Saturday, April 30, 2011

1267 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 276 - Lord Romdur’s Castle

Index Number – 1267 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 276
Cover Date – June 1981
Title – Lord Romdur’s Castle
Characters – Chameleon Boy, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Shadow Lass, Star Boy, Sun Boy
Villiam – Mordru
Synopsis – The Legion travels to Avalon to rescue some United Planet surveyors. When they learn that the planet’s overlord is actually Mordur, they bury him under his castle.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Steve Ditko / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Rick Buckler / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Thursday, April 28, 2011

1266 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 275 - Of Pride, Passion and Piracy!

Index Number – 1266 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 275
Cover Date – May 1981
Title – Of Pride, Passion and Piracy!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Element Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Captain Frake
Synopsis – When the Legion battles the space pirates, Ultra Boy turns on Captain Frake. He apparently dies – again – unknown to the Legion.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Dave Cockrum
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – If you are keeping track at home, Ultra Boy has been accused of murder, killed, discovered alive, gotten amnesia, and killed.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

1265 - The Superman Family 207 - Look Homeward, Argonian!

Index Number – 1265 - 1.1
Issue – The Superman Family 207
Cover Date – May 1981
Title – Look Homeward, Argonian!
Characters – Blok, Chameleon Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy, Supergirl
Villain – Universo
Synopsis – Supergirl battles Universo in the 20th century and with the Legion in the 30th century.
Writer – Jack C. Harris, Roy Thomas
Artist – Win Mortimer / Vince Colletta
Cover – Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Editor – Julius Schwartz, E. Nelson Bridwell

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

1264 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 274 - The Exaggerated Death of Ultra Boy

Index Number – 1264 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 274
Cover Date – April 1981
Title – The Exaggerated Death of Ultra Boy
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Captain Frake
Synopsis – While the Legion holds a memorial for him, an unconscious Ultra Boy, suffering from amnesia, is found by a female space pirate. Captain Frake makes him a part of her crew, but Saturn Girl suspects that U Boy may still be alive.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Steve Ditko / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Rick Buckler / Bob Smith
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – Thus begins the convoluted tale of the Ultra Boy / Reflecto / Superboy memory maze. Stay tuned and keep your notebooks handy. There will be a quiz.

Monday, April 25, 2011

1263 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 273 - A Murderer - Among Us?

Index Number – 1263 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 273
Cover Date – March 1981
Title – A Murderer - Among Us?
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Star Boy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Pulsar Stargrave
Synopsis – Earth President Allon orders the Legion disbanded if it does not turn over Brianiac 5 to be tried for the Murder of An Ryd. Brainiac resigns. Chameleon Boy takes a team to Rimbor and uncovers Pulsar Stargrave as the murderer. He destroys Ultra Boy and is defeated by Brainiac.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Rick Buckler / Steve Mitchell
Editor – Jack C. Harris 

Sunday, April 24, 2011

1262 - Secrets of The Legion of Super Heroes 3 - Revelation!

Index Number – 1262 - 1.1
Issue – Secrets of The Legion of Super Heroes 3
Cover Date – March 1981
Title – Revelation!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chemical King, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Elastic Lad, Element Lad, Ferro Lad, Fire-Lad, Insect Queen, Invisible Kid, Karate Kid, Kid Psycho, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Pete Ross, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Rond Vidar, Wildfire
Synopsis – Brande is revealed to be the father of Chameleon Boy.
Writer – E. Nelson Bridwell, Paul Kupperberg
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Friday, April 22, 2011

1261 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 272 - The Secret Origin of Blok!

Index Number – 1261 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 272
Cover Date – February 1981
Title – The Secret Origin of Blok!
Characters – Blok, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Crystal Kid, Dawnstar, Lamprey, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Nightwind, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Resource Raiders
Synopsis – Blok and three Legion applicants battle the Resource Raiders. Blok tells his origin and is inducted.
Introductions – Crystal Kid (Bobb Kohan), Lamprey (Tayla Skott), Nightwind (Berta Haris)
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Steve Ditko, Frank Chiaramonte / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Jimmy Janes / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – The Legion applicants were suggested by Legion fans and first introduced in a issue of DC official fanzine, The Amazing World of DC Comics.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

1260 - Secrets of The Legion of Super Heroes 2 - R. J. Brande Is Dying!

Index Number – 1260 - 1.1
Issue – Secrets of The Legion of Super Heroes 2
Cover Date – February 1981
Title – R. J. Brande Is Dying!
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Invisible Kid, Lightning Lad, Lightning Lass, Karate Kid, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Supergirl, Timber Wolf, Triplicate Girl, Ultra Boy, White Witch, Wildfire
Synopsis – Brande reveals that he is the father of a Legionnaire.
Writer – E. Nelson Bridwell, Paul Kupperberg
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – The issue includes a two-page spread of Legion headquarters and a text piece on Legion villains.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

1259 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 271 - What Is the Dark Man?

Index Number – 1259 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 271
Cover Date – January 1981
Title – What Is the Dark Man?
Characters – Blok, Colossal Boy, Light Lass, d, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Timber Wolf. Wildfire
Villain – The Dark Man (Tharok); The Fatal Five – Emerald Empress, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
Synopsis – The Dark Man is a life-force vampire cloned from a brain tissue sample from the original Tharok. The Fatal Fivew and Blok team up with the Legion to battle the Dark Man, who squares off with Tharok. They both vanish.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / John Kalnan
Cover – Jimmy Janes / Steve Mitchell
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

1258 - Secrets of the Legion of Super Heroes 1 - The Past ... Seen Darkly

Index Number – 1258 - 1.1
Issue – Secrets of the Legion of Super Heroes 1
Cover Date – January 1981
Title – The Past ... Seen Darkly
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Invisible Kid, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Supergirl, Timber Wolf, Triplicate Girl, White Witch, Wildfire
Synopsis – R. J. Brande is suffering from Yorrgian Fever. As the Legionnaires gather around, it becomes a good time to reminisce about their origins.
Writer – E. Nelson Bridwell, Paul Kupperberg
Artist – Jimmy Janes, Frank Chiaramonte/ Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Jimmy Janes / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – This issue includes a text piece on the order of induction for the Legionnaires, which apparently has some “Chronicler’s Errors”.

Monday, April 18, 2011

1257 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 270 - Who Is the Dark Man?

Index Number – 1257 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 270
Cover Date – December 1980
Title – Who Is the Dark Man?
Characters – Blok, Colossal Boy, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Timber Wolf
Villain – The Dark Man (Tharok); The League of Super-Assassins - Blok, Lazon, Mist Master, Neutrax, Silver Slasher,Titania; The Fatal Five – Emerald Empress, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
Synopsis – The Super-Assassins are imprisoned, but Blok agrees to assist the Legionnaires to find the Dark Man. They discover him to be a all-human Tharok (gasp!).
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Jimmy Janes / Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Sunday, April 17, 2011

1256 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 269 - Who Shall Name the Dark Man?

Index Number – 1256 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 269
Cover Date – November 1980
Title – Who Shall Name the Dark Man?
Characters – Colossal Boy, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Timber Wolf
Villain – The Dark Man, The Fatal Five – Emerald Empress, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
Synopsis – The Dark Man directs the Fatal Five against the Legion. Colossal Boy learns that his mother will run for Preisdent of Earth.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Friday, April 15, 2011

1255 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 268 - Life After Life After Life

Index Number – 1255 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 268
Cover Date – October 1980
Title – Life After Life After Life
Characters – Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Saturn Girl, Ultra Boy
Villain – Dr. Mayavale
Synopsis – The Legionnaires battle the deadly Dr. Mayavale,
Writer – J. M. DeMatteis
Artist – Steve Ditko / Bob Wiacek
Cover – George Perez / Terry Austin
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – Dr. Mayavale has so many skinny little arms that it took 8 extra pages to contain them all.
Note:  George Perez and Terry Austin produced the cover.  A first for the Legion.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

1254 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 267 - The Grounded Legionnaires

Index Number – 1254 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 267
Cover Date – September 1980
Title – The Grounded Legionnaires
Characters – Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Mon-El, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass
Villain – Vibrex
Synopsis – Shadow Lass relates the story of the creation of the flight rings. When kVibrex, the Master of Vibtation, destroys the Legionnaires flight belts, Brainiac uses Element 152, created by Mon-El for his initiation, to make the flight rings.
Writer – Paul Kupperberg
Artist – Steve Ditko / Dave Hunt
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

1253 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 267 - To Bottle A Genie!

Index Number – 1253 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 267
Cover Date – September 1980
Title – To Bottle A Genie!
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Duo Damsel, Element Lad
Villain – Kaantu
Synopsis – After learning Kaantu’s origin, the Legionnaires trick the genie/djinn/demon back into his bottle.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Dave Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – In this story, we learn that the Guardians of the Galaxy on Oa, those eternal meddlers, defeated the race of Djinn and trapped them in green energy bottles to teach them humility. Like many of the Guardians’ grand designs, it didn’t work.

Monday, April 11, 2011

1252 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 266 - Kantuu

Index Number – 1252 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 266
Cover Date – August 1980
Title – Kantuu
Characters – Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Lightning Lad
Villain – Kaantu
Synopsis – Bouncing Boy releases a demon from his bottle prison. Kaantu heads to Earth and defeats the waiting Legionnaires.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Dave Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Saturday, April 9, 2011

1251 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 265 - The Brigadoon Syndrome!

Index Number – 1251 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 265
Cover Date – July 1980
Title – The Brigadoon Syndrome!
Characters – Dawnstar, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Tyroc, Wildfire
Synopsis – Tyroc reveals that his island home will spend 200 years in another dimension. He believes that his somic abilities have sent Marzal back prematurely. He is able to send Dawnstar and Shadow Lass back to Earth’s dimension.
Writer – Gerry Conway, J. M. DeMatteis
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Dave Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – The title is derived from a Broadway musical from the 40s titled “Brigadoon”, which tells the tale of a Scottish village that exists in our reality for one day every 100 years. This story appears to be a way to get rid of Tyroc, since his abilities were so difficult to write into a story.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

250 - Legion of Super Heroes v2 264 - Dagon's Cavern of Doom

Index Number – 1250 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 264
Cover Date – June 1980
Title – Dagon’s Cavern of Doom!
Characters – Dawnstar, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Tyroc, Wildfire
Villain – Dagon
Synopsis – While still attempting to free Dagon’s hostages, Dawnstar and Shadow Lass follow Tyroc to his island home, Marzal, which fades away with the three Legionnaires.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Dave Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

1249 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 263 - Day of Judgment

Index Number – 1249 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 263
Cover Date – May 1980
Title – Day of Judgment
Characters – Dawnstar, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Tyroc, Wildfire
Villain – Dagon the Avenger
Synopsis – Dagon the Avenger kidnaps the parents of a number of Legionnaires. Tyroc unexpectedly leaves for Marzal.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Dave Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – Sometime later in Legion future / history, Ji Daggle is revealed to be Chameleon Boy’s aunt.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Index Number – 1248 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 262
Cover Date – April 1980
Title – The Planet That Captured the Legion
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – The Engineer
Synopsis – The Legion gets trapped on an artificial world while helping Brande build a star.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – James Sherman
Cover – James Sherman
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Monday, April 4, 2011

1247 - Super-Star Holiday Special (DC Special Series 21) - Star Light, Star Bright ... Farthest Star I See Tonight!

Index Number – 1247 - 1.1
Issue – Super-Star Holiday Special (DC Special Series 21)
Cover Date – March 1980
Title – Star Light, Star Bright ... Farthest Star I See Tonight!
Characters – Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy, Supreboy, Wildfire
Synopsis – The Legion searches for the star that shone over Bethlehem.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Jose-Luis Garcia Lopez / Dick Giordano
Cover – Jose-Luis Garcia Lopez
Editor – Len Wein
Reprinted – DC Universe Christmas collection (2000)
Comment – In this tale, Colossal Boy is revealed to be Jewish. At the time, I recall reading that he was the first Jewish super hero in a mainstream comic book. I have never ab;e to confirm or refute this. But it is interesting to note that in 2010, in DC Holiday Special 2010, 31st century Earth celebrates only one noliday, eliminating all other religious and secular holidays.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

1246 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 261 - Space Circus of Death!

Index Number – 1246 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 261
Cover Date – March 1980
Title – Space Circus of Death!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Star Boy, Timber Wolf
Villain – The Ringmaster
Synopsis – The Legion discovers that the Ringmaster is trying to disrupt negoiations between the UP and Cygnus.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Rik Estrada / John Calnan
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Saturday, April 2, 2011

1245- 1.1 - Legion of Super Heroes v2 260 - Come to the Circus and Die!

Index Number – 1245 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 260
Cover Date – February 1980
Title - Come to the Circus and Die!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Star Boy, Timber Wolf
Villain – unrevealed
Synopsis – A circus from the Cygnus Confederation is sent to Earth as part of a cultural exchange.  When circus performers are killed, the Legionnaires join the circus to investigate.
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / John Calnan
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris

Friday, April 1, 2011

1244-1.1 - Legion of Super Heroes v2 259 - Psycho War

Index Number – 1244 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 259
Cover Date – January 1980
Title – Psycho War
Characters – Chameleon Boy, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl,Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Superboy, Wildfire
Villain – Psycho-Warrior
Synopsis – The Psycho-Warrior reveals to Superboy how his adoptive parents will die. To spare his grief, Saturn Girl gives him a mental command to leave the 20th century permanently
Writer – Gerry Conway
Artist – Joe Staton / David Hunt
Cover – Dick Giordano
Editor – Jack C. Harris
Comment – DC decided that the Legion could stand on its own without Superboy. They wrote him out and gave him his own book. Which finally answered the question: Doesn’t Superboy have enough super-deeds to perform in his own time, or is he just trying to get away from Lana Lang?