Secret Origins vol2 #49 (1990)
by Ty Templeton
cover by Karl Kesel
This is the next-to-last issue of the series; the main story is the post-Crisis origin of the Newsboy Legion, but for some reason we have 2 pages that are Legion-related.
Specifically, it’s the “not-so-secret” origin of Bouncing Boy, but “told all too quickly”.
Well… his origin is basically “drank from the wrong bottle”, so it’s not like it should take much longer.
Honestly you could describe MOST superhero origins as “I’ll bet I could fight crime”.
The story even references both Bouncing Boy failing his first audition and defeating the electric-powered supervillain from Adventure Comics #301.
And, uhm, and that’s already over.
So why did this story happen? If I understand what the editor is saying in the letters page, the series is about to end and they wanted to get this out of their system.
Legion significance: 0/10
Silver Age-ness: 4/10
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
You’re better off reading the original. No, really, I don’t see any reason whatsoever to look for this one unless you’re a completionist.
It’s cute, though.
Interesting letters: I’ve changed my mind, there IS a reason for tracking down this issue.
We also have some fan reaction to Secret Origins #47. The Ferro Lad and Chemical King ones are praised, but not the Karate Kid one.
The same letter continues, and I guess I should add that I ALSO consider Chemical King’s costume to be underappreciated. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it one of the best of the era, but only because the competition is very strong.
