And Then I Read: LEGION SECRET ORIGINS 5

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Writer Paul Levitz is doing some interesting things in this series to expand the early days and weeks of the Legion as seen previously. On the top level we have the early Legionnaires, the ones Superboy first met and a few others, tackling their new roles as heroes with wide-eyed wonder and enthusiasm. Then we have their founder, the wealthy R.J. Brande trying to deal with the bureaucrats that are not so sure about this Legion thing, and also the target of repeated assassination attempts. Below that we have a shadowy group who seem to be pulling the strings of power in much of this future society, and they're not happy with this new threat to their power. It makes for interesting contrasts and a richer story than just focusing on the kids.

The art by Chris Batista and Marc Deering is quite appealing. It has a warmth to it that much of comics art today lacks. You'd like to be friends with these kids, as he portrays them, even the somewhat annoying ones like Brainiac 5. Batista's work has excellent design and structure. The figures pop from their backgrounds, never getting lost in the details, and he's no slouch with action scenes, either. I like it a lot.

Recommended.