I had better memories of the Gerry Conway run until I reviewed it. To be fair it is split between this and the previous era considering the very arbitrary way I’ve separated them… but that excuse only goes so far. Most of the time Conway doesn’t really seem to know what he wants to DO with the Legion, and several storylines don’t contribute much.
And his own run closes in a very awkward way, with the Reflecto Saga that… you know.
One clarification: while I’ve reviewed it in the middle of this era, Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow is NOT considered eligible for the Legion Awards.
Not only it’s not technically in continuity… it would sweep pretty much all the positive awards.
But before the awards themselves, our classic categories when applied to the whole era:
Legion significance: 3/10
In the grand scheme of things, not a whole lot tends to happen. The most significant event is the revelation of R.J.Brande’s origin, but even that is not explored here and will gain significance later.
Silver Age-ness: 7/10
It’s much lower for the most part, but insanities like Dr. Mayavale and Reflecto significantly increase the score.
Does it stand the test of time? 4/10
What a mess. Despite some great ideas here and there this era really, REALLY struggles to get going. It’s not until Levitz takes over that the series gets going, and it’s at the very very end.
And now, ladies and gentlemen: the Legion Awards!
BEST LEGIONNAIRE
Winner: Wildfire
He was such a defining factor of the previous era that last time he was both in the Best AND Worst categories, but he was still relatively one-note. This era finally develops him into a complex character, and most notably he stars in the best story of the era.
Runner-up: Lightning Lad
It’s a little late, but every chance at character development is welcome.
Third place: Ultra Boy
Love it or hate it, this era would not be the same without him.
Honorable mention: Dream Girl
She’s barely seen, but her beat-up of Dr. Mayavale in Legion of Super Heroes #268 was immensely satisfying and her solo story in LSH #285 was very well done.
WORST LEGIONNAIRE
Winner: Cosmic Boy
He doesn’t really do anything significant, except when he manages to make the Reflecto storyline even WORSE by needlessly antagonizing Reflecto for almost no reason!!!
Runner-up: Light Lass
Despite some early promises of her becoming a competent hero, she rapidly disappears… only to be given some focus in her relationship with Timber Wolf, which turns out to be quite toxic.
Third place: Tyroc
Poor dolt. He doesn’t get to do much before his disappointing swan song. The good news is he basically disappears for a long time… the bad news is that he’s now the Legionnaire with the worst record.
Dishonorable mention: The Legion Headquarters
EVERYBODY manages to get past security!!!
PARTECIPATION TROPHIES
-Elastic Lad: it’s his last connection to the Legion but Jimmy Olsen manages to do something right for the first time!!!
-Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel: the couple (threesome?) we’re always rooting for
-Phantom Girl: the constant angst can be a bit annoying even when it’s justified, but she gets to kick ass a couple of times
–Colossal Boy and Chameleon Boy: the “I’m suddenly significant because a family member is central to the plot but I later disappear” duo.
-Princess Projectra and Karate Kid: the “it’s about damn time we do anything with these two” duo.
-Supergirl, Insect Queen and Rond Vidar: the “oh yeah these guys are still around” trio
MOST IMPROVED LEGIONNAIRE: Superboy
He skips most of the era, and his role in the Reflecto storyline is absurd, but his moral struggle with the implications of time travel were very well done. Contrast to the previous era, where aside from leaving he didn’t get to do much of anything.
BEST NEW LEGIONNAIRE: Blok
By default since he’s the only one, but he would’ve won regardless: Blok is immediately a breath of fresh air!
MOST FANSERVICE LEGIONNAIRE
You would think Dream Girl would take the spot once more, but it’s Light Lass of all people!
BEST VILLAIN
Winner: Grimbor
The dude CHAINED UP THE EARTH!!! And the only reason he didn’t slaughter its population and defeat the Legion is that nobody could predict the Reflecto nonsense.
Runner-up: the Dark Man
There are holes in his storyline large enough for Colossal Boy, but he IS a considerable menace… arguably a better villain than Tharok, sometimes.
Third place: The Engineer from Legion of Super Heroes #262
More on concept than execution, but anyone responsible for the existence of a zombie android pirate planet is okay in my book.
Honorable mention: Dr. Mayavale
Completely and utterly insane character AND story, but damn if he’s not entertaining!!!
WORST VILLAIN
Winner: Mordru from Legion of Super Heroes #276
Continuing the thread of one utterly embarrassing defeat after the other. He feels extraneous to the whole story, his plan is stupid and he goes out in the most pathetic way.
Runner-up: Universo from Superman Family #207 and Brave And The Bold #179
If I had a dollar for every time Universo is the villain of an absolutely nonsensical story that has a team-up between the Legion and a time-traveling 20th century hero… I would have two dollars, but it’s weird it happened twice in the same era! Universo has arguably a worse showing than Mordru, but you don’t expect THAT much from Universo so it’s slightly less painful.
Third place: Pulsar Stargrave from Legion of Super Heroes #273
He seems to score an important victory by “killing” Ultra Boy, but then he loses in a very stupid way in a story that MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER.
Dishonorable mention: Dagon from Legion of Super Heroes II 263
A cool design wasted on a forgettable character in a disappointing storyline.
MOST INFLUENTIAL STORY
Winner: Secrets of the Legion of Super-Heroes #1-3
While it has little to no impact on THIS era, the revelation that R.J.Brande is Chameleon Boy’s father sticks.
Runner-up: Legion of Super Heroes #284
Dr. Gym’ll, Medicus One, the new Timber Wolf look, and Dungeons & Dragons.
Third place: Legion of Super Heroes #286
Setting up the upcoming development of Projectra into her role of Queen.
Honorable mention: Legion of Super Heroes II 259
Superboy will eventually return to the Legion, but this cements the idea that it’s not going to be a permanent thing forever.
BEST STORY
Winner: Legion of Super Heroes #283
The last Roy Thomas story is a gut-wrenching tragedy that just works on so many levels.
Runner-up: Legion of Super Heroes #262
It’s great sci-fi superhero fun! One of the few times Conway really takes advantage of the setting and the large cast.
Third place: Legion of Super Heroes #259
Superboy’s departure from the team is given the right weight, and the resolution is far from predictable.
Honorable mention: the Grimbor storyline, Legion of Super Heroes 278&279
There are several flaws, mostly because of the Reflecto stuff, but mercifully it retcons the previous issue’s idea that Earth has only enough food for a week. Grimbor is delightfully over the top and very entertaining, and despite gigantic leaps in logic (since when is Projectra a scientific genius!?) the story flows nicely.
WORST STORY
Winner: The Brave and the Bold #179
The story makes little to no sense, Universo is utterly embarrassed, Batman’s presence is wasted AND we introduce a weapon with immense potential that is used in the worst possible way.
Runner-up: Superman Family #207
Yet ANOTHER utterly embarrassing Universo plan.
Third place: the Reflecto saga, Legion of Super-Heroes #280-282
There are good things in there. Unfortunately, the bad things are just overwhelming.
Dishonorable mention: Legion of Super Heroes #265
Marzal is a FANTASTIC idea, but it’s utterly wasted in a frantic (if understandable) push to get rid of Tyroc. Poor dolt.
BEST REJECTED MEMBER: Nightwind
Wind powers are a bit reminiscent of super-breath, but they could be more versatile and less ridiculous. Plus, unlike Crystal Kid, she has a personality.
WORST REJECTED MEMBER: Lamprey
She shoots electricity like an eel. Not useless power, but she’s trying to join a team that has Lightning Lad!
WORST ALMOST LEGIONNAIRE: Reflecto
Need I say more!?
BEST DANCER: Wildfire before his transformation
WORST DANCER: Wildfire’s girlfriend
MOST SILVER AGE PANEL
Superheroes fighting pirates IN SPACE!!!
MOST MEME-WORTHY PANEL
BEST ALIEN DESIGN: whatever the heck H’Hrnath is.
WORST ALIEN DESIGN: the Sucking Tentacles Plant
BEST TECHNOBABBLE
WORST TECHNOBABBLE
BEST REACTION SHOT
Shadow Lass reacting to the lameness of Legion of Super Heroes #276.
WORST REACTION SHOT
Saturn Girl after reading Legion of Super Heroes #263 and discovering this is the first era where she doesn’t win a trophy.
BEST PANEL
WORST PANEL
Mordru, the all-powerful wizard god of a planet of magicians who regularly fights dozens of planet-destroying superheroes at once, being wounded by the sword of a normal dude.
BEST SPLASH PAGE
There’s a surprising lack of actual splash pages in this era! Fortunately Legion of Super Heroes #286 comes to the rescue.
MOST STEVE DITKO PANEL
MOST FANSERVICE PANEL
WORST FANSERVICE PANEL
He’s called the Dark Man because you’d rather keep the lights off.
MOST DIRTY INNUENDO PANEL
BEST COVER
Legion of Super-Heroes #280
A classic for a reason.
WORST COVER
Superman Family #207
Leaving aside the ugly anthology design, the Supergirl portion includes a massive spoiler that makes a bad story even worse!!!
BEST NEW COSTUME
Not a 100% new costume, but Shadow Lass wears black opera gloves throughout Legion of Super Heroes #265. Too bad she ditches them, I like them!
WORST NEW COSTUME
Okay there are TECHNICALLY no new costumes in this run, but Steve Ditko seemed convinced that the Legionnaires wear armor in space.
MOST NSFW CODENAME: VIBREX, MASTER OF VIBRATION
WORST COSTUME OF THE CENTURY: VIBREX, MASTER OF VIBRATION
