“Only weak, frightened people seek worth in their genes instead of their characters.”

Welcome, fellow Legionnaires, to a very special issue of Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes. We have the finale and conclusion to the Fatal Five’s latest attempt, as well as a very special backstory written by Paul Levitz, depicting, FINALLY, the election of Lightning Lad as the new Legion Leader. More on that in the Creative Team section but I feel like this had been pending forever. A long time ago, they put it up to a vote and allowed the readers to decide, who unanimously chose Lightning Lad, but there was just one tiny problem. They married him off to Saturn Girl and due to the Legion Charter, married Legionnaires are not allowed to stay in the Legion, so they kicked both Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad off the squad. Well, after the big Earthwar saga with its conclusion amending the Legion Charter, we finally have paved the way for the big moment, and we have it right here. 

Put on your Legion rings and get to that election box double quick, because off we go!

Savage Sanctuary

He is conflicted and hates the fact that he had to run (Superboy is not used to leaving a fight). Thankfully, Mano and Persuader are still on Earth and cannot assist…for now.

Speaking of the devil, we find Mano and Persuader sitting in jail as the await for the decision on whether Corvan IV will be allowed to join the United Planets. Suddenly, Tharok appears and informs them of the Legionnaire’s betrayal, and Mano and Persuader easily escape. So much for that.

We return to Superboy who sends an SOS with no response. He concludes that everyone must be on deep space missions and that even if they did respond, it would take hours for them to reach Corvan IV and help, time he cannot afford to give to Emerald Empress, Tharok and Validus, because who knows what they will do to his friends. He decides that it is up to him and he will have to return and save them himself. 

On Corvan IV, Emerald Empress and Validus want to kill their two captive Legionnaires immediately but Tharok tells them to be patient. Mano and Persuader will be joining them soon and he has a more imaginative fate in store for them.

Back in outer-space Superboy knows he cannot just charge in with fists ‘a pounding and he needs to do something about that Eye of Ekron who was able to stop him in his tracks, just short moments ago. He knows that the Eye of Ekron is also vulnerable to Kryptonite and Superboy scans the space around him to track any down. He spots a passing meteor shower and within it a good-sized chunk of kryptonite. Using his telescopic vision, he pinpoints the Eye’s exact position and calculates the proper angels and trajectories. Then he kicks one meteor and it ricochets, starting a chain reaction that sends the piece of kryptonite on the exact trajectory, hitting the Eye and forcing it to flee. Superboy does another scan and is happily surprised to see that the Kryptonite also buried Validus under a pile of rubble. 

Superboy does not waste time and descends on Corvan IV and confronts Emerald Empress. She is enraged by the loss of her eye and charges Superboy. Superboy casually blasts her with a bit of super breath, and she hurls backwards, hitting the same pile of rubble that had buried Validus and passes out. Validus, meanwhile, regains consciousness and rises from the rubble. Tharok senses a struggle and Colossal Boy and Element Lad feel relief because that must be Superboy with the reinforcements. If only they both were not restrained by a statis-cell that nullifies their powers. Back to the battle, Validus is also angry and starts swinging at Superboy, who just barely dodges a ferocious punch. Superboy knows that an angry Validus is very dangerous, but he has no choice and he needs to save his friends. He charges Validus and the sheer power of their struggle is enough to make Corvan IV tremble. 

It is a sound that echoes across the planet, sending some of the planet’s simple inhabitants to scurrying for shelter, even as others take to the streets, their faces twisted by shock and concern. While in the Fatal five’s battle-torn haven, as shuddering walls threaten to collapse into ruin, Tharok knows he needs to end the conflict before Validus destroys the whole planet. But, in the subterranean depths, it its already too late as the whining generators, which provide power for the building above, begin two buckle under the strain, and shut off. The same generators that were powering the statis-cells, holding Colossal Boy and Element Lad, who are now free. 

Validus picks up the large green chunk of Kryptonite and holds it in front of Superboy. The Teen of Steel backs away trying to stay out of range from the radiation. But, even as Superbly retreats, the Emerald Eye of Ekron, source of almost limitless power, at last recovers and streaks faithfully back to the side of its malevolent mistress. Superboy continues to retreat but the exit is blocked by Tharok. Now, three of the most most deadly menaces in the universe quickly surround him, and Superboy does not notice a sleek spacecraft hushing in for a nearby landing. The Eye blasts a large green ray of energy but suddenly an iron shield materializes, deflecting the blast, while the green Kryptonite in Validus’ possession turns to mere water. Everyone but Tharok is confused because he knows that this can only be the work of Element Lad, and his two captives have obviously escaped. 

Sure enough, Colossal Boy arrives and grabs Validus from behind. Element Lad asks Superboy where the reinforcements are and Superboy tells him there are not any, just him who did not have a choice and did not want to leave them to the Fatal Five. It looks like the odds are now even. But sadly this is not the case, for who should alight from the sleek spacecraft that just landed? Persuader and Mano, who now join the fray, making the Fatal Five complete. The next few minutes are pure and simple pandemonium, and three of the most courageous youths the universe has ever known struggle desperately against five fearsome figures who have shattered planets and set whole galaxies trembling. It is a struggle the brave Legionnaires truly doubt that they can win, but they are determined to go down trying.

Nobody can say for certain just how long the battle rages, before a shrill voice cries out from the sidelines, with the words “ENOUGH!” And everyone freezes in their tracks. The Legionnaires and the Fatal Five turn to see a band of locals, and a spokesperson who begins talking. Tharok  does not understand because he thought they were doing this for them. The spokesperson says no, all of this was Tharok’s dream and not theirs, they just accepted it because it seemed to mean so much to the Fatal Five. They thought they owed the five villains because of all they have done for them. But it was a mistake. Before they came, the Corvanians were a simple, but happy people. Too simple to realize the great price they ultimately paid for all the gifts they gave them. All the technology and advancement was just too much. And though they have them tomorrow, they stole away today. The spokesperson thanks Tharok on behalf of the people but asks that they all leave them in peace. 

Sorrowfully, Tharok nods in sudden understanding, then turns to his four companions, sees the regret written on their faces, and in a sudden blinding flash of light, the Fatal Five are gone. And for once, the Legionnaires do not lift a finger to stop them. Superboy looks at the assembles crowd and tells them that Corvan IV is theirs again to do what they will. The spokesperson nods in agreement, and perhaps this time they will be wise enough to seek their own path to the future, a future well worth waiting for. 

Celebration

Shadow Lass announces to Brainiac Five that he will get her vote for new Legion leader, as she walks to the computer to cast it. Brainy is excited, because he believes with his computer mind, he is the logical choice for leader. Element Lad chides him for taking it so seriously, and Wildfire tells them to cool up, because he is voting. Before Brainiac Five can answer the voting computer explodes in pyrotechnic fury, and Brainy flashes up a force field from his belt just in time to shield them from the debris. 

Brainy accuses Wildfire of using his powers to sabotage the computer because he does not want him to be Legion leader and Wildfire tells him to get out of town, as he tries to grab him. Luckily, Shadow Lass and Ultra Boy old him back and they all watch Brainy stalk away. Wildfire remarks that he is overdue for a long vacation and he cannot let him stop the election. As Superboy and Tyroc have beamed in their votes and since everyone is still here, they can complete the process and he invites them all to join him in the trophy room. 

Chameleon Boy surveys the wreckage and confirms that it was an act of sabotage because the computer seems to have been shorted out by x-rays. Wildfire and the Legionnaires have arrived in the trophy room, and Wildfire takes the dust cover off the old voting computer. They can use that to finish the election. But before he can make another move, the computer plunges through the floor. Lightning Lad and Wildfire chase after it, and it hits an underground lake. Wildfire lifts it up and returns it to the trophy room. He knows something is up so he quickly dries the machine off and turns it on. Element Lad and Star Boy are now suspicious and turn to Chameleon Boy who assures them that he thinks he can solve this little mystery if he looks hard enough. 

But as Wildfire and the Election Committee stalk off to make alternate arrangements, Chameleon Boy’s cryptic comment goes unanswered. And soon, in the lounge area, the various Legionnaires each occupy themselves as they will. Couples caressing or conversing while Chameleon Boy studies a micro book and Brainiac Five gazes into the fire. Even as he does however, the fire suddenly flares upward and outward, beyond the stone fireplace. Brainy asks Mon-El for help because the flames got to him before he could activate his force field. Mon-El answers his call with a dose of super breath that quickly extinguishes the fire while Lightning Lad grabs Brainy and takes him to safety. 

 Minutes later, a sleek Legion Cruiser climbs into the sky full of all the Legionnaires. Chameleon Boy suggested to hold the elections there so hopefully it will not be tampered with again. And after the last ballot is finally cast, the alarm goes off. Wildfire calls the Legionnaires to action but before they can act, Chameleon Boy has already caught the saboteur. Superboy! And quickly the Legionnaires are in on the joke, because it is the anniversary of Superboy’s initiation, which took place in Adventure Comics #247 (the same number we are in now) and as a joke, Superboy decided to play pranks, much like the Legionnaires did to him when he was initiated. Including a fake rejection. Wildfire is somewhat amused but encourages them all to refocus to the task at hand and to see the results of the election. Brainy pushes his way to the front, believing he is the new leader. He takes the card and laughs, and tells Wildfire neither them have won. They were so busy electioneering against each other, they forgot about the other candidate. But the others did not forget because he won. Congratulations to Lightning Lad!

Creative Team

Once again we are treated to two stories, with one being a continuation of a previous issue, effectively giving us a two-part installment. 

Savage Sanctuary was a fitting end, but I did feel like, again, we regressed back to the Cary Bates era. Also, one could argue that the Fatal Five could have been the ‘good-guys’ in this one with the Legionnaires just not giving them a chance. It was obvious that the local population just could not handle the technology the Fatal Five provided and they ended up telling them so. Thus instead of blowing up the planet out of spite, much like they were going to do previously, the Fatal Five simply accepted it and disappeared, sulking off into the universe. Unless they have reformed in some sort of way, I could just not believe it. Unfortunately I would chalk this up to Len Wein not having a good grasp of the Fatal Five characters and that took out the danger they usually impose. I am not against the Fatal Five reforming, but I think that would require a nice multiple story arc, and not two short story installments. 

Also, Wein made it a bit redundant with Superboy jetting out in outer space to alert the Legion, realizing no-one could make it in time, and actually going back to do it himself. This was pure filler to make space for the issue and it was a bit obvious. Savage Sanctuary just did not work for me and it is one of the weaker appearances of the Fatal Five. 

Also, I sang Joe Staton praises last installment, but here he did seem a bit rushed. I think he is a great artist for the Legion, but some of his figure work and panel shots just did not resonate this time around. It did not feel too cartoony but it was not rendered up to par much like what we received previously. Outside of the strong splash page depicting Superboy leaving Element Lad and Colossal Boy, I would argue that this has been Staton’s weakest of the series so far. 

Moving to Celebration, this thing has been in the works for what feels like forever. I cannot even remember when they first held those elections in the Legion Outpost and when Wildfire was first elected Team Leader, but it has been a very long time. So to finally receive the story where this happens, is fantastic. And boy was it a long road getting here. With Lightning Lad winning, the creative team felt like they needed to produce a series of events to allow the Legion Charter to be amended, and with that, we received the big special with Saturn Girl and Lighting Lad’s wedding, and the Earthwar saga, and finally this could happen. The payoff is good, and the most surprising element for me was Wildfire not putting up a fight at all and actually helping the election and not sabotaging it. Or at least not chiding his fellow candidates. I mean we know from the dialogue there was some sort of campaigning by Brainiac Five and Wildfire, so who knows how dirty and mean that was, but Levitz kept Wildfire in check, despite his characterization thus far. And I thought that was a nice touch and allowed the prank by Superboy to pay off and pay homage to what came before.

Again, the biggest travesty is that Tyroc is not even present, not even in the background, and I found this incredibly odd. Levitz is leaving the book, so I do hope Gerry Conway will bring him in at some point or at least give him a story. Other than a few entries from Cary Bates and Mike Grell, we just have not seen Tyroc at all and I think that is a big pity. 

All in all, #248 is remembered for the celebratory issue, with Lightning Lad being able to become Team Leader for the first time, an appointment that can happen due to the Legion Charter being amended as a result of Earthwar. It is a standard filler issue and if it were not for Celebration, I think it would be in danger of being one of the weakest entries in the series. I am looking forward to welcoming Conway back and reading Jim Starlin’s follow up, so there are good things to come. 

Legion Outpost

With the Legion Outpost missing from last issue, we have three letters, all about the Earthwar saga, but also quite a few little tidbits. 

First off, Paul Levitz must have locked himself in the room and made quite a crazy pictogram on all the walls. And I will allow him to speak, as he comments on the above story Celebration.

“This issue is our Anniversary in a strange way. First, the Legion debuted in Adventure #247 many years ago, so it was only fitting that we mark Superboy & the Legion #247 as an anniversary of that day. Then, while writing this issue, ye scripted checked his file list of Legion tales and discovered that by one set of reckoning (listing only stories in which he felt Legionnaires played an active role) this is the 247th Legion story. And that’s our strange “double” anniversary. -PL”

Talk about playing Sherlock Holmes but that is pretty cool.

Next up, a letter from Cat Yronwode that talks about the back up Girls Night Out, that I also thought was a bit out of place. Well there is an answer to that:

“Originally, we had keyed the back up stories to tie in to the epic, with “Girls’ Night Out” linking a chapter that had the girls missing from the Earthwar storyline proper. However, that was when the first chapter was slated for #237, and in the interim the juggling got out of hand and we scrapped the idea. -PL.”

So that makes sense and I was quite happy that there was at least the intention to tie in the backstories to the main saga. 

We then get a nice little box about the Election results.

Lightning Lad won the letter election. Element Lad came in second, running neck and neck with Brainiac Five and Mon-El, so Element Lad is Deputy Leader…AGAIN! Saturn Girl and Phantom Girl were the only other Legionnaires to make strong showings int eh poll. Star Boy, sadly, fared worst of the team. I cannot believe the readership at that time did my boy Star Boy like that. But oh well. 

Finally, we have the bottom announcement that Gerry Conway will take over as regular writer next issue, and we will get a new editor (which I guess is Jack C. Harris at this point?). Either way, a lot of excitement ahead!

The Legion Medallion of Merit

Once again we have two stories, with one being a continuation from the previous issue. But come on, it is obvious who this needs to go to. Because not only do we have a celebration of the new Legion Leader, but also a graceful exit of the previous one. Wildfire stepped aside graciously, and even did his most to make sure the elections were fair and could be completed. He did not tamper with anything, which might have been unexpected to some readers due his characterization of being a hot head, and he has tampered with things like this before. 

Not only that, but as we reflect on Wildfire’s tenure as Legion leader, he did a pretty darn good job. He got them through Earthwar, was able to lead a group to avenge Chemical King’s death, and he just showed very firm and solid leadership, despite being questioned many times along the way (*cough* Saturn Girl *cough*). So it is only fitting that we award Wildfire The Legion Medallion of Merit for a job well done. The Legion of Super-Heroes is stronger due to his tenure.

Congratulations Wildfire! Thank you for your leadership and steady hand in facing the many challenges the Legion was confronted with. You not only showed bravery, but you also listened to feedback and your fellow Legionnaires when you needed to get the job done. Wear it proudly and you have been one of the greatest Legion Leader’s to ever fill the position.

And that’s it for this week’s installment fellow Legionnaires! Join us next week as Gerry Conway (I hope it comes to pass) takes over and propels us ever forth into the beauty that is the Lore of the Legion of Super-Heroes. And should you find yourself in a situation where someone is trying to tamper with your election, always remember that battle cry…

LONG LIVE THE LEGION!