Lots of great stories in this book! Out of the three mentioned above, the Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl story gets the most page time. Normally, a story about a couple finding their children would be compelling, but not entirely too exciting. With this book, they put the tag-team (and Lightning Lass, Lad's sister) up against a cult worshiping Darkseid. The battle is pretty epic against the cult's leader who starts taking on the characteristics of the main baddie himself. I'd pay the $3.99 alone just for that story. But wait! There's more! The Earth-Man adjusting to the Legion story is very good, but the weakest of the three. He's a great character who lives in a weird shade of grey, and although he may not agree with the Legion, he has his own convictions that he follow. My favorite story of the three, which was the shortest, was Sodam Yat, the last Green Lantern. Literally, it's two pages long, but in those two pages, we get a lot of Sodam and what he stands for. Hopefully, this sets up a great story arc down the road. This is becoming one of my favorite team books. I love Levitz's writing on this book, and the great art team. Personally, I think there's not too much to pick out that's bad.
The Bad
Non-Legion fans will probably be utterly lost and end up disliking this book. I started reading Legion during Final Crisis, and was sucked in, but at times, I too am completely confused with these pre-existing characters. This team isn't mainstream, there more of a cult classic team, much like Marvel's Alpha Flight. And when you have a team like that, there's going to be a lot of confusion with new readers. Legion does post the names and powers of characters in caption boxes, the first time you see them, but there isn't anything there about relationships or any past histories we may need to know going into the book, and there's just simply too much to put in there to make it work.
The Verdict 4/5
Although I love this book, it's hard to recommend because it can be very confusing to new readers. I couldn't even tell you where to start. Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds was helpful for me when I started reading Legion, and so was a few of the recent Adventure Comics comics, but with so much history with this team that's not really mainstream, you kind of just have to dive right in and never look back, but trust me, it'll be worth it.
Sooo what is the better Legion story to read, this one? Or the Adventure Comics one?
I am a little confused at why exactly there are two ongoings for Legion right now, but I'm a pretty big LoS fan. For this storyline, it sounds I think Superman and the Legion of Superheroes would be the best place to start. It's the storyline by Johns that introduced Earth-man as a character.
Good point about the recommendations. Action Comics #858-863 needs to be checked as well, since the Volume starts right after those events and helps with the stuff going on in the first issues with Earth Man. The plot on this one sounds really good. I'd love to see some Darkseid action (doubt it though) cause I'm starting to miss that ugly face.
@Bobby X: Adventures Comics tells stories from the early days of the Legion(from issue #12 and on). This volume of LOS picks up from Action Comics with Superman and the LOS like you said, dealing with "current" events.
" @Bobby X: Adventures Comics tells stories from the early days of the Legion(from issue #12 and on). This volume of LOS picks up from Action Comics with Superman and the LOS like you said, dealing with "current" events. "
Ah I see, I think this is the storyline for me then. Thanks
" @Bobby X: Adventures Comics tells stories from the early days of the Legion(from issue #12 and on). This volume of LOS picks up from Action Comics with Superman and the LOS like you said, dealing with "current" events. "
Ah I see, I think this is the storyline for me then. Thanks "
He beat me to it. Both books are good, but I think Legion is a little better.
I started with this current volume and I have not had much problem understanding. Sure there are things that go over my head but it does not deter my enjoyment.
Dunno if I'd call the Legion a cult classic. Back in the 80's they rode shotgun on the sales chart with the New Teen Titans, hence having LSH and Tales of the Legion. I think it's all right to have a story that appeals to older and/or more knowledgeable fans, not everything has to be geared to sucking in that brand new reader.
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