The Most Underrated Superhero Team in DC Deserves Better

In simpler terms, the Legion of Super-Heroes embodies DC Comics’ hopeful vision of the future, even though challenges and inequality persist. Despite these difficulties, the Legion radiates endless optimism, suggesting that things can always improve. This message feels particularly relevant today, yet for unclear reasons, DC tends to overlook the team.

Recently, there have been efforts to share the Legion’s story with a broader audience through the animated movie “Supergirl and The Legion of Super-Heroes,” as well as discussions with Brian Michael Bendis about a potential full series reboot. However, these attempts haven’t proven successful, and the Legion remains in limbo within the comic books for quite some time now.

It’s exciting to note that writer Joshua Williamson has been gradually unveiling a darker version of the Legion of Super-Heroes within the All-In Initiative. This new group works under Darkseid, and there’s anticipation for the original team, which is known for its classic status, to emerge from the ashes of All-In. However, one may wonder what events led to the Legion losing ground in the DC Universe. Could it be possible for the team to regain its prominent position in the spotlight?

Why The Legion Deserves Your Attention

In a future century, we find the eclectic group of teen superheroes known as the Legion of Super-Heroes. Initially appearing alongside Superboy, young Clark Kent’s incarnation as a teenage superhero, they quickly stepped into the spotlight with their own comic series, amassing an extensive roster in the DC Universe. Some beloved characters within this team include Saturn Girl and Brainiac 5, along with more eccentric figures from the DC library such as Matter-Eater Lad and Bounce Boy. While Matter-Eater Lad’s peculiarities have become iconic among DC fans, it is characters like Bounce Boy that contribute to the team’s reputation as the oddballs. Despite their quirks potentially being off-putting for some readers, they serve to define the group uniquely. The Legion’s timeless tales, though reminiscent of Silver Age humor, continue to captivate and entertain fans.

The Legion comics, particularly when they delve into serious storylines, are some of the most gripping superhero comics available. One notable instance is “The Great Darkness Saga,” an epic Legion narrative heavily featuring Darkseid, which continues to impact the DC Universe. Another significant work is the original early 2000s “Legion Lost” mini-series, known for its in-depth character-driven storylines within the franchise. “Legion of 3 Worlds,” a violent and action-packed mini-series, reconciles various reboots, offering a meta-contextual interpretation of the Legion.

Despite their darker narratives, the Legion of Super-Heroes often embodies the best of humanity. However, not everything works perfectly, and their status as the unique DC heroes sometimes serves as a challenge they must bear. Nevertheless, the Legion remains an essential element in the DC Universe. Although they may seem odd with their outdated retro-futuristic aesthetics, it’s precisely these quirks that make fans adore them so much.

Where Can DC Take The Legion of Superheroes?

DC Comics has made numerous attempts to rework the Legion due to apparent discomfort with its more outlandish elements, giving the impression that the company feels intimidated by these aspects. Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the need arose to reboot the team as Superman’s past as Superboy was removed from history, and most Legion storylines were centered around those iconic Superboy tales. Over time, DC attempted to resolve conflicting lore by introducing a pocket universe and a five-year time leap. In 1994, the franchise was rebooted with Zero Hour. The initial reboot did not resonate well with fans, necessitating another reboot in 2004. Writer Geoff Johns endeavored to revitalize the Legion through his work on Justice Society and later in the Legion of 3 Worlds mini-series. However, even the New 52 reboot failed to boost the team’s popularity, causing them to be put on hold for several years.

Despite hints from multiple DC writers and editors about more Legion stories in various comics, it was acclaimed Marvel writer Brian Michael Bendis who gained control over the Legion. Bendis significantly altered the Legion’s appearance, introducing a greater degree of diversity within the team. However, Bendis’ tenure with the Legion proved controversial among fans and readers, leading to its abrupt termination by DC following the “Justice League vs. Legion of Super-Heroes” mini-series.

DC’s continuous attempts to reintroduce the series have consistently failed due to their efforts to modernize the franchise. The Legion of Super-Heroes, however, is inherently a product of the Silver Age, characterized by its eccentric team members and over-the-top storylines. Instead of distancing itself from the Legion’s past, DC should instead celebrate it. Although the Legion may always be perceived as peculiar, this quirkiness will continue to attract new fans. Some readers appreciate the franchise’s unusual nature and Silver Age aesthetic. To secure a prosperous future for the Legion of Super-Heroes, they should maintain their simplicity, embrace their strangeness, and revert back to their original origins.

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2025-09-02 15:11