Friday, July 24, 2009

The Legion of Superheroes Archives, Volume 5 by Edmond Hamilton, George Klein, Sheldon Moldoff, George Papp, Jim Shooter, Jerry Siegel and Curt Swan

The further adventures of the teen superheroes from the 30th Century. In this volume, we get the story of a being who would become one of the Legion's most dangerous and persistent foes- Computo!

"Computo the Conqueror" and "The Weirdo Legionnaire" have Brainiac 5 ensonced in his lab, creating a new super-computer for the United Federation of Planets. But when the computer believes it is superior because of its lack of emotions, which make humans weak, it imprisons Brainiac 5 and tries to do so with the rest of the Legion as well. It kills one of Triplicate Girl's three selves, turning her into Duo Damsel, and even Superman and Mon-El, the two strongest Legionnaires, are unable to prevail. But can Brainiac 5 come up with a solution to overcome his latest creation?

"The Legionnaire Who Killed" is about Star Boy, who kills a man in self-defense on a distant planet, and also to save Nura Nal, Dream Girl, who had come to warn him about the situation. But even with Superboy as his defense Council, can Star Boy be saved from having to leave the Legion because of his breaking of the Legion rules of conduct?

"The Evil Hand of the Luck Lords" has the Legion slowly coming to believe that they have been jinxed by various actions they have undertaken. But when they hear of the masters of a planet that can control luck, can the now-superstitious Legionnaires find a way to get back their good luck before someone dies?

"The Super-Stalag of Space" has Brainiac 5 summonning the Legion to a planet where he has been imprisoned by a strange, 3-eyed red alien who is commander of a Prison there. The Legion is also imprisoned, and must find a way to escape from a man who has thought of every way possible to escape- and already blocked them! Can the Legion find some way to escape the super-prison?

"One of Us is a Traitor" has four new Legionnaires being inducted into the Legion: Princess Projectra of Orando, an illusion caster, Ferro Lad, who can turn his entire body into iron, Nemesis Kid, who can take on the power to defeat any one opponent, and Karate Kid, master of all martial arts. But when the Legion is called upon to protect the Earth from the Khunds who have declared war, it soon becomes obvious that one of the new Legionnaires is a traitor. But which one is it?

"Target- 21 Legionnaires" brings back Sun Boy's perennial foe, Dr. Regulus. But this time, he's aiming at *all* the Legionnaires so he can finally kill off Sun-Boy, his hated foe. Can Sun Boy and the Legion beat back the man in the golden suit?

"The Rogue Legionnaire" introduces a new foe for the Legion, Universo, master of Hypnotism. But when Universo vanishes into one of five possible time periods after wrecking one Legion Time Bubble and stealing the other, the Legion must rely on a science fair entry to search time and bring Universo back to face Justice!

Yet another wonderful issue that introduces many characters who will be important to the later Legion. This collection has a number of firsts: first character kicked out of the Legion. First appearance of Universo. First appearance of Nemesis Kid. First member of the Legion to join the Substitute Legion. And so on.

Reading these stories brings back many fond and nostalgic memories of the Legion, and the fun I had tracking down the old issues of the comic-books, both in comic shops (which we had many, many more of when I was but a wee sprog) and later at conventions like the old Creation Conventions I used to attend in New York City. And I have many fond memories of those as well, even if today I know they were little more than glorified dealer's rooms.

Reading this book was like a breath of fresh air, and despite the rather innocent nature of the Legion back then, the stories still manage to make you feel that the characters are in actual danger from their foes. Reading the stories here will keep you on your toes as well as providing a fun reading experience. Highly recommended.

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