Superboy and the LSH #225 (1977)
“And Who Shall Lead Them?” by Paul Levitz & Jim Sherman
“A Matter of Priorities” by Paul Levitz & Michael Netzer
cover by Mike Grell
If you thought this would be the continuation of the Pulsar Stargrave storyline… nope!
That will have to wait for the following issue.
This marks the REAL debut of legendary Legion writer Paul Levitz… if you don’t count the atrocious Karate Kid #1, which we can all agree is best left forgotten.
We begin with Wildfire of all people being elected leader.
Yeah, elect the hothead newbie, I’m sure that’ll work.
Superboy is making a scene during the swearing ceremony because HE got the most votes…
There’s a reason behind it: Superboy didn’t bother reading the actual Legion rules.
Enjoy that reference to Karate Kid spending time in the 20th century because I don’t even know if we’ll ever get a second one.
I’m ambivalent about this whole situation.
On one hand, yes it makes PERFECT sense to change the rules so that the leader can’t be a part-time job.
But on the other hand… those votes Superboy received? These were votes from other Legionnaires!
So there are only two explanations, really:
A) Most of the Legion doesn’t bother learning the rules
B) Superboy won the election, but the Legion realized it would’ve been an awful idea to have him as leader and voted to add the new rule.
Option B is of course the better one, but it should’ve explained better and at the very least they should’ve allowed Superboy to vote!
It’s not like he would’ve thrown a temper tantrum.
On second thought, maybe changing the rules behind his back wasn’t such a bad idea.
Also: either Shadow Lass is REALLY going to challenge Dream Girl for the “Most Fanservice” categories of the Legion awards, or her costume keeps shrinking.
Wildfire’s tenure doesn’t start all that bad: he coordinates the Legionnaires to stop the actions of the Resource Raiders that are plundering the planet.
It’s also a chance for Levitz to show off one of his greatest talents as a Legion writer: he tends to give EVERYONE the chance to be useful.
Superboy prevents Wildfire from opening fire on the Resource Raiders, showing off the advantages of having a dozen super-senses.
Unless he planted some fake evidence, but the boy who will grow up to be The Worst would never do something like that, right?
Right?
Well, considering he’s caught stealing Wildfire’s spare containment suit, he’s looking quite guilty.
We don’t see their fight and Wildfire demonstrates powers he shouldn’t have, so you’ve probably guessed what just happened.
The Resource Raiders, by the way, have a thoroughly alien design.
Turns out the reason why Superboy really wanted to be the leader had nothing to do with his ego: the Legion computer SOMEHOW predicted that the leader was going to get shot.
Except Wildfire knew everything from the start and has been ahead of him the whole time!
It’s a bit rushed, but I can’t concentrate on the finale because I’m mesmerized by the design of the Resource Raiders.
My review probably doesn’t give it justice, since the layout makes it hard to show the panels without posting the entire pages.
You’ll have to take my word that this is a good story.
Next we have a small story which feels like a backup from the inventory.
Timber Wolf and Sun Boy have just witnessed a murder while they are undercover.
The Legionnaires are so undercover that not only they are unrecognizable to the readers, apparently they didn’t even recognize each other!
Leave it to Paul Levitz to reference the absurdly ridiculous Luck Lords planet from Adventure Comics #343 and still keep the story serious!
Star Boy is frustrated about being ordered to avoid using powers to keep the mission secret, when he has an idea.
Of course the solution is to CALL SATAN!!!
Well, actually it’s an illusion by Projectra backed up by Sun Boy’s powers.
Why this entire thing? Because the assassin comes from the most superstitious planet in the Galaxy, they know this will get him into the open. AND IT WORKS.
So… yeah. The Luck Lords were used in a good story!!!
Now THAT is the Paul Levitz I recognize!
Historical significance: 0/10
I don’t count changes in the writers for this category, so even if the Resource Raiders DO show up again they’re just a footnote in Legion history. The second story is harmless fluff.
Silver Age-ness
First story: 8/10
The Legion’s magical computer somehow was able to predict the future but get everything wrong. Isn’t that why we have Dream Girl?
Second story: 2/10
Who would’ve thought that a story involving the Luck Lords would have such a low Siver Age-ness?
Does it stand the test of time?
First story: 7/10
It’s not perfect, mostly because it feels VERY rushed, but you can really see the effort to give everyone something to do and exploiting Superboy’s legendary awfulness while still giving him somewhat plausible excuses.
Second story: 8/10
At six pages it doesn’t have much room to breathe, and the art isn’t particularly impressive. But it’s a good story that I wouldn’t mind see adapted.
We are legion
23 active Legionnaires
6 reserve members
Interesting letters: if you’re wondering why this issue isn’t a continuation of the previous one… Jim Shooter has left DC to write for Marvel, and Cary Bates has started his legendary run on Flash.
Levitz isn’t QUITE the regular writer right now, as he’ll alternate with a few others.
Also: this is the era of the fanzines, and there were a lot following the Legion.
