Legion of Super-Heroes #284

Legion of Super-Heroes #284 (1982)
by Paul Levitz & Pat Broderick 

This is the beginning of the legendary Levitz run. He’s going to be the sole writer for a loooooong time.

We begin with a little housecleaning on the membership. Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel are going to be explicitly considered reserves (I was already counting them as such, but they were regulars so I guess there was some confusion). As well as put to rest the whole Reflecto mess.

We also have the introduction of Medicus One, the medical satellite that will get multiple appearances. Aaaaand it’s already being attacked, what are the odds.

Unfortunately for the attackers, Timber Wolf is currently there…

…but they still get away with some “black market organs”.

They’re stopped by the rest of the Legion. Despite appearances this is NOT Wildfire melting off the face of one of the robbers, but the artwork sure makes it look like it!

Among the subplots, Karate Kid is going back to Projectra’s world to help her father forget his solo series...

…and Dream Girls flirts up the room.

Good character interactions that don’t necessarily further the plot but help make the Legion feel like a team made of people. Get used to this stuff, it’s Levitz.

Remember that Timber Wolf was on Medicus One? Turns out it wasn’t to treat some injury, it’s because he’s getting cosmetic surgery for Light Lass.
First sign that the relationship between the two is not exactly as idyllic as we thought.

Also first appearance of a beloved supporting character, grumpy doctor Gym’ll.

Okay, so far basically EVERY Light Lass solo story has been a massive disappointment.
When a monster unleashed by the organ thieves strikes, will she FINALLY get a good outing?

Nope! And to make things worse, Timber Wolf is also not himself.

I would rather see the Legion play Dungeons And Dragons than following THAT fight.
And get used to seeing D&D, because the Legion plays a looooooot of it.

But I suppose SOMEONE has to be competent in the story, so we’re back to that ugly monster.

It’s Blok of all people to save the day. He might be made of stone, but he probably still needs to take a shower after touching THAT.

And so we close with the formal acknowledgment of the current rosters, plus what is possibly the last mention of Tyroc for a long, long time.
I should technically file him under “honorable discharged”, but for archival purposes he’s still under “resigned” because otherwise I’d have to create yet another classification. And while keeping both him and Command Kid under resigned, I can’t possibly make CK honorable.

Note that the 25 member limit established in Action Comics #387 is still in effect.

Considering he hates all things magic, Brainiac 5 sure loves his D&D.

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Legion significance: 6/10
I don’t count the beginning of the long Levitz run, since I try not to take changes in the creating team into consideration.
But we still have Dr. Gym’ll (although strangely enough he doesn’t really interact with the Legion here), Medicus One, the new Timber Wolf look, and Dungeons & Dragons.
Out of all of these basically only Gym’ll will have a real impact, but still, taken together they certainly identify this period.

Silver Age-ness: 6/10
WTF was that monster!?!?

Does it stand the test of time? 6/10
This feels like Levitz testing the waters. Which is kind of weird considering he’s already written plenty of Legion stories. It’s a bit all over the place… mostly it’s small characters stuff, which holds well, plus some action scenes, which… don’t.

We are legion
23 active Legionnaires
4 reserve members
1 honorary member (Rond Vidar)
1 on sick leave (Matter-Eater Lad)

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Interesting letters: Levitz will end up doing pretty much everything Roger is asking for.

Also, a case for and against having Superboy in the team. Honestly I agree with all the points made here; I don’t mind having him in the team, but I’m also against having him as a regular member.
What do you think? Should Superboy be a regular member, just show up from time to time, or just leave the team?

(also, “T.M. Maple from Canada”? Really?)

EDIT: as pointed out in the comments by my wonderful readers, T.M.Maple was such a regular letter writer to warrant his own Wikipedia page.