Mon-El has quite a few adventures in the 20th century, even if now he calls himself Valor.
Let’s have a look at a couple he has in 1991, before he’s suddenly everywhere in 1992.
Starman #35 (1991)
plot by Keith Giffen
script by Peter David
pencils by Jason Pearson
cover by Dave Hoover
I’m not overly familiar with the first post-Crisis Starman, although I’ve heard his series is pretty good.
Peter David is probably my favorite writer, and just like Keith Giffen one of his signatures is mixing humor with heavy themes. Let’s see if their styles match.
The main threat of the story will come from the Scarlet Skier and Mr. Nebula, overt parodies of Silver Surfer and Galactus respectively created by Giffen and DeMatteis on Justice League.
Peter David adds the Swatcher, a similarly over parody of the Watcher, so you already know we’re not supposed to take this story TOO seriously.
As if titling the story “Back to the Fuchsia” wasn’t telling enough.
I mentioned the Scarlet Skier, and here is in all his tacky glory.
Only for him to literally run into Starman. Notice the reference to Star Trek; Peter David is one of the most prolific authors of Star Trek novels so I guess it was inevitable, although he doesn’t typically shoehorn Trek references like this.
Unlike Galactus who looks for planets to eat, Mr. Nebula looks for planets to alter to his aesthetic sensibilities. While I do find Scarlet Skier kind of funny, I’ve never really liked Mr. Nebula because I don’t think he works as a Galactus parody when he’s THAT different.
The crash damaged Starman’s homing device, and without it he can’t find where Earth is. So Mr. Nebula hires him as his new herald.
Starman, have you READ any of Superman’s or Martian Manhunter’s Silver Age stories? This is nowhere near as ridiculous as THOSE.
Also, you live on Earth. If you want a planet where most people have no taste… look for another Earth.
This is when Mon-El spots him, deciding to see what kind of deal Starman has with Mr. Nebula.
Notice the subtle jab at the name Valor.
Which means punching the daylights out of Starman.
The two crash back in Mr. Nebula’s ship, and we have a neat excuse for a Misunderstanding Fight™ thanks to Starman not having a universal translator.
This would definitely be improved by removing the Swatcher’s commentary.
Things are definitely out of control when the parody character is the reasonable one.
Oh, I see why superheroes hate Mr. Nebula. He’s not a fan of capes.
Mr. Nebula and Mon-El agree to never speak to any of this to any other publishing company.
Legion significance: 0/10
Once again I must ask WHY IS MON-EL IN THIS?
Silver Age-ness: 2/10
Way too meta to be any higher.
Does it stand the test of time? 3/10
To answer my initial question… no, I don’t think David and Giffen were particularly compatible in this one. Both Scarlet Skier and Mr. Nebula are WAY too Giffen to work properly with David’s style. Trying to add the Swatcher (who we never even see) didn’t add anything; it kind of looks like Peter David was trying to create a parody in Giffen’s style, but something feels off.
Definitely skippable for both Legion and Peter David completionists, and I speak as one of both!
Armageddon 2001 #2 (1991)
by Denny O’Neil & Dan Jurgens
I’m not getting into the colossal headache that is this botched crossover.
Mon-El is one of the heroes fighting the confusingly time-traveling Monarch, along with the Earth heroes. There is no explanation for this.
He should consider himself lucky, because ALL explanations given during Armageddon 2001 make no sense.
His only line is “then what are we standing around for?”, which is what I was hoping he would say in the 5YL time.
Monarch will eventually be important for the Legion thanks to his involvement with Zero Hour, but this is barely a cameo so there’s no point scoring it.
Justice League Quarterly #5 (1991)
by Mark Waid & Mike McKone
cover by Kevin Maguire
Another unexplained Earth cameo.
But at least this time he’s a bit more useful, helping a diving ship.
But he’s soon knocked out.
The guy in sunglasses is an android built by Professor Ivo, the creator of Amazo, and he’s been stealing superpowers.
Mon-El doesn’t show up again and he’s not a factor. Kind of a missed opportunity, since at one point Metamorpho has to turn into lead to defeat the android copying Rebis (Negative Man’s latest incarnation)… but Mon-El’s weakness to lead is not even mentioned.
Legion significance: 0/10
A wasted cameo.
Silver Age-ness: N/A
Does it stand the test of time? N/A
Not a real review but you should check it out, it’s a really really good story.
It’s easily the best Professor Ivo story ever…
…and one of the best Ice stories as well.
