SUPERBOY 205 (1974)
by Cary Bates & Mike Grell
cover by Nick Cardy
These “100 page spectaculars” were important because often they were the first reprint of classic Legion story, but it makes for very ugly covers.
It’s Lana Lang’s birthday. Don’t even try to guess how old any of these people are supposed to be, there’s almost no consistency when it comes to Superboy’s supporting cast.
The 70s Legion is easily one of the horniest books of the era, but I typically expect more self-restrain from Superboy.
But no, he’s not here to give her a piece of that S, he wants to take her to the 30th century.
Turns out that this is a bad moment, though, because someone has thrashed the HQ.
Specifically Ultra Boy!
Whatever happened to him made him completely insane AND increased his powers.
You know, I’ve never considered that Superboy’s cape being indestructible could be a weakness!
He still manages to survive.
Only one thing could be causing this… demons!
Or rather a virus that causes something similar to demonic possession.
The antidote can only be found on a planet on the other side of the universe, so distant that even Superboy will take quite some time to get there.
And once Superboy has left…
Surprise! Ultra Boy is actually the only sane Legionnaire… the entire rest of the team is crazy!
Ultra Boy tries to escape, but this is still the freaking Legion.
And that’s how both Ultra Boy and Lana Lang were sentenced to death!
This is a GREAT trap for Ultra Boy, to the point that I’m amazed nobody has ever replicated this.
AND IT WORKS.
Or not.
Because Superboy.
As for why he didn’t actually believe the Legion: believe it or not, it was that seemingly throwaway point about the knot in his cape!
Other than the fact that Ultra Boy’s planet is Rimbor and not Nimbor, that was actually a good twist!
If only we could get it without Insect Queen.
The trio sneaks into Legion HQ, where they find that their brainwashed teammates are building… something.
Turns out that they have been brainwashed by this goofball, the Master.
We get a lot of body horror whenever Insect Queen shows up, but this comic is remarkably tame (probably because Mike Grell refuses to draw women who aren’t drop-dead gorgeous).
Ultra-Boy is down thanks to her poison, and Superboy doesn’t dare to act because the Master could order Lana to kill herself at any moment. (!!!)
This is the only appearance of the Master. Considering he’s an immortal and scrawny alien with immense mental powers, I’m not ruling out that he’s related to the Guardians Of The Universe.
I said that the 70s Legion is a very horny team, so it was only a matter of time before we saw a bad guy whose entire plan requires them to sleep with each other 24/7.
Just wait until someone points out that this makes selecting Wildfire an immensely stupid idea and the Master will make a face like Superboy’s.
Despite his goofy appearance and simplistic plan, the Master could actually be a legitimate threat.
I mean, he definitely isn’t, but he could!
And so we end, rather abruptly.
Historical significance: 0/10
One of the last Insect Queen interactions with the Legion, but even that isn’t enough.
Silver Age-ness: 2/10
Other than the entire idea of Insect Queen hanging with the Legion, the way Superboy saves her and Ultra Boy is extremely Silver Age!
Does it stand the test of time? 7/10
All the twists work surprisingly well, and the Master’s plan is rather original even if he’s rather disappointing as a villain.
We are legion
23 Legionnaires
4 reserve members: Kid Psycho, Insect Queen, Duo Damsel, Supergirl
3 honorary members: Elastic Lad, Pete Ross, Rond Vidar, Bouncing Boy
1 resigned member: Command Kid
1 expelled member: Nemesis Kid
3 deceased members: Dynamo Boy, Ferro Lad, Invisible Kid
How much Legion is too much?
The total number of characters who have been members is 36.
Interesting letters: he’s been mentioned before, but this is the first letter by future Superman writer (among many others) Dan Jurgens.
