The Legion of Super-Heroes FAQ

[Paul Newell]

1. What is the Legion of Super-Heroes?

The Legion of Super-Heroes first appeared in ADVENTURE COMICS #247, cover-dated April, 1958. In a Superboy story, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, and Lightning Boy travel into the past to offer Superboy membership in their super-hero club known as the Legion of Super- Heroes. Their appearance was intended to be a one-shot story, however fan reaction to the team was positive, and they made many guest appearances in various Superman titles until finally landing an ongoing series in ADVENTURE COMICS#300.


2. Where can I read stories about the Legion of Super-Heroes?

The Leagion currently appears in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (V7). Certain characters alo appear in a sister title LEGION LOST.

3. Didn't the Legion titles reboot?

Yes. The Legion titles underwent a reboot as part of the 1994 DC Comics crossover event entitled ZERO HOUR. As a consequence of the events in ZERO HOUR, the history of the Legion of Super-Heroes was erased. In LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (V4) #0, Legion history was restarted from scratch.
10 years later a second reboot has occurred in TEEN TITANS #16 and the TEEN TITANS/THE LEGION SPECIAL. The new reality was previewed in the latter by the creative team, Mark Waid and Barry Kitson.
The "original" Legion has "reappeared", debuting in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (V2) #8,(Though their existence was first revealed in ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #10).


4. So which issues take place in what "reality"?

Version 1 of the Legion make major appearances in ADVENTURE COMICS #247, 267, 282, 290, 293, ACTION COMICS #267, 276, 287, 289, SUPERBOY #86, 89, 98 and SUPERMAN #147 before starting a lengthy run in ADVENTURE COMICS from #300 through to #380. They then appeared as backups in ACTION COMICS #377 to #392.
Six months later, they started an series of irregular backups in SUPERBOY #172, 173, 176, 183, 184, 188, 190, 191, 193 and 195 before becoming the main feature in #197. The title eventually changed in #231 to SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, then just LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES at #259. In August 1984, along with Teen Titans, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (V3) #1 appeared as a direct market Baxter edition and the regular title became TALES OF LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, featuring original stories from #314-#325. From #326 onwards it reprinted the Baxter stories.
V3 was cancelled in 1988 at #63 to make way for LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (V4), which was eventually joined by a companion title, LEGIONNAIRES. Version 1 of the Legion ended during Zero Hour, the last issues of each title being #61 and #18, respectively.

Version 2 of the Legion starts in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #0 and LEGIONNAIRES #0 with a new origin. LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES(V4) #62 to #125 and LEGIONNAIRES #19 to #81 continue the stories of the Legion after the reboot. The story then continued in LEGION LOST #1-#12 and LEGION WORLDS #1-#6, before continuing in THE LEGION #1-#38, the finale is a 2 part crossover appearing in TEEN TITANS #16 and TEEN TITANS/THE LEGION SPECIAL. They are scheduled to return inLEGION OF THREE WORLDS

Version 3 appears in a 7 page preview in the TEEN TITANS/THE LEGION SPECIAL and continued in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES(V5) #1-#50.

Version 4 had their existence revealed in ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #10. Karate Kid, disguised as Trident, appeared inJUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (V2) #1 and Starman appeared in JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (V3) #1. The Legion itself then appeared in the "Lightning Saga", running throughJUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (V2) #8-10 & JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (V3) #5-6. Karate Kid then went on to appear in COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS, with Una, one of Triplicate Girl's bodies, while Superman visited the 31st Century in ACTION COMICS #858-863. They then appeared, with the Reboot and Threeboot versions of the team in LEGION OF THREE WORLDS. They currently appear in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (V7) & LEGION LOST.

[Paul Newell]

5.Who are the members of the Legion?

The first version of the Legion began in ADVENTURE COMICS #247 and went to LOSH (V4) #61.
Up until Legion (V3) #63, the Legion had the following members:


· BLOK
Blok of Dryad. A silicon life form, Blok possesses great strength and invulnerability.

· BOUNCING BOY
Chuck Taine of Earth. Possesses the ability to inflate and bounce.

· BRAINIAC 5
Querl Dox of Colu. Possesses a 12th level intellect. He has a force field apparatus that permits him to generate an almost impenetrable force field.

· CHAMELEON BOY
Reep Daggle of Durla. Possesses the ability to change his shape at will.

· CHEMICAL KING
Condo Arlik of Phlon. Possesses the ability to speed up or slow down chemical reactions.

· COLOSSAL BOY
Gim Allon of Earth. Possesses the power to grow to tremendous heights.

· COSMIC BOY
Rokk Krinn of Braal. Possesses the ability to attract, repel, and otherwise affect metallic items.

· DAWNSTAR
Dawnstar of Starhaven. Possesses the ability to track anyone or anything through space.

· DREAM GIRL
Nura Nal of Naltor. Nura has the precognitive power to predict the future.

· ELEMENT LAD
Jan Arrah of Trom. Possesses the ability to transmute elements into others.

· FERRO LAD
Andrew Nolan of Earth. Possesses the ability to transform himself to iron. While in iron form, he has super-strength and invulnerability.

· INVISIBLE KID I
Lyle Norg of Earth. Invented a serum that permits him to turn his body invisible.

· INVISIBLE KID II
Jaques Foccart of Earth. Used Lyle Norgs serum that gives the ability to turn invisible.

· KARATE KID
Val Armorr of Earth. Has mastered all known forms of martial arts and weapon skills.

· LIGHTNING LAD
Garth Ranzz of Winath. Possesses the power to absorb, generate, and project lightning.

· LIGHTNING LASS/LIGHT LASS
Ayla Ranzz of Winath. Possesses the power to absorb, generate, and project lightning. For a time her power was changed to the ability to reduce mass, making people and objects light.

· MAGNETIC KID II
Pol Krinn of Braal. Possesses the ability to attract, repel, and otherwise affect metallic items.

· MATTER-EATER LAD
Tenzil Kem of Bismoll. Possesses the ability to eat matter in all forms.

· MON-EL
Lar Gand of 20th century Daxam. Gains Superman-like powers when exposed to a yellow sun.

· PHANTOM GIRL
Tinya Wazzo of Bgtzl. Possesses the ability to make herself intangible and phase through any solid object.

· POLAR BOY
Brek Bannin of Tharr. Possesses the ability to generate intense cold or ice.

· PRINCESS PROJECTRA/SENSOR GIRL
Projectra, Princess of Orando. Possesses the ability to create realistic illusions that affect all senses of an individual or group of individuals. She is able to perceive truths and objects beyond illusions and deception.

· QUISLET
Possesses the ability to inhabit and assume molecular control of inanimate objects. Quislet is an energy being from another dimension and inhabits a small trans-dimensional craft.

· SATURN GIRL
Imra Ardeen of Titan. Possesses a telepathic ability. She is able to scan and read sentient minds, communicate non-verbally with others, and can gain limited control of another's mind or actions.

· SHADOW LASS
Tasmia Mallor of Talok VIII. Can generate and control shadowy dark fields that are impregnable by any light source.

· SHRINKING VIOLET
Salu Digby of Imsk. Has the power to reduce to sub-atomic size.

· STAR BOY
Thom Kallor of Xanthu. Possesses the ability to increase the mass of other persons or objects.

· SUN BOY
Dirk Morgna of Earth. Possesses the ability to project solar energy.

· SUPERBOY
Kal-El of 20th Century Krypton. Possesses great strength, invulnerability, speed, vision powers and flight under a yellow sun.

· SUPERGIRL
Kara Zor-El of 20th Century Krypton. Possesses great strength, invulnerability, speed, vision powers and flight under a yellow sun.

· TELLUS
Ganglios of Hykraius. Possesses a telepathic ability and telekinetic powers.

· TIMBER WOLF
Brin Londo of Zoon. Has Amplified senses and reflexes and strength.

· TRIPLICATE GIRL/DUO DAMSEL
Luornu Durgo of Cargg. Possesses the ability to split into two separate bodies. Originally could split into three, but one body was killed.

· TYROC
Troy Stewart of Earth. Possesses the ability to alter reality with his sonic bursts.

· ULTRA BOY
Jo Nah of Rimbor. Has the powers of super-strength, invulnerability, flight, flash vision, penetra-vision, and ultra-speed but may use only one of these abilities at a time.

· WHITE WITCH
Mysa Nal of Naltor. Commands a variety of magical spells. Spells must be prepared in advance.

·WILDFIRE
Drake Burroughs of Earth. Wildfire is a being composed of Anti-Energy and needs to wear a containment suit to give form to his energy. He can fly and fire energy blasts.


Honorary members of the Legion included Insect Queen (Lana Lang), Elastic Lad (Jimmy Olsen), Pete Ross, (All Pre-Crisis), Kid Psycho and Rond Vidar.
Members who joined under false pretences were Biron the Bowman (Comet the Super-Horse), Blackout Boy, Blockade Boy (Proty II), Command Kid, Cosmic King, Dynamo Boy, Lightning Lord, Magnetic Kid I, Nemesis Kid, Saturn Queen and Size Kid

[Paul Newell]

Between LOSH V3 and LOSH V4, was the “Five Year Gap” and The Legion “disbanded”. Members that joined the Legion during the gap included:

·ATMOS
Marak Russen of Xanthu. Possesses the ability to manipulate nuclear energy, gifting him with strength, flight, invulnerability and nuclear bolts

·CALAMITY KING
E. Davis Ester of Touston. Possesses the ability create mishaps.

·CHLOROPHYLL KID
Ral Benem of Mardru. Possesses the ability to control plant growth.

·COLOR KID
Ulu Vakk of Lupra. Possesses the ability to change the color of objects.

·CRYSTAL KID
Bobb Kohan of Earth. Possesses the ability to form crystal.

·ECHO
Myke-4 Astor of Khundish Calish-Aetia. Possesses sonic powers.

·FIRE LAD
Staq Mavlen of Shwar. Possesses the ability to breathe fire.

·INFECTIOUS LASS
Drura Sehpt of Somahtur. Possesses the ability infect other beings with disease.

·IMPULSE
Richard Kent Shakespeare of Earth. Possesses great strength and invulnerability.

·KARATE KID II
Myg of Lythyll. Has mastered all known forms of martial arts and weapon skills.

·NIGHTWIND
Berta Syke Haris of Earth. Possesses the ability to control winds.

·PORCUPINE PETE
Peter Dursin of Earth. Possesses the ability to grow and fire quills.

·REFLECTO
Stig Ah of Rimbor. Possesses the ability repel any attack or object.

·STONE BOY
Dag Wentim of Zwen. Possesses the ability to turn to stone.

·STORM BOY
Myke Chypurz of Earth. Can create storms using a mini weather controller.

·VISI-LAD
Rhent Ustin of Earth. Born with four eyes that gift him with various visual powers.


The Legion that reformed in V4 would last until Zero Hour and included Reep Daggle (Chameleon Boy), Rokk Krinn (Cosmic Boy), Jo Nah(Ultra Boy), Furball/Timber Wolf (Brin Londo), Mysa Nal (White Witch), Brainiac 5, Bounty (Dawnstar), Jan Arrah (Element Lad), Ayla Ranzz (Lightning Lass), Salu Digby/Vi (Shrinking Violet), Kent Shakespeare(Impulse), Jaques Foccart (Invisible Kid II), Drura Sehpt (Infectious Lass) and the following new members:

·CELESTE ROCKFISH
Celeste McCauley of Earth. Infused with a mysterious green energy which she could manipulate.

·DEVLIN O’RYAN
Of Earth. Possesses the ability repel any attack or object.

·KONO
Britta An’nan Of Sklar. Possesses the ability to shift mass between objects and people.

·SUSSA PAKA (SPIDER GIRL)
Of Earth. Possesses the ability to manipulate her prehensile hair.

Plus, four cybernetically enhanced khundish members were admitted for one mission, Bloodclaw, Firefist, Flederweb and Veilmist.

Also a second, younger Legion appeared. These members either disappeared or merged with their adult counterparts during Zero Hour. Members included:

· ANDROMEDA (Laurel Gand)
· APPARITION (Phantom Girl)
· ALCHEMIST (Element Lad)
· BRAINIAC 5
· CHAMELEON (Adult Reep Daggle)
· COSMIC BOY
· FERRO (Ferro Lad)
· GOSSAMER (Light Lass)
· INFERNO (Sun Boy)
· INVISIBLE KID
· LEVIATHAN (Colossal Boy)
· LIVE WIRE (Lightning Lad)
· MATTER-EATER LAD
· SATURN GIRL
· SHRINKING VIOLET
· TRIAD (Triplicate Girl)
· ULTRA BOY

· CATSPAW
April Dumaka of Earth. Possesses cat-like abilities.

· COMPUTO
Danielle Foccart of Earth. Possesses the ability to communicate with machines.

· DRAGONMAGE
Xao Jin of Earth. Possesses mystical abilities that appear as dragon-like holograms.

· KID QUANTUM
James Cullen of Xanthu. Possesses the power to generate fields known as stasis fields that caused everyone within the field to cease movement.

[Paul Newell]

The second version of the Legion, from LOSH V4 #0 to TT/The Legion Special, had the following members:

· APPARITION
Tinya Wazzo of Bgtzl. Possesses the ability to make herself intangible and phase through any solid object.

· BRAINIAC 5
Querl Dox of Colu. Possesses a 12th level intellect. He has a force field apparatus that permits him to generate an almost impenetrable force field.

· CHAMELEON
Reep Daggle of Durla. Possesses the ability to change his shape at will.

· COSMIC BOY
Rokk Krinn of Braal. Possesses the ability to attract, repel, and otherwise affect metallic items.

· DREAMER
Nura Nal of Naltor. Nura has the precognitive power to predict the future.

· ELEMENT LAD
Jan Arrah of Trom. Possesses the ability to transmute elements into others.

· FERRO
Andrew Nolan of 20th century Earth. Possesses the ability to transform himself to iron. While in iron form, he has super-strength and invulnerability.

· GATES
Ti'Julk Mr'Asz of Vyrga. Possesses the power to create teleportation disks that can transport itself or others a distance of up to 200 meters.

· GEAR
I.Z.O.R. of Linsnar. Gear is a biomechanical techno-Morph with the ability to generate technological gadgets from his own body.

· INVISIBLE KID
Lyle Norg of Earth. Invented a serum that permits him to turn any portion of his body (or all of it) invisible. He can also turn others invisible, but it requires effort.

· KARATE KID
Val Armorr of the Omega Colony. Has mastered a number of martial arts and weapon skills.

· KID QUANTUM
James Cullen of Xanthu. Possesses the power to generate fields known as stasis fields that caused everyone within the field to cease movement. Kid Quantum used a Stasis Belt to augment his natural powers.

· KID QUANTUM II
Jazmin Cullen of Xanthu. Has the ability to generate fields known as stasis fields that have a variety of effects including the stopping motion within the field. Does not rely on a Stasis Belt.

· KINETIX
Zoe Saugin of Aleph. Kinetix possessed psychokinetic powers which enable her to manipulate matter on a molecular level. Zoe has currently evolved, powers unknown.

· LEVIATHAN
Gim Allon of Mars. Possesses the power to grow to tremendous heights.

· LIVE WIRE
Garth Ranzz of Winath. Possesses the power to absorb, generate, and project lightning.

· MAGNO
Dyrk Magz of Braal. Possessed the ability to attract, repel, and manipulate metallic objects.

· M'ONEL
Lar Gand of 20th century Daxam. Gains Superman-like powers when exposed to a yellow sun. In the 20th Century, M'Onel was known by the code name Valor.

· MONSTRESS
Candi "Princess" Pyponte-Le Parc III of Xanthu, now deceased. Monstress had super-human strength and invulnerability which intensified during rushes of adrenaline.

· SATURN GIRL
Imra Ardeen of Titan. Possesses a telepathic ability. She is able to scan and read sentient minds, communicate non-verbally with others, and can gain limited control of another's mind or actions.

· SENSOR
Jeka Wynzorr, Princess of Orando. Possesses the ability to control others' perceptions thereby creating realistic illusions that affect all senses of an individual or group of individuals. She is able to "read" others by scanning their perceptions.

· SHIKARI
Shikari of the Kwai Galaxy. Possesses the special gifts of flight and pathfinding. Also grows an armoured "warskin" for protection.

· SISTER ANDROMEDA
Laurel Gand of Daxam. Gains Superman-like powers when exposed to the rays of a yellow sun.

· SPARK
Ayla Ranzz of Winath. Possesses the ability to absorb, generate, and project lightning.

· STAR BOY
Thom Kallor of Xanthu. Possesses the ability to increase the mass of other persons or objects.

· SUPERBOY
Kon-El of 20th Century Earth. Possesses tactile telekinetic powers that enable him to manipulate anything he touches, though gradually developed more “Super” powers.

· THUNDER
Cecebeck of 90th Century Binderaan. When Thunder says the phrase "Captain Marvel," she is struck by a magical thunderbolt and she gains the powers bequeathed to her by an old wizard.

· TIMBER WOLF
Brin Londo of Zoon (?). Has Amplified senses and reflexes and strength.

· TRIAD
Luornu Durgo of Cargg. Possesses the ability to split into three separate bodies, each with its own personality.

· ULTRA BOY
Jo Nah of Rimbor. Has the powers of super-strength, invulnerability, flight, flash vision, penetra-vision, and ultra-speed but may use only one of these abilities at a time.

· UMBRA
Tasmia Mallor of Talok VIII. Umbra can generate and control shadowy darkfields that are impregnable by any light source.

· VIOLET
Salu Digby of Imsk. Has the power to reduce to sub-atomic size. In addition, she gained the power to grow to tremendous heights.

·WILDFIRE
Drake Burroughs of Earth and Xanthu. Wildfire is a being composed of Anti-Energy and needs to wear a containment suit to give form to his energy. He can fly and fire energy blasts.

· XS
Jenni Ognats of Aarok. Possesses super-speed abilities.


Chuck Taine, the Legion's chief engineer, was the only honorary member.

[Paul Newell]

The third version of the Legion, from TT/The Legion Special onwards, has the following members (Core team as anyone who subscribes to the Legion's philosophy is considered a Legionnaire):

· ATOM GIRL/SHRINKING VIOLET
Salu Digby of Imsk. Has the power to reduce to sub-atomic size.

· BRAINIAC 5
Querl Dox of Colu. Possesses a 12th level intellect (as opposed to the 6th level intelligence of the rest of us).

· CHAMELEON
"Reep Daggle" of Durla. Possesses the ability to change his/her shape at will.

· COSMIC BOY
Rokk Krinn of Braal. Possesses the ability to attract, repel, and otherwise affect metallic items.

· DREAM GIRL
Nura Nal of Naltor. Nura has the precognitive power to predict the future. *DECEASED*

· DREAM BOY
Rol Purtha of Naltor. Rol has the precognitive power to predict the future.

· ELEMENT LAD
Jan Arrah of Trom. Possesses the ability to transmute elements into others by touch. The transformations only last for a minute.

· INVISIBLE KID
Lyle Norg of Earth. Invented a serum that permits him to turn his body invisible along all spectrums.

· KARATE KID
Val Armorr of Earth. Has mastered all known forms of martial arts.

· LIGHT LASS
Ayla Ranzz of Winath. Possesses the power to reduce mass, making people and objects light.

· LIGHTNING LAD
Garth Ranzz of Winath. Possesses the power to absorb, generate, and project lightning.

· MICRO LAD/COLOSSAL BOY
Of Earth. Member of a race of giants, he possesses the power to shrink to a height of six feet.

· PHANTOM GIRL
Tinya Wazzo of Bgztl. Possesses the ability phase between her home dimension and Earth's. When she solidifies in one dimension, she becomes intangible in the other.

· PRINCESS PROJECTRA
Wilimena Morgana Daergina Annaxandra Projectra Velorya Vauxhaull of Orando. Sorceress with the ability to cast illusions that affect even electronic devices.

· SATURN GIRL
Imra Ardeen of Titan. Possesses a telepathic ability. She is able to scan and read sentient minds and can gain limited control of another's mind or actions. She communicate non-verbally with others.

· SHADOW LASS
Tasmia Mallor of Talok VIII. Can generate fields of darkness.

· STAR BOY
Thom Kallor of Xanthu. Possesses the ability to increase the mass of other persons or objects.

· SUN BOY
Dirk Morgna of Earth. Possesses the ability to project solar energy.

· SUPERGIRL
Kara Zor-El of 20th Century Krypton. Possesses great strength, invulnerability, speed, vision powers and flight under a yellow sun.

· TIMBER WOLF
Brin Londo of Zuun. Has amplified senses and reflexes and strength.

· TRIPLICATE GIRL
Unknown of Cargg. Possesses the ability to split into three bodies. When recombined their memories are shared permanently.
The "original" body could triplicate many times to an unknown amount. Only three bodies joined the Legion.

· ULTRA BOY
Jo Nah of Rimbor. Has the powers of super-strength, invulnerability, flight, flash vision, penetra-vision, and ultra-speed but may use only one of these abilities at a time.

· GAZELLE
Giselle Smith of Triton. Has complete control of her metabolism. She can speed or slow the normal abilities of her body to the extreme.

They also had a business manager, M'Rissey and 3 reserve members, Night Girl, Sizzle & Turtle.

[Paul Newell]

The fourth version of the Legion first appeared in the LIGHTNING SAGA and has had the following members:


• BLACK WITCH
Mysa Nal of Naltor. Commands a variety of magical spells.

• BLOK
Blok of Dryad. A silicon life form, Blok possesses great strength and invulnerability.

• BOUNCING BOY
Chuck Taine of Earth. Possesses the ability to inflate and bounce.

• BRAINIAC 5
Querl Dox of Colu. Possesses a 12th level intellect. He has a force field apparatus that permits him to generate an almost impenetrable force field.

• CHAMELEON BOY
Reep Daggle of Durla. Possesses the ability to change his shape at will.

• CHAMELEON GIRL
Yera Allon of Durla. Possesses the ability to change his shape at will.

• CHEMICAL KID
Hadru Jamik of Phlon. Possesses the ability to speed up or slow down chemical reactions.

• CHEMICAL KING
Condo Arlik of Phlon. Possesses the ability to speed up or slow down chemical reactions.

• COLOSSAL BOY
Gim Allon of Earth. Possesses the power to grow to tremendous heights.

• COMET QUEEN
Condo Arlik of Extal Colony. Possesses space flight andthe ability to create comet gas.

• COSMIC BOY
Rokk Krinn of Braal. Possesses the ability to attract, repel, and otherwise affect metallic items.

• DAWNSTAR
Dawnstar of Starhaven. Possesses the ability to track anyone or anything through space.

• DRAGONWING
Marya Pai of Earth. Possesses fire-breath and acid venom.

• DREAM GIRL
Nura Nal of Naltor. Nura has the precognitive power to predict the future.

• EARTH MAN
Kirt Niedrigh of Earth. Possesses the ability absorb super-powers from others.

• ELEMENT LAD
Jan Arrah of Trom. Possesses the ability to transmute elements into others.

• FERRO LAD
Andrew Nolan of Earth. Possesses the ability to transform himself to iron. While in iron form, he has super-strength and invulnerability.

• GATES
Ti'Julk Mr'Asz of Vyrga. Possesses the power to create teleportation disks that can transport itself or others a distance of up to 200 meters.

• GLORITH II
Unknown. Commands a variety of magical spells.

• HARMONIA
Harmonia Li of Earth. Commands a elemental forces.

• INVISIBLE KID I
Lyle Norg of Earth. Invented a serum that permits him to turn his body invisible.

• INVISIBLE KID II
Jaques Foccart of Earth. Used Lyle Norgs serum that gives the ability to turn invisible.

• KARATE KID I
Val Armorr of Earth. Has mastered all known forms of martial arts and weapon skills.

• KARATE KID II
Myg of Lythyll. Has mastered all known forms of martial arts and weapon skills.

• LIGHTNING LAD
Garth Ranzz of Winath. Possesses the power to absorb, generate, and project lightning.

• LIGHTNING LASS/LIGHT LASS
Ayla Ranzz of Winath. Possesses the power to absorb, generate, and project lightning. For a time her power was changed to the ability to reduce mass, making people and objects light.

• MAGNETIC KID II
Pol Krinn of Braal. Possesses the ability to attract, repel, and otherwise affect metallic items.

[Paul Newell]

• MATTER-EATER LAD
Tenzil Kem of Bismoll. Possesses the ability to eat matter in all forms.

• MON-EL
Lar Gand of 20th century Daxam. Gains Superman-like powers when exposed to a yellow sun.

•NIGHT GIRL
Lydda Jath of Kathoon. Becomes super-strong when not in contact with bright light..

• PHANTOM GIRL
Tinya Wazzo of Bgtzl. Possesses the ability to make herself intangible and phase through any solid object.

• POLAR BOY
Brek Bannin of Tharr. Possesses the ability to generate intense cold or ice.

• PRINCESS PROJECTRA/SENSOR GIRL
Projectra, Princess of Orando. Possesses the ability to create realistic illusions that affect all senses of an individual or group of individuals. She is able to perceive truths and objects beyond illusions and deception.

• QUISLET
Possesses the ability to inhabit and assume molecular control of inanimate objects. Quislet is an energy being from another dimension and inhabits a small trans-dimensional craft.

• SATURN GIRL
Imra Ardeen of Titan. Possesses a telepathic ability. She is able to scan and read sentient minds, communicate non-verbally with others, and can gain limited control of another's mind or actions.

• SHADOW LASS
Tasmia Mallor of Talok VIII. Can generate and control shadowy dark fields that are impregnable by any light source.

• SHRINKING VIOLET
Salu Digby of Imsk. Has the power to reduce to sub-atomic size.

• STAR BOY
Thom Kallor of Xanthu. Possesses the ability to increase the mass of other persons or objects.

• SUN BOY
Dirk Morgna of Earth. Possesses the ability to project solar energy.

• SUPERBOY
Kal-El of 20th Century Krypton. Possesses great strength, invulnerability, speed, vision powers and flight under a yellow sun.

• TELLUS
Ganglios of Hykraius. Possesses a telepathic ability and telekinetic powers.

• TIMBER WOLF
Brin Londo of Zoon. Has Amplified senses and reflexes and strength.

• TRIPLICATE GIRL/DUO DAMSEL/DUPLICATE DAMSEL
Luornu Durgo of Cargg. Possesses the ability to split into two separate bodies. Originally could split into three, but one body was killed.

• TYROC
Troy Stewart of Earth. Possesses the ability to alter reality with his sonic bursts.

• ULTRA BOY
Jo Nah of Rimbor. Has the powers of super-strength, invulnerability, flight, flash vision, penetra-vision, and ultra-speed but may use only one of these abilities at a time.

• XS
Jenni Ognats of Aarok. Possesses super-speed abilities.

• WHITE WITCH/BLACK WITCH
Mysa Nal of Naltor. Commands a variety of magical spells.

•WILDFIRE
Drake Burroughs of Earth. Wildfire is a being composed of Anti-Energy and needs to wear a containment suit to give form to his energy. He can fly and fire energy blasts.

Honorary members of the Legion included Kid Psycho and Rond Vidar.
Members who joined under false pretences were Blackout Boy, Command Kid, Dynamo Boy, Magnetic Kid I, Nemesis Kid and Size Kid

[Paul Newell]

6. What the heck do some of the terms that Legion fans use mean?

Some common terms used about the Legion:

THE ADVENTURE LEGION- Term used to describe the Silver Age Legion appearing in Adventure Comics.

ADULT LEGION- The Legion, in their early days, occasionally fought an adult Legion of Super-Villains, supposedly from their own future. This future was revealed briefly in Action Comics #289 when Superman visited the Adult Legion. But when the term is used it generally refers to Jim Shooter’s 2 part story in Adventure Comics #354 and #355. This story foreshadowed much of the Legions future, who would marry, who would die, etc. Many of this foreshadowing was used over the years until LOSH (V3) #300. Shadow Lass, or Shadow Woman as she became in that issue, was fated to die defending the Science Asteroid. Instead, she survived when the Khunds attacked the Asteroid. Any anomaly was explained away by alternate realities of the Legion, which Ferro Lads brother, Douglas viewed throughout the issue, eventually escaping to one.

THE DISCO LEGION- Name given by many fans to the Legion period appearing during the 70's. The term is a humorous reference to the skimpy redesigned outfits given to the Legion members by Dave Cockrum and Mike Grell.

PRE-CRISIS/POST-CRISIS- The Crisis divide happened between issues #18 and #19 of Legion of Super-Heroes (V3), though it would take a few issues to eradicate Supergirl from history. This would be the only major effect.

At the time.

POCKET UNIVERSE- The Superman Revamp by John Byrne revealed that Clark Kent was never Superboy, the keystone of Legion Lore. So it was revealed in the Cosmic Boy mini-series, which tied into the Legends mini somewhat, that history had been changed. Cosmic Boy finds that it has something to do with the Time Trapper and warns the Legion in Legion of Super-Heroes(V3) #36. In issues #37 and #38, it’s revealed that during the Crisis, The Trapper “trapped” a pocket of time from the Pre-Crisis Universe. One containing an Earth with Superboy living in Smallville. Whenever The Legion had traveled back in time before Cosmic Boys sojourn, they were in fact entering this “Pocket Universe” rather than the actual 20th Century. The whole thing was a trap that would collapse this “Universe” and killing the Legion. Superboy, who died as a result, saved the Legion, however. This way, Superboy was shown to have always been a member of the Legion, as well as the Pocket Universe counterparts of Lana Lang, Pete Ross and Jimmy Olsen.

5 YEAR GAP/THE GAP/V4- When Keith Giffen took over as writer of the Legion after Paul Levitz had “retired”. He decided he wanted to take the Legion in a new direction and leave Levitz’s Legion as is. So V3 was cancelled and a new volume of Legion of Super-Heroes started at #1. The first page was one panel saying “FIVE YEARS LATER”. And the story continued showing that the Legion had disbanded in that time. Generally the stories in the time between #1 and Zero Hour and the events that happened off panel between the two series, are referred to by the above expressions.

MORDRUVERSE/GLORITHVERSE - When V4 of the Legion started, a edict came from the Superman office that all ties to the Superman mythos should be ended. To accommodate this, A story was written in issues #4 and #5 where Mon-El, Lar Gand, fights the Time Trapper and wipes him from existence as well as the Pocket Universe. It’s revealed that the Trapper was a counterpoint to the rise of Mordru, one of the Legions greatest foes. Because the Trapper and his Superboy, the inspiration of the Legion, ceased to exist, The Legion never came to be and Mordru ruled all. This alternate reality is the "Mordruverse". With the help of some “Legion members”, Glorith, a minor flunky of the Trapper from an early story, replaced the Trapper in the timestream. The Universe was restored, but now the inspiration of the Legion was Lar Gand, renamed Valor. Later, Mike Carlin, then editor of the Superman titles, realised that this now invalidated the new Supergirl’s origin and the Pocket Universes existence was hastily replaced in LOSH V4 #14 & Adventures of Superman #478. Though now Superboy had only met and became a member of the Legion a few weeks before the Pocket Universe Saga. The Timeline was still changed with Glorith being the Time Trapper throughout the Legions history. This reality is the "Glorithverse".

TMK- Abbreviation used for the initial V4 creative team. Tom & Mary Bierbaum, Keith Giffen.

SW6 LEGION- In issue #21 of V4 some mysterious new characters appeared. They would eventually be revealed in Issue #24 as youthful counterparts of the now Adult Legion. At first thought to be Dominator clones of the Legion, taken from their “Adventure Comic” days, they eventually split off into their own title, “Legionnaires”. When first discovered, the Dominators, who had been mind-wiping groups of super humans to build an army, had categorized them as Batch SW6.

END OF AN ERA- Six issue tie in to Zero Hour tying up the loose ends of the “original” Legion and wiping them from existence in preparation for the Reboot.

The story appeared in Legion of Super-Heroes (V4) #60-#61, Valor #22-#23 and Legionnaires #17-#18.

REBOOT/PRE-BOOT/POST-BOOT- With Legion of Super-Heroes (V4) #0 and Legionnaires #0 the timeline rebooted from the start with these issues showing the formation of the Legion. The stories before are referred to as the PRE-BOOT Legion, those from the zero issues onwards as the POST-BOOT Legion.

ARCHIE LEGION- Name some fans give to the Post-Boot Legion, due to the more "cartoony" artwork that was used at the time.

DnA LEGION- Abbreviation standing for Dan and Andy, when talking about the writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning run.

THREEBOOT- Term describing the second Legion reboot as created by Waid/Kitson.

RETROBOOT LEGION- Term describing the new version of the Pre-Crisis Legion written by Geoff Johns and Paul Levitz.

[Paul Newell]

7. Tell me more about the Legion's publishing history.


The Legion of Super-Heroes first appeared in a Superboy story in Adventure Comics #247, written by Otto Binder and Al Plastino. Originally the story was just meant to be a one shot, but it was so well received that the team earned a return, though that would not happen for another twenty issues, in Adventure Comics #267. They would then make guest appearances across the range of Superman titles for the next four years, most stories written by Jerry Siegel. Eventually the team earned a regular “Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes” slot in Adventure Comics from #300 onwards. The first few stories were also by Siegel, then Edmund Hamilton, art was by John Forte, occasionally helped by Jim Mooney and George Papp. Within a year their adventures became book length and the run would last 80 issues. Forte died in 1965 and was replaced by Curt Swan on art. Then, in Issue #346, Jim Shooter, who was only 13 years old at the time, joined him as the regular writer. In 1969, the editor of the Superman range, Mort Weisinger was about to retire and didn’t wish to increase his workload. The powers that be wanted to give Supergirl her own title and, as a compromise, switched Supergirl, who was only appearing as a 10 page back up feature in Action Comics, with the Legion. They appeared for sixteen issues, still written by Shooter, with art by Win Mortimer, who had replaced Swan. Shooter then left comics, as he was no longer making enough money writing. E. Nelson Bridwell and another newcomer, Cary Bates, replaced him, but the series quietly died away due to the truncated format.

Or so DC thought.

In the March 1971 issue of Superboy, #172, The Legion appeared in a back up story. More irregular appearances followed, written by Bates and Bridwell with art by George Tuska, and then Dave Cockrum. A four issue reprint series, Legion of Super-Heroes(V1) was tried. Legion Fandom coalesced and helped the back up to become the main feature. With Superboy #197 The Legion, by Bates and Cockrum, shared stories and equal billing with Superboy, though the change wouldn’t be reflected in the indices until Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #231. The title gained great popularity thanks to various creators such as a returned Jim Shooter, Mike Grell, Paul Levitz, Jim Starlin, Jim Sherman, Gerry Conway and Joe Staton. In issue #259 the title was changed to just Legion of Super-Heroes(V2). The title continued along, written and drawn by Conway, Staton, Jimmy Janes, Roy Thomas, Pat Broderick, Keith Giffen and a returned Paul Levitz, but it wasn't until Issue #290 and the start of the ‘Great Darkness Saga”, by Giffen and Levitz, that the Legion became one of DC’s biggest sellers.

Big enough so that, in 1984, the Legion, as well as New Teen Titans, was picked to become a Direct Only Baxter Series, by Levitz and Giffen. (V2) #311 became Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes, which would still be sold on newsstands and have original stories for the first twelve issues by Levitz, Mindy Newell, Terry Shoemaker and Dan Jurgens. It then start reprinting the stories first published in Legion of Super-Heroes(V3) from #326 onwards. V3 would continue for 63 issues with art by Giffen, Steve Lightle and Greg Laroque and Giffen again, after which, Paul Levitz decided to retire as writer. Keith Giffen, with the help of Tom and Mary Bierbaum, would take over.
Giffen wanted a clean break from Levitz’s stories so a new series started, Legion of Super-Heroes(V4) with the words “Five Years Later” and the Legion were now in their mid-Thirties. Giffen drew the first 24 issues and then handed the art chores over to Jason Pearson. After 38 issues, the Bierbaums were writing solo and art was handled by Stuart Immomen. The series was joined in April 93 by a sister title called Legionnaires, written by the Bierbaums, with art by Chris Sprouse, Adam Hughes and Chris Gardner, which starred younger versions of the Legion. By this time Tom McCraw was co writing the parent title, before becoming the solo writer from #51 onwards. Eventually, it was decided that the Legion had become too confusing and top heavy with continuity. The title would be revamped as part of DC’s 94 event, Zero Hour. In End of an Era the Legion was wiped from existence and rebooted in two zero issues of the regular titles, with Mark Waid writing Legionnaires and co writing V4 with McCraw.

The team started from scratch and the two titles, continued written and drawn by McCraw, Waid, Tom Peyer, Lee Moder, Jeffrey and Philip Moy, Roger Stern, Jason Armstrong and Scott Kolins until both titles were cancelled after the creative team of Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Olivier Coipel took over.

At the end of both series some members were thrown through a rift and were believed dead by the rest of the team. Their adventures appeared in the 12 issue mini-series, Legion Lost, illustrated by Coipel. After that appeared a 6 issue mini series, Legion Worlds, showing that the Legion had been disbanded and catching up with the various other members. The mini series was drawn by various creators, then the “lost” members eventually returned to Earth in a new series, The Legion, which lasted 38 issues and was written and drawn by Abnett, Lanning, Coipel, Kev Walker, Chris Batista, Steve Lightle, Gail Simone and Dan Jurgens, but due to sales was cancelled after 38 issues and restarted as Legion of Super-Heroes(V5), with the creative team of Mark Waid & Barry Kitson. After 30 issues they left, replaced, for a short stint, by Tony Bedard & Dennis Calero. With Issue #37, Jim Shooter has taken over as regular writer, art by Francis Manapul.

Meanwhile, in ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #10, a posterof Superman's Fortress of Solitude revealed a display of statues in his "trophy room".Statues of the original, Pre-Crisis Legion of Super-Heroes.A Starman appeared in JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (V3) #1, a madman who appeared to have knowledge of the original Star Boy. In issue #4 he was revealed to be the "original" Thom Kallor, from the future via the earth of shown in the KINGDOM COME mini-series. Over in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (V2) #1, a reformed Justice League were battling a group of villains, mind controlled by Solomon Grundy. One of the captured villains, Trident, was revealed, in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (V2) #7, to be Val Armorr, Karate Kid. But not the same Karate Kid as in the latest Legion title, but the "original". These storylines then lead into the "Lightning Saga" crossover in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (V2) #8-10 & JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (V3) #5-6, which revealed that Superman had been a member of the Legion as a boy. A Legion similar to, but not the same as, the Pre-Crisis Legion.After the events in the Lightning Saga, Karate Kid went on to appear in COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS, with Una, one of Triplicate Girl's bodies & Starman remained with the JSA. Superman then visited the 31st Century, reuniting with "his" Legion in ACTION COMICS #858-863.

The two current versions of the Legion, plus the Post-Boot Legion teamed up in FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS which lead into the "Original" Legion appearing in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (V6) & ADVENTURE COMICS.

[Paul Newell]

8. I'm interested in knowing a little more about the characters and their history, is there any good reference I can check out?


Preboot there's some handy back issues you can track down. Pre-Crisis there is an issue of "The Amazing World of DC Comics", #9 in fact which gives you comprehensive information about the Legion up to the beginning of Mike Grell's run in the 70's. Though this issue is expensive and very hard to find.

Mayfair Games brought out 3 Volumes based on The Legion for the DC role-playing game. They're actually quite good for Legion info as Paul Levitz wrote the first volume and consulted on the second. The third covered V4 and was written by Tom and Mary Bierbaum and is packed full of info that never made it into the comic and includes a timeline of the "The Gap". Unfortunately they are out of print but the occasional second hand edition surfaces at Amazon.

Post-Crisis, there is an excellent 7 issue series of "Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes", which was released for the 30th anniversary of the Legion. The only quibble with it is that some information is erroneous when explaining away inconsistencies in characters histories, thanks to Crisis.

Post-Boot, it's worth tracking down the three "Secret Files & Origins" DC released.

For online help there's an excellent Legion Help File you can download, written by Chaim Kellar, that covers everything up to the Legion Lost mini series.

Also Michael Kooiman's Legion Chronology is also great.

And for all your Legion online needs, pretty much every link to a Legion site can be found at the Legion of Super-Links

[sikkbones]

a hypertime anomoly?

or is the current legion like the old legion and just another possible future?

[Paul Newell]

Possibly Hypertime.

The future, by this time, has been shown to be incredibly fluid. But, at this time, we have no way of knowing.

[Crash-Man]

What's with the names?

Are they supposed to reflect a sort of future retro aesthetic?

[twilight]

I'm interested in reading some Legion stories,whats a good starting point?

Any good reprints I should check out?

[Paul Newell]

There are 12 volumes of the Legion Archives which collects all the Silver Age stories, as well as the Dave Cockrum and Mike Grell runs.

The only TPB's are:

Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga
Legion of Super-Heroes: The Beginning of Tomorrow
The Legion: Foundations
Legion of Super-Heroes: Teenage Revolution

I found back issues were relatively inexpensive, apart from one or two of them. A lot of reprints appeared in Adventure Comics and Blue Ribbon Digests which are, surprisingly, more expensive than the real thing. :)