Superboy 188

SUPERBOY 188 (1972)
by Cary Bates & Dave Cockrum

This is one of the weirdest ways to begin a Legion story that I’ve ever seen.
We start in the 20th century where Superboy has just defeated Mordru. On his own.

First of all, this the second time in a row that Mordru is completely wasted.
Second, Superboy being able to defeat him ON HIS OWN goes against pretty much everything we’ve been told about Mordru.
Third, ALL OF THIS was just to introduce the Blood Crystals that make anyone who sees Superboy instantly hate him!

THIS IS STILL PAGE ONE. Anyone reading this would’ve sworn that they missed a Legion story, but no! This is not the second part of anything… Mordru is just defeated by one Legionnaire, ON PAGE ONE. Simply to introduce a McGuffin.

Please note that three years after this story Mordru will be the main villain against the combined forces of the Legion, the Justice League AND the Justice Society.

*groan*

Being the son of Jor-El, Superboy continues the family tradition to solving any problem by tossing it into space.

The crystals are picked up 1,000 years later by the Legion. Great job, Superboy!

This causes Chameleon Boy to immediately hate Superboy.

Then Ultra Boy leaves the research station to return to Legion HQ, where he decides to take a vacation to 20th century Earth.

Except, after Ultra Boy is gone into the past… Ultra Boy calls from the station!

That is one huge screen.

Lightning Lad and Brainiac 5 follow Chameleon Boy into the past. Is it just me or Brainy sounds like he’s been waiting for an excuse to expel him?

Once in the past, however, Superboy explains that he’s already figured out what happened to Chameleon Boy and has found a way to cure him.

Well that was quick.

So of course it’s not that easy. You would think that the Legionnaires would be extra careful when dealing with a shapeshifter…

But wait, you might ask, if Superboy was Chameleon Boy, who was Chameleon Boy?
Why, it was a casket shaped like Chameleon Boy. (WTF!?)

He was defeated by SUDDEN ELEPHANT KRYPTONITE!

Needless to say, the elephant was Chameleon Boy. There’s no need to explain where he got the Kryptonite, the stuff was everywhere in the 20th century.

Superboy saves himself because he sucks.

WHY DOESN’T THIS KILL HIM!?

Then Superboy murders Chameleon Boy in cold blood!

Just kidding: burying him negated the effects of Mordru’s magic. Somehow.

In case you’re wondering: no, Mordru’s magic doesn’t work this way in future issues.

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Historical significance: 0/10
Yet another Mordru appearance that is best left forgotten.

Silver Age-ness: 5/10
Fairly typical Kryptonite shenanigans.

 Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
The Blood Crystals are a perfectly fine concept, but THIS SUCKED.
Mordru is utterly wasted, the Legionnaires are easily duped multiple times, and the ending is unsatisfying to say the least. The only saving grace is the art, with Cockrum slowly progressing towards his own style.

We are legion
25 Legionnaires
3 reserve members: Kid Psycho, Insect Queen, Superboy
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.