Legion of Super-Heroes #305 (1983)
by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen
Very often, when an issue is historically significant it’s not always easy to remember it from the cover.
Not this time.
We begin on Imsk (Shrinking Violet’s planet), with one of the Encyclopaedia Galactica excerpts reminding us that the planet also shrinks. We learned that in issue #234, but it’s still “not proven” for the general public.
The Legion is here with Shrinking Violet because she was recalled to her planet to help with an emergency… except it’s all just a ruse from the Legion itself: this is a sting operation to expose the infiltrator.
The way “Shrinking Violet” is captured is a bit of continuity: they sprayed with Cancelite™, the anti-shapeshifting chemical Supergirl created aaaaaall the way back in the awful Adventure Comics #326.
Who would’ve thought the same story that gave us “planet Femnaz” (!!!!) would end up being important 19 years later?
But yeah, this is quite an important moment: Shrinking Violet has been replaced by a Durlan shapeshifter for many issues. Surprisingly enough, the actual revelation is really understated, because the reader was told last issue.
The Legion investigates by using a mind-probe on her (that’s what happens when you don’t bring Saturn Girl with you).
The impostor is Yera, and technically she’s not a spy: she’s just an actress.
The obvious suspects for planting an impostor inside the Legion would’ve been the Khunds or the Dominators, or even the Durlans. But no, Yera was actually working for Imsk terrorists!
Including Micro Lad, one of the rejected members from Superboy #212.
Even more surprisingly, Yera isn’t even particularly interested in their cause: she’s only doing this to prove that Durlans can act.
The switch happened in LSH #287, meaning we have been following the impostor since the very beginning of the Great Darkness Saga !!!
The fallout from this revelation varies from Legionnaire to Legionnaire.
Chameleon Boy laments how much the Legion’s security has fallen (to be fair that’s been going on for a long time, since apparently anyone can just break into the HQ these days), and Brainiac 5 is worried about the fate of the real Shrinking Violet.
This is particularly hard on Colossal Boy: turns out the girl he’s always had a crush on didn’t fall in love with him.
Element Lad’s explanation for why they didn’t warn Colossal Boy the second the knew about the impostor is that they didn’t want to tip off Yera. Which makes sense, but I think we can all excuse Colossal Boy for being upset.
We do get to see a little more of Imsk. You just have to love these little tidbits from the Encyclopaedia Galactica.
“Shrinking Violet” arranges an improptu meeting with the rest of the conspiracy, allowing us to see how Imskian transportation looks like.
This leads to the headquartes of the “Liberation”: an organization that wants Imks to leave the United Planets for good.
I would make a Brexit joke, but “Imskit” would just look like I forgot how to type.
It’s also a VERY paranoid organization, because they immediately decide they can’t trust “Shrinking Violet” and trap her inside a plastic bag.
That’s a much better treatment than what they did to the ACTUAL Shrinking Violet!!!
“Shrinking Violet” is not Yera here, but Chameleon Boy in disguise.
There’s a huge difference between the two.
One is an actress.
The other is Legion.
Although they probably regret making Colossal Boy angry even more.
This is just fantastic teamwork: the sting operation wasn’t dependent only on Chameleon Boy’s shapeshifting powers, but also on Element Lad and Brainiac 5’s own talents.
In the epilogue, we’re informed that the real Shrinking Violet will make a recovery (althought that’s a whole different story), and it turns out that Yera really DID fall in love with Colossal Boy.
To make things more complicated, Colossal Boy is still in love with her… and the two have been secretly married for a while!!!
I will have PLENTY to say about the A plot. But remember this is a Levitz book, so…
In the B plot, Wildfire has been blowing off some steam after Dawnstar uncerimoniusly left to search for her soulmate last issue.
Shadow Lass is somewhat understanding, while Phantom Girl decidedly isn’t.
A minor aspect of her personality slowly introduced over the years is that Phantom Girl is a bit of a gossip, but that remark comes off to me as extremely insensitive and shallow this time.
Also, next issue is going to focus on the next Legion election (Dream Girl’s term is ALREADY over) and on Star Boy in particular.
I seriously like the fact that not all the Legionnaires get along with everyone else all the time… but I find Phantom Girl to be particularly insufferable when she’s like this.
The C plot follows Dawnstar, and this is the first time we visit her seldom-seen homeworld Starhaven. Also she’s turned 18 now, meaning only two years have passed since Dawnstar’s debut in LSH #226 from 1977.
As mentioned, her plot is going to involve Dawnstar flying across the Galaxy to find her soulmate…
…while trying to forget that she actually loves Wildfire.
Despite treating him like dirt 99% of the time.
There’s also a guy with fire powers terrorizing a random planet, but I would struggle to call that a full plot. He’ll be our villain soon enough.
As mentioned I have PLENTY to say about the whole impostor thing, to the point I’m covering everything in a separate bonus.
Legion significance: 10/10
These events will COMPLETELY redefine Shrinking Violet, plus Yera becomes a fan-favorite supporting character.
Silver Age-ness: 0/10
Not really.
Does it stand the test of time? 10/10
This is the Legion at its best. The only complain I might have is that the subplots don’t really develop all that much and more time could’ve been left to the main plot, but they don’t take away many pages anyway.
We are legion
21 active Legionnaires
6 reserve members
1 honorary member (Rond Vidar)
41 people have been members
This is one of my favourite Legion issues, if not my number one. It was great. It had so many good bits. The panel where Chameleon Boy says “wrong on all counts, moron” is my favourite Giffen panel. Look at the shading, Reep’s blazing red eyes, and his scowl. Such a beautiful projection of angry menace, and the follow-up panel which tells us that none of it was for show.
Great review!
In reading this review, I’m impressed with how far in advance Levitz planned this story and how the payoff was worth it. Doesn’t happen very often in comics. The closest example I can think of was the “death” of Oedi in Dreadstar. It, too, worked because of careful planning, patient story-telling, and respect for readers’ intelligence.
Never read the FF story, but it sounds typical of Marvel at the time. I would have felt cheated if I hadn’t gotten to see more of Alicia and Lyja’s meeting. I recall reading the Avengers around the same time and feeling much the same way: Deeply personal and emotional scenes were interrupted by more action. The meeting between Violet and Yera alone shows how powerful character moments can be.