Monday, May 30, 2011

1290 -The Legion of Super Heroes v2 291 - ... A Sign of Great Dawning

Index Number – 1290 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 291
Cover Date – September 1982
Title – ... A Sign of Great Dawning
Characters – Blok, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Invisible Kid (JF), Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Gir,l Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, White Witch, Wildfire,
Villain – The “Master” and the Servants of Darkness (clones of Kalibak, Lydea Mallor, Orion, Superman, and a Guardian of Oa)
Synopsis – The Legion learn that the capturted servant is a perfect clone of Lydea Mallor, the 20th century ancestor of Shadow Lass. The servants attack and drain power from Mordur and the Time Trapper. The Legion saved the White Witch from a similar attack. Chameleon Boy is arrested for his trip to Khund.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt/ Larry Mahlstedt
Cover – Keith Giffen / Romeo Tahghal
Editor – Laurie Sutton
Reprinted – Legion of Super Heroes - The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011

Sunday, May 29, 2011

1289 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 290 - And the Servant Shall Be A Sign ...

Index Number – 1289 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 290
Cover Date – August 1982
Title – And the Servant Shall Be A Sign ...
Characters – Blok, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Cosmic Boy, Danielle Foccart, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Invisible Kid (JF), Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – The “Master” and the Servants of Darkness (clones of Kalibak, Lydea Mallor, Orion, Superman, and a Guardian of Oa)
Synopsis – The servants collect magical artifacts from around the universe. Lightling Lad suffers an electrical imbalance of the brain.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt/ Larry Mahlstedt
Cover – Keith Giffen / Frank Giacola
Editor – Laurie Sutton
Reprinted – Legion of Super Heroes - The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011
Comment – This story is officially listed as the first chapter of the Great Darkness Saga, but Levitz, the father of foreshadowing, has been leading up to this for many months. Also, in this issue, we meed Oli-3 Queen, tour guide and descendant of Green Arrow, who will show up again in about three (publishing) years.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

1288 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 Annual 1 - Monster In A Little Girl’s Mind!

Index Number – 1288 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 Annual 1
Cover Date – 1982
Title – Monster In A Little Girl’s Mind!
Characters – Blok, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Danielle Foccart, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Invisible Kid (JF), Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet (impostor), Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Introductions – Invisible Kid (Jacques Foccart), Danielle Foccart
Villain – Computo
Synopsis – While treating a young girl with a brain disease, Brianiac accidently infects Danielle Foccart with the Computo circuitry. Computo takes control of all headquarters systems and battles the Legionnaires. Danielle older brother takes Lyle Norg’s invisibility serum to assist Brainy and the Legion. Danielle is rendered unconscious to stop Computo. Foccart is inducted as Invisible Kid.
Writer – Keith Giffen, Paul Levitz
Artist – Keith Giffen / Bruck Patterson
Cover – Keith Giffen / Dick Giordano
Editor – Laurie Sutton
Reprinted – Legion of Super-Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011
Comment – Jacques Foccart is the first Legionnaire to adopt a previously used codename. For our purposes, he will be listed as Invisible Kid (JF). As you may know, Danielle will become a Legionnaire in her own right in the future.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

1287 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 289 - Once Upon An Insanity

Index Number – 1287 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 289
Cover Date – July 1982
Title – Once Upon An Insanity
Characters – Brainiac 5, Element Lad, Matter-Eater Lad
Villain – Dr. R'xalim
Synopsis – Brainiac and Element Lad visit Matter-Eater Lad at a medical facility. A doctor attacks them, seeking revenge against Brainy for recommending that he be fired. Tenzil is transported to Legion HQ for further treatment.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Carmine Infantino / Larry Mahlstedt
Editor - Laurie Sutton
Reprinted – Legion of Super-Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

1286 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 289 - A Cold and Lonely Corner of Hell!

Index Number – 1286 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 289
Cover Date – July 1982
Title – A Cold and Lonely Corner of Hell!
Characters – Blok, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet (impostor), Star Boy, Sun Boy. Timber Wolf. Ultra Boy
Villain – Servants of Darkness (somewhat unidentified)
Synopsis – Dawnstar and Light Lass find the team that escaped from Khundia. Ayla thinks she sees Saturn Girl and Timber Wolf in a romantic interlude. Meanshile, on a mysterious planet, that resembles Apokilips, a mysterious figure, who resembles Darkseid,  releases from life pods, five mysterious figures that resemble 20th century characters like Superman, Orion, Kalibak, Lydea Mallor and a Guardian of the Universe.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Keith Giffen / Bruce Patterson
Cover – Keith Giffen
Editor – Laurie Sutton
Reprinted – Legion of Super Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011
Comment – The Great Darkness Saga is becoming very sagalike.

Monday, May 23, 2011

1285 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 288 - The Legionnaire’s Made For Burning


Index Number – 1285 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 288
Cover Date – June 1982
Title – The Legionnaire’s Made For Burning
Characters – Blok, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet (impostor), Star Boy, Sun Boy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy
Villain – Pharoxx
Synopsis – Projectra and Karate Kid are going to be executed. With the help of the Legion, they defeat Pharoxx and Jeckie is crowned Queen of Orando. The team from Khundia is stranded on a asteroid. Cham sees Colossal Boy and Violet kissing.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Keith Giffen / Bruce Patterson
Cover – Keith Giffen / Romeo Tanghal
Editor – Laurie Sutton
Reprinted – Legion of Super-Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011

Sunday, May 22, 2011

1284 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 287 - Prologue To Darkness

Index Number – 1284 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 287
Cover Date – May 1982
Title – Prologue To Darkness
Characters – Mon-El, Shadow Lass
Villain – to be determined
Synopsis – Mon and Shady investigate a wandering planet. They destroy some booby traps, but fail to discover a mysterious figure on the dark side (clue) of the planet.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Pat Broderick / Larry Mahlstedt
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Reprinted – Legion of Super Heroes - The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011

Saturday, May 21, 2011

1283 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 287 - Save the (Espionage) Suicide Squad

Index Number – 1283 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 287
Cover Date – May 1982
Title – Save the (Espionage) Suicide Squad
Characters – Blok, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Element Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet (unoistor), Star Boy, Sun Boy, Timber Wolf
Villain – Kharlak, Khunds
Synopsis – After one too many internal conflicts, Lightning Lad resigns as leader and deputy leader Element Lad takes over. Chameleon Boy and his team arrive on Khundia and end up battling a warrior in a world-wide broadcasted death-match.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Keith Giffin / Bruce Patterson
Cover – Romeo Tanghal
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Reprinted – Legion of Super Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011
Comment – The actual title of this story is “Save the Espionage (this word is crossed-out) Suicide Squad”. I imagine there is a way to reproduce this, but I can’t bigure it out.

Friday, May 20, 2011

1282 - Best of DC 24 - Murder in Glass

Index Number – 1282 - 1.1
Issue – The Best of DC 24
Cover Date – May 1982
Title – Murder in Glass
Characters – Colossal Boy, Karate Kid, Sun Boy, Wildfire
Synopsis – The Legion must prevent Earth President Marte Allon, Colossal Boy’s mother, from assassination.
Villain – unnamed
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Carmine Infantino / Rodin Rodriguez
Cover – Ernie Colon
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Comment – This story frames two reprints that feature a previous attempt on the lives of Colossol Boy’s parents and the revival of the Legion of Super Villians (Adventure 371 and 372; Index 1095 and 1096).

Thursday, May 19, 2011

1281 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 286 - A Crown for the Princess

Index Number – 1281 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 286
Cover Date – April 1982
Title – A Crown for the Princess
Characters – Karate Kid, Princess Projectra
Villain – Prince Pharoxx
Synopsis – Prince Pharoxx challenges and defeats Projectra and Karate Kid for the monarchy of Orando.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Keith Giffen / Bruce Patterson
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Reprinted – Legion of Super-Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

1280 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 286 - Old Friends, New Relatives and Other Corpses!

Index Number – 1280 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 286
Cover Date – April 1982
Title – Old Friends, New Relatives and Other Corpses!
Characters – Blok, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet (impostor), Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy
Villain – Dr. Regulus
Synopsis – Dr. Regulus attacks the Legion on Brande’s planet estate. Chameleon Boy takes Shrinking Violet and Timber Wolf on a mission to the Khund homeworld.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Pat Broderick / Bruce Patterson
Cover – Pat Broderick / Romeo Tanghal
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Reprinted – Legion of Super Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011

Monday, May 16, 2011

1279 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 285 - The Forgotten Future

Index Number – 1279 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 285
Cover Date – March 1982
Title – The Forgotten Future
Characters – Dream Girl
Synopsis – When the population of Naltor loses its abiity to see the future, Dream Girl saves the day.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Keith Giffen / Larry Mahlstedt
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Reprinted – Legion of Super-Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011

Sunday, May 15, 2011

1278 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 285 - Night Never Falls At Nullport

Index Number – 1278 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 285
Cover Date – March 1982
Title – Night Never Falls At Nullport
Characters – Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Shrinking Violet (impostor), Star Boy, Timber Wolf
Villain – Warlord Galmark and the Khunds
Synopsis – The Legion stops a sabotage attempt on a U P space port by the Khunds. On Orando, King Voxx is poisoned before he grant permission for the marriage of Princess Projectra and Karate Kid.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Pat Broderick / Bruce Patterson
Cover – Pat Broderick / Romeo Tanghal
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Reprinted - Legion of Super Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011
Comment – “The Great Darkness Saga” continues. This story introduced H’hrnath, the general manager of the space port, a horse with four legs and two arms and who speaks with what appears to be a Brooklyn accent.
It is our contention that in this story, Shrinking Violet is kidmapped by radicals from her homeworld and replaced with a Durlan actress named Yera.  Other Legion scholars disagree.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

1276 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 284 - The Soul-Thief from the Stars

Index Number – 1276 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 284
Cover Date – February 1982
Title – The Soul-Thief from the Stars
Characters – Blok, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – The Organleggers. Organus
Synopsis – While Timber Wolf undergoes plastic surgery to remove his bestial features, the Legion battles organ thieves and then a creature accidently created during the first battle.
Writer – Paul Levitz
Artist – Patl Broderick / Bruce Patterson
Cover – Pat Broderick / Romeo Tanghal
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Reprinted - Legion of Super Heroes – The Great Darkness Saga – Deluxe Edition - 2011
Comment – This story is the first installment or what would become known as t"The Great Darkness Saga". This extended story has sttood up well over the years and has been recently reprinted in a deluxe hardcover edition.
DC had been critized by fans the majority of Legion members and friends were white humans in a supposedly fully integrated 30th century society. So in this story, the crew changes one of their few unique looking characters (Timber Wolf) and writes-out their only member of African descent (Tyroc).
In addition, Karate Kid, who is occasionally, partially Asian, and Princess Projectra are put on leave and Bouncing Boy (the Legion’s only fluffy* character) and Duo Dansel become reservists.
Also, Dr. Gymll, the inspiration for television’s Dr. Gregory House, in introduced.

*search “Gabriel Iglesias”

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

1275 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 283 - The Startling Secret of Wildfire!

Index Number – 1275 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 283
Cover Date – January 1982
Title – The Startling Secret of Wildfire!
Characters – Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Crystal Kid, Lamprey, Lightning Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Nightwind, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Wildfire
Synopsis – Wildfire tells his origin story.
Writer – Roy Thomas
Artist – Howard Bender/ Bruce Patterson
Cover – Jim Aparo
Editor – Mike W. Barr

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

1274 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 282 - If Answers There Be ...

Index Number – 1274 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 282
Cover Date – December 1981
Title – If Answers There Be ...
Characters – Blok, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Element Lad, Insect Queen, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Time Trapper
Synopsis – In the 20th century, Dawnstar discovers Untra Boy’s body in between Earth and Bgztl. Upon revival, he explains that the weapon on Captain Frake’s ship made him immaterial and sent him backwards in time. He directed him self toward Superboy’s time for assistance. While trying to contact Superboy through his Legion-issue telepathic plug, he overwrote Superboy’s consciousness with his own. Superboy/Ultra Boy travelled to the 30the century, where Saturn Girl’s post-hypnotic suggestion kicked in, telling Superboy not to enter future. In this confusion, he developed the Reflecto identity. With the help of Insect Queen, the Legion turns the Time Trapper’s weapon on him and he dematerializes.
Writer – Roy Thomas, Paul Levitz
Artist – Jimmy James / Bruce Patterson
Cover – Jim Aparo
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Comment – Without ever having existed, Reflecto gets a memorial statue. The real tragedy in this story in that by introducing Reflecto and “killing” him, they have moved Quantum Queen and Shadow Lass closer to their inevitable deaths. Sob.

Monday, May 9, 2011

1273 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 281 - Madness Is the Molecule Master

Index Number – 1273 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 281
Cover Date – November 1981
Title – Madness Is the Molecule Master
Characters – Blok, Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Star Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Wildfire
Villain – Molecule Master, Time Trapper
Synopsis – Superboy and the Legionnaires are trapped in the 20th century battling the Molecule Master. He explodes. The team is arrested, and Phantom Girl transports them all to Bgztl.
Writer – Roy Thomas, Paul Levitz
Artist – Steve Ditko, Bruce Patterson / Bruce Patterson
Cover – George Perez / Bruce Patterson
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Comment – It is revealed that Phantom Girl’s ability to become intangible results from partially phasing to her home dimension.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

1272 - The Brave and the Bold 179 - Time-Bomb With the Thousand-Year Fuse!

Index Number – 1272 - 1.1
Issue – The Brave and the Bold 179
Cover Date – October 1981
Title – Time-Bomb With the Thousand-Year Fuse!
Characters – Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Princess Projectra, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy
Villain – Universo
Synopsis – Batman is drawn to the 30th century where he helps the Legion defeat Universo.
Writer – Martin Pasko
Artist – Ernie Colon
Cover – Mike DeCarlo
Editor – Dick Giordano, Dave Manak
Comment – This story takes place immediately after Legion of Super Heroes v2 280 (Index 1271).

Saturday, May 7, 2011

1271 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 280 - O! Call Back Yesterday

Index Number – 1271 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 280
Cover Date – October 1981
Title – O! Call Back Yesterday
Characters – Blok, Bouncing Boy, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Duo Damsel, 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, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Villain – Grimbor, Time Trapper
Synopsis – Superboy, in his Reflecto uniform, thinks that he is Ultra Boy. Saturn Girl finds both consciousnesses in his brain. They travel to the 20 century where they are trapped in time by the Time Trapper.
Writer – Roy Thomas
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Bruce Patterson
Cover – George Perez
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Comment – Batman is shown in the 30th century from the story in Brave and Bold 179 (Index 1272).

Thursday, May 5, 2011

1270 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 279 - Castle Grimbor Must Fall!

Index Number – 1270 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 279
Cover Date – September 1981
Title – Castle Grimbor Must Fall!
Characters – Blok, Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Duo Damsel, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Reflecto, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Superboy, Wildfire
Villain – Grimbor the Chainsman
Synopsis – The Legion finally defeats Grimbor with the help of Reflecto, who is incapacitated. And underneath is torn costume . . . is a very familiar “S-shield”.
Writer – Roy Thomas
Artist – Jimmy Janes / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – George Perez
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Comment – Hats off to Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas, All the clues led to Ultra Boy being Reflecto, propabably suffering from amnesia for a second time. The front cover even promoted a “ultra-special” surprise on the last page

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

1269 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 278 - Tragedy At the Top of the World!

Index Number – 1269 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 278
Cover Date – August 1981
Title – Tragedy At the Top of the World!
Characters – Blok, Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Reflecto, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Timber Wolf, Wildfire
Villain – Grimbor the Chainsman
Synopsis – The Legion continue to battle Grimbor while his energy chains continue to compres Earth’s atmosphere.
Writer – Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas
Artist – Jimmy Janes, Bruce Petterson / Bruce Patterson
Cover – George Perez
Editor – Mike W. Barr

Sunday, May 1, 2011

1268 - The Legion of Super Heroes v2 277 - The Man Who Chained the Earth!

Index Number – 1268 - 1.1
Issue – The Legion of Super Heroes v2 277
Cover Date – July 1981
Title – The Man Who Chained the Earth!
Characters – Blok, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Reflecto, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Star Boy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
Introductions – Reflecto (?)
Villain – Grimbor
Synopsis – Phantom Girl is injured on a mission and is rescued by a mysterious character named Reflecto. Grimbor threatens the Earth with giant energy chains in space encircling the planet.
Writer – Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas
Artist – Jimmy Janes, Frank Chiaramonte / Frank Chiaramonte
Cover – George Perez
Editor – Mike W. Barr
Comment – As you recall, Reflecto was shown in the Adult Legion story (Index 1075, Adventure Comics 354) as a dead Legionnaire.