SUPERBOY 203 (1974)
by Cary Bates & Mike Grell
cover by Nick Cardy
Mike Grell is new new Legion artist. His contribution could be considered to be even more important than Cockrum’s, and he starts with a pretty significant story.
We start with a very weird looking bunch of thieves breaking into the Legion HQ.
Only to be captured by the Legionnaires.
But it’s all just a trick to allow one of them to sneak further into the building and activate a weird device.
Except… the Legion infiltrated its own headquarters.
Which SOUNDS like a stupid Silver Age thing, but it’s actually just practice to deal with this kind of situation.
Nobody draws capes quite like Mike Grell.
Element Lad’s team won the exercise, but that was only because Invisible Kid was supposed to be guarding the Legion’s museum.
And Invisible Kid didn’t show up (pun intended) because he’s not feeling so good.
Brainiac 5 decides to use one of his mind probes (why is that always his first solution!?) to discover what’s happened to Invisible Kid.
He has memories of meeting a mysterious girl named Myla in some kind of ghost dimension.
An attempt to learn more blows up the mind probe, and Invisible Kid really doesn’t want to talk about Myla.
However he does explain to Phantom Girl that lately he’s been able to see an invisible dimension.
Incredible that it took this much time before anyone pointed out these two have something in common.
But that’ll have to wait because SUDDEN NIGHTMARE!
Which is good for me since I love Validus, but really really REALLY bad for the Legion.
But if Validus is coming, can Tharok be far behind?
Apparently yes, because Tharok is currently out of commission!
Ominous!
Superboy still thinks he knows why Validus is attacking, but there’s not much time to think about it since the monster is about to hit the planet!
Unfortunately he’s still FREAKING VALIDUS, so Superboy can’t knock him out!
Things just went from bad to worst.
Good luck, guys!
Brute strength won’t cut it against Validus, and you can’t even use stealth!
The solution to the mystery is, of course:
The deduction is made by Invisible Kid, who has been using his power to keep himself invisible from Validus’ brain (???).
Despite being crushed by Validus (and lacking super-strength!), Invisible Kid manages to crush the Tharok component and save the Legion.
Unfortunately this is his last heroic act: Invisible Kid dies.
And just when he was going to date a ghost!
In a bittersweet ending, at least Invisible Kid and Myla will be together at last.
Well, at least until the reboot. This is the Legion after all.
Historical significance: 9/10
Invisible Kid dies. It’s been a while since he did anything significant, but he was one of the longest running members (he was the seventh introduced!). He’s also the second Legionnaire to die in the line of duty, proving that Ferro Lad wasn’t an exception!
Silver Age-ness: 6/10
Invisible Kid is suddenly able to see ghosts? What!?
Does it stand the test of time? 7/10
Invisible Kid’s last moments hold up really well and there’s a genuine sense of dread when Validus shows up. Too bad the ending feels a bit rushed… the fact that we barely know Myla makes the ending feel a bit hollow. It would’ve been great of only we had spent SOME time with Myla.
Despite the criticism, this is still a thoroughly enjoyable story and a great first outing for Mike Grell!
We are legion
24 Legionnaires
3 reserve members: Kid Psycho, Insect Queen, Duo Damsel
4 honorary members: Elastic Lad, Pete Ross, Rond Vidar, Bouncing Boy
1 resigned member: Command Kid
1 expelled member: Nemesis Kid
3 deceased members: Dynamo Boy, Ferro Lad, Invisible Kid
How much Legion is too much?
The total number of characters who have been members is 36.