This twelfth, and so far, last archive of the Legion of Superheroes series covers stories from 1975 to 1977, including the first volume of the Karate Kid limited series.
"The Jaws of Fear" has the Legion being challenged to defend the Miracle Machine, that machine from another universe, from a master thief who threatens to steal it out from under their very noses. But it can't be destroyed, nor can they let it fall into the hands of Pares. How can they solve their dilemma?
"Trapped to Live, Free to Die" has Timber Wolf being outwitted by a thief intent on stealing his ship when his own is wrecked. But can Timber Wolf outwit the thief known as Blackmace in return and steal back his ship?
"No Price Too High" has the Legion trying to repair a malfunctioning computer on a manufactory world that produces robots. But when the son of the planet's owner shows up and acts like a spoiled brat, nearly bringing the Legion to grief, will they save him from the mad overseer who wants to kill the child to get back at his father?
"Stay Small or Die!" has Brainiac 5 trying to help Shrinking Violet, who's been having nightmares about shrinking and not being able to grow again. But when his plan nearly leads to both of them dying, will she be able to overcome her fear and save them both?
"The Final Eclipse of Sun Boy" deals with Phantom Girl, who, on a visit to her home, witnessed a killing by a notorious killer of her homeworld. She testifies against him, but he brother fears the man threatens revenge on her. Can the Legionnaires save her from a Phantom killer with the same powers as she has?
"The Hero Who Wouldn't Fight" has Cosmic Boy refusing to use his powers on behalf of his teammates because of a religious observance on his homeworld. Can he free them without his powers? Or will his unwillingness to fight result in his death?
The First Issue of Karate Kid has the Legion chasing Nemesis Kid into the past. When he seems to escape, Karate Kid stays behind to track him, and must get used to a very different world from the one he is used to. But can he defeat Nemesis Kid all on his own?
"The Hero Who Hated the Legion" has the Legion going after a bunch of famous jewels hidden on a satellite that crashed on the Island of Marzan. But Marzan was colonized by blacks who hate and distrust whites, and so does their hero, Tyroc, who has sonic powers. They invite him to join the Legion, but he turns them down. But when the gems they are after turn deadly for a group of thieves called the Beta, will their help make Tyroc reconsider?
"1+1=3" has Chuck Taine and his wife, Duo Damsel, ambushed by a bunch of thugs. Duo Damsel takes out the Thugs, making Chuck feel inadequate. But when Luornu passes out and the former Bouncing Boy must defend her on a ricochet-ball court, does he have what it takes to deal with the thugs- and save his wife?
In "Charge of the Doomed Legionnaires", Field Marshal Lorca of the Khunds tries to capture a Legion Cruiser. Stranding them on a planet, his forces fight against the Legion under Brainiac 5's commands. But when he orders them to charge the enemy in an attack, can they survive?
"Future Shock for Superboy" Has Superboy going to the future and meeting a very pretty girl indeed, and he's fascinated with her. But he doesn't have time to chat- he has a Legion meeting to make! But afterwards, when he goes looking for her, he finds her- just in time to see Wildfire shoot her in the back! But is Elna all she's cracked up to be?
"The Secret Villain the World Never Knew" has Tyroc reporting to be sworn into the Legion. But when a foe attacks who can nullify any of the Legion's powers but his, can Tyroc defeat him? Or the real villain who stands behind him?
"The Plunder Ploy of the Fatal Five" has the Legion confused by the things the Fatal Five is stealing- poisons, microcicuits, even part of a planet. But what are they intending to do with it all, and what will happen to Duplicate Boy of Lallor, cut down by the Persuader's atomic Axe and barely clinging to life?
"The Super Soldiers of the Slave Maker" has the Legion taking on a lizard-like ruler of a race that has taken over Murgador and enslaved the people. But when he gets the Legion between a rock and a hard place by threatening to kill the entire population unless the Legion submits to him, what choice will they make?
"Dream Girl's Living Nightmare" has Dream Girl foreseeing the death of the Primor of Demros II. But when the Legion sets out to foil the plot to kill him, will their plans bring victory, or defeat?
"The Trillion Dollar Trophies" introduces us to Grimbor, the Lockmaster, and the woman who has enslaved him with her charms, Charma. Charma is irresistable to men and incites hatred in women. But when Charma sets her sights on the Legion, will she and Grimbor be too much for them?
"This Legionnaire is Condemned" has Tyroc using his super-powers to cause havoc in the city. But when the people condemn him, is he really to blame? Or is there another reason for his screaming?
"Death of a Legend" brings the Legionnaires to a world where they idolize a Hero named Questar. This planet, along with their greeter, Glad-Hander, wants to crown him "King of Heroes" and have him save them from a continually reappearing menace. But when Questor turns out to be rather yellow, can the Legion step in to save the day?
"We can't Escape this Trap in Time!" pits the Legion against the Time Trapper, who must kill them if he is to live. But separated in time, can the Legion work together to defeat him, and save themselves?
Ordinarily, I love the Legion dearly, but there were some things in this volume that really made me wince. Like the whole part of Tyroc's people being referred to as the "Black Race". Later on, the Legion claims to be color-blind, but all the human heroes not of am exotic color are as white as the driven snow, making Tyroc the "Affirmative Action Superhero", which I found offensive. I felt like saying, "Yeah, pull the other leg, why don't you!" When the Legion claimed to be color-blind.
Yeah, sure. Blue, Green, Yellow and Red, but where are the black people? It was honestly insulting, and I'm not even Black. Especially that whole "black race" thing, as if Blacks are a different race from whites! Despite knowing that this was an artifact of the time it was written in, it still left a bad taste in my mouth to read it.
Other than the references to the "black race", I rather enjoyed the stories in this volume. We see, again, that the Legion likes to trick people who are joining them, as they did to Superboy, but a few stories stand out, for good and bad reasons. Still recommended, but gird yourself for the Tyroc stories- the racism in them doesn't go down well.
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