Adventure Comics #358

ADVENTURE COMICS 358 (1967)
by Jim Shooter & George Papp

If you ever wondered “what would happen if Kraven the Hunter targeted the Legion”, here’s the story for you.

Do I really have to explain what the Hunter does? It’s literally in his name.

I really miss John Forte’s art. He would’ve come up with some crazy animals, but we have to settle for George Papp and his “tigerram”.

The Hunter has already captured the most dangerous animals in the Galaxy, so he turns his attention to the Legion.
The fact that he has a fake trophy with their plastic heads significantly reduces his threat.

The Hunter isn’t just, well, a hunter. He’s also a billionaire in charge of a large space fleet, which he uses to threaten to blow up Earth if the Legion doesn’t respond to his challenge.

He also releases his alien animals. Did I mention how much I miss John Forte?

We do get a chance to have the Legionnaire use their powers, though. George Papp is a regular on Superboy stories, but he seems to struggle to find ways to show off unusual powers.
I miss Curt Swan.

OF COURSE the Hunter has a Kryptonite Beast. Don’t think too hard on how THAT works.

The Hunter offers to call off the stampede if the Legion surrenders, and they do.

I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that they go along with this because they want to know more about the Hunter, but it’s a stretch.

At least we get SOME explanation on how Hunter is able to keep these guys in a cell, even if Chameleon Boy continues to disappoint.

After they spend the night in jail, the Hunter issues his formal challenge.

Superboy is immediately taken out by, what else, Kryptonite.

Ultra Boy stays on the ground to avoid being spotted, but the Hunter finds him anyway and unleashes his Ultra Beasts… which turn out to be mechanical elephants that shoot lasers.

Ultra Boy’s invulnerability protects him, but the Hunter knows his real weakness: trunks! (???)

Next is Chameleon Boy, hunted by Sensor Dogs.

Hey Chameleon Boy actually remembered to use his powers!

Aaaand he’s out in one shot.

He shouldn’t feel too bad, though. Shrinking Violet has the worst show of all of them.

Karate Kid makes short work of the Hunter’s servants, but unfortunately it turns out that it was all a trap.

That leaves Invisible Kid as the last Legionnaire standing. His plan is a Tarzan impersonation.

He does manage to get to the end of the challenge, though apparently it’s mostly because the Hunter has terrible aim.

Why the explosion? Because the Hunter wanted to give himself a challenge: either he stopped the Legionnaires or he would die.

And die he does.

 

Legion significance: 0/10
The Hunter will stay dead, but his son will take up the mantle and become an irregular villain.

Silver Age-ness: 3/10
Pretty low on the silliness all things considered, but once again the Legion gives up WAY too soon to be believable in any other era.

Does it stand the test of time? 2/10
This is a very clear case of “make your villain threatening by making your heroes suck”. I really like the final twist of the Hunter giving himself a challenge with the bomb, but that’s about it. He’s otherwise really generic and he’s not integrated well into the Legion’s world.
Speaking of the Legion… this was just embarrassing! Invisible Kid gets to shine (oh, the irony!), but everyone else really has no excuse.
Overall, this REALLY feels more like a Hamilton story than a Shooter one!

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.

Interesting letters: a surprisingly philosophical statement on why the Legion fans love the series so much. I think it applies to pretty much any franchise, but well said Liz.

This one is… complicated. Let’s just say it gets close enough to what actually happens to just barely get it wrong.