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A review by dan1066
Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga by Curt Swan, Keith Giffen, Romeo Tanghal, Larry Mahlstedt, Paul Levitz, Pat Broderick
3.0
The Legion of Super-Heroes started when DC wanted to have a group of teenage superheroes from the future "evaluate" whether or not Superboy was worthy of entry into their exclusive club. In the early stories, the Legionaires are basically a group of teens with club-house rules meeting in an upside down rocket in the 30th century to fight crime and evil. Instead of "No Girls" allowed, they exclude potential members who do not possess a single unique power to contribute to the group. They actually have auditions and snub some heroes for having "useless" powers. These snubbed heroes form The Legion of Substitute Heroes, who would help whenever they could. Over the next twenty years or so new members arrive and old members retire/die.
And then, about 25+ years later, we have Paul Levitz's Great Darkness Saga. The Legionaires now sport beards, discuss marital problems, and choosing their yearly leader is an ordeal. In the end, to combat the ultimate evil, Levitz pulls out every former Legionaire ever committed to comic paper. At the time (1982), I'm sure Fan Boys salivated while waiting a month for the next installment.
Face it, it was Endgame with Darkseid as Thanos and the Legion of Super-Heroes as The Avengers. The entire population of Daxam is placed under Darkseid's thrall and they, with the strength and powers of Superman, proceed to tear the galaxy apart. It's up to the Legion of Super-Heroes to stop them.
The story is dated, I assure you. One of my favorite tropes is the roll call moment: A half dozen or so Legionaires are flying to battle or returning from battle or sitting around discussing a battle. First one speaks. Then in the next panel, a peer responds using the name of the person who just spoke. Then in the next panel, another Legionaire responds using their name, and so on and so on. This happens in almost every story. "We've got to find a way to defeat this guy." "Well, WILDFIRE, perhaps we can enlist some help." "I think INVISIBLE KID is correct--we could use some help." "I'm with COSMIC BOY, we can't do this alone." "I'll call my brother, DREAM GIRL." "That's a great idea, LIGHT LASS." And so on. I suppose the writers assumed the reader needed to be reminded of who is who every few pages. Hey, Star Boy has a gnarly beard and Chameleon Boy has antennas--you don't need to remind me who they are every other page.
But is the story good? It's alright. The initial punch this had when it was a relatively new concept was probably mind-blowing, but this type of story is mostly cliche now. If you're a fan of the Legion, you've already read it multiple times. If you're not a fan of the Legion's antics, I would recommend starting earlier in their story arc to get a feel before diving into this one. Even though they say each other's names, you'll still be confused.
Reading this without context would be like watching Endgame without having watched any other movie in the Marvel Universe. Then again, you may enjoy a healthy dose of confusion with your action. If so, here's your Legion ring: join the club, GOODREADS BOY or GOODREADS GIRL...
And then, about 25+ years later, we have Paul Levitz's Great Darkness Saga. The Legionaires now sport beards, discuss marital problems, and choosing their yearly leader is an ordeal. In the end, to combat the ultimate evil, Levitz pulls out every former Legionaire ever committed to comic paper. At the time (1982), I'm sure Fan Boys salivated while waiting a month for the next installment.
Face it, it was Endgame with Darkseid as Thanos and the Legion of Super-Heroes as The Avengers. The entire population of Daxam is placed under Darkseid's thrall and they, with the strength and powers of Superman, proceed to tear the galaxy apart. It's up to the Legion of Super-Heroes to stop them.
The story is dated, I assure you. One of my favorite tropes is the roll call moment: A half dozen or so Legionaires are flying to battle or returning from battle or sitting around discussing a battle. First one speaks. Then in the next panel, a peer responds using the name of the person who just spoke. Then in the next panel, another Legionaire responds using their name, and so on and so on. This happens in almost every story. "We've got to find a way to defeat this guy." "Well, WILDFIRE, perhaps we can enlist some help." "I think INVISIBLE KID is correct--we could use some help." "I'm with COSMIC BOY, we can't do this alone." "I'll call my brother, DREAM GIRL." "That's a great idea, LIGHT LASS." And so on. I suppose the writers assumed the reader needed to be reminded of who is who every few pages. Hey, Star Boy has a gnarly beard and Chameleon Boy has antennas--you don't need to remind me who they are every other page.
But is the story good? It's alright. The initial punch this had when it was a relatively new concept was probably mind-blowing, but this type of story is mostly cliche now. If you're a fan of the Legion, you've already read it multiple times. If you're not a fan of the Legion's antics, I would recommend starting earlier in their story arc to get a feel before diving into this one. Even though they say each other's names, you'll still be confused.
Reading this without context would be like watching Endgame without having watched any other movie in the Marvel Universe. Then again, you may enjoy a healthy dose of confusion with your action. If so, here's your Legion ring: join the club, GOODREADS BOY or GOODREADS GIRL...