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Superman by Geoff Johns #4
Superman and the Legion of Superheroes
Superstar artist Gary Frank joins writer Geoff Johns for an epic story teaming Superman with an adult version of the Legion of Super-Heroes, originally presented in Action Comics #858-863 and now in trade paperback!
When he was a boy, Clark Kent was isolated and alone until he met this teen team from the 31st century. Today, it's been years since Superman saw his childhood friends. Why haven't they returned to visit him? What's become of the symbol of Superman in the future? And just why is the future so dangerous for Superman? They warned him away, but now he's determined to help his friends — even if it means his life!
When he was a boy, Clark Kent was isolated and alone until he met this teen team from the 31st century. Today, it's been years since Superman saw his childhood friends. Why haven't they returned to visit him? What's become of the symbol of Superman in the future? And just why is the future so dangerous for Superman? They warned him away, but now he's determined to help his friends — even if it means his life!
168 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2008
25 people are currently reading
747 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,720 books2,408 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
October 30, 2017
Great reading!
This TPB edition collects Action Comics #858-863, a 6-part event titled “Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Creative Team:
Writer: Geoff Johns
Illustrator: Gary Frank
CORRUPTED LEGACY
I need this more than you, Superman! You were never rejected! You were nevera n outsider!
Don’t talk like you know me. You don’t.
I wanted to read this storyline since long ago, but until now I was able to buy it. And I loved it!
I am fan of Superman and I am fan of Legion of Super-Heroes, and always Superman AND the Legion of Super-Heroes have been like bread and butter.
Obviously, one can think of just Superman, but it’s hard of thinking about the Legion without thinking along about Superman, at least in my personal case.
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a team founded in the far future of 31st Century, inspired for the legacy of Superman and formed by more than 30 members of several different worlds part of the United Planets organization. Each member has an unique power, each member is accepted through a selection process, and a team leader is elected each year. They began as teenagers but now, many of its members are already adults. Its headquarters are in Metropolis, Earth.
When the Legion was still on its beginnings, its founding members: Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy, travelled back to the past, to Smallville, when young Clark Kent still was several years to become Superman. After that fateful meeting, they started to invite “Superboy” to trips into the future, having adventures along the Legion, and always coming back to the point in time where he left.
When Clark Kent reached adulthood and he was presented himself to the world as Superman, he never heard again from his friends of the future.
Suddenly, an unexpected message from Brainiac-5, a member of the Legion and descendant of the villain in the present, takes Superman into a trip to the future once again. Their friends are in trouble and there won’t anything that it would stop Superman from helping a friend.
However, Superman isn’t prepared for the menace in the future. His legacy has been corrupted and now Earth hates all kind of extraterrestrials, expelling the Legion, closing its borders to any aliens, making containment camps and resigning its membership from the United Planets, and all in the name of...
...Superman!
Now the people of Earth believe that Superman was born on Earth and that he dedicated his life to protect the blue planet from extraterrestrial menaces, concluding that all aliens are evil.
A brand new “Justice League” rises and now the Legion is hunted down!
And the real catch? (as if all that wasn't enough!)
Now Earth has a red sun! Superman is powerless in the future! So, nobody will believe that he is the real Superman from the past, people think that he is just some nut in a costume.
MY IMAGE ABOUT SUPERMAN
Centuries later, Superman remains as the ultimate symbol for truth, justice and the universal way.
I liked a lot the storyline. It’s fast pacing, quite entertained and amazing artwork.
A priceless bonus in this story is that Gary Frank’s style to draw Superman makes him just look like the late Christopher Reeve. And nobody can deny that Christopher Reeve is Superman, not was, IS and he will always will be! Thank you again for making me to believe that a man can fly. For a 6 years old kid watching him in a cinema theater, not watching him as an actor performing a role, but watching him as a real live Superman taking flight, catching with one hand to Lois Lane and with the other hand, a helicopter! A HELICOPTER! WITH ONE HAND! WHILE HIM FLYING!. That image marked me in a positive way as a kid, and later when I was older and able to understand the real weight of some phrases, the image was complemented with the last dialogues in the movie:
--Warden: This country is safe again, Superman, thanks to you.
--Superman: No, sir. Don't thank me, Warden. We're all part of the same team. Good night.
That’s Superman to me. Being the most powerful being in the world and still he doesn’t look himself above anyone.
LEGION: WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
In the name of Superman-- --Long live humans!
Retaking the storyline in hand, this reminded me, stories like in Millar/Quitely’s run in The Authority when they created “The Americans”, an evil version of The Avengers. Here, the “Justice League” of the future, is like an evil version of The X-Men, but more sublte, since “The Americans” with just looking at them, you know that they are a pastiche of The Avengers, while in this future’s “Justice League” you need to know their names and/or what kind of powers they have to understand from which team are inspired from.
I like this, since it’s a cool way to see how teams from different publishing house would react in a battle without the mess of organizing a publishing houses’ crossover event, and also without the trouble that since they are both hero teams with their own fanbases, you ends with a mandatory tie, while in this clever stories, you have a hero team and a villain team, so there is no need for white gloves and having a real rude fight.
It’s a shame that they decided to exclude from the TPB, the following comic book issue, since investigating about it, that issues serves as a much needed epilogue where the identity of a villain in the shadows is revealed (no, I won’t spoil it) giving explanations to certain elements in the story.
Also, I felt that it may be confusing that they mention a previous event, “The Lighning Saga”, featured in the pages of Justice League of America and Justice Society of America, involving a trip by certain member of the Legion to the present. I have that storyarc (in single issues, by the way) so I am not confused myself, but thinking on readers whom only have this TPB at hand, it can be confusing not giving a little more of detailing of what happened before. And also, once again, that epilogue issue not included in the TPB, would give some relevant light to this previous event too.
But, don’t get me wrong, you still are able to enjoy the excitement and action. This is a must-read for any Superman fan, and Legion of Super-heroes fan!
This TPB edition collects Action Comics #858-863, a 6-part event titled “Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Creative Team:
Writer: Geoff Johns
Illustrator: Gary Frank
CORRUPTED LEGACY
I need this more than you, Superman! You were never rejected! You were nevera n outsider!
Don’t talk like you know me. You don’t.
I wanted to read this storyline since long ago, but until now I was able to buy it. And I loved it!
I am fan of Superman and I am fan of Legion of Super-Heroes, and always Superman AND the Legion of Super-Heroes have been like bread and butter.
Obviously, one can think of just Superman, but it’s hard of thinking about the Legion without thinking along about Superman, at least in my personal case.
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a team founded in the far future of 31st Century, inspired for the legacy of Superman and formed by more than 30 members of several different worlds part of the United Planets organization. Each member has an unique power, each member is accepted through a selection process, and a team leader is elected each year. They began as teenagers but now, many of its members are already adults. Its headquarters are in Metropolis, Earth.
When the Legion was still on its beginnings, its founding members: Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy, travelled back to the past, to Smallville, when young Clark Kent still was several years to become Superman. After that fateful meeting, they started to invite “Superboy” to trips into the future, having adventures along the Legion, and always coming back to the point in time where he left.
When Clark Kent reached adulthood and he was presented himself to the world as Superman, he never heard again from his friends of the future.
Suddenly, an unexpected message from Brainiac-5, a member of the Legion and descendant of the villain in the present, takes Superman into a trip to the future once again. Their friends are in trouble and there won’t anything that it would stop Superman from helping a friend.
However, Superman isn’t prepared for the menace in the future. His legacy has been corrupted and now Earth hates all kind of extraterrestrials, expelling the Legion, closing its borders to any aliens, making containment camps and resigning its membership from the United Planets, and all in the name of...
...Superman!
Now the people of Earth believe that Superman was born on Earth and that he dedicated his life to protect the blue planet from extraterrestrial menaces, concluding that all aliens are evil.
A brand new “Justice League” rises and now the Legion is hunted down!
And the real catch? (as if all that wasn't enough!)
Now Earth has a red sun! Superman is powerless in the future! So, nobody will believe that he is the real Superman from the past, people think that he is just some nut in a costume.
MY IMAGE ABOUT SUPERMAN
Centuries later, Superman remains as the ultimate symbol for truth, justice and the universal way.
I liked a lot the storyline. It’s fast pacing, quite entertained and amazing artwork.
A priceless bonus in this story is that Gary Frank’s style to draw Superman makes him just look like the late Christopher Reeve. And nobody can deny that Christopher Reeve is Superman, not was, IS and he will always will be! Thank you again for making me to believe that a man can fly. For a 6 years old kid watching him in a cinema theater, not watching him as an actor performing a role, but watching him as a real live Superman taking flight, catching with one hand to Lois Lane and with the other hand, a helicopter! A HELICOPTER! WITH ONE HAND! WHILE HIM FLYING!. That image marked me in a positive way as a kid, and later when I was older and able to understand the real weight of some phrases, the image was complemented with the last dialogues in the movie:
--Warden: This country is safe again, Superman, thanks to you.
--Superman: No, sir. Don't thank me, Warden. We're all part of the same team. Good night.
That’s Superman to me. Being the most powerful being in the world and still he doesn’t look himself above anyone.
LEGION: WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
In the name of Superman-- --Long live humans!
Retaking the storyline in hand, this reminded me, stories like in Millar/Quitely’s run in The Authority when they created “The Americans”, an evil version of The Avengers. Here, the “Justice League” of the future, is like an evil version of The X-Men, but more sublte, since “The Americans” with just looking at them, you know that they are a pastiche of The Avengers, while in this future’s “Justice League” you need to know their names and/or what kind of powers they have to understand from which team are inspired from.
I like this, since it’s a cool way to see how teams from different publishing house would react in a battle without the mess of organizing a publishing houses’ crossover event, and also without the trouble that since they are both hero teams with their own fanbases, you ends with a mandatory tie, while in this clever stories, you have a hero team and a villain team, so there is no need for white gloves and having a real rude fight.
It’s a shame that they decided to exclude from the TPB, the following comic book issue, since investigating about it, that issues serves as a much needed epilogue where the identity of a villain in the shadows is revealed (no, I won’t spoil it) giving explanations to certain elements in the story.
Also, I felt that it may be confusing that they mention a previous event, “The Lighning Saga”, featured in the pages of Justice League of America and Justice Society of America, involving a trip by certain member of the Legion to the present. I have that storyarc (in single issues, by the way) so I am not confused myself, but thinking on readers whom only have this TPB at hand, it can be confusing not giving a little more of detailing of what happened before. And also, once again, that epilogue issue not included in the TPB, would give some relevant light to this previous event too.
But, don’t get me wrong, you still are able to enjoy the excitement and action. This is a must-read for any Superman fan, and Legion of Super-heroes fan!
April 30, 2018
Life in the 31st century has gotten oddly grim – the Justice League has decided that Earth is for humans only and to deport all aliens because of some warped idea that Superman was human. So the Legion of Super-Heroes travels to the past to bring the real Superman back with them and prove that he was an alien. Apparently wikis don’t exist in the future!
I’ve never really liked the Legion of Super-Heroes - they always seemed like the scout troop to Superman’s scoutmaster. Buncha boring, naff… anyway! Geoff Johns has written a surprisingly readable book with this crowd.
The first act is superb. Johns manages to show Superman and the Legion’s origins, the current state of things in the Legion’s world and place Superman within it all effortlessly. It’s concise, sharp writing without any fat. And, though I can’t recall any of their names, I was definitely interested in the Legion characters introduced at that point. The story is dramatic, exciting and immediately gripping.
And then it starts to fall apart – doh! Johns’ setup never develops beyond the simplistic – the “Justice League” are Nazi stand-ins with their ethnic cleansing goals that are villainous clichés. It’s never explained why aliens are so hated or why everyone in the world is going along with it so it’s never convincing for a moment and feels cartoonishly silly. The “turning the sun from yellow to red” contrivance was written so stupidly too and, while the story started promisingly, it devolves into the standard good guys punching bad guys finale - yawn.
Then there’s the Legion – they’re so damned generic! It seemed like new characters were being introduced with every few pages and they all have immediately forgettable designs, powers and names – Something-Man/Boy and Something-Woman/Girl. Ditto the villains. Brainiac-5 is the only one I remember! I can easily see why I was never interested in this title when it’s full of bland characters having unimaginatively derivative adventures.
Gary Frank delivers up a fine-looking comic as always. And he’s drawing Superman so you know what that means: Christopher Reeve lives again on the page! That’s not a criticism either, I love seeing Chris Reeves Superman.
Geoff Johns takes this assortment of cheeseball characters and somehow makes them interesting enough for this book to be a decent read - a laudable feat in itself! It’s let down by an uninspired second half but Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes wasn’t bad – it’s a mildly fun superhero story with Superman as a supporting character and quality artwork.
I’ve never really liked the Legion of Super-Heroes - they always seemed like the scout troop to Superman’s scoutmaster. Buncha boring, naff… anyway! Geoff Johns has written a surprisingly readable book with this crowd.
The first act is superb. Johns manages to show Superman and the Legion’s origins, the current state of things in the Legion’s world and place Superman within it all effortlessly. It’s concise, sharp writing without any fat. And, though I can’t recall any of their names, I was definitely interested in the Legion characters introduced at that point. The story is dramatic, exciting and immediately gripping.
And then it starts to fall apart – doh! Johns’ setup never develops beyond the simplistic – the “Justice League” are Nazi stand-ins with their ethnic cleansing goals that are villainous clichés. It’s never explained why aliens are so hated or why everyone in the world is going along with it so it’s never convincing for a moment and feels cartoonishly silly. The “turning the sun from yellow to red” contrivance was written so stupidly too and, while the story started promisingly, it devolves into the standard good guys punching bad guys finale - yawn.
Then there’s the Legion – they’re so damned generic! It seemed like new characters were being introduced with every few pages and they all have immediately forgettable designs, powers and names – Something-Man/Boy and Something-Woman/Girl. Ditto the villains. Brainiac-5 is the only one I remember! I can easily see why I was never interested in this title when it’s full of bland characters having unimaginatively derivative adventures.
Gary Frank delivers up a fine-looking comic as always. And he’s drawing Superman so you know what that means: Christopher Reeve lives again on the page! That’s not a criticism either, I love seeing Chris Reeves Superman.
Geoff Johns takes this assortment of cheeseball characters and somehow makes them interesting enough for this book to be a decent read - a laudable feat in itself! It’s let down by an uninspired second half but Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes wasn’t bad – it’s a mildly fun superhero story with Superman as a supporting character and quality artwork.
April 11, 2018
In honour of Superman's 80th birthday, I am continuing my Superman marathon with another volume of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's Action Comics.
Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes is a story that starts with a supergroup from the 31st century who were once Clark's childhood friends. Their future world is in peril, so they come for Superman from our day to help them. In this future world, people are taught that Superman was, in fact, a human, and all the aliens (of which there are now countless different species) are super-evil, and that Superman was the Earth's greatest protector from the alien threat. Naturally, this shady new world order tries to start a war between humans and aliens to preserve the purity of the human race.
Yes, this is a pretty heavy-handed allegory for fascism (the future Justice League members even wear nazi-like arm bands with the Superman symbol instead of swastika, yikes), and the reason for the world to become this way was really flimsy. Whaddaya want, Geoff Johns isn't the most subtle writer out there. Fortunately though, Johns didn't go too far with his metaphor, so most of the book reads like just a regular Superman adventure with a simple twist that it's set in the future. It's an entertaining read, Johns writes Superman really well as I already said in my review of Brainiac, and for all the complaints that I may have about this comic, it still feels like a good old classic Superman story, and that's worth a lot of points in my book. I mean, look at that:
Hell yeah, he is for everyone!
And Gary Frank's artwork, oh man. What a talent. His style is a great fit for this kind of book — full of action scenes and stunning splash pages, and his Superman looks just perfect.
Superman is my favourite DC character, but it can be hard to find a good Superman story once you've gone through the most popular ones. Fortunately, Geoff Johns' run on Action Comics proves to be quality stuff — Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes may not be the deepest Superman comic out there, but it's a fun and good-looking book, so I really enjoyed my time reading it.
Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes is a story that starts with a supergroup from the 31st century who were once Clark's childhood friends. Their future world is in peril, so they come for Superman from our day to help them. In this future world, people are taught that Superman was, in fact, a human, and all the aliens (of which there are now countless different species) are super-evil, and that Superman was the Earth's greatest protector from the alien threat. Naturally, this shady new world order tries to start a war between humans and aliens to preserve the purity of the human race.
Yes, this is a pretty heavy-handed allegory for fascism (the future Justice League members even wear nazi-like arm bands with the Superman symbol instead of swastika, yikes), and the reason for the world to become this way was really flimsy. Whaddaya want, Geoff Johns isn't the most subtle writer out there. Fortunately though, Johns didn't go too far with his metaphor, so most of the book reads like just a regular Superman adventure with a simple twist that it's set in the future. It's an entertaining read, Johns writes Superman really well as I already said in my review of Brainiac, and for all the complaints that I may have about this comic, it still feels like a good old classic Superman story, and that's worth a lot of points in my book. I mean, look at that:
Hell yeah, he is for everyone!
And Gary Frank's artwork, oh man. What a talent. His style is a great fit for this kind of book — full of action scenes and stunning splash pages, and his Superman looks just perfect.
Superman is my favourite DC character, but it can be hard to find a good Superman story once you've gone through the most popular ones. Fortunately, Geoff Johns' run on Action Comics proves to be quality stuff — Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes may not be the deepest Superman comic out there, but it's a fun and good-looking book, so I really enjoyed my time reading it.
April 4, 2011
Johns does it again! This is my first time reading about the Legion, but I didn't feel lost at all. I think the best thing about his writing is the way he makes you care about all of the characters, even if you've never heard of them before.
June 14, 2011
Way back in the day, the only place I ever got comics was right off the rack in the drug store. A chance purchase in the second grade made me switch my super hero loyalties from Batman & Robin to the Legion of Super Heroes. I don't remember the number of the issue, but it was somewhere in the 320's or 330's of Tales, the one where they find out the Dark Circle is really a crap ton of clones. How could a kid not like a super hero team composed of kids in the future? From there, I grabbed the Legion where ever I could find it, up until the last issue of Tales of the Legion.
Superman and the Legion of Super Heroes brings back fond memories of that time. Superman takes a Time Sphere to the 31st century where Earth has become xenophobic, the Legion are outlaws, and Superman's legend has been perverted by Earth-Man. To top it off, the sun has gone red. Superman teams with what's left of the Legion and goes about setting things right, all with the prospect of an intergalactic war looming in the background.
Geoff Johns shows why he's the most consistently good writer in comics today in this one. There are nods to the past without wallowing in it, the characters are consistent with their past incarnations (ie the Levitz/Giffen era Legion), and the story goes pretty smoothly. When the sun went back to yellow and Superman regained his powers and took the fight to Earth-Man, I felt like a kid again. I must have been grinning like a jackass. Gary Frank's art suited the story perfectly, detailed but not overwhelmingly so.
For fans of the silver age of DC comics, this is one not to miss.
Superman and the Legion of Super Heroes brings back fond memories of that time. Superman takes a Time Sphere to the 31st century where Earth has become xenophobic, the Legion are outlaws, and Superman's legend has been perverted by Earth-Man. To top it off, the sun has gone red. Superman teams with what's left of the Legion and goes about setting things right, all with the prospect of an intergalactic war looming in the background.
Geoff Johns shows why he's the most consistently good writer in comics today in this one. There are nods to the past without wallowing in it, the characters are consistent with their past incarnations (ie the Levitz/Giffen era Legion), and the story goes pretty smoothly. When the sun went back to yellow and Superman regained his powers and took the fight to Earth-Man, I felt like a kid again. I must have been grinning like a jackass. Gary Frank's art suited the story perfectly, detailed but not overwhelmingly so.
For fans of the silver age of DC comics, this is one not to miss.
October 4, 2016
The story was decent but not outstanding. The real star here is the art by Gary Frank. Big fan of his Superman.
July 19, 2019
This was decent.
Maybe I just don't like the Legion of Super-Heroes. They're kind of cheesy and boring. Anyway, they ask Superman for some help. Superman travels to the future. This future is bad for supes since the whole earth is covered with the red sun. Supes is weak. Supes is still the beacon of hope though. Supes will fight with the legion. And...he will win since he's supes.
This isn't bad. I enjoy Johns Superman a lot. He writes Clark heroic and brave, I love that. All the dialogue is actually pretty solid and the pacing is well enough done and explained that won't be confused. Saying that, I didn't care for most of the characters, this art didn't work for me either, and I just didn't care about the ending. Overall a 2.5 out of 5.
Maybe I just don't like the Legion of Super-Heroes. They're kind of cheesy and boring. Anyway, they ask Superman for some help. Superman travels to the future. This future is bad for supes since the whole earth is covered with the red sun. Supes is weak. Supes is still the beacon of hope though. Supes will fight with the legion. And...he will win since he's supes.
This isn't bad. I enjoy Johns Superman a lot. He writes Clark heroic and brave, I love that. All the dialogue is actually pretty solid and the pacing is well enough done and explained that won't be confused. Saying that, I didn't care for most of the characters, this art didn't work for me either, and I just didn't care about the ending. Overall a 2.5 out of 5.
September 21, 2023
I am HUGE legion fan and at first was hesitant that this would be a badly done mess of an adult legion. Nope I was wrong. Excellent Legion story using alot of B-list villains from the original series. Great read. Very recommended
February 23, 2023
One of the best things about Geoff Johns is how he handles the golden age characters. He knows how to take these old characters and tell their story to the modern readers.
Superman and the Legion of Super heroes is a tribute to the eponymous characters. Johns portrays the characters as they are meant to be, and gives them the respect they deserve. Gary Frank doesn't hold back in the art section either, as he delivers a phenomenal artwork. I love the way he draws Superman; where he looks a lot like the late Christopher Reeves.
A must read for the fans of the titular characters.
Superman and the Legion of Super heroes is a tribute to the eponymous characters. Johns portrays the characters as they are meant to be, and gives them the respect they deserve. Gary Frank doesn't hold back in the art section either, as he delivers a phenomenal artwork. I love the way he draws Superman; where he looks a lot like the late Christopher Reeves.
A must read for the fans of the titular characters.
December 11, 2008
It’s been decades since I last followed the exploits of the Man of Steel in Action Comics. And it would take a lot to get me interested in picking up this title. However, after checking out fan-boy favorite Geoff Johns’ 52 and having flipped through the art of Gary Frank – as well as several gushing reviews in both Wizard magazine and the manager of my favorite local comic book shop – I ponied-up and put this collected volume on hold at my local library.
Binding together six recent issues from Action Comics, this story-arc offers a brilliant narrative stroke that recalls the Man of Steel’s first encounter with the 31st century superheroes called the Legion, which frames the main narrative in which he is called forward in time to redress many despicable wrongs that have been made in his name on Earth and in the parts of our galaxy once known as the United Planets. Conjuring up images of Nazi Germany, Earth has fallen for the xenophobia propagated by the bitter Earth-Man and his cohort of disgruntled Legion rejects and former Legion of Super-Villains folk as they tirelessly promote the lie that Superman was a native son of Earth, and that his Kryptonian heritage was merely a “multi-cultural” ploy to weaken and water-down the glory that was once Earth’s alone.
I liken Frank’s art as akin to Francis Lenil Yu’s – of New Avengers and Secret Invasion fame -- in it sharp lines and fine pen strokes and shading. A high-point in visual story-telling for mainstream Man of Steel fare, if you ask me.
Geoff’s writing and Frank’s art are a perfect marriage that heightens the operatic drama as the tension mounts into a gripping and exhilarating climax that defines – in my estimation – one of the greatest moments in Legion history. (And not likely to be repeated anytime soon, considering the lackluster sales of the near-constant reinventions and failures of any Legion series in recent years.)
If you’re looking to rejuvenate you interest in all this Superman and Legion, look no further. This is the book for you. All hail the Legion!
Binding together six recent issues from Action Comics, this story-arc offers a brilliant narrative stroke that recalls the Man of Steel’s first encounter with the 31st century superheroes called the Legion, which frames the main narrative in which he is called forward in time to redress many despicable wrongs that have been made in his name on Earth and in the parts of our galaxy once known as the United Planets. Conjuring up images of Nazi Germany, Earth has fallen for the xenophobia propagated by the bitter Earth-Man and his cohort of disgruntled Legion rejects and former Legion of Super-Villains folk as they tirelessly promote the lie that Superman was a native son of Earth, and that his Kryptonian heritage was merely a “multi-cultural” ploy to weaken and water-down the glory that was once Earth’s alone.
I liken Frank’s art as akin to Francis Lenil Yu’s – of New Avengers and Secret Invasion fame -- in it sharp lines and fine pen strokes and shading. A high-point in visual story-telling for mainstream Man of Steel fare, if you ask me.
Geoff’s writing and Frank’s art are a perfect marriage that heightens the operatic drama as the tension mounts into a gripping and exhilarating climax that defines – in my estimation – one of the greatest moments in Legion history. (And not likely to be repeated anytime soon, considering the lackluster sales of the near-constant reinventions and failures of any Legion series in recent years.)
If you’re looking to rejuvenate you interest in all this Superman and Legion, look no further. This is the book for you. All hail the Legion!
January 18, 2016
Perhaps I am being a bit harsh with my rating. There is not really much bad about this book..the artwork is ok, the storyline is ok, etc. But that's really the gist. It is just ok. I know little about the Legion of Super Heroes. After reading this story of Superman heading to a 31st century where people of earth believe him to be an earthling and not a Kryptonian, the Legion has been banned (it is composed of many aliens) and a corrupt Justice League (humans only) now rules earth and a xenophobic/genocidal populace wants all aliens wiped out or banished from earth. Into this mess comes Superman, summoned by the Legion to help. Sadly the sun is red so Superman is not all that super. The rest of the story revolves around the Legion. Most of the characters (excepting Brainiac 5) are just not that interesting to me. I have never heard of them and could care less. Thats why this was only a 2 star rating. Mr. G Johns is a superb writer but the source material here is just is not for me. If you are a Legion fan though, I think you will really like this TPB. If you are not....take a pass.
July 17, 2019
I was not prepared for just how good this was.
I don't know if this is Geoff Johns's best ever story, but I liked it better than anything else of his I've read (and he's generally good).
Gary Frank's art is always amazing.
The plot in a nutshell: In 3008, Earth has been taken over by alien-hating, super-powered humans who teach that Superman was from Earth, and Krypton was a lie. The Legion has been broken up, and Superman can do little, because Earth's sun is now red.
That's more than I knew going into this, and typing it out makes it sound silly, but trust me, this team knows what Legion comics are about.
×chef's kiss ×
I don't know if this is Geoff Johns's best ever story, but I liked it better than anything else of his I've read (and he's generally good).
Gary Frank's art is always amazing.
The plot in a nutshell: In 3008, Earth has been taken over by alien-hating, super-powered humans who teach that Superman was from Earth, and Krypton was a lie. The Legion has been broken up, and Superman can do little, because Earth's sun is now red.
That's more than I knew going into this, and typing it out makes it sound silly, but trust me, this team knows what Legion comics are about.
×chef's kiss ×
April 2, 2023
No está mal el tebeo, con Superman viajando al futuro para encontrarse con la Legión descoyuntada por la xenofobia en una aventura que hace tres décadas se habría resuelto en dos o tres números pero ahora son seis. Al dibujo tenemos un Frank que me gustaba más en sus comienzos, cuando se mostraba más torpe en la narrativa pero tenía una línea más clara (o le entintaban con una línea más clara). Funcionaba mucho mejor a la hora de mostrar la expresividad de los personajes. Aquí hay rostros grotescos. Y no es la intención.
March 17, 2015
The only thing in the DCU that I find more boring than the Green Lanterns, is the Legion. Whenever they're brought up, I instantly fall asleep. Yet, here goes Johns making me care about those characters. Not only that, but he goes and makes Superman interesting too?
I'm starting to begin to think that Johns can do no wrong.
I'm starting to begin to think that Johns can do no wrong.
July 8, 2012
I wanted to rate this one higher. It's a classic Silver Age style space opera. Superman has to go into the future to help the Legion save Earth, the LOSH, and the UFP. It's fast-paced, with twists and turns like a blockbuster movie. There's some amusing dialogue -- especially from the Legion of Substitute Heroes -- as well as a few touching moments, such as an early scene that has Clark once again being ignored by everyone in the office. And I won't lie: I got a bit teary-eyed in the climactic battle when Superman gets to be, well, SUPERMAN.
It's a terrific read for fans of Superman or the Legion, and I highly recommend it. So why only four stars?
1. There's a major plot point towards the end which gets mentioned and completely dropped. The blurb for issue 862 even says, "Superman and the Legion uncover the horrific secret behind the conspiracy against The Man of Steel." Yeah, no, they don't. And the story doesn't care to follow up with this plot point. Perhaps you want to say that Johns was setting up a future storyline (don't know if he was or not). Okay, but it's clumsily done, to the point of being a distraction.
2. Gary Frank's art. This storyline is plagued by the same kind of grotesque faces as in Superman: Secret Origin, which I am guessing came out around this time. Whole pages are even included here -- or at least, redone from the origin story. The original three Legionnaires suffer the worst of it, as they somehow look both young and elderly at the same time. And the Chris Reeve homage for Clark ends up being more creepy and pleasant.
It's a terrific read for fans of Superman or the Legion, and I highly recommend it. So why only four stars?
1. There's a major plot point towards the end which gets mentioned and completely dropped. The blurb for issue 862 even says, "Superman and the Legion uncover the horrific secret behind the conspiracy against The Man of Steel." Yeah, no, they don't. And the story doesn't care to follow up with this plot point. Perhaps you want to say that Johns was setting up a future storyline (don't know if he was or not). Okay, but it's clumsily done, to the point of being a distraction.
2. Gary Frank's art. This storyline is plagued by the same kind of grotesque faces as in Superman: Secret Origin, which I am guessing came out around this time. Whole pages are even included here -- or at least, redone from the origin story. The original three Legionnaires suffer the worst of it, as they somehow look both young and elderly at the same time. And the Chris Reeve homage for Clark ends up being more creepy and pleasant.
March 17, 2013
I really loved this one.
This adult, analog update of the original pre-Crisis Legion is totally turning my crank. Geoff Johns has done such an amazing job revisiting those characters and rebuilding their universe balancing intrigue with action, humour with tension, urgency with pace. Once again Johns proves that he is a master at managing a panoply of characters while retroactively styling the continuity of the DCU. The writing is simply pitch-perfect here. Flawless.
Normally I'm not a fan of Gary Frank. I find his style to be a little grotesque at times, but in this book, I found his drawings added a whole new layer that I had never experienced with the Legion before. Frank 's facial expressions, though often exaggerated and visually awkward, capture emotions that no other artist seems able to draw. It helped to mature the Legion and add an even greater sense of urgency to John's already intense story-line. Each scene flows from one frame into the next without any hiccups... a couple times the artwork takes over and forwards the plot along with some of the best action sequences ever committed to paper... it felt cinematic at times.
This Johns/Frank team-up felt unified, passionate and inspired.
This is the middle chapter in John's relaunch of the original Legion; before this was the Lightening Saga, and following this was The Legion of Three Worlds. Together, these three volumes form one of the most epic and absorbing chapters in the Legion's print history. All three are must-reads for any Legion fan.
Near-perfect. 4.5/5
This adult, analog update of the original pre-Crisis Legion is totally turning my crank. Geoff Johns has done such an amazing job revisiting those characters and rebuilding their universe balancing intrigue with action, humour with tension, urgency with pace. Once again Johns proves that he is a master at managing a panoply of characters while retroactively styling the continuity of the DCU. The writing is simply pitch-perfect here. Flawless.
Normally I'm not a fan of Gary Frank. I find his style to be a little grotesque at times, but in this book, I found his drawings added a whole new layer that I had never experienced with the Legion before. Frank 's facial expressions, though often exaggerated and visually awkward, capture emotions that no other artist seems able to draw. It helped to mature the Legion and add an even greater sense of urgency to John's already intense story-line. Each scene flows from one frame into the next without any hiccups... a couple times the artwork takes over and forwards the plot along with some of the best action sequences ever committed to paper... it felt cinematic at times.
This Johns/Frank team-up felt unified, passionate and inspired.
This is the middle chapter in John's relaunch of the original Legion; before this was the Lightening Saga, and following this was The Legion of Three Worlds. Together, these three volumes form one of the most epic and absorbing chapters in the Legion's print history. All three are must-reads for any Legion fan.
Near-perfect. 4.5/5
June 27, 2014
I'd give the story all the stars! But. The art killed me. Seriously, driving me insane! Frank's art is freaking my shit out! Every woman looks like a weird plastic person. They all have the same exact face. It's like he used a poorly embalmed corpse with a high cheekboned joker smile plastered on her face as a model and couldn't undo the creepy dead wide-eyed stare from their huge bug eyes. Creepiest fucking faces ever. I kinda want the Legion to get their faces beat off so I don't have to look at them anymore. I am avoiding all Gary Frank stuff after this, for my health. Ew. I would super love this story with any other art.
March 26, 2024
Puntaje: 4.3 Estrellas.
Conocí por primera vez a la Legión de Superhéroes gracias a la serie animada de Cartoon Network. Recuerdo que, cuando la vi de pequeño, me habían llamado la atención sus personajes y todo el Lore detrás de este nuevo grupo de superhéroes.
Varios años más tarde leí las series de los Nuevos 52 que tenían relación con la Legión, y recuerdo que me habían gustado. Desde ese momento supe que quería leer más cómics de este grupo de superhéroes.
Por lo pronto he llegado a “Superman y la legión de superhéroes”, un tomo que corresponde a la Colección Héroes y Villanos de DC, la cual es traída a Colombia por El Tiempo, y que también corresponde a la etapa de Superman en la que Geoff Johns era su escritor principal.
De esta etapa han surgido historias maravillosas como Superman: Orígeen Secreto, y Superman: Brainiac, la cual ya he reseñado previamente en la página web (Y que fue una de mis mejores novelas gráficas del 2023).
En esta ocasión, Johns nos presenta una historia en la que la Legión de Superhéroes está pasando por un mal momento en el año 3,008, y necesita de la ayuda de Superman. ¿El problema? En el futuro el sol de la tierra es rojo, por lo que Superman no tendrá ninguno de sus poderes. Podrá Superman ayudar a la Legión a solucionar este caos?
Lo primero que me ha gustado de este tomo es la nostalgia. Superman y la Legión ya han cruzado caminos múltiples veces. De hecho, Kal-El ha sido un miembro de la Legión, acompa��ándolos en muchas aventuras. Por lo que ver la emoción que les genera reencontrarse, a pesar de las circunstancias, es muy gratificante.
Otro detalle que me ha encantado es que, en esta historia, los miembros de la Legión ya son adultos. Esto lo menciono principalmente porque, en la serie animada, los miembros de la Legión eran adolescentes. Además, en los pocos cómics que he leído de ellos, no pasaban de tener 20 años máximo, por lo que ver a unos Legionarios de más de 30, con familia y mucha historia detrás me ha parecido fascinante. En especial porque esto quiere decir que hay mucha historia por conocer. Este volúmen me ha dejado muy antojado por leer más cómics de la Legión de Superhéroes.
Por otro lado, todo el Lore detrás de los villanos me ha parecido magnífico. La idea de tener personajes que no fueron aceptados para ingresar a la Legión, y que ellos sean quienes se encargan de hacer la vida imposible a los Legionarios al cambiar la historia de Superman tal y como la conocemos me ha parecido maravilloso.
Lo que más me gusta del concepto de la Legión es la variedad de personajes y superpoderes que podemos encontrar en sus historias. Y este tomo es un excelente ejemplo de ello.
En fin, he disfrutado mucho de esta historia. La recomiendo en especial a aquellos que tengan un conocimiento básico sobre Superman y sobre los miembros de la Legión, esto porque, si no los conoces, tendrás una oleada de nuevos personajes, cada uno con su propia historia y trama, que te puede abrumar.
Conocí por primera vez a la Legión de Superhéroes gracias a la serie animada de Cartoon Network. Recuerdo que, cuando la vi de pequeño, me habían llamado la atención sus personajes y todo el Lore detrás de este nuevo grupo de superhéroes.
Varios años más tarde leí las series de los Nuevos 52 que tenían relación con la Legión, y recuerdo que me habían gustado. Desde ese momento supe que quería leer más cómics de este grupo de superhéroes.
Por lo pronto he llegado a “Superman y la legión de superhéroes”, un tomo que corresponde a la Colección Héroes y Villanos de DC, la cual es traída a Colombia por El Tiempo, y que también corresponde a la etapa de Superman en la que Geoff Johns era su escritor principal.
De esta etapa han surgido historias maravillosas como Superman: Orígeen Secreto, y Superman: Brainiac, la cual ya he reseñado previamente en la página web (Y que fue una de mis mejores novelas gráficas del 2023).
En esta ocasión, Johns nos presenta una historia en la que la Legión de Superhéroes está pasando por un mal momento en el año 3,008, y necesita de la ayuda de Superman. ¿El problema? En el futuro el sol de la tierra es rojo, por lo que Superman no tendrá ninguno de sus poderes. Podrá Superman ayudar a la Legión a solucionar este caos?
Lo primero que me ha gustado de este tomo es la nostalgia. Superman y la Legión ya han cruzado caminos múltiples veces. De hecho, Kal-El ha sido un miembro de la Legión, acompa��ándolos en muchas aventuras. Por lo que ver la emoción que les genera reencontrarse, a pesar de las circunstancias, es muy gratificante.
Otro detalle que me ha encantado es que, en esta historia, los miembros de la Legión ya son adultos. Esto lo menciono principalmente porque, en la serie animada, los miembros de la Legión eran adolescentes. Además, en los pocos cómics que he leído de ellos, no pasaban de tener 20 años máximo, por lo que ver a unos Legionarios de más de 30, con familia y mucha historia detrás me ha parecido fascinante. En especial porque esto quiere decir que hay mucha historia por conocer. Este volúmen me ha dejado muy antojado por leer más cómics de la Legión de Superhéroes.
Por otro lado, todo el Lore detrás de los villanos me ha parecido magnífico. La idea de tener personajes que no fueron aceptados para ingresar a la Legión, y que ellos sean quienes se encargan de hacer la vida imposible a los Legionarios al cambiar la historia de Superman tal y como la conocemos me ha parecido maravilloso.
Lo que más me gusta del concepto de la Legión es la variedad de personajes y superpoderes que podemos encontrar en sus historias. Y este tomo es un excelente ejemplo de ello.
En fin, he disfrutado mucho de esta historia. La recomiendo en especial a aquellos que tengan un conocimiento básico sobre Superman y sobre los miembros de la Legión, esto porque, si no los conoces, tendrás una oleada de nuevos personajes, cada uno con su propia historia y trama, que te puede abrumar.
December 14, 2020
Probably one of the greatest Superman and also LOSH stories ever told, the story starts with Brainiac 5 calling Clark to the future to rescue the team as something seems to have gone terribly wrong and as he is Superman he goes into the future to save his friend and there he is powerless because of Red sun and encounters Colossal boy, wildfire and Dawnstar as they attempt to rescue him as he is powerless and tell him about Earth-boy and the JLE and their evil agenda and xenophobic too, to strip Earth of Aliens. Thus begins Superman's quest to fight through it, find Brainiac 5 and also the other Legionnaires despite not having his powers and learn about what happened here and what Earth-boy did and the United Planets plan for earth and he has to do it and save his friends, stop the villains plans and bring the message of unity to the citizens of Earth while prevent Earth from getting destroyed.
Its such a great Story and probably one of the best Johns has written, he strips the character down to their molten core, there are so many characters, yet you never feel confused as he explains their origins and personality, explores the different villains aka JLE really well and makes Earth-boy such a formidable foe that when he fights with Superman, its well earned and the fight is epic, and he has his motives, even though they are misguided. And then the part with different legions wanting to unite with their friends is so well done and that time when Superman steps infront of the people of the Earth or even United Planets, its so epic and reminds us why he is the greatest hero ever and the symbol that inspires us all. And the art is consistent throughout and pleasing to the eyes and so good and the art and writing and even colors compliment each other so well and just *chefs kiss* this is a perfect book that makes you fall in love with these characters over and over again.
Its such a great Story and probably one of the best Johns has written, he strips the character down to their molten core, there are so many characters, yet you never feel confused as he explains their origins and personality, explores the different villains aka JLE really well and makes Earth-boy such a formidable foe that when he fights with Superman, its well earned and the fight is epic, and he has his motives, even though they are misguided. And then the part with different legions wanting to unite with their friends is so well done and that time when Superman steps infront of the people of the Earth or even United Planets, its so epic and reminds us why he is the greatest hero ever and the symbol that inspires us all. And the art is consistent throughout and pleasing to the eyes and so good and the art and writing and even colors compliment each other so well and just *chefs kiss* this is a perfect book that makes you fall in love with these characters over and over again.
May 15, 2018
In the last few years I've taken an interest in reading good Superman stories past and present, and Geoff Johns has solidified an idea I've had for a while now:
You can't be cool and write good Superman.
Which in the world of super hero comics is a surprisingly big ask. Comic writers love their clever dialogue, gritty cynicism, and their cheap irony. These things make bad Superman stories unless you're prepared to make him a joke or a fascist, both of which have been played out since the 80's. Seriously, go away with your bad Evil Superman story lines. It's played out.
This is a fitting book to bring this up with, because Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes is literally a story about a future where historical revisionism has erased Superman's true origins, painting him a nationalist figure appropriate for xenophobes. Superman is pulled forward into this world to try and assist in eliminating fascist super heroes.
Because that's what a Superman does. He fights fascists. It's kind of his thing. Most of us our limited in how much good we can do by our amount of energy and our social capital. Superman has endless energy and powers that exist entirely outside of societal influences. That's why it was such a potent fantasy in the era of its creation, and why I think it has just as much value now. Superman does good because it's very clear to him that he's capable of helping. When done right, it's genuinely endearing.
I hadn't really read much Geoff Johns prior to this, but I enjoy his very straightforward approach to storytelling. It's not flashy, it's not riddled with quips, it's just tight storytelling. His style captures the sort of excitement I felt for super hero stories when I was a child without embarrassing dialogue and the dumber tropes.
An excellent read, and its inspired me to hunt down more super hero books by Johns.
You can't be cool and write good Superman.
Which in the world of super hero comics is a surprisingly big ask. Comic writers love their clever dialogue, gritty cynicism, and their cheap irony. These things make bad Superman stories unless you're prepared to make him a joke or a fascist, both of which have been played out since the 80's. Seriously, go away with your bad Evil Superman story lines. It's played out.
This is a fitting book to bring this up with, because Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes is literally a story about a future where historical revisionism has erased Superman's true origins, painting him a nationalist figure appropriate for xenophobes. Superman is pulled forward into this world to try and assist in eliminating fascist super heroes.
Because that's what a Superman does. He fights fascists. It's kind of his thing. Most of us our limited in how much good we can do by our amount of energy and our social capital. Superman has endless energy and powers that exist entirely outside of societal influences. That's why it was such a potent fantasy in the era of its creation, and why I think it has just as much value now. Superman does good because it's very clear to him that he's capable of helping. When done right, it's genuinely endearing.
I hadn't really read much Geoff Johns prior to this, but I enjoy his very straightforward approach to storytelling. It's not flashy, it's not riddled with quips, it's just tight storytelling. His style captures the sort of excitement I felt for super hero stories when I was a child without embarrassing dialogue and the dumber tropes.
An excellent read, and its inspired me to hunt down more super hero books by Johns.
June 1, 2024
Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes
Brainiac-5 requests Superman's help in 3008. Entering a time bubble, the Man of Steel arrives to find that his name and history have been rewritten by a xenophobic Justice League, who seek to exile all non human Legionnaires and are prepared to go to war to keep Earth for humans.
The punchy artwork and vivid colouring style add to this cautionary tale about racism and fake news. Geoff John's shows how effective Superman is as a symbol and, even without his powers, it is Superman who saves the day simply by being symbolic of hope and truth.
Brainiac-5 requests Superman's help in 3008. Entering a time bubble, the Man of Steel arrives to find that his name and history have been rewritten by a xenophobic Justice League, who seek to exile all non human Legionnaires and are prepared to go to war to keep Earth for humans.
The punchy artwork and vivid colouring style add to this cautionary tale about racism and fake news. Geoff John's shows how effective Superman is as a symbol and, even without his powers, it is Superman who saves the day simply by being symbolic of hope and truth.
February 9, 2025
While Kurt Busiek was releasing the “Camelot Falls” storyline and questioning whether Superman was doing harm to humanity by constantly saving it, Geoff Johns came around and crafted a story celebrating the good impact that the Superman Legacy has on the world.
In this story, he reintroduces the futuristic Legion of Superheroes and reestablishes their connection with Clark in his Superboy days. This was a popular Silver Age concept and it’s kinda cool that Johns brought it back in full after giving us a little tease near the end of his JSA run.
The League transport Clark to the year 3008 when people are spreading lies about Superman to fuel their anti-alien agenda. And with the Earth now sitting under a red sun, a powerless Superman must do all he can to stop them. It’s a fun, sci-fi-heavy tale bringing back loads of the League of Superheroes mythos and also marks the beginning of artist Gary “Crazy Eyes” Frank’s work on the title.
In this story, he reintroduces the futuristic Legion of Superheroes and reestablishes their connection with Clark in his Superboy days. This was a popular Silver Age concept and it’s kinda cool that Johns brought it back in full after giving us a little tease near the end of his JSA run.
The League transport Clark to the year 3008 when people are spreading lies about Superman to fuel their anti-alien agenda. And with the Earth now sitting under a red sun, a powerless Superman must do all he can to stop them. It’s a fun, sci-fi-heavy tale bringing back loads of the League of Superheroes mythos and also marks the beginning of artist Gary “Crazy Eyes” Frank’s work on the title.
April 30, 2018
my best legion tale ever !!!
June 4, 2019
Velký nůďo. Motivace postav nedávaj smysl, každých pár stránek vyskočí novej suprák s nulovým charakterem a jakože velký poselství nefunguje. Frank neumí kreslit ženský.
August 22, 2025
A decent story, but after a great start it definitely seemed to come apart a bit around half way through and became a little bit formulaic. Still great to see the Legion again though, especially some of the more obscure characters.
Read
November 12, 2024In the 31st century, Superman’s image has been distorted, with pro-human xenophobia clutching most of Earth. A group of Legion of Superheroes rejects branding themselves as the Justice League lead the campaign – they’ve captured alien Legionnaires, while teaching everyone that Superman was human, not Kryptonian. But when rogue Legion members bring Superman to the future, they get the chance to prove that the greatest hero stands for everyone.
Geoff Johns comes through with another excellent Superman story. His run is easily one of the best of the last 20 years, if not all time (sadly there are not many truly great Superman runs; the best Superman comics are limited series). This arc feels like a classic Superman adventure: high stakes, fun, and heart. It’s a slightly darker Superman outing than usual, and thankfully Johns doesn’t lapse into heavy-handedness (the future Justice League are basically Nazis). This story reintroduced the Legion to the Superman mythos, and while we meet a lot of members, I think Johns balances the characters well. With Gary Frank’s superb artwork, the story leaves a great impression. I was cheering throughout the last issue.
Geoff Johns comes through with another excellent Superman story. His run is easily one of the best of the last 20 years, if not all time (sadly there are not many truly great Superman runs; the best Superman comics are limited series). This arc feels like a classic Superman adventure: high stakes, fun, and heart. It’s a slightly darker Superman outing than usual, and thankfully Johns doesn’t lapse into heavy-handedness (the future Justice League are basically Nazis). This story reintroduced the Legion to the Superman mythos, and while we meet a lot of members, I think Johns balances the characters well. With Gary Frank’s superb artwork, the story leaves a great impression. I was cheering throughout the last issue.
November 13, 2009
Geoff Johns makes the Legion of Superheroes comprehensible and entertaining. That is very, very impressive, and continues a strong, almost definitive run on Superman. I'm not sure how the continuity lines up with this story of Superman helping future heroes stop an anti-alien crusade that threatens Earth in the year 3008, but the tale is well-told. Johns eases audiences into the thick web of Legionnaires by constantly giving refreshers on each character's name and powers; I needed the reminders. This had to be a really hard book to write for a wide audience, but he makes it look easy. Geoff Johns: probably the master of making sense of the DC Universe.
February 15, 2010
In the forward former LSH writer/artist Keith Giffen writes that working on this title gets under your skin, and that after reading this he saw that it had gotten under Geoff Johns' skin. Johns plays to his strengths in this story. Respect for continuity while adding his own take on the characters (he does a very nice job with Brainy and Polar Boy). He gives us a rational evolution for Radiation Roy wnw you can see that she is tied into his current GL work). A very nice mix of sci-fi and super heroics.
September 3, 2011
A thoroughly enjoyable cosmic adventure full of humanity and brilliant pacing. It's a thrilling read that just flies by. The first few chapters have to get a lot of exposition out there, but it doesn't feel overly forced or out of place. As someone who isn't a big fan of the nigh infinite power of Superman, I was impressed by how down to earth Johns managed to make a story set in the year 3008 about flying teenagers.
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