to think of this from Superboy’s point of view. His peer group are growing away from him in so many ways. He may be among the most versatile and smart Legionnaires, but he simply doesn’t have the life experience that the others have. There must be any number of moments where he feels a little disconnected. Not just form the changing 30th century, but in the conversations of those that have married or found homes and lives outside the Legion. I imagine Luronu getting some comfort from the teenage Superboy turning up. She’s still attracted to him, but she and Chuck have bonds that now go well past that.
Mon El gets some spotlight in the story, and he’s quietly being positioned as Superboy’s replacement, weening the franchise off of its Kryptonian past (something that will come back to haunt it). Looking at how Lar interacts with his foes as well as Shady highlights the difference in maturity between the two. Mon was basically Kal’s older brother, and that maturity gap is now considerable.



Fair point. This definitely was a spotlight on a number of Lar traits that were already there. As it was my first look at Mon-El, it was all fresh for me at the time rather than being a recap. Something else else to its credit, that you hint at, is that the spotlight is not simply left. Levitz isn’t using it only as a filler story. It’s used as a foundation for some things to come.

My introduction to DC is a bit slower this month:-

Justice League 234 (Vixen spotlight); Superman 403 (Swan art but I only remember the cover); Action 503 (with Ambush Bug!); All Star Squadron 41 (dull Starman retconned origin and spotlight)

Elsewhere in the DC: Infinity Inc 10’s cover is a reprise of the old Injustice Society group, with a mind controlled JSA taking their place.

Atari Force 13 has a great back up with Hukka. I’d get this issue in the not too distant future. America vs the JSA also started this month. I remember this issue really well, but I can’t imagine the local shop stocking it. I couldn’t have got it much later on and then with quite a gap before I got to read the rest of it.

I enjoyed reading through the comments on LSH #5. Lots of great thoughts and even a bit of debate and disagreement which is appropriate for such an issue.

A few points to add:

Mekt is defeated not just by Ayla but apparently by combination with a stray real lightning bolt from the ongoing storm, hence his comments "the storm betrayed me". Very poetic and fitting in with his many references to the storm over the past issues. Still a bit convenient plot-wise.

I always thought that the dimensional vehicle was not smashed by the legionnaires but simply crashed due to poor piloting. The earlier villains mentioned getting instructions from Zymyr, and Ayla couldn't figure it out by herself, so perhaps this new lot of panicked villains knew just enough to get themselves into trouble. Pilots always say landing is the hardest part. this is perhaps reinforced by Ron Karr hiding under a panel labelled "FRAGILE" in Interlac.

As for Projectra and her single execution, I can easily imagine a scene where she tuns towards the other villains and the other legionnaires jump in front telling her that's enough, saying she should leave them in their custody, and her responding very well but she wants them off her planet without delay and never wants to see them again. Similarly I find her decision to continue the journey fits well. I'm sure I remember mentions in other stories that suggest many on Orando are uncomfortable with their interactions with the hitech UP, even blaming Projectra for abandoning them as did her grandmother Hagga. It was Projectra who said there was more than just Orando. Seeing how her world had suffered, and knowing it would not have happened if she had stayed - Nemesis Kid said he had chosen Orando because of her and Val - I can believe her blaming herself and deciding that she had been wrong, and that if being involved with the UP had brought this disaster to her world, placing her world beyond their reach makes sense even when you don't know where you are going. Probably she thinks it couldn't be any worse.

If I remember right in the later V3 stories she returns through mystical means, not technological. Perhaps they were also used when Orando is returned in the V4 FYL era (if that is considered true in your personal continuity).

TOLSH #317 was only an OK story as many have said, somewhat pedestrian.

The standouts were definitely Drake's reactions to being back in the Dream Dimension but still not being human, and the Chuck/Luornu/Computo interaction that highlighted Lu's loss which was often ignored. It was disappointing to see so little done with Lyle's reappearance but good to have it finally resolved, and the characterisations of Drake and Jacques fit well.

I enjoyed the artwork, especially the Dream Demon. There were also a couple of Interlac jokes on p5. It's good to know that int he future they still have "REST ROOMS" for, ah, "resting". Although we can't see much of what is presumably a vehicle but it's good to know that even in the future you can find a "FORD GT".

Stile86, thanks for the Interlac translations! I hadn't noticed that Mekt was also hit by a natural lightning bolt - his statement makes more sense in that case. Not that thinking a storm has a personal devotion to you makes sense to begin with.... You also come up with a reasonable explanation for Projectra letting the other LSV members leave Orando.

Superboy's younger age is a sad situation when you think about it. It's never really addressed in the book, but it's as if his life has stood still while the others grow, since we see them growing up, having relationships, etc. and Superboy just appears from time to time as a bit of an icon. When he does show up, he doesn't say anything about his personal life back in the 20th century, if he's going to college, has decided to move to Metropolis, has a girlfriend, is worried about his parents. He could be older than the 17-18 that HWW estimates, but it certainly doesn't seem that way.

It does suggest a few options:-
That Mekt had accessed something in their powers that his siblings had not.
That whatever it is has sentience.
That it might be connected to sentience from Korbal, given to them through the actions of the Lightning Beast there.
That this sentience connects to the storms of worlds the siblings are on.
Or that Mekt is self destructive and it’s part of his subconscious that led to his own failure rather than kill his sister.




It’s a possibility. I’d have liked to have seen that as the real splitting point between Jeckie and her colleagues. Of course, if she had wanted to execute all the LSV, it might have led to some issues when Sensor Girl was unmasked (not that Levitz had any of that planned at this stage).




With one of the powerspheres destroyed by Val, I had wondered how Orando completed the journey. Perhaps there was a mystic push there too. The White Witch has spells of similarity, and perhaps that’s available to someone on Orando too. That Jeckie didn’t mystically transport the others back immediately feeds nicely into your point of simply wanting rid of everyone connected to the destruction on her world.

Thanks as always for the Interlac translations!



In the old days the Legion used to be visitors to Smallville every so often. But that’s fallen away too, as they drift apart.

Good point that he doesn't mention what's going on in his life. I suppose he could be older than 18; however, I think it implausible that he's in his mid-20s, like the Legionnaires. Following 20th century conventions, he probably changed his name to Superman some time between the ages of 18 and 21.

Shortly after 319 was published, DC launched a four-issue limited series, Superman: The Secret Years, which covered his college years. I have the issues packed away somewhere, and these summaries provide little information, except to suggest he was called Superman while in college.

Yeah, it was established in Lori Lemaris's first appearance that he became Superman when he went to college.