Superboy 216

SUPERBOY 216 (1976)
by Cary Bates & Mike Grell

 Tell me this story is from the 70s without telling me this story is from the 70s.

  

We begin with the Legion discussing a satellite that is about to crash back on Earth.
1957 is the correct year for the first artificial satellite, but it also kind of works as a throwback to the Legion debut one year later. Nice touch.

This is of interest to the Legion because they’ve recently learned that the satellite had been used to hide some rare gems after a famous crime.

It’s an interesting backstory: the thieves were supposed to take the jewels from the satellite after a few months, and only recently the last surviving member of the gang revealed the truth.

The satellite is going to fall on Marzal, a city state entirely populated by black people who want nothing to do with the 30th century.

The Legion reaches Marzal to intercept the satellite, and they run into “the most notorious gang in the Galaxy”… the Betas.

Guys… if you want a threatening name for your gang, using one that literally means being second place might not be the best one! And that’s just the most generous use of the word I can think of.

Before the Legion can do anything, a weird sound takes care of the Betas.

A sound that makes anything needed for the plot, really.

This is the work of Tyroc, Marzal’s resident superhero and owner of the most 70s costume ever.

He really, REALLY doesn’t want the Marzal people to befriend the Legion.

And this is because… and I’m not kidding… he things the Legion is racist.

Oh come on, what is this? The Marvel Universe?

Luckily Brainiac 5 is smart enough to invent a device that can find the plot.

The Betas find the satellite and the jewels… but there’s a catch.

I know how they must feel.

Since the jewels are powered by light, having Shadow Lass around is useful.

But how did the Legion know all of this if they weren’t around? Turns out Tyroc had disguised himself as a member of the Betas.

More on Tyroc’s random powers later. For now let’s concentrate on the fact that trying to bring blackspoitation to the Legion is an immensely dumb idea:

Tyroc promises to come back to join the Legion… and he will eventually join.

The story behind Tyroc is actually far more important than Tyroc himself!

There had been attempts to introduce black members to the Legion; most notably, Jim Shooter wanted Ferro Lad to be black but was prevented from doing this by editor Mort Weisinger. He was not fond of Tyroc to say the least.

Artist Mike Grell also unsuccessfully tried to introduce black characters, and he never liked Tyroc at all… especially the idea of using Marzal to explain why we had never seen many black characters in the 30th century, pointing out that the explanation “all the black people live alone on their island” is MUCH more racist!!!

According to at least one interview, Grell disliked the character so much that he gave him the worst costume he could design ON PURPOSE!

As for Cary Bates… all I know about him points to him being a really nice guy, so this is probably a case of good intentions gone horribly wrong.

One last thing of note on Tyroc: Shooter and Grell were not the only ones to actively dislike him. While Tyroc will show up again after the Five Year Gap (where he’s actually written well)… Tyroc is the ONLY Legionnaire that has NEVER appeared in Paul Levit’s 15 year run!

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Moving to the second story, something more light-hearted.

It’s about Bouncing Boy coming across a few minor criminals who want to take advantage of the fact that he’s lost his powers…

…but forgetting that he’s married to a superheroine.

Although Bouncing Boy still feels bad for losing to these idiots.

She’s not feeling too well, with Bouncing Boy suspecting she’s been poisoned.

And he’s right!

They trap him in a ball court…

…which turns out to be a dumb move.

And Duo Damsel rescues herself.

A cute little story that really shows off the chemistry between those two.
Or those three, I guess.

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Historical significance
First story: 2/10
Tyroc is not exactly a big deal, but it’s something.
Second story: 0/10
Cute fluff.

 Silver Age-ness
First story: 7/10
The whole idea behind Marzal, and Tyroc’s voice doing whatever the plot needs.
Second story: 0/10
Way too short and too sweet for anything of note.

 Does it stand the test of time?
First story: 0/10
Even if we ignore the ham-fisted attempt to talk about race… the story doesn’t make all that much sense. Why didn’t the Legion get the satellite before it crashed? Why weren’t they at the site of the crash? And what kind of sense does Tyroc’s plan make!?
Second story: 10/10
Honestly you can place this one in any continuity without changing a thing.

Tyroc power count: 5
Tyroc won’t stick around for long, but his voice has so many weird effects that I kind of have to list them! At this point, his voice can:
1) make things explode
2) create forcefields
3) teleport
4) make him fly
5) send supersonic signals

We are legion
22 Legionnaires
6 reserve members
3 honorary members: Elastic Lad, Pete Ross, Rond Vidar
1 resigned member: Command Kid
1 expelled member: Nemesis Kid
3 deceased members: Dynamo Boy, Ferro Lad, Invisible Kid

 How much Legion is too much?
The total number of characters who have been members is 36.