Can the Legion of Superheroes Be Saved from Comic Book Oblivion?

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As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my deep admiration for the Legendary Legion of Superheroes. In the grand tapestry of superhero comics, they undeniably hold an essential place, a fact that’s hard to dispute. While teams like the Newsboy Legion and the Young Allies graced the comic book landscape during the Golden Age, it was the Legion of Superheroes that pioneered the concept of a major teen hero team, shaping the quirky, sci-fi flavor that Silver Age DC is renowned for.

However, it’s unfortunate to note that, among DC’s current properties, the Legion isn’t as widely appreciated. Despite boasting high-profile fans such as Jonathan Hickman and Mark Waid, the Legion has faced multiple setbacks in the 21st century. With DC All-In breathing new life into DC Comics and teams like the Justice League and Justice Society making a comeback, a crucial question arises: What befell the Legion, and is there hope for their revival?

The primary issues surrounding the Legion of Super-Heroes stem from the constantly changing narrative in the DC Universe. This can sometimes make it challenging for many superhero enthusiasts to dive into the DC world, but the Legion presents a unique conundrum due to its complex storyline involving numerous superheroes. Before tales such as “Crisis on Infinite Earths” and “Flashpoint” came along, the Legion was already a tangled web of interconnected characters. The intriguing timeline of the Legion’s publication serves as our foundation for finding solutions.

The Legion of Superheroes Is the Most DC Team of Them All

The team known as the Legion of Superheroes first appeared in issue #247 of Adventure Comics from 1958, where Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, and Lightning Lad traveled back in time to meet their inspiration, Superboy, who they planned to bring into their future – initially set in the 30th century, but later depicted as the 31st century in subsequent Legion comics. Over time, Superboy, followed by Supergirl, joined this team. While I could name all the members of the Legion, we don’t have enough time for that. What many people may not realize is that the original concept of the Legion served as a model for Chris Claremont’s X-Men. One reason old Legion comics were so appealing, particularly after Jim Shooter took over at issue 13 (check it out), was their soap opera elements. Given they were a group of teenagers in superhero costumes, the drama and interpersonal relationships were inevitable.

Following numerous thrilling escapades spanning decades, an event known as “Crisis on Infinite Earths” occurred, marking a significant turning point for the Legion of Superheroes. This pivotal occurrence brought about substantial changes within the DC universe, eliminating the multiverse, Superboy, and Supergirl. The eradication of these characters had a profound impact on the Legion, as they were instrumental in the team’s formation and existence. Consequently, the creators of the Legion faced an uphill battle, leading to the “Five Years Later” era within the Legion.

Despite the complexities added to the Legion post-“Crisis” to ensure continuity, these changes ultimately proved unsustainable, leading to the dissolution of the team. However, following the event “Zero Hour,” a brand new version of the Legion was introduced for the ’90s. Known as the Reboot Legion, this modernized iteration of the team consisted of two books: “Legion of Superheroes” and “Legionnaires.” This era is considered a golden age for the Legion, with Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning penning most issues of both books, resulting in exceptional storylines. Regrettably, even this era eventually faded away.

The ’90s represented a distinct period, and the vibrant, gleaming Legion simply did not resonate. DC’s first attempt to revive the Legion during the early 2000s was through “Legion Lost,” but that effort too proved unsuccessful.

Ever since then, there have been five distinct iterations of the Legion: The Waid/Kitson Threeboot, the Silver Age Legion post-Infinite Crisis, the New 52 Legion, Bendis/Sook’s Legion, and Darkseid’s Legion from DC All-In #1. This is where we encounter the main issue with the Legion – it becomes incredibly confusing. Superhero comics can get intricate, but the Legion takes it to another dimension. The return of the multiverse and Superboy provided some clarity – primarily because it offered an explanation for all the various Legions and restored their revered symbol – however, contemporary readers are well aware that reading about the Legion means that your preferred team could be phased out at any moment and replaced by another one.

The Legion of Superheroes embodies the essence of superheroes at their most fundamental level. Their vibrant attire, straightforward aliases, interpersonal conflicts among members, and some of the most formidable villains in comic book lore are all part of the Legion’s rich heritage. However, the main challenge lies in the fluidity of the team itself, as there have been six distinct iterations of the Legion. This flexibility might be seen as a problem, but it can be addressed by looking to the past.

Pick a Legion and Stick With It

As a devoted cinephile of comic books, I can’t help but highlight the pivotal role that the Silver Age Legion played in 2007’s “The Lightning Saga”. This iconic team serves as the blueprint for the rest, with the most connections to our contemporary world. To revitalize the Legion and deliver the best possible stories, it would be ideal to resurrect this particular version of the team, pairing them with an all-star cast. Frankly, I believe that inviting Mark Waid back to the Legion, with Dan Mora as the primary artist and Clayton Henry as a backup, would create a harmonious blend of talent. This combination promises to deliver the top-tier Legion stories we crave, in a manner that’s streamlined and easy to follow for fans like myself.

Much like several well-intended concepts following the Infinite Crisis in the DC Multiverse, the New 52 left a mess. By rebooting everything and introducing a fourth iteration of the team at a time when things were beginning to settle down, any chance for the Legion to regain strength was lost. If DC aims to revitalize the Legion once more, they must establish a fixed identity for the team and entrust it to dedicated creators who can effectively tell Legion stories. It won’t be simple, but this is the only approach that could potentially elevate one of comics’ most remarkable teams.

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2025-04-22 17:10