I guess Murray Boltinoff and DC decided to take away the punch bowl. Because this time around we do not have a 100-page spectacular for sixty cents, but simply a “Superboy Giant” priced at fifty cents. I chalked this one up to the ongoing printing crunch and financials, which makes sense because those 100-pagers were absolute treasure troves and way too much fun.

Nevertheless we have a complete new story, a Superboy reprint, also a LSH reprint, a Lore of the Legion, and a whole lot of interesting and fun stuff in the letters page. But cool up! You’re not alone in this journey and we’re buddying up. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started.

Vengeance of the Super-Villains

We’re treated to a serene Sunday morning in the sleepy town of Smallville. Jonathan Kent is reading his newspaper while Mama Kent is whipping up a huge stack of pancakes. Sure enough Superboy and Mon-El swoop down on the table, and start on their task of eating the Kents out of House and Home.

Mon-El is quite thankful that he is able to spend his holiday with the Kent family and gives them a cheers with a hearty glass of milk.

Meanwhile, we are propelled one thousand years into the future where our Ultra-Boy is having the same experience albeit with his own parents and with a green vege-steak.

Mytra, Ultra Boy’s mom, frets and worries that their boy Jo is getting a bit too much on the thin side. While papa Ultra-Boy is teasing him that he probably can’t wait to get back into the action. To which our UB cooly responds while drinking a glass of lemonade that he’s not in a hurry and is happy to be relaxing with his mommy and daddy.

As our holidayers are sipping their respective beverages, we find Brainiac 5, Saturn Girl, and Timber Wolf preparing to move a truly stunning work of art, a trophy, which is meant to symbolize the finalization and signing of the Federated Planets Treaty.

We’re treated to a live broadcoaster who announces this Universal Trophy is meant for a Dr. Larx Kendrik, who alone is credited with finally aligning the interests of twelve planets that resulted in their acceptance in joining the United Planets. We zoom around the three Legionnaires who inspect the trophy just to make sure there is no foul play from any no-do-gooder of the 30th century.

Sun Boy, acting as temporary leader whilst Mon-El is off in Smallville, instructs Chameleon Boy and Brainy to finalize the trophy’s inspection. He is quite on edge and doesn’t quite grasp how Mon-El can do this on a daily basis, especially when the stakes are so high and the safety of Dr. Kendrik is at stake.

Meanwhile back in the 20th century Mon-El and Superboy are preparing to return to the 30th century and to relieve a much stressed out Sun Boy. Martha shouts from upstairs that she wishes they could stay a little longer and Mon-El says it can’t be helped.

But it probably can because Papa Kent appears with a weapon drawn, telling them they don’t have a choice but to stay. He pulls the trigger and blasts them both with a hypnotic ray. Slowly they turn to face each other, and each one quickly shouts to the other that they cannot control their actions. They then jump at each other and lock in a titanic brace, each one trying to overpower the other, while the Kents stay amused.

Mon-El and Superboy land simultaneous blows, knocking each other out. Martha Kent then decides to put on a pot of coffee.

If things can’t get any worse they do because Ultra-Boy has just finished his drink and is also saying his goodbyes when he keels over and passes out. His parents stand over him smiling, and papa Ultra-Boy congratulations Mama Mytra in the fast acting paralyzing drug she put in his drink.

Part 2 – The Night Before Doomsday

Hidden away in a secret chamber not far from Legion Headquarters, a mysterious figure who resembles Sun Boy announces that Phase One is complete. It is none other than Sun Emperor, the acting leader of the Legion of Super-Villains.

With Superboy, Mon-El, and Ultra-Boy successfully off the board, the LSV can move on to Phase Two. We are then treated to a mini roll call of sorts to remind us who the Legion of Super-Villains are.

Lightning Lord! The brother of the electricity wielding Lighting Lad, whom we met last issue.

Nemesis Kid! A kid who has the ability to analyze and duplicate his weakness in order to take advantage of it.

Spider Girl! Who can render her victims helpless by expanding her hair into an ever-tightening web.

And Radiation Roy! The worst Roy you ever met who can paralyze his enemies with a host of lethal energy charges.

Lightning Lord then hopes that Chameleon Chief, the final member of the Legion of Super-Villains, is able to carry out his assignment, since that part is most critical.

We are transported back to Legion HQ, where Chameleon Boy is relieving a very tired Chemical King of his duties guarding the trophy. They both bond over the fact that Sun Boy is being quite careful with the trophy and isn’t taking any chances until Mon-El’s return.

Meanwhile Sun Boy and Saturn Girl are starting to unravel that not only are Mon-El and Superboy late, but Ultra-Boy has not returned either. Sun Boy smells something suspicious, and despite Saturn Girl’s talk for him to ‘cool up’, he broods even more.

And with good reason, because Ultra-Boy is still locked away in the energy-bubble his parents put him in. And as we head back to Smallville, we see that Mon-El and Superboy are also trapped in an energy-bubble.

But this tips off Mon-El as he recognizes the energy bubble to be the exact one that a Legion applicant called Radiation Roy used during his application. And as Superboy hears that name, his super brain also recalls a data file he read, putting Radiation Roy on the roster of the Legion of Super-Villains. But despite their realization and knowledge of who is behind these attacks, what good is it if they can’t escape?

Back in the Legion storeroom where the trophy is located, its placement stand starts to move and wiggle, until the form of Chameleon Chief appears. He takes out a device and directs it at the trophy. Suddenly the trophy is exposed to a nitro-glycic beam, turning it into a deadly bomb that will be detonated instantaneously once Dr. Larx Kenrik touches it.

He then finds an empty crate and turns into a duplicate stand, so as not to arouse suspicion of the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Outside, we see the automated refuse disposal kick into action, and as a box marked Metropolis Department of Sanitation is expelled, Lightning Lord swoops in and picks it up. Placing it on the ground, Chameleon King appears and everything is going ahead as planned. Now, Lightning Lord chuckles, they are ready for Phase Three, and in a few hours, the legion of Super-Villains will rule the world! MUHAHAHAHAHA!

Part 3 – Villainaires vs. The Legionnaires

We return to Rimbor where a surprised Ultra-Boy is suddenly released by Papa Ultra-Boy. Both parents look a the ray gun in disbelief, not knowing where it came from. But Ultra-Boy knows because at this point there is no way he will be able to reach the ceremony in time.

Meanwhile in a not-so-sleepy Smallville, Mon-El and Superboy watch as Papa Kent brings up a futuristic and ominous looking box. Mama Kent raises her own stun gun and frees the two Teens of Steel.

Just like on Rimbor, Mama and Papa Kent are also confused and bewildered on what just happened. Superboy tries to fill them in but Papa Kent still does not remember nor recall what the box was for.

Superboy and Mon-El take off and hit the time barrier. With their two powerful speeds combined, they should be able to make the ceremony in no time. When suddenly they are both entangled in their own string theory and finally understand what the box was for; preventing them from stopping whatever the Legion of Super-Villains are planning. They can only hope that Sun Boy can stop them.

Speaking of which, we return go the 30th Century and the ceremony is taking place. Dr. Larx Kenrik alights from his cruiser and walks the carpet, meeting Sun Boy with a hearty handshake. They all stand by the trophy as official photos are taken.

The Legion of Super-Villains stand by, watching in anticipation, knowing that once Dr. Kenrik touches the trophy, it will all be over and they will be triumphant. The Legion will be discredited and disgraced and the Legion of Super-Villains will reign supreme.

Sun Boy and the Dr. touch the trophy and smile for the cameras. And continue to smile because nothing happens. The LSV are shocked and Sun Emperor points an accusing finger at Chameleon Chief, asking him to explain himself.

A transforming aura surrounds Chameleon Chief and in an instant our beloved Chameleon Boy appears. He is the culprit who has helped thwart the evil LSV and disposed of Chameleon Chief, throwing him in the brig just last night.

Sun Emperor glares at Chameleon Boy and gives the simple command to his fellow evil-aires. Get him.

As the group descends upon Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy explodes through the wall, giving his own command to his comrades. Attack Legionnaires!

Suddenly the rest of the gang appear and attack the LSV, exploiting each one’s weakness.

Princess Projectra projects a nightmare on Nemesis Kid, exploiting his one weakness; fear.

Lightning Lad quickly hurls a massive bolt of lightning on Lightning Lord, putting him out of commission.

Star Boy escapes the tangle of Spider Girl’s hair, and blasts a power of his own, immediately making her hair super heavy, and thus helpless.

Karate Kid gives a swift kick to Radiation Roy, while Colossal Boy delivers a solid back fist to Sun Emperor, knocking his lights out.

The evil counterparts lay helpless on the floor. Legion of Super-Villains? Ha! How about the Legion of Super-Flops.

Chameleon Boy then relates how Sun Boy told him to take Chameleon Chief’s place in the box to carry out the deception so they can spring the trap on their own. If anything, Sun Boy’s quick thinking should put away any doubts of his competence of being a great leader in Mon-El’s absence.

At the same time Sun Boy realizes the reason Superboy, Mon-El, and Ultra-Boy were kept off the board. Because of their X-Ray vision. With those members still on the scene they would have easily spotted the booby-trap on the universal trophy.

And right on cue Superboy, Mon-El and Ultra Boy return.

And boy, does the gang have a story to tell. It’s quite a yarn.

The Creative Team

In this author’s humble opinion, Vengeance of the Super-Villains is Cary Bates’ best work on the series, surpassing The Legion of Super-Executioners. He not only planted the seed in the previous issue that created some suspense, but he delivered. The ability of the Legion of Super-Villains to quickly take three very powerful members off the table helped create some stakes and put the remaining Legionnaires in believable danger.

In addition I always enjoy it when we see a glimpse of the United Planets and the world around the LSH because it builds out the world and makes the environment that much richer. By putting the Legionnaires in the forefront of international (or inter-galactic) relations, we really understand their purpose in the universe.

Also with Sun Boy doubting himself throughout, we as readers couldn’t help but wonder if the Legion were prepared enough for the threat. The constant checking of boxes and completion of phases drove the story and gave it a pressure-cooker type of feel. The ending was very satisfying and I also really liked how we could see the Legionnaires in action, working as a team, without the need for Superboy or Mon-El.

Mike Grell was on top form as always. His delivery of that final battle was very satisfying and his clear and clean depiction of the Legionnaires as well as his rendering once again proves why he was such a fan favorite. These are characters that you can see and almost touch.

Also he was able to effectively differentiate each member of the LSV just enough to make it believable. It’s truly remarkable because, as we will see when we hit Super-Talk, Mike Grell was a busy artist for hire indeed.

All in all this was a fantastic issue and now that I’m counting, we’re seeing some really great work in the bigger spectaculars. I wonder if it’s because it allows the creative team to focus on one story instead of having to find ideas and execute two stories per issue.

We did get some stakes here and the environment has become richer. I do hope we can keep up this momentum and really start to build to an even bigger threat and problems that the LSH need to tackle. Either way Bates and Grell are kicking a lot of butt so far and I really can’t wait until I read the next issue.

Super-Talk

We have some great stuff in this issue’s Super-Talk.

First is the Editor’s Note, once again repeating that the mag will come out eight times in the year instead of the, as per usual, six. Also exclaiming that if it can keep up with sales and popularity, that will be twelve months a year in no time.

There’s a lot of praise on the Legion of Super-Executioners, story which is no surprise because it was great. Also as the praise goes, a lot of it is directed at Cary Bates and Mike Grell. Again no surprise.

Now there’s a little interesting inclusion, which I had to smile about. As we noted in the previous Super-Talks, ole Boltinoff was pretty solid on the Cockrum bashing train and to his credit he brings up this critique in the form of a letter from Wayne Hanniman of Dacre, Ontario.

“But whoa! Just a minute! I like Mike Grell’s artwork very much but there’s no way he equals Dave Cockrum, much less is he better. Fans may think they’re getting back at Dave by excessively praising Mike’s work, and you, the editor are guilty, too, because you printed those letters in #205, making it one of the worst put-ons I’ve ever seen.”

Yowzers! I do have to agree with Mr. Hanniman though. To which Boltinoff responds.

“Okay, Wayne, we let you have your say because we believe in the American principle of fair play and giving equal time to any who entertain opposing views. But we’ll stand by what we’ve said about Iron Mike in past, present and future issues. He’s an extremely talented artist, and we thank all the lucky stars in the galaxy that he came our way.”

Not necessarily a cop-out but also not an apology. But I do commend Boltinoff’s decision to include it. Also he follows it up with more praise of Mike Grell and then adds a comment from Mike Flynn, the Bronx, New York, who says his style is too similar to Cockrum. Boltinoff then makes, what I assume is the final plea,

“Come on fellers, it’s been some time since Cockrum as the Legion’s caretaker, so can’t we put his name in mothballs and forget about him? The way we look at it, Cockrum and Grell were punched out by Fate using the same cookie mold.””Come on fellers, it’s been some time since Cockrum as the Legion’s caretaker, so can’t we put his name in mothballs and forget about him? The way we look at it, Cockrum and Grell were punched out by Fate using the same cookie mold.”

So it’s not exactly bowing down or addressing the issue but I’m thinking the folks at DC realized they needed to actually address the situation. But the most intriguing aspect is that Boltinoff actually comments on everything Grell is doing at the time. Check this out. Mike Grell was also drawing:

Green Arrow
The Atom
A Robin story in detective Comics
Aquaman

And a team book in the Legion of Super-Heroes. That’s five, count them FIVE books! You will never see this amount of output these days. Grell must have been saying yes to everything and boy did it pay off because he ends up cementing a place as not only probably one of the greatest DC artists of all time, but definitely in the history of comic books.

Other than that we have a current count of active Legion members, which totals to twenty-four and a remark that there is one spot available.

More questions about Legionnaire swag and also an observation that it never rains in the 30th Century. Also a nice little foreshadowing asking for a revival of the Teen Titans.

Finally there’s a neat little plea for a LSH cartoon, which Boltinoff says comes up from time to time. This was well before Super Friends so I wonder what that would’ve been like if the LSH were included. And that’s pretty much it! Nothing too revealing on future plans but a whole lot of fun fandom and proof that it can be fun and constructive.

The Legion Medallion of Merit

This one is no surprise. It simply goes to Sun Boy. Despite his self doubt, he was able to take charge and effectively lead the Legionnaires against an incredible threat, despite the absence of their more powerful members.

Sun Boy not only took charge, but he trusted his fellow Legionnaires’ abilities to execute and do what was needed. Because of his leadership they worked incredibly well as a team and were able to take down the Legion of Super-Villains and ensure peaceful relations between the United Planets.

Enjoy Sun Boy and be sure to activate just a tiny bit of sun powered ability and make that medal shine.

That’s the end everybody but cool up! We got more things to come next week. And always remember.

LONG LIVE THE LEGION!