Can you believe it? Because I sure don’t. This issue is a reprint issue! It’s shocking to me because I had no idea there was a reprint issue in this series. I mean after all, the Legion seemed to be, at the time, DC’s number one selling book or very close to it. So you would think if there was one task at the office building in New York back in 1978, it would be to make sure that this thing came out on time. But it was not to be the case.
Though we do not have a write-up this issue nor a Legion Medallion of Merit to hand out, there is still a couple of things to talk about. The first is the apology from Al Milgrom that is found on the inside of the front cover. Ole Al thought it was a big deal too and you can tell he is a bit embarrassed. I write his statement, in full (emphasis his):
Greetings, Legion Fans!
This is Al Milgrom, the spanking-new editor of Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, coming at you with my very first (but probably not my last) editorial apology. What’s the reason for this contrition? Well, as you’ve no doubt noticed by now, this issue of the book is a reprint. There are several reasons for this unfortunate occurrence. The book has been behind schedule since even before I took it over. Any comic which requires 34 pages of art and story every month and includes such a large cast of characters is difficult to garner material for. Our stalwart scripter, Paul Levitz, seemed able to produce the necessary amount of material, but we were hard-pressed to find enough artists, let alone one, single artist, to handle the workload. We had Jim Sherman, Mike Nasser, Joe Staton, Ric Estrada, Jack Abel, Joe Rubinstein, Bob McLeod and others hard at work…but we were still losing ground on that inexorably approaching deadline. Even Paul’s stamina wasn’t inexhaustible and we summoned other writers to help. Gerry Conway and Paul Kupperberg leaped in to take up the slack. Still, there was an artist shortage. In desperation I called on some old friends to lend a hand. Walt Simonson, Jim Starlin, and Howie Chaykin all pitched in to lay out issues of the book. Yet, despite this incredible influx of talent, the comic gained no ground in the deadline department. Crushed, beaten, we had nowhere to turn except to past stories for a reprint. “But, Paul,” I sobbed, “Will those poor, trusting Legion fans stand for a (gasp, shudder) reprint? What can we offer them, to make it something more, something better?” Paul took me aside, patted me on the back, handed me a Kleenex, and said “No ads.” I looked up. “A complete, two-part, Jim Shooter/Curt Swan classic.” I stopped sobbing. “Extra text pages.” I grinned. “And an all new wrap-around, Jim Starlin cover.” I leaped on his desk and cheered.
So there you have it. My apology. I am sorry we had to resort to a reprint this issue, for that’s always the least desirable course to take when trying to catch upon a deadline. At the same time, I must admit, that since we had to use a reprint, I’m glad we could offer it in such an appealing package. I hope you readers understand, and won’t judge us too harshly. In fact, I’d be interested in hearing your reactions to this issue. Send them to me care of the Legion Outpost letter column. Meanwhile as an extra bonus, we present the covers of the two issues of Adventure Comics from which we compiled this issue. They appear below.
Okay, apology accepted? Thanks, Al Milgrom.
And these two issues are Adventure Comics #359, 360.
So there you indeed have it. We were able to read a bit in-between the lines with all the different artist changes, the stories that were out of order, and even some of the different writers, that something was definitely amiss but here it came to a head apparently. Also, the mystery of why Walt Simonson would do the book is also solved, though I do wonder what specifically Howard Chaykin contributed and if we are going to see it in a future installment? Additionally, I do think this is the reason why the Karate Kid book had suffered. With the Legion book constantly behind schedule and the team scrambling to find new stories, it meant they just didn’t pay any attention to poor Val’s own book. But again, it is strange if you have such a hot selling book that you would allow it to go to the wayside a bit?
Of course we are not going to write up these two reprints because they are probably what you would expect. Instead, we do have two letters in the Legion Outpost.
Legion Outpost
Bob Rodi starts things off by basically complimenting Paul Levitz on the Infinite Man saga and then tearing him apart with the other story in the book, the Final Illusion. If you remember from Final Illusion, Princess Projectra was caught in her own head and the Legion had to find a way to get her out of it. It was an interesting story but Bob pointed out the inconsistency to Princess Projectra’s hair and Chameleon Boys costume being factors that just did not sit well with him. And then the story itself, including the “the screwed psychology sprinkled throughout had me giggling hysterically; and that final bit about fantasy being “empty” next to reality was just plain dumb.”
Ouch. Hey, this is a comic Bob try not to be so picky!
The second letter, from Ed Vis, reiterates what Bob said about the Infinite Man saga, and how it is a turning point in the Legion. I would have to agree. He then praises Mike Nasser’s art on Final Illusion but again points out to the inconsistency of Chameleon Boy’s ears and antenna.
Nothing too revealing but it seems like the opinions of this author are pretty much on par with the opinions at the time.
And that’s it for this week’s installment Legion fandom! We were hit with a reprint book much to my shock and horror, but I guess it does give my fingers a break this week. And as I continue to sooth them and prepare them for next week’s installment, I just have to get their courage up by whispering ever so sweetly the magical phrase:
LONG LIVE THE LEGION!
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