Even if other writers (Jerry Siegel and Otto Binder) and other artists (Curt Swan, Al Plastino and George Papp) worked during this era, there’s no denying that two name stand above the rest: Edmond Hamilton as writer and John Forte as artist.
Hamilton’s past as a science fiction writer, and of space opera in particular, really stands out: he seems far more interested in coming up with crazy planets and plots instead of working on characterization, which is still very lacking.
John Forte is in a category of his own. He can be extremely stiff on how he draws characters, then all of a sudden he comes up with a striking facial expression or a creative panel composition.
His strength is with crazy alien designs; few other Legion artists can compete with his fascinatingly weird choices.
Before the awards themselves, our classic categories when applied to the whole era:
Legion significance: 7/10
So much of the Legion lore has its origins in this era. However the vast majority of details of individual stories will either be forgotten or completely re-written over the years.
Silver Age-ness: 9/10
The only reason it avoids a 10/10 is because this period is SLIGHTLY less Silver Age than the other comics that DC was publishing at the time.
Does it stand the test of time? 4/10
Most of this period is… pretty bad actually. Pacing, characterization and plots have not aged well at all. There are a few moments here and there, but that’s it.
And now, ladies and gentlemen: the Legion Awards!
BEST LEGIONNAIRE
Winner: Saturn Girl
For the second era in a row, Saturn Girl is the most well-defined Legionnaire. She’s not exactly great at using her powers, but she makes up for it with her determination and her attitude.
Runner-up: Star Boy
He’s utterly forgettable in every single story… until Adventure Comics 342 comes up and suddenly he’s a complex and fascinating character! Also consider that he won “worst Legionnaire” in the previous era.
Third place: Lightning Lad
Poor dolt. It looks like nothing good happens to him! He dies, he loses an arm… but in the midst of everything he’s always trying his best.
Honorable mention: Dream Girl
She’s only a member for 1 issue and she has only 1 additional appearance, but what breath of fresh air every time she comes up!
WORST LEGIONNAIRE
Winner: Command Kid and Dynamo Boy
Tied: when you join the Legion in order to destroy it and you almost succeed, it’s pretty hard to top.
Runner-up: Chameleon Boy
The only reason he’s not the worst Legionnaire is that he’s not actively trying to destroy the team. But once Proty shows up, he’s completely useless and utterly bland.
Third place: Triplicate Girl
The only time she does something remotely interesting is when 1/3 of her dies. And even that is underwhelming!
Dishonorable mention: Elastic Lad
WHY IS JIMMY OLSEN HERE!?
BEST NEW LEGIONNAIRE: Mon-El
He doesn’t do much during this era, but he has one of the best backstories and he provides an interesting contrast with Superboy.
WORST NEW LEGIONNAIRE: Element Lad
Despite a very good origin story, he barely does anything through the entire era. He’s far from the worst offender… it’s not like Matter-Eater Lad does much more… but in terms of wasted potential, Element Lad got the worst of it.
PARTECIPATION TROPHIES
Cosmic Boy: come on, Lightning Lad managed to catch up to Saturn Girl, when is your turn?
Superboy: less terrible than Superman, but not terribly interesting.
Supergirl: sometimes I forget she’s technically an active member since shows up so rarely
Brainiac 5: you’re supposed to be the smart one, but you’re not terribly bright in this era
Sun Boy and Ultra Boy: the “you’re okay but not terribly interesting” duo
Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Light Lass: the “your only characterization is having a crush on someone” trio
Colossal Boy, Invisible Kid, Matter-Eater Lad: the “I forgot you were here” crowd
Bouncing Boy: despite a couple of really good stories at the beginning of the era, he gets ignored, de-powered and then repeatedly crapped on.
Kid Psycho: following Star Boy, the new “we forgot to find a place for him” guy
WORST ANYTHING: Proty II
I just hate that freakin’ thing!!! He has a terrible design, he takes the spotlight away from Chameleon Boy, he’s annoying, he’s out of place… need I go on?
BEST VILLAIN
Winner: Computo from Adventure Comics 340
He has only 2 appearances, and the second one sucks. But he SUCH an incredible adversary in the first part that he even gets above my favorite Legion villain. Speaking of which…
Runner-up: the Time Trapper from Adventure Comics 321
I was sure he was going to win first place! But even if we don’t consider the abysmal way he’s defeated in his last appearance in this era, he doesn’t come off as threatening as Computo.
Third place: Lex Luthor from Adventure Comics 300 and Adventure Comics 325
He shows up only twice, and both times he comes VERY close to destroying the entire Legion!
Honorable mention: Meglaro from Adventure Comics 303
Since the Legion doesn’t technically fight him, you probably forgot this guy:
WORST VILLAIN
Winner: Mask Man from Adventure Comics 310
The super-powerful dwarf who turns out to be descendant of Mr. Mxyzptlk. Which should at least make for a funny story, but no, this is just sad.
Runner-up: Queen Azura from Adventure Comics 326
Shocking, I know, but “the Queen of Planet Femnaz” isn’t a very three-dimensional character.
Third place: Alaktor from Adventure Comics 314
Going back in time to give super-powers to Hitler, Nero and Dillinger is a bad idea in the first place. Not getting powers yourself and being surprised they betray you? That’s even worse!
Dishonorable mention: the Time Trapper from Adventure Comics 338
When you f#ck up so epically that you go from “greatest enemy of the Legion” to “disappears for over ten years” in a single issue.
MOST INFLUENTIAL STORY
Winner: Adventure Comics 304
It’s very hard to top the first true superhero death, but it’s also the story setting up the election of the Legion leader!
Runner-up: Adventure Comics 342
The core idea that the Legion doesn’t kill was already in place, but the Star Boy trial cements it. Plus it will be something that will haunt Star Boy for a long time.
Third place: Adventure Comics 340
Even if most of it doesn’t really stand the test of time, the first Computo saga is a classic for a reason!
BEST STORY
Winner: Adventure Comics 342
The trial of Star Boy is really ahead of its time. Especially since both sides of the debate are given legitimate reasons, with the bold decision of the hero admitting his faults.
Runner-up: Adventure Comics 340
The tension and the sense of doom that permeates the whole situation holds up really well, even when its follow-up is extremely disappointing
Third place: Adventure Comics 308
Come on, the evil plan involves a miniaturized bad guy implanted inside a Legionnaire’s ankle… AND it makes perfect sense in the story!?
WORST STORY
Winner: Adventure Comics 330
There are several kinds of early Legion plots that I hate:
1-A Legion member exploits some poorly-defined rules to mess with the Legion
2-Someone infiltrates the Legion, acts very suspiciously, and the Legion doesn’t notice
3-In order for the story to work, the good guys must be idiots
4-In order for the story to work, the bad guys must be idiots
Dynamo Boy somehow manages to get all of them. And he also ruins the following issue!
Runner-up: Adventure Comics 326
The plot is “The Queen of Planet Femnaz brainwashes the girl Legionnaires to take over the team”.
Also checks out several of the plot types above, but unlike Dynamo Boy at least this story doesn’t get a sequel!
Third place: Adventure Comics 310
The attempt to mix serious action with a Mr. Mxyzptlk clone fails spectacularly.
Dishonorable mention: Adventure Comics 320
It’s less a Legion story and more a framing device to retell a Superboy story.
BEST REJECTED MEMBER
Winner: Polar Boy from Adventure Comics 306
The reason to reject him makes absolutely no sense and he’s a great hero.
Runner-up: Night Girl from Adventure Comics 306
Her powers have a major weakness, yes, but she more than makes up for it!
Third place: Animal Lad from Adventure Comics 331
This guy with the power to transform people into animals could’ve been interesting, but since he’s stuck in one of the worst Legion stories ever, he’s never given the chance.
WORST REJECTED MEMBER
Winner: Double-Header from Adventure Comics 323
No, having two heads is not a superpower. Especially if both are stupid.
Runner-up: Rann Antar from Adventure Comics 317
He also doesn’t have powers, but at least his formula to make feathers heavy is theoretically useful
Third place: Lester Spiffany from Adventure Comics 301
He doesn’t have powers, like the other two. He’s rich, and even if we don’t get any indication that the Legion needs more money to do their work, it HAS to be more useful than heavy feathers!
BEST ALMOST LEGIONNAIRE
Lone Wolf from Adventure Comics 327
Not surprisingly considering he will become one of the most interesting Legionnaires in the future.
WORST ALMOST LEGIONNAIRE
Stone Boy from Adventure Comics 315
I like the Substitute Heroes, but the way he won his “contest” makes no sense and he would have been a terrible addition to the team.
WORST REASON TO REJECT A LEGIONNAIRE
Adventure Comics 306
We get the Substitute Heroes out of this, but it still makes zero sense.
WORST USE OF TIME TRAVEL
Adventure Comics 314
You should never go full Hitler.
BEST REACTION SHOT
Adventure Comics 316
Saturn Girl is the queen of this!!!
WORST REACTION SHOT
Adventure Comics 321
This is SUPPOSED to show “the three most powerful Legionnaires are unable to overcome the Iron Curtain of Time”. And you can barely tell they’re alive.
WORST PANEL
Adventure Comics 338
Pictured: the Legion’s greatest enemy, a time wizard of unfathomable power, throwing a tantrum after being defeated by kids.
BEST DANCER
Supergirl from Adventure Comics 326
WORST DANCER
All the other girl Legionnaires from Adventure Comics 326
MOST SILVER AGE PANEL
Adventure Comics 345
Fitting for the next-to-last panel of the Hamilton era.
MOST MEME-WORTHY PANEL
Adventure Comics 316
What? They’re just sparring!
MOST REPEATED PANEL
Adventure Comics 304
It feels like we saw this panel at least fifty times.
LEAST SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE PANEL
Adventure Comics #333
Stars don’t work that way!!!
MOST JOHN FORTE PANEL
Adventure Comics 339
From his last Legion story, John Forte goes out with a bang.
BEST ALIEN DESIGN
The Mystery Marauders from Adventure Comics 316
BEST TECHNOBABBLE
Adventure Comics 340
Invert Ap-Trogs for increased frequency-waps!
BEST INVENTION OF ALL TIME
Adventure Comics 319
The Planetary Chance Machine ™
BEST PANEL
Adventure Comics 333
I’m a sucker for moody panels.
BEST SPLASH PAGE
Adventure Comics 341
The only reason this doesn’t win “best panel” is that it’s a full page.
BEST COVER
Adventure Comics 312
Iconic? Check. Shows a scene in the comic? Check. Includes dialogue but doesn’t spoil the ending? Check.
WORST COVER
Adventure Comics 330
Silly? Check. Shows the least consequential scene in the comic? Check. Doesn’t even make sense in context? Check. Is the cover to one of the worst Legion stories ever? Check.
