Action Comics #381

ACTION COMICS 381 (1969)
by Jim Shooter & Win Mortimer

You know who’s had absolutely zero character development so far? Matter-Eater Lad.
And of course Jim Shooter gives the most ridiculous Legionnaires one of the most adult themes.

We begin with the Legionnaires going back home after a mission. We also find out why Chemical King is in the team: he’s the designated driver.

Matter-Eater Lad doesn’t want his teammates to see his home, because he lives in the slums.
First indication that the supposed utopia of the 30th century isn’t as perfect as we’ve been led to believe!

Once he’s back home, his mother immediately starts to talk about the monthly allowance that the Legion provides.

That’s because his family is living off his Legion money, particularly because his father has a gambling addiction. More about the implications of this idea later.

The only part that I find hard to swallow is the idea that his parents have trouble paying for food.
Rent I get, but… food? They have the same powers of their son! They can LITERALLY eat anything, why would they even need to buy regular food!?

His father is a real piece of work.

But it’s not like his mother is any better.

Matter-Eater Lad storms off, going back to Legion HQ to clear his mind. He expects to find Brainiac 5, but Shrinking Violet needs character development as badly as M.E.L.

She’s been dating Duplicate Boy from the Heroes of Lallor, behind the scenes.

And hey, this time Shooter gives us a somewhat believable use of a parsec distance!

She’s sad because Duplicate Boy ghosted her, so Matter-Eater Lad takes it upon himself to cheer her up by going on a date.

I’m so used to the fun-loving 5YL version of Matter-Eater Lad that the idea that he was originally considered “the stick-in-the-mud” feels very weird.

They have a date at a costly restaurant, with her pointing out the irony of the guy who can eat anything raving over food, and him talking about his family.

He also takes her dancing, 30th century style.

This is so wholesome that I expect to see Supergirl show up at any moment.

But no, it’s Duplicate Boy that shows up, jealous that Shrinking Violet is dating someone else.
He’s expecting a fight… except Matter-Eater Lad KNOWS he doesn’t stand a chance against him.

In just a couple of panels we subvert FOUR tropes:
1) there is no “misunderstanding fight”
2) Shrinking Violet doesn’t immediately dump her boyfriend
3) Duplicate Boy does learn his lesson and apologizes
4) there are no hard feelings from Matter-Eater Lad
And all of this is absolutely earned!

Too bad the plot about Matter-Eater Lad’s parents gets resolved simplistically in a single panel.

This last panel REALLY feels like an editorial mandate, doesn’t it?

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Legion significance: 1/10
It’s the first time Matter-Eater Lad and Shrinking Violet feel like real characters, but overall this doesn’t have a significant impact.

Silver Age-ness: 1/10
The idea that the parents need money for food when they can literally eat garbage…

Does it stand the test of time? 9/10
We ALMOST had a full 10/10 in our hands! Unfortunately the last panel spoils it.
The story gets a little sad if you’re aware of Jim Shooter’s biography: he was just a teenager when he began writing comics, but since his father had lost his job he was the one supporting his family.
Shooter has talked about the pressure to provide for his family while also dealing with school, adolescence and his tyrannical editor Mort Weisinger. You can DEFINITELY see the inspiration for Matter-Eater Lad’s situation, even though I’ve never seen Shooter express any resentment towards his parents in any interview (giving the M.E.L.’s father a gambling addiction was likely for drama).

We are legion
26 Legionnaires
2 reserve members: Kid Psycho, Insect Queen
3 honorary members: Elastic Lad, Pete Ross, Rond Vidar
1 resigned member: Command Kid
1 expelled member: Nemesis Kid
2 deceased members: Dynamo Boy, Ferro Lad

 How much Legion is too much?
The total number of characters who have been members is 35.

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Interesting letters: but what happens if Duo Damsel isn’t around to copy her powers? Nemesis Kid can defeat any single opponent, but what if that opponent has the same exact power?

Also this. No comment.