Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes, Vol. 4: Adult Education

Legion of Super-Heroes (2005)

by Mark Waid, Tony Bedard, Barry Kitson

The bright, defiant, energized team of 31st century super-powered teenagers known as the Legion of Super-Heroes is adjusting to its newest member: Supergirl. In this volume, Brainiac wants to bring the deceased Dream Girl back from the dead, and only the memories of a deadly enemy can help. And Supergirl's new boyfriend explores his feelings for her as the Legion takes on a foe who can target and exploit its every weakness

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Fiction, Comic Book

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2007

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Danielle Booey]

Ok I gotta admit, I only picked this one up because it is one of the very last Supergirl books my library system has that I have never read before, and I am on a quest to read everything about Kara Zor-El that I can.

Reading the Legion of Superheroes for me is what I imagine reading most DC comics is for people who don't know the history of every hero, crisis, etc. I always thought the Legion was a second rate X-Men team, don't @ me, and so I have neglected my Legion history.

This is something that I intend to rectify because I just have a feeling that sooner rather than later DC is going to bring them back in a big companywide way.

Anyway this book is hard to read out of context. Lots of characters I wasn't super familiar with, Kara for some reason believes the 30th century is a delusion, lots of betrayal, and definitely the middle of a longer plotline that I won't be able to read because the library doesn't have it. *sigh*

Oh well...now I know how much Legion I have to catch up on.

[Andrew]

Mark Waid is always good, and Tony Bedard really kicks it up a notch. I don't how these guys do it. If you'd a told me that I'd end up rooting for a bunch of youngsters who go by names like Lightning Lad, Sun Boy, Dream Girl, and Shadow Lass, I wouldn't have believed you before reading this. I always liked the Legion whenever they were featured in Adventure Comics (legion academy), or Action, but it was sort of a novelty. I've liked Legion Lost okay, but I'm really glad I decided to check out this awesome run. Moving on to next volume.

[Thelaurakremer]

More BRAINIAC!

[Dean]

I’d probably rate this a 3.5.
Now, I’m a fan of the LSH, but I’m a fan of the original characters that were around until the early 90’s. Since then, DC have generally done an awful job with relaunches and reboots. I expected to dislike this book a lot, and although it wasn’t a patch on ‘my’ Legion, Mark Waid and Tony Bedard did a superb job with what they had to work with.
Although I was confused here and there with some characters relationships, and there were far too many characters, Waid actually did the near impossible and injected some personality and characterisation in there. The stories were decent enough, quite fun in fact, and Supergirl was great.
The art, by Barry Kitson, was excellent and his clean art perfectly suited the Legion and their tales. I didn’t love the book, but I definitely liked it enough to pick up the next trade.
Probably a library loan rather than a purchase, but check it out.

[Brannigan]

It’s good it’s just hard to get connected when there are so many different characters.

[Steven W]

I love the legion and their love of the old Legion, which is obvious, is awesome too.

[Kyle]

I feel that Mark Waid is building a series of true integrity: this reboot of the Legion is consistently well written with snappy humour, quirky character growth, and peppered with just the right amount of action.

In this volume, familiar themes of loyalty, authenticity, and politics continue to be played out. With a seemingly "crazy" Supergirl stealing the spotlight, the Legion chooses to involve the universe's last remaining Kryptonians in hopes of acclimating her to the 31st century. At the same time, Brainy tries to find balance between his machinations involving Dream Girl and his role on the team. On Earth, the team comes under criticism for selling-out to the United Planets, and an open election for team leadership draws lines between followers and members. With the arrival of a new team of Supervillains, all of this is thrown into fluctuation.

Like volume one of this series, this volume is slightly more political, and I love that. I love that politics is the underlying theme and lesson in all of these comics. No other series takes this approach. It's smart and refreshing.

4/5

[Sean]

Once again a Legion story has all the chances of being really good but ends up being average due to the insanely big cast and ridiculous names. Its nearly impossible for me to take all the Lads, Lasses, and Boys serious. That being said, the inclusion of Supergirl here in interesting as a plot point and teammate. Brainiac 5 continues to shine as hands down the most interesting character in the book. Others get to shine here but Brainy is the star. The villains are also impressive and even make fun of the Legions goofy names. Waid’s storyline is good but the fourth collection with the teen “oppression” is getting to be too much. The art, mostly by Barry Kitson, is solid but not fantastic. Overall, a decent book that could be better.

[Jen]

The Legion continues to try and come back from the sell-out name they've earned for themselves by joining forces with the United Planets, and a NEW rogue group (this time of adults!) shows up to try and take care of things now that the Legion has gone all "soft." And it seems they may lure some Legionnaires into their group... As always, this is such a fun series, full of equal parts good super-hero action and teenage antics.

[Emmett Spain]

Generally daft, light entertainment that manufactures excuse after excuse for our heroes to punch each other. If you had friends who punched you this often, I suspect you wouldn't associate with them; but in the name of cheap drama I suppose it'll keep you amused. An utterly forgettable jaunt, elevated only by Barry Kitson's wonderful art.

[Jason]

This was a fun read. It took me several pages to get in to, since I hadn't read anything from the Legion yet. But I really liked the stories, the characters, and the nitrous-speed pacing. A couple of the stories seemed a bit scattered and chaotic, but it was otherwise pretty entertaining.

[Freddie]

The jumps between time and location hamper the flow of the story rather than help it. Every three pages we are in a different location, or time, and nothing seems to be fully explained without being interrupted by more cut scenes. Not a good first impression for either supergirl or the legion.

[Devin Bruce]

Last read February 29, 2008.

[Damián Vives]

Si bien por momentos la narración se estanca un poco, no deja de ser una lectura divertida y un periodo altamente recomendable de la Legion.

[Nico Meyering]

Dream Girl and Brainiac 5. That pair always gets me all sentimental.

[Zaira's Bookshelf]

This one was a huge relief compared to Vol 3. It has so much excitement and awesomeness and action that I was just so happy.