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Legion of Super-Heroes #1 "And We are Legion" Writer: Mark Waid Artist: Barry Kitson Ink: Mick Gray Colors: Chris Blythe Publisher: DC Comics  5.00 out of 5 Stars Reviewed by John L. Daniels Jr.

The Legion of Superheroes are once again putting on their flight rings and bringing a new attitude of justice to the galaxy.

Some Legion History

DC Comics first introduced the Legion of Superheroes in Adventure Comics #247 in 1958, with the cover drawn by the legendary artist Curt Swan. In the following years Superboy joined the Legion and then DC comics merged them into one title, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes. This title showcased such legendary artists as Dave Cockrum and Neal Adams.

Then one day I picked up Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #202. I experienced pure adrenaline. I was hooked and bought my first subscription to a comic book and started collecting the title in 1979. I remember the day when the comic arrived in the mail, the book was folded in half with my name on it, and the feeling was of pure euphoria. I've been hooked on the adventures of the Legion of Super-Heroes ever since reading that issue.

The series of the late 1970’s was drawn by Mike Grell. He was the featured artist from issues #202–225. When his popularity grew, Grell continued to pencil and color the covers from issues 225–246. Grell would bring the readers exhilarating visuals, non-stop action and futuristic artistry. I was a fanatic; I could not wait to see and read the stories written by the great Jim Shooter.

The Shooter/Grell duo would bring readers courageous adventures of young people from different nationalities, galaxies, and solar systems. They were: Cosmic Boy, Phantom Girl, Invisible Kid, Ultra Boy, Shrinking Violet, Colossal Boy, Lightning Lad and Lass, Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy, Star Boy, Karate Kid (the only legionnaire to have a spin-off comic book title) and countless others. The reader would need a small note pad to write down the names at times to keep up with the shifting members of the team. The roll call in each issue would be so exciting to view, so you could see which Legionnaire would be featured in that particular issue. The Legionnaires would all work together as a team while putting their prejudices, social differences, color (yes there are green and purple people in other galaxies) all aside for the common good of mankind in the 31st century.

The New Legion

Those days have returned with DC Comics' release of Legion of Super-Heroes #1. Mark Waid has brought a team with a following of young adolescents from around the universe, teen rebels who are tired of the world as it is in the 31st Century.

This gritty and intriguing story is outstanding. Waid has the Legion fighting not only the ills of the galaxies but also the stronghold of parents around the universe.

The Legion is in Metropolis on Earth fighting an experimental robot when the science police arrive and order them to stop interfering in police affairs. This is when we are introduced to the core legionnaires, Colossal Boy (aka Micro-boy), Sun Boy, Ultra Boy, Shadow Lass, Lighting Lass and Star Boy, and a new recruit, Invisible Kid. The scene shifts as the Legion returns from their encounter to check in with Cosmic boy who is the Legion's acting leader. He is in the mission room conferring with the United Planet delegates when they learn of a rebellion on planet Llalor.

The Legion is transported to Llalor and discover that followers of the Legion were decimated because of their philosophies. The Legionaries, using their unique skills, distribute the brand of justice fitting for an authoritative military.

The artwork by Barry Kitson brings to mind a couple of artists starting out in their early days: Bob Wiacek and Dick Giordano. Kitson brings excellent pencil work and expressions to each individual character. The eyes are the keys to the soul, and each legionnaire is expressed this way with his or her persona. The inking by Mick Gray reminds me of the late great Jack Abel. The inks are definitive and precise and equally unique, not just a trace-over style.

The colorist Chris Blythe has whole-heartedly used many different colors in the frames and in the pencil work, and the expression of textures to the costumes and skin tones is a positive addition to this title. The epic battle scenes from when the Legion transports to the planet Llalor are amazing; every panel is defined with the action and emotion of that situation. Stephen Wacker superbly did the editing of the panels and the storyboards, and placements of the layouts.

This is just the first issue for this creative team; I am curious to see how long this excitement can hold up. The difficult task of presenting so many characters with emotions and plots and underlying stories with forty pages each issue will be such a demanding undertaking that this creative team may get burned out. But, I really believe that this team can handle the pressures of keeping this title fresh for readers old and new, and provide surprises along the way both visually and story-wise. This is truly the beginning of a classic title for DC Comics. The dialogue, the artwork, the storyline all were generously and skillfully presented to the reader.

I reviewed a book a while ago called Teen Titans/Legion Special. [That review can be found in our archives —Editor]. In that review I wrote "This is what you pay your money for readers, a good story and great artwork.” Once again this is true. So it's time for me to dust off my old Legionnaire flight ring and start flying with The Legion of Super-Heroes #1, and say the battle cry, “Long Live the Legion!”