Legion of Super-Heroes vol4 #71

Legion of Super-Heroes vol4 #71 (1995)
written by Tom McCraw, Tom Peyer & Mark Waid
pencils by Lee Moder
cover by Alan Davis

This is the last issue with Mark Waid as one of the writers. Which feels weird, considering how much he’s identified with he Reboot, but he really didn’t have THAT much to do with it for the vast majority of the era.
I’m guessing he was too busy with all the Flash titles (we’ll see him again in the retrospective there), but he definitely went out with a bang.

We begin with the White Triangle Daxamite aching to complete their plan to destroy the entire Stargate network, the R.J.Brande technology that made the United Planets feasible.

They’ve already taken over Nullport and killed H’Hrnath; you might remember both from LSH #285. Especially the horse guy.

The reason for the White Triangle to get so aggressive is that the United Planets are close to admitting a new world that holds a power that is too dangerous for them.

And speaking of power: since this issue doesn’t have a ton of subplots, let’s quickly check with Kinetix’s search to regain her superpowers.

She’s in quite the rough spot: she started her travel through a Stargate, but since the White Triangle destroyed the destination Stargate, she doesn’t have a safe way to stop.

The only other subplot is Invisible Kid creating the Espionage Squad.

I absolutely love the fact that the Espionage Squad is a concept that keeps popping up throughout the Legion’s history.
It’s one of the subtle things that makes the team unique: not just the fact that it has SO many members that it can have a semi-permanent sub-team, but it also really highlights the idea that ALL members are vital to the team in some way.

But our main focus is Brande’s visit to the planet Trom.

This is Element Lad’s native planet, and the guy Brande is talking to is his father.
Notice the visual hint of his clothes being reminiscent of Element Lad’s original costume.

We learn that their transmutation powers are the secret behind Brande’s Stargate technology, as they’re the ones who synthesized the element that allows them to work.

While Brande is afraid that their alliance could make Trom a target… they’re overpowered enough to defend themselves.

Trom is a very spiritual society, potentially even more so than the original.

The element needed for the Stargates is too complex for any random Trommite to create, but Brande is not without options… although these people are understandably very worried about being exploited.

Brande leaves the planet just as someone else is approaching…

…while Trom is opening formal relations with the United Planets.
Notice that, in addition to the President, Apparition’s mother and Roxxas are on the call.
As well as a Durlan representative… which I guess it’s fair, if there’s one civilization that would be fascinated by a culture that worships change it would be the shapeshifters.

This could be the beginning of a new golden age for both Trom and the United Planets.

It isn’t. The White Triangle Daxamites are here.

And in an absolutely terrifying double-page spread, they vaporize the city from orbit.
“Burning the world”.

And it doesn’t end there: for most, it’s not an instant death.

In just a few minutes, twelve Daxamites just destroyed the entire civilization.

Brande returned to the planet when he saw the Daxamite flying there, and he witnesses the gut-wrenching results of their attack…

…putting their own prayers in a far darker context.

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Legion significance: 10/10
There’s an argument to be made that this is the most consequential moment of the entire Reboot, because A LOT of what happens later can be traced back to this in both major and minor ways.

Silver Age-ness: 0/10
With that finale!?!?

Does it stand the test of time? 10/10
Talk about escalation! We have seen that the White Triangle is dangerous and we know that the Daxamites are powerful, but this is an incredible display of just how dangerous this combination can prove. It’s also an immense tragedy, especially with the final pages repeating the Trommite prayers.
The only complain I might have is that the issue goes by VERY quickly… but the finale sticks with you so much that I don’t think it matters.

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Who did it better?
This is a waaaaay better way to depict the mass destruction that the 5YL era loved so much.
It’s not any less brutal but A) we don’t spend pages upon pages on destruction porn B) it’s not immediately preceded and followed by endless misery and destruction on a similar scale.

It’s also a far better introduction to Trom than we had on Adventure Comics #307, plus the way they are killed makes FAR more sense here.
The original version had to tell their ENTIRE downfall in a single panel… and it just had space pirates gunning them down one by one.
The fact that an entire civilization of people with transmutation powers could be slaughtered THAT easily made no sense to me… but in the Reboot version, they literally couldn’t see the threat coming.

We are legion

• 12 active Legionnaires (3 volunteers, 9 drafted)
• 1 sick leave (Saturn Girl)
• 1 resigned member
• 1 deceased member
• 15 people have been members
• 2 Legion leaders (Leviathan, Cosmic Boy)
• 2 members have been rejected