The Brave And The Bold #179 (1981)
by Martin Pasko & Ernie Colon
cover by Ross Andru & Dick Giordano
After so many team-ups with the Metal Men, this time Batman has a crossover of sorts with the Legion.
We begin with Batman stopping a robbery involving a package from STAR Labs. They’re usually working in Metropolis, but for some reason they’re in Gotham now.
So what were the criminals trying to steal? Just a time capsule…
…which we find will eventually reach the Legion’s 30th century. Also it’s not a time capsule but an antimatter bomb!!!
And the bomb (or the egg as they call it) is stolen by this Masters Of The Universe reject.
Who also employs robot henchmen, as the Legion soon discovers when they reach the scene of the crime.
This guy then knocks out the Legionnaires with “super-hypnotism” and then leaves, disappearing into the 20th century.
He’s the reason why the time capsule isn’t really in the 30th century, because he’s the one replacing it with the antimatter egg-bomb.
Batman gets the drop on him, but he’s brought back into the 30th century.
If the mention of “super-hypnotism” wasn’t enough, when we also learn this guy used a Time Capsule™, it’s no surprise who’s behind this scheme: Universo.
The Legion makes the same deduction. And unlike Universo’s previous appearance in Superman Family #207, this time we are told just how he managed to reach the 20th century.
In an extremely weird moment, Universo’s minion showcases how the Mini-Time Capsule™ works by… snapping pictures from the past of Duo Damsel’s world!?!?
I’m not entirely sure WTF that picture is supposed to be, but I’m fairly sure it’s been heavily censored by the Comics Code.
And speaking of weirdness: Universo’s name is “Argus Oranx”? SINCE WHEN!?!?
While this is going on, Batman finds his way through the 30th century.
Batman sneaks into the Legion HQ, because he’s Batman, but the Legion immediately spots him.
I love how the Legionnaires just sit around Batman as if he’s a grandpa telling stories.
Also notice that Batman’s only knowledge about the Legion (except some info from Superman I suppose) comes from Justice League #146.
Also Metropolis is so gigantic in the 30th century that Gotham City no longer exists as a separate entity.
Universo’s minion placed the egg-bomb into the past and it’s going to open soon in the present, but Batman can’t go back in time to stop him because that would mean changing history.
That part checks out, but then why does Universo making the switch in the first place doesn’t break the rules? I guess the switch was SUPPOSED to be part of history but stopping Universo WASN’T, and that can only be because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Also, if you thought Batman breaking into Legion HQ was impressive… they might as well not bother closing the door since EVERYONE manages to break into the HQ.
What’s weird is that the rest of the Legion is already in the 20th century during the Reflecto saga… except they’re not in the right YEAR, because they’re in Superboy’s time!!!
The reason why Universo is being so successful is that his son, honorary Legionnaire Rond Vidar, is working for him. But since he’s immune to super-hypnotism, they had to shave his head and give him a mind-control helmet.
At least I think they shaved him… is Rond actually bald?
Universo is dumb enough to send a threatening video to the Legion… and since Batman notices the noise of dripping water beneath the message, he figures out Universo is hiding in the sewers.
Which apparently are great at hiding stuff from sensors. (?????)
The Mini-Time Capsule™ is an immensely versatile weapon: none of these Legionnaires can time travel on his/her own, so Universo and his minion SHOULD be able to trap them anywhere… but they completely blow the opportunity by exiling ONLY the Legion girls!
But that’s a moot point because Batman and the Legionnaires used the telepathic earplugs to locate the missing members, and the minion is quickly defeated.
Why does Batman look very angry to learn that his descendants will intermarry with Commissioner Gordon’s descendants?
Also: both “Gordon” and “Wayne” are not particularly rare last names, so it’s entirely possible that none of this is related to Batman anyway. Heck, Eclipso’s real name is Bruce Gordon and he’s not related to the Commissioner!
We’re in the final stretch. While Universo puts the Legionnaires against each other thanks to his super-hypnotism…
…Batman disables the egg-bomb.
The Legion defeats Universo and Batman returns to the 20th century, surely to brood about being related to Commissioner Gordon.
Legion significance: 0/10
You’d think the first legit Batman crossover would have SOME impact, but nope. Even stranger, Batman knowing he’ll have descendants is utterly insignificant.
Silver Age-ness: 6/10
Antimatter egg-bomb and absurdly easy time travel, anyone?
Does it stand the test of time? 5/10
This started very strongly but quickly fizzled out. The time capsule mystery was intriguing, but as soon as Universo is revealed he starts to make one idiotic move after the other. There’s also a severe lack of interaction between Batman and the Legion; possibly because pre-Crisis Batman had already seen WAY crazier stuff, but even the future shock is very underplayed.
We are legion
23 Legionnaires
5 reserve members
1 on sick leave (Matter-Eater Lad)