ADVENTURE COMICS 357 (1967)
by Jim Shooter & Curt Swan
Let’s forget the embarrassing story about Ferro Lad’s twin. This is the REAL coda to the saga of Ferro Lad.
We begin with the Legionnaires honoring the memory of Ferro Lad on Shanghalla.
Nice moody scene, even if I’m not sure why Superboy needs a spacesuit.
Superboy is pretty shaken by Ferro Lad’s death, even more than the others.
This panel is not as iconic as Ferro Lad’s flying through the Sun Eater, but it’s up there.
Superboy has more characterization in these few panels than in all of his solo stories combined!
We also check on the private lives of the Legionnaires, a true rarity up to this point.
First mention of Magno Ball, the sport from Cosmic Boy’s planet, which will play a surprisingly significant role in Legion lore.
I suppose this could also be the introduction of Cosmic Boy’s keen interest in the 20th century. Although EVERYONE was obsessed with Superman in this era.
He’s called to an emergency to the Legion HQ. Someone is trying to kill Superboy: the HQ itself!
They fight the machinery flying around, causing an explosion. And when that’s over, they find this:
Spooky!
Brainiac 5 is not convinced.
Saturn Girl is equally skeptical, but she’s far more of a people person than Brainy. Not that it’s difficult, mind you…
Brainiac 5 comes up with a practical method to catch a ghost (because of course he does), except Princess Projectra is of a completely different opinion.
Also he has a device that can disrupt her illusion powers. Because of course he does.
So when a giant Ferro Lad ghost appears, Brainiac 5 is the only one who can’t see it.
His instruments can’t detect a thing…
…but Saturn Girl can, adding to the mystery.
This proves too much for Saturn Girl, who loses consciousness.
Considering Brainiac 5’s science has failed to do anything useful, Projectra has a different option.
Brainiac 5 is less than enthusiastic about this.
But honestly it’s pretty hard to contest the results!
Spookier!
Ferro Lad’s ghost is pretty harsh.
There’s only one thing to do… surrender! Wait, what?
Everyone else’s reaction is basically “are you freakin’ kidding me!?”
Superboy tries to return to the 20th century, but an unknown force kidnaps him.
And the one responsible is the first Controller we ever meet!
The Controllers will become very important to the Legion, and they will be eventually be revealed to be an offshoot of the Guardians Of The Universe, the creators of the Green Lantern Corps.
Needless to say, when he says they’re near-omnipotent, he’s not kidding around.
They are, in fact, the ones who created the Sun-Eater!!!
All the other Controllers left the Legion’s dimension, but this one decided to take over the universe.
He’s the one who has been creating the illusion of the ghost of Ferro Lad, and he’s the one who took out Saturn Girl.
You might wonder why he wanted to disband the Legion, and he does have an explanation.
It’s a little clunky, but it makes a certain amount of sense.
Before the Controlled can mind control Superboy, someone activates the emergency signal on his Flight Ring.
Legion to the rescue!
The Controller’s automated defenses keep the Legionnaires busy. With his plan ruined, his next move is to blow up the entire base.
Except… SOMETHING literally scares him to death!
As for who activated the emergency signal on Superboy’s ring… it remains a mystery.
Or is it?
Those last two panels are a classic for a reason. Fantastic ending!
Legion significance: 8/10
This is far from the last time we will see the Controllers, the Sun-Eater is officially revealed to be an artificial being, plus Magno Ball is established.
We will never be told if that really was Ferro Lad’s ghost, which honestly only makes the story so much better.
Silver Age-ness: 1/10
How many Silver Age stories are there that address the survivor’s guilt of Superboy? I suppose the seance could be considered a little silly, but in a universe where magic is real, why WOULDN’T you do one if you think there’s a ghost around?
Does it stand the test of time? 9/10
This is a great story. The only thing that hurts it is how unbelievably quickly the Legionnaires agree to disband the team, but in their defense only four of them are shown to agree to it.
The Controller’s plan is a little convoluted, but it checks out: if he doesn’t have the Sun-Eater anymore, why wouldn’t he resort to mind control if that’s how the rest of his species operates?
We are legion
23 Legionnaires
2 reserve member: Kid Psycho, Insect Queen
1 resigned member: Command Kid
1 honorary member: Elastic Lad
1 expelled member: Nemesis Kid
2 deceased members: Dynamo Boy and Ferro Lad
How much Legion is too much?
The total number of characters who have been members is 30.
It says in the story that Superboy is wearing a space suit so he can communicate with the other legionnaires through the radio in the suit.
Great review. This is a classic Legion story from the good old days.
Thank you for all your reviews. They are terrific.
I only read this issue for the first time about a year ago. I didn’t think that much of it at the time. But your review helped me see its worth with new eyes. Thanks!
And yeah, just immediately disbanding seemed a bit, er, defeatist!