Legion of Super-Heroes v3 #7

Legion of Super-Heroes v3 #7 (1985)
by Paul Levitz & Steve Lightle

Now that’s a cover that really showcases why Lightle was such a match for the Legion.

The five Legionnaires who were stranded in a parallel universe after the Orando storyline finally take center stage, as they approach a mysterious planet.

Unfortunately they don’t have much reason to celebrate, because it turns out the place is a massive plant dealing with radioactive material.

The rest of the planet is less dangerous and more interesting. Turns out there’s a reason they don’t typically put Ultra Boy in charge of espionage.

This is a small bit, but it’s a good way to show that Element Lad is not a bad leader: he praises Chameleon Boy for the work, but he doesn’t do it in front of Ultra Boy so he’s not humiliated in front of his teammates.

At the same time, sometimes you DO need to remind the most powerful heroes that some less flashy powers can be useful too.

Phantom Girl is the one to discover the purpose of this plant: IT BUILDS SUN-EATERS.

Always great to see Chameleon Boy turn into specific alien creatures.

Although I could do without the horrific tentacle monster that he transforms into to fight some of the plant’s robots.

The Legionnaires eventually reach the only biological lifeform working at the plant, who is so alien their telepathic earplugs can’t even translate his words.

The guy works for one of the Controllers, who just teleports into the plant.

At least the Legion has found a way to return home: the place has a Stargate.

But once Phantom Girl informs the rest of the team that this place builds Sun-Eaters, there’s the dilemma of what to do next: use the Stargate to get back home, or destroy the place?

There is an incredibly obvious solution to this dilemma, but that won’t be resolved until next issue.

That takes care of the main plot but this is a Levitz book, so be ready for lots of subplots!
Starting with the fact that the Proteans (Proty’s people) are apparently having a hard time being recognized as full citizens. Which is just absurd since they’re telepaths who can talk!!!

We also have Lightining Lass officially re-joining the team (although I’ve already counted her in the total membership).

The problem with her duplicating Lightning Lad’s powers is brought up, but she doesn’t think too much about it since only now she discovers he’s had a baby.

Everyone is happy to have her back… except Timber Wolf, who JUST figured out where she was hiding the whole time. Dude, she went to her home planet, was it really THAT hard!?

I think Levitz has been crapping on Timber Wolf a little too much lately, but I can’t take his side this time. I wasn’t particularly fond of Light Lass before Volume 3, but… yeah I think she’s in the right this time around.

A small trick by Lightle that I absolutely love: using the blank space between the panels to show tractor beam that’s taking her on the Legion ship! That’s genius!
(the beam is set up earlier, not that it makes much sense since every single Legionnaire can fly)

And finally we have a private investigator being murdered…

…which might have something to do with the fact that he was a descendent of Batman.

Nah, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.

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Legion significance: 5/10
Not too much of an impact, but it’s the start of a classic minor plot and the official return of Lightning Lass to the team.

Silver Age-ness: 2/10
Ultra Boy’s rarely mentioned (and quite minor) vulnerability to radioactivity,

Does it stand the test of time? 8/10
Not the strongest issue of the run, but the solid outing expected from Levitz and especially Lightle.
Nothing really deep to analyze this time… when you have a story that isn’t either spectacular or bad, sometimes you just have to enjoy the ride.

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Interesting letters: as was mentioned in the comments to Annual #3, the idea that Validus was the son of Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad came from a letter published in Action Comics.

And here’s the formal acknowledgment.