With Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 258, we wrap up the first sub-reality in the long history of the Legion. We have divided the history of the Legion into 5 major realities and a number of sub-realities. The divisions are not necessarily based on the storylines, but how the various creative teams treated the teams.
For example, in reality 1.0, Superboy was the star. He appeared in almost all issues and on almost all covers. In Adventure 344 (Index 1065) Superboy played a small part in the story, but the creators got him on the cover by having some other hero impersonate him. By 1979, the Legion was popular enough to succeed without him, so Superboy was written out (for a while) and received his own book again.
The following is our summary of the various realities that Legion creators have presented for us. This will probably generate some comments and controversy. We certainly hope so. As we run through the history of the Legion in this blog, we will expand on the reasoning behind this summary. And as we progress, there may be changes in that reasoning.
Another example, the current iteration of the Legion by Paul Levitz has been described as a return to a the original pre-crisis time line, with the inconsistencies explained away as “chroniclers’ error”. We have chosen to portray the current stories as a part of a fifth reality that closely resembles the original.
1.0 - Superboy and the Super Hero Club
Adventure Comics 247 (1958) through Legion of Super Heroes v2 258
Created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, the Legion was introduced as a part of the Superman editorial family. Taken over by Most Weisinger as editor, the Legion were frequent guest stars in Superman, Superboy, Action, Adventure, Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane, until they landed in Adventure. The Legion combined heroic characters who were close in age to their readers with science-fiction storylines. Teenaged Jim Shooter brought a new level of characterization to the book. And Paul Levitz introduced multi-issue, multi-level plotlines. Early stories were written as disposable literature. Plot inconsistencies abounded because no one believed that readers would actually save these 12-cent gems.
Fans did much to assemble the history of the Legion in the letter columns and in the amateur publications they circulated among themselves. Fans also suggested new members, and many future creators came up from the ranks of Legion fans of this period.
Superboy was the main character and was featured in every issue and on nearly every cover. But to explain away plot holes, it was stated that Supergirl joined before Superboy as some kind of test run.
1.1 – Legion without Superboy
Legion of Super Heroes v2 259 through Tales of the Legion of Super Heroes v2 325
1.2 – Grim and Gritty Legion
Legion of Super Heroes v3 1 through Legion of Super Heroes v3 16
2.0 - Post Crisis on Infinite Earths
Legion of Super Heroes v3 17 through Legion of Super Heroes v3 63 (1989)
2.1 - Post Magic War
2995 sourcebook from Mayfair Games (1989) through Legion of Super Heroes v4 3 (1990)
2.2 – The Glorith Reality
Legion of Super Heroes v4 4 (1990) through Legion of Super Heroes v4 19 (1991)
2.3 – The Glorith Reality with the SW6
Legion of Super Heroes v4 20 (1991) through Zero Hour –Crisis in Time 1 (1994)
3.0 – Post Zero Hour
Legion of Super Heroes v4 0 and Legionnaires 0 (1994) through Legion of Super Heroes v4 (1996)
3.1 – Legion Divided
Legionnaires 41 (1996) through Legionnaires 56 (1998)
3.2 Legion Reunited
Legion of Super Heroes v4 100 (1998) through Legion of Super Heroes v4 125 (2000)
3.3 - Post Blight
egion Lost 1 (2000) through through Legion 38 (2004)
4.0 – Teenage Wasteland
Teen Titans / Legion Special 1 (2004) through Legion of Super Heroes v5 50 (1009)
5.0 – Legion Reinvented
Justice Society of America v2 1 (2007) through present
Stay tuned for more.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
1243 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 258 - The Mind Attack of the Psycho-Warrior!
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 258
Cover Date – December 1979
Title – The Mind-Attack of the Psycho-Warrior!
Characters – Colossal Boy, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Superboy (more?)
Villain – Psycho-Warrior
Synopsis – The Legion confront the President of Earth regarding his theft of Brande’s fortune, and are attacked by the Psycho-Warrior.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – Part of our back issue collection was lost due to a tragic bedbug infestation, so we cannot confirm the character list for this book at this time.
The next issue features a name change. It will be "The Legion of Super Heroes". What happened (will happen) to Superboy? See the next post.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
1242 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 257 - Once a Legionnaire . . .!
Index Number – 1242 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 257
Cover Date – November 1979
Title – Once A Legionnaire ... !
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Duo Damsel
Synopsis – Chuck and Luornu help colonists on a icy world, without revealing their identies
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Steve Ditko
Cover – Dan Adkins
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – Steve Ditko drawing the Legion! OK, it’s only Chuck and Luornu, but . . Steve Ditko!
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 257
Cover Date – November 1979
Title – Once A Legionnaire ... !
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Duo Damsel
Synopsis – Chuck and Luornu help colonists on a icy world, without revealing their identies
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Steve Ditko
Cover – Dan Adkins
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – Steve Ditko drawing the Legion! OK, it’s only Chuck and Luornu, but . . Steve Ditko!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
1241 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 257 - Who Stole the Legion?
Index Number – 1241 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 257
Cover Date – November 1979
Title – Who Stole the Legion?
Characters – Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Superboy
Synopsis – The arrested Legionnaires are freed. They discover that Earth President Kandru is the one who appropriated Brande’s fortune to pay for the damage of the Earthwar.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / Dave Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Monday, March 28, 2011
1240 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 256 - This is Your Life and Death, Brainiac 5!
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 256
Cover Date – October 1979
Title – This Is Your Life - And Death, Brainiac 5!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Synopsis - The Legion use an abandoned amusement park to take Brainiac 5 through his life story and restore his sanity.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Sunday, March 27, 2011
1239 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 255 - The Super=Spectacles Swipe!
Index Number – 1239 - 1.0 Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 255
Cover Date – September 1979 Title – The Super-Spectacles Swipe!
Characters – Cosmic Boy, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Superboy, Wildfire
Villain – The Gorgli
Synopsis – In the 20th century, Superboy’s fake eyeglasses, made from an indestructible material on his Kryptonian baby space ship are missing. In the 20th century, someone has stolen a time-ray from the Superman Museum. The Legion travels to pre-destruction Krypton to get more indestructible lenses to defeat this wily thief. Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / Vince Colletta
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack Harris
Thursday, March 24, 2011
1238 - DC Comics Presents 13 - To Live in Peace - Nevermore!
Index Number – 1238 - 1.0
ssue – DC Comics Presents 13
Cover Date – September 1979
Title – To Live In Peace - Nevermore!
Characters – Dawnstar, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy
Cover Date – September 1979
Title – To Live In Peace - Nevermore!
Characters – Dawnstar, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy
Villain – Nyrvnians
Synopsis – In the 20th century, Superman attempts to stopa warrior race, the Nyrvnians, who had sent a space probe to Earth. The Legionnaires arrive and tell him that the Nryvnians are destined to save Earth in the future after a thousand of years of developing weaponry through constant war and conquest. With the Legionnaire’s help, Superman develops a battle simulation that will allow the warrior race to advance without endless slaughter. But he learns that he cannot save Jon Ross, son of boyhood friend, Pete Ross, had been kidnapped by the probe. The Legionnaires tell him that Jon cannot be rescued, since he is destined to become Nyrvn’s greatest military hero.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Dick Dillin / Dick Giordano
Cover – Dick Dillin / Dick Giordano
Editor – Julius Schwartz
Reprinted - Showcase Presents DC Comics Presents - The Superman Team Ups - Volume One
Comment – The Legionnaires state that, as everyone knows, no one can change the past. Since when? What about the Millennium Massacre in the All New Collector’s Edition C-55 (Index 1209)? I recall a number of stories about people attempting to change tragic events in the past unsuccessfully in the 50s and 60s, but “correcting a wrong timeline” plotline was becoming popular in comics, television and other science fiction media.
Synopsis – In the 20th century, Superman attempts to stopa warrior race, the Nyrvnians, who had sent a space probe to Earth. The Legionnaires arrive and tell him that the Nryvnians are destined to save Earth in the future after a thousand of years of developing weaponry through constant war and conquest. With the Legionnaire’s help, Superman develops a battle simulation that will allow the warrior race to advance without endless slaughter. But he learns that he cannot save Jon Ross, son of boyhood friend, Pete Ross, had been kidnapped by the probe. The Legionnaires tell him that Jon cannot be rescued, since he is destined to become Nyrvn’s greatest military hero.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Dick Dillin / Dick Giordano
Cover – Dick Dillin / Dick Giordano
Editor – Julius Schwartz
Reprinted - Showcase Presents DC Comics Presents - The Superman Team Ups - Volume One
Comment – The Legionnaires state that, as everyone knows, no one can change the past. Since when? What about the Millennium Massacre in the All New Collector’s Edition C-55 (Index 1209)? I recall a number of stories about people attempting to change tragic events in the past unsuccessfully in the 50s and 60s, but “correcting a wrong timeline” plotline was becoming popular in comics, television and other science fiction media.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
1237 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 254 - A Manman Shall Lead Them
Index Number – 1237 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 254
Cover Date – August 1979
Title – A Madman Shall Lead Them
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – League of Super-Assassins - Blok; Lazon, Mist Master, Neutrax, Silver Slasher,Titania
Synopsis – The Assassins are all natives of Korbal, a planet whose population was evacuated by the Legion. A “dark man” has convinced them that the Legion was behind the destruction of their world. Brainaic, supervised by the Science Police, leads the Subs to defeat the misguided villains.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 254
Cover Date – August 1979
Title – A Madman Shall Lead Them
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – League of Super-Assassins - Blok; Lazon, Mist Master, Neutrax, Silver Slasher,Titania
Synopsis – The Assassins are all natives of Korbal, a planet whose population was evacuated by the Legion. A “dark man” has convinced them that the Legion was behind the destruction of their world. Brainaic, supervised by the Science Police, leads the Subs to defeat the misguided villains.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Monday, March 21, 2011
1236 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 253 - The Night of the Super-Assassins!
Index Number – 1236 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 253
Cover Date – July 1979
Title – Night of the Super-Assassins!
Characters – Colossal Boy, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy
Villain – League of Super-Assassins – Blok, Lazon, Mist Master, Neutrax, Silver Slasher, Titania
Synopsis – The League of Assassins attack the Legion.
Introduction - Blok
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / Frank Chiaromonte
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 253
Cover Date – July 1979
Title – Night of the Super-Assassins!
Characters – Colossal Boy, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy
Villain – League of Super-Assassins – Blok, Lazon, Mist Master, Neutrax, Silver Slasher, Titania
Synopsis – The League of Assassins attack the Legion.
Introduction - Blok
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / Frank Chiaromonte
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Sunday, March 20, 2011
1235 - Superboy and the Legion of Super HEroes 252 - Postcript to Holocaust!
Index Number – 1235 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 252
Cover Date – June 1979
Title – Postscript To Holocaust
Characters – Brainiac 5, Dream Girl, Lightning Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, Wildfire
Villain – Starburst Bandits
Synopsis – While the Legion battles the Starburst Bandits, Brianiac is arrested for creating Omega.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / Dave Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 252
Cover Date – June 1979
Title – Postscript To Holocaust
Characters – Brainiac 5, Dream Girl, Lightning Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, Wildfire
Villain – Starburst Bandits
Synopsis – While the Legion battles the Starburst Bandits, Brianiac is arrested for creating Omega.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / Dave Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Saturday, March 19, 2011
1234 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 251 - The Man who Destroyed the Universe
Index Number – 1234 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 251
Cover Date – May 1979
Title – The Man Who Destroyed the Universe!
Characters –Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Karate Kid, Matter-Eater Lad, Princess Projectra, Star Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Omega
Synopsis – Omega destroys Legion Headquarters. Brainiac 5 summons Matter-Eater Lad and instructs him to eat the Miracle Machine, which Brainiac had used to create Omega. M-E goes insane from digesting the alien energies, and Brainiac declares himself to be master of the universe.
Writer – Jim Starlin (credited as Steve Apollo), Paul Levitz
Artist – Jim Starlin (credited as Steve Apollo), Dave Hunt / Dave Hunt
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – See previous comment.
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 251
Cover Date – May 1979
Title – The Man Who Destroyed the Universe!
Characters –Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Karate Kid, Matter-Eater Lad, Princess Projectra, Star Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Omega
Synopsis – Omega destroys Legion Headquarters. Brainiac 5 summons Matter-Eater Lad and instructs him to eat the Miracle Machine, which Brainiac had used to create Omega. M-E goes insane from digesting the alien energies, and Brainiac declares himself to be master of the universe.
Writer – Jim Starlin (credited as Steve Apollo), Paul Levitz
Artist – Jim Starlin (credited as Steve Apollo), Dave Hunt / Dave Hunt
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – See previous comment.
Friday, March 18, 2011
1233 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 250 - This is the Day the Universe Dies!
Index Number – 1233 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 250
Cover Date – April 1979
Title – This Is the Day the Universe Dies!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Omega
Synopsis – Cham is injured by the person who framed Ultra Boy for murder back in Superboy and the Legion 239 (Index 1213): Brianiac 5! He is apparently insane and has created Omega, a terrible creature of distruction.
Writer – Jim Starlin (credited as Steve Apollo), Paul Levitz
Artist – Jim Starlin (credited as Steve Apollo), Dave Hunt / Dave Hunt
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – According to our friends at the Grand Comic Book Database, this story to be published as a “Spectacular” in the DC Comics Special series. When it was reworked into two stories to be printed in 250 and 251, Jim Starlin had his name removed from the credits.
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 250
Cover Date – April 1979
Title – This Is the Day the Universe Dies!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Omega
Synopsis – Cham is injured by the person who framed Ultra Boy for murder back in Superboy and the Legion 239 (Index 1213): Brianiac 5! He is apparently insane and has created Omega, a terrible creature of distruction.
Writer – Jim Starlin (credited as Steve Apollo), Paul Levitz
Artist – Jim Starlin (credited as Steve Apollo), Dave Hunt / Dave Hunt
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – According to our friends at the Grand Comic Book Database, this story to be published as a “Spectacular” in the DC Comics Special series. When it was reworked into two stories to be printed in 250 and 251, Jim Starlin had his name removed from the credits.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
1232 = Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 249 - The Arctoraan Jewel Case
Index Number – 1232 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 249
Cover Date – March 1979
Title – The Arctoraan Jewel Case
Characters – Chameleon Boy
Synopsis – Cham is called in to stop a jewel thief.
Writer – Paul Kupperberg
Artist – Joe Staton
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 249
Cover Date – March 1979
Title – The Arctoraan Jewel Case
Characters – Chameleon Boy
Synopsis – Cham is called in to stop a jewel thief.
Writer – Paul Kupperberg
Artist – Joe Staton
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
1237 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 249 - Captial Crimes of the Chemical Conqueror
Index Number – 1231 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 249
Cover Date – March 1979
Title – Capital Crimes of the Chemical Conqueror
Characters – Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy
Villain – Dr. Mantis Morlo
Synopsis – The Legion discovers that Morlo is behind the creatures in the Metropolis sewers
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / Jack Abel
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 249
Cover Date – March 1979
Title – Capital Crimes of the Chemical Conqueror
Characters – Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy
Villain – Dr. Mantis Morlo
Synopsis – The Legion discovers that Morlo is behind the creatures in the Metropolis sewers
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / Jack Abel
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Monday, March 14, 2011
1230 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 248 - Beneath the Streets Lurks , , , Death!
Index Number – 1230 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 248
Cover Date – February 1979
Title – Beneath the Streets Lurks ... Death!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy
Villain – a sewer monster
Synopsis – Shadow Lass is injured as the Legion battles a plant creature in the sewers. R. J. Brande reveals that he is bankrupt.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 248
Cover Date – February 1979
Title – Beneath the Streets Lurks ... Death!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy
Villain – a sewer monster
Synopsis – Shadow Lass is injured as the Legion battles a plant creature in the sewers. R. J. Brande reveals that he is bankrupt.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Sunday, March 13, 2011
1229 - Superboy and the Legion of Super HEroes 247 - Celebration!
Index Number – 1229 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 247
Cover Date – January 1979 – 10/23/1978
Title – Celebration!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Synopsis – Lightning Lad is elected Leader. The Legionnaires celebrate an anniversary of Superboy’s induction.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Editor – James C. Harris
Comment – As we all know, the Legion first appeared in Adventure Comics 247. This story was published in Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 247. By DC’s reckoning, this story is also the 247th story to feature the Legion. What a coincidence! By my calculations, this in only story number 229. Since I arbitrarily count only stories that advance the lore of the Legion, I have not included many Legion cameos from various Superman family books. I did include a number of Karate Kid stories that did not co-star the Legion (Hence the term “arbitrary” ). I have attempted to reconcile the DC numbering with mine, as well as with Legion Wiki and Legion Outpost II, to no avail.
This story was dedicated to Mort Weisinger, the first editor and major creative force of the Legion of Super Heroes. Without Mort, we might not have read 7 Legion stories, so numbers be damned , , , Long Live the Legion . . . and Mort.
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 247
Cover Date – January 1979 – 10/23/1978
Title – Celebration!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Synopsis – Lightning Lad is elected Leader. The Legionnaires celebrate an anniversary of Superboy’s induction.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Editor – James C. Harris
Comment – As we all know, the Legion first appeared in Adventure Comics 247. This story was published in Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 247. By DC’s reckoning, this story is also the 247th story to feature the Legion. What a coincidence! By my calculations, this in only story number 229. Since I arbitrarily count only stories that advance the lore of the Legion, I have not included many Legion cameos from various Superman family books. I did include a number of Karate Kid stories that did not co-star the Legion (Hence the term “arbitrary” ). I have attempted to reconcile the DC numbering with mine, as well as with Legion Wiki and Legion Outpost II, to no avail.
This story was dedicated to Mort Weisinger, the first editor and major creative force of the Legion of Super Heroes. Without Mort, we might not have read 7 Legion stories, so numbers be damned , , , Long Live the Legion . . . and Mort.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
1228 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 247 - Savage Sanctuary
Index Number – 1228 - - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 247
Cover Date – January 1979
Title – Savage Sanctuary
Characters – Colossal Boy, Element Lad, Superboy
Villain – Fatal Five – Emerald Empress, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
Synopsis – The Five and the Legion battle over the future of Corvan VI, until the inhabitants refect them both.
Writer – Len Wein
Artist – Joe Staton / Joe Staton
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 247
Cover Date – January 1979
Title – Savage Sanctuary
Characters – Colossal Boy, Element Lad, Superboy
Villain – Fatal Five – Emerald Empress, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
Synopsis – The Five and the Legion battle over the future of Corvan VI, until the inhabitants refect them both.
Writer – Len Wein
Artist – Joe Staton / Joe Staton
Cover – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
1227 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes - A World for the Winning
Index Number – 1227 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy ad the Legion of Super Heroes 426
Cover Date – December 1978
Title – A World for the Winning
Characters – Cosmic Boy, Element Lad, Superboy
Villain – Fatal Five – Emerald Empress, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
Synopsis – The Fatal Five have advanced the technology of the planet Corvan VI and is applying for membership in the United Planets.
Writer – Len Wein
Artist – Joe Staton / Murphy Anderson
Editor – Al Milgrom, Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy ad the Legion of Super Heroes 426
Cover Date – December 1978
Title – A World for the Winning
Characters – Cosmic Boy, Element Lad, Superboy
Villain – Fatal Five – Emerald Empress, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
Synopsis – The Fatal Five have advanced the technology of the planet Corvan VI and is applying for membership in the United Planets.
Writer – Len Wein
Artist – Joe Staton / Murphy Anderson
Editor – Al Milgrom, Jack C. Harris
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
1226 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 246 - Will the Last One to Leave Mercury, Please Close the Planet?
Index Number – 1226 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 246
Cover Date – December 1978
Title – Will the Last One To Leave Mercury Please Close the Planet?
Characters – Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy
Synopsis – Karate Kid takes Iris Jacobs to Medicus-One on Mercury to sure her Diamondeth condition.
Writer – Paul Levitz, Len Wein
Artist – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Cover – Mike Grell
Editor – Al Milgrom, Jack C. Harris
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 246
Cover Date – December 1978
Title – Will the Last One To Leave Mercury Please Close the Planet?
Characters – Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy
Synopsis – Karate Kid takes Iris Jacobs to Medicus-One on Mercury to sure her Diamondeth condition.
Writer – Paul Levitz, Len Wein
Artist – Joe Staton / Dick Giordano
Cover – Mike Grell
Editor – Al Milgrom, Jack C. Harris
Sunday, March 6, 2011
1225 - Superboy and the Legion of Super HEroes 245 - Mordru Master of Earth
Index Number – 1225 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 245
Cover Date – November 1978
Title – Mordru Master of Earth
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Mordru; Dark Circle; Khunds; Dominators
Synopsis – After a long exposition where Mordru explains how he took over the Earth, the Dark Circle, the Khunds and the Resource Raiders, he is defeater by Element Lad, who buries him underground in space.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Joe Staton / Murphy Anderson
Cover – Al Milgrom / Joe Rubinstein
Editor – Al Milgrom
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 245
Cover Date – November 1978
Title – Mordru Master of Earth
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Mordru; Dark Circle; Khunds; Dominators
Synopsis – After a long exposition where Mordru explains how he took over the Earth, the Dark Circle, the Khunds and the Resource Raiders, he is defeater by Element Lad, who buries him underground in space.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Joe Staton / Murphy Anderson
Cover – Al Milgrom / Joe Rubinstein
Editor – Al Milgrom
Thursday, March 3, 2011
1224 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 244 - The Kark Circle that Crushed the Earth
Index Number – 1224 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 244
Cover Date – October 1978
Title – The Dark Circle that Crushed Earth
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Dark Circle, Dominators, Garlak, Khunds, Mordru,
Ontiir
Synopsis – While defending the Earth from a Khund invasion, the Legion discovers that Mordru and the Dark Circle are behind the attack.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Joe Staton / Joe Giella
Cover – James Sherman / Joe Rubinstein
Editor – Al Milgrom
Comment – Karate Kid returns from the 20th century along with Iris Jacobs to find a cure for her Diamonddeth condition.
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 244
Cover Date – October 1978
Title – The Dark Circle that Crushed Earth
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Dark Circle, Dominators, Garlak, Khunds, Mordru,
Ontiir
Synopsis – While defending the Earth from a Khund invasion, the Legion discovers that Mordru and the Dark Circle are behind the attack.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Joe Staton / Joe Giella
Cover – James Sherman / Joe Rubinstein
Editor – Al Milgrom
Comment – Karate Kid returns from the 20th century along with Iris Jacobs to find a cure for her Diamonddeth condition.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
1223 - Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes - Earth's Last Stand
Index Number – 1223 - 1.0
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 243
Cover Date – September 1978
Title – Earth’s Last Stand
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Superboy, Sun Boy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire,
Villain – Dominators; Khunds
Synopsis – The Legion is Earth’s last defense against an invasion of Khunds.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Joe Staton / Jack Abel
Cover – Mike Grell / Joe Rubenstein
Editor – Al Milgrom
Issue – Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes 243
Cover Date – September 1978
Title – Earth’s Last Stand
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Superboy, Sun Boy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire,
Villain – Dominators; Khunds
Synopsis – The Legion is Earth’s last defense against an invasion of Khunds.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Joe Staton / Jack Abel
Cover – Mike Grell / Joe Rubenstein
Editor – Al Milgrom
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