LSH(5) #15

(SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers. Don't read it before you've read the comic.)

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (v. 5) #15 (4/06)
(L 2006-4)
"Ancient Times"
ROLL CALL: Blok, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Dawnstar, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Karate Kid, Quislet, Saturn Girl, Sensor Girl, Tyroc, White Witch, Wildfire

This issue features three out-of-continuity stories, along with a framing sequence set among the teenagers of the 31st century.

The structure of this issue recalls LSH(2) #300 (6/1983), “The Future is Forever.” In that comic, Ferro Lad’s brother had a number of visions set in alternate universes, showing alternate versions of the Legion. The visions were presented in the style of past Legion comics. Most of Douglas Nolan’s visions involved the end of the Legion.

In this issue, teenagers who witness the supposed end of the Leigon tell stories set in various past eras, showing previous versions of the Legion (including many faces we haven’t seen for a long time). The tales all involve the Legion saving the day when adults failed.

Quislet’s parting wish reminds us that all of this is out of continuity, and that (presumably) the Infinite Crisis will have its effect even on the Legion. But we’re used to that by now....

BITS OF LEGIONNAIRE BUSINESS:

The first story involves Bouncing Boy, Duo Damsel, and Element Lad in a crossover with the Green Lanterns and Flashes of the JLA and JSA. There has been one previous Legion/JLA/JSA crossover: JLA #147-148 (10-11/1977), “Crisis in the 30th Century/Crisis in Triplicate”). The current story doesn’t seem to have any connection to this crossover. Based on Duo Damsel’s costume and her relationship with Bouncing Boy, this tale would be set somewhere between ACTION #380 (9/1969) and SUPERBOY #193 (2/1973).

The second story features Dawnstar, Karate Kid, Saturn Girl, Tyroc, and Wildfire and is set during the Earthwar series: SUPERBOY & LSH #241-245 (7-11/1978). The panel with Wildfire pounding the desk duplicates one in the earlier series.

The third story shows Blok, Quislet, Sensor Girl, and the White Witch stepping into the Crisis on Infinite Earths to destroy the Anit-Monitor’s machine and save Barry Allen. The Legionnaires could have stepped out of any issue during the Crisis.

Finally, when Dav Huntr throws back his hood, he reveals a face that strongly resembles Superboy.

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LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (v. 5) #15 (4/06)
(L 2006-4a)
(Untitled)

ROLL CALL: Atom Girl, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Colossal Boy, Element Lad, Invisible Kid, Karate Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Lone Wolf, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Star Boy, Triplicate Girl, Ultra Boy

The lettercol just keeps getting more bizarre, more out-of-continuity, and funnier. And Cham finally gets Trip.

BITS OF LEGIONNAIRE BUSINESS:

This guide to the LSH has several similarities to “The Origin and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes,” a feature that appeared in different comics between 1961 and 1968. (The entire feature is complete in LEGION ARCHIVES volume 5.)

First and most striking, the panel of Ultra Boy using his heat vision to melt what appears to be a futuristic cannon: this panel is almost an exact duplicate of the Ultra Boy panel in “The Origin and Powers of the LSH.”

Second, Light Lass is shown levitating a tree in both features.

And third, in “The Origin and Powers of the LSH,” Cosmic Boy is shown using his powers to keep two futuristic vehicles from colliding. In the present-day feature, Cos uses his powers to keep a futristic vehicle from colliding with Trip.

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