ADVENTURE COMICS 335 (1965)
by Edmond Hamilton & John Forte
First part of the story of Starfinger, “the 30th century villain more dangerous than Goldfinger”.
We begin with something truly unprecedented: a glimpse at the private lives of the Legionnaires!
We also get a glimpse of Cosmic Boy’s younger brother Pol, future Legionnaire under the name Magnetic Kid (a much better name than Cosmic Boy, to be honest).
Interesting to see that they’re living in Metropolis and not on their home planet Braal.
We also check on Lightning Lad, still without his original arm after his fight with The Super Moby Dick Of Space.
The Legion is then summoned to serve as bodyguards for scientist Robert Keene, who has discovered Rejuvium: a mineral that rejuvenates John Forte aliens as well as humans.
Just as the Legionnaires are helping him secure the mineral, Starfinger strikes with an astounding lack of subtlety.
When the Legion tries to stop him, he quickly gives them the finger.
(sorry, I couldn’t resist)
Sun Boy stops his goons from stealing the Rejuvium ore by heating it; Starfinger demonstrates that he can easily duplicate his powers as well.
I appreciate the effort to give Matter-Eater Lad something to do, even if it’s not quite successful.
Back to his base (which I pray isn’t called the Finger-Cave), Starfinger berates his underlings for their failures. It wasn’t very clear in the previous panels, but Starfinger uses his powers only with his right hand: the left one has some kind of black boxing glove.
Despite his silly look Starfinger may be a legitimate threat, blowing up the satellite just by pointing his finger at it… but it’s just a trick.
And Starfinger wouldn’t be a James Bond-type villain if he didn’t plan something over-the-top, as he announces by taking over a TV studio.
You might wonder what the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” are, and this comic doesn’t disappoint.
First: Sun City, a city that moves on giant tracks to follow the Sun.
Probably just a tourist attraction. As for the idea that Starfinger isn’t powerful enough to destroy it…
…he may be goofy, but he’s powerful.
It’s also Colossal Boy’s chance to shine, stopping the city before it derails.
Not all of his powers are finger-related: he also has gadgets to deal with Sun Boy and Cosmic Boy.
He also manages to really hurt Star Boy.
Since his power comes from the stars, Brainiac 5 has an idea to cure him: THROW HIM NEAR THE SUN, thanks to Mon-El (!!!).
Time to wreck another wonder: Stratosphere Laboratory. Definitely NOT the place for those fearing heights.
Superboy joins the team, even if he’s late because he was in the past. (what?)
You may think that those pylons should be HUGE, but no, they’re the size of a person.
Also: of course Starfinger can shoot Kryptonite.
The cover gets incorporated into the story at the last page.
Stratosphere Laboratory falls and we end on a cliffhanger: Starfinger is actually one of the Legion members!
If you paid any attention to the story, you might have seen the incredibly obvious clue to this mystery.
TO BE CONTINUED
Legion significance: 2/10
Starfinger as a concept will return, both in later pre-Crisis stories and in other continuities and not always with the same identity, but the only real impact is the mention of Cosmic Boy’s brother.
Silver Age-ness: 4/10
Other than the rejuvenating mineral, nothing too crazy for the period.
Does it stand the test of time? 7/10
It’s quite simplistic, but the story flows more like a modern story than any of the previous Legion issues. Having at least a little recognition about the fact that the Legionnaries have a life beyond their superhero career is a major improvement!
The only thing that really, REALLY dates the story is that Starfinger is a walking cliché with a very silly costume.
We are legion
15 Legionnaires active in this story
4 not shown but officially members
1 reserve member: Bouncing Boy
2 resigned member: Dream Girl, Command Kid
1 honorary member: Elastic Lad
1 deceased member: Dynamo Boy
How much Legion is too much?
The Legion has 19 active members. The total number of characters who have been members is 24.
Time travel doesn’t work that way
Since Superboy has perfect control over his time travel ability, HOW can he be “late” when he goes to the future?
Kryptonite, baby
Of course Starfinger can shoot Kryptonite rays.
Interesting letters: it looks like the readers were eager to see some time off for the Legionnaires.
Also: Lightning Lad just can’t catch a break, and the editor really likes corny jokes.
