Legion of Super-Heroes, Vol. 1: Teenage Revolution

Legion of Super-Heroes (2005)

by Mark Waid, Barry Kitson (Illustrator), Leonard Kirk (Illustrator)

In this new incarnation of the 1960s comic strip, a thirty-first century group of teenagers rebel against their parents and their super-utopian society to form the Legion of Super-Heroes and fight crime, in homage to the heroes of the twentieth century.

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

200 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey! This didn't suck!

This was an origin story of sorts for the Legion of Super-Heroes. Not The Origin Story, but at least the original cast was front and center in this one.




I couldn't buy into the whole 'We're Creating a Group of Teenage Heroes Because the World is Too Boring' thing.
I just didn't really 'get it'.
Then again, I think I'm officially part of the Establishment at this point in my life.
Look both ways before you cross the street.
Hold my hand in a crowd.
Don't take candy from strangers.
Use a condom...even if she says she's on the pill.
Yep. These days, I find myself spouting the usual preachy advice that makes kids roll their eyes and squirm.
However, once you get midway through the book, it makes a bit more sense.
Everything is sanitized, nobody meets up in person anymore, and all the kids have tracking devices on them.
Big Brother + Helicopter Parents = Every Teen's Nightmare

In answer to all this control, some kids have started a movement back towards the Good Old Days (aka the 21st century), and are calling themselves Super Heroes.
The Flight Rings also double as blockers for the government tracking devices, so for the first time, these kids are off the grid.
Adults all over the universe are going crazy over the fact that their kids are taking off to join this cult.
That part of the plot never really impressed me. Even though the reasoning behind it got better, it didn't suck me into their cause.

The best parts of the book were the exchanges between the different characters, the backstories (Triplicate Girl's story was great), and the underlying menace of some unknown Dark threat lurking out there.
So.
You do get really good overall story!
I'd like to continue with this title if I get the chance.

Recommended for anyone looking for a good Legionnaire comic.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was...fine?

The thing is Legion of Super Heroes is fun but nothing much more than that for me. I enjoyed the moments with the characters, Mark waid has a lot of funny moments to spread here. The space adventure feel is pretty fun and getting to know the characters was pretty interesting. However, there's SO many fucking characters I felt like I was in season 4 episode 2 of a TV show. Also...it was kind of cheesy at moments. Overall decent, and wanted to learn more about them, but probably won't read more of this series.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid knows how to tell a clear, straightforward story without forcing the dialogue or getting sidetracked with unnecessary action. This time around, he lends his talents to the mid-2000's reboot of the LSH, a reboot that was truly needed because the last incarnation had veered so far away from the main DCU, and from the original concept of the Legionnaires, in my opinion. This time around, the future is much more dark and disparate, where teenagers are meant to be neither seen nor heard, where socialization is an antiquated concept, and where comic book reading is the equivalent of ancient hero worship. Add to that a sinister presence that is conducting genocide-style destruction of planets in the outer rim of the universe and you have the need for a group of inspired, super powered teenagers with a vision of a better future.

The writing and artwork is wonderful in this series. Clear, concise storyboarding; dialogue that is funny and not forced. Also there is an underlying discourse on politics and ageism that really worked for me. It made me so happy to see a return to the lad/lass naming of the Legion. Plus, there is some great character growth; I'm thinking of Triplicate Girl, Brainiac, Timber Wolf..... In fact, there seems to be a lot of thought put into the individual personalities of each team member. Im looking forward to getting to know each one of them again. An excellent start to a reboot, already I am hooked. 4/5

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The far distant future is fun, but the best part is when they pretend to be in the past.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Mark Waid usually but this is my least favorite Legion series. If I remember it does get better but it does take a while. Much prefer this series when Jim Shooter takes over the writing slot.

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't like the Legion but this book was so much fun! All the characters feel real despite the large number of them, the stakes are high and it's so interesting to explore this version of the future.

[Jack Haringa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Legion of Super-Heroes was one of my favorite comics when I was growing up, and I sought it out in all its incarnations, from a back-up in Silver Age Adventure comics to the title to their own. I lost track of the team just a short way into Keith Giffen's "Five Years Later" seismic jump. I didn't love the growing grittiness of the comic (which was following the trend of every other superhero comic on the stands) because one of the essential qualities of the future the Legion books offered was the near-Utopian peace and promise it offered. Not everything has to be grim and dark to treat more adult themes and ideas, though this fact is tough to convince comics publishers of. Continuity had also gotten insanely convoluted, in no small part due to an over-reliance on time-travel plot devices and the endless "crises" of present-day continuity.

I was somewhat leery, therefore, of Mark Waid and Barry Kitson's "Threeboot" of the Legion. Here the future enjoys domestic peace, but it also suffers paranoia, fear of youth culture, and a near-obsessive need for surveillance. Not that Waid might be interested in post 9/11 social commentary. So I worried that my beloved characters and their lives on and among the United Planets. Waid's handling of, and in some cases re-imagining of, the essential characters of the Legion is thoughtful and inventive. He doesn't radically separate them from their classic incarnations, but like a very good cover artist, he makes them his own. He also does a good job of juggling the varied cast. My only complaint is the portrayal of Chameleon (formerly Chameleon Boy) as something of a naif. In the past he was one of the smartest members of the team, its leader, and a combination spy/diplomat. Here Cham is little more than a socially awkward adolescent, and he comes across as whiny to boot.

The plotline follows something of a grim-and-gritty course, increasingly so as the story progresses, that suggests late-Paul Levitz, early-Giffen material, but with the advantage of a coherence that comes from shucking the weight of continuity. Additionally, the characters remain hopeful and positive even if the world around them is less rosy than the future envisioned by writers in the '60s and '70s. Kitson's art carries the tale well, and his take on the modified costumes does a nice job of acknowledging tradition while updating the look of the Legionnaires.

I'm looking forward to reading the second trade collection of the series, and I'm more than a bit disappointed to know that this series ends with issue #50.

[Zaira's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this book came my entering into the comic book world. Found this gem at the library, not at all expecting what I was going into. Right afterwards, my love for DC was complete and an obsession with LoSH commenced. Oh heavens, it's been quite a ride.

In the beginning, I was completely confused. I understood that this was the future. I thought the names were hokey, that the pictures weren't that great... but then I got sucked into the story. Mark Waid played tricks on my mind.

The first time I read this graphic novel all the way through, I was still slightly confused. I understood some parts, but the characters were still new to me, the plot had blown my mind, and the dark-haired males all looked the same. The only thing I really, really liked were the nuances between Brainiac 5 and Dream Girl.

The second time I read this book, everything clicked. I found cues in the art that I hadn't seen before. I understood dialogue, figured everything out and it worked. It was amazing! I couldn't stop reading! Everything seemed to fit so perfectly and I ached to read the second volume because I had fallen irrevocably in love with the characters.

No matter how many times I read this book, new things seem to come to me. Even when I've practically memorized sections, I know every expression, every plot point, Waid and Kitson still surprise me with this masterpiece. I love it. So much. I'm pretty happy that this was what dragged me into the world of comics.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ill tell ya what I thought. I thought, "This is good comics right here." The spirit was here, the writing (Mark Waid) was great, and it just feels inspired. This is like the perfect melding of superhero comics and science fiction. Fun, fun, fun. Chocolate and peanut butter. Caramel and apples. Steak and milkshake. Brianiac 5 is always good to have around, but I also dug some of the characters I wasn't as familiar with: Dreamgirl, Ultraboy (who has all these different random powers, but they can only be used one at a time! It makes for some truly funny stuff at the beginning of the book), Cosmic Boy, Shadow Lass, etc. This trade was excellent. Highly recommend for anybody.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good jumping on point for new readers, Waid's exploration of the Legion balances a light tone, a huge cast, and a growing threat with ease and aplomb. At times it verges on being a bit too breezy for its own good, but the concluding issues of the volume set the stage for a huge follow up which promises to up the stakes.

[Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amo la Legión de Superhéroes.

Desde de que era adolescente y leí la etapa de Paul Levitz hasta ahora que voy revolviendo mercadillos buscando viejos números. Así que nada de pretender ser objetivo.

Y esta etapa de Mark Waid me gustó cuando la leí en un primer momento y me gusta (más) en su actual relectura (motivada porque por fin he encontrado el tomo 4 que cierra esta etapa y que recibiré en próximos días). La legión como un grupo de jóvenes que exigen algo más a una sociedad aburrida y conservadora.

Una revolución de adolescentes que exigen ser escuchados y enfrentados, a parte de amenazas que quieren hacer estallar el universo en una guerra genocida, a los adultos que les piden que se comporten, que obedezca y que callen.

Una buena recreación y actualización de personajes clásicos acompañados de un dibujo dinámico y al servicio de la historia.

[Gary Fortuin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved The Legion of Super-Heroes but the titles never seem to last. Mark Waid takes the franchise on and does some interesting things with it.

We get Triplicate Girls backstory done in a way that is fascinating and depressing. Micro-lad. "My power is shrinking! I come from a planet of giants!" Brilliant.

He dips his toe NGOs we've all probably wondered about too: what exactly do the flight rings do and why doesn't everyone in the UP have them? Who pays for all of their stuff? And so on.

Along with smatterings of teenage angst and interstellar teenage rebellion, there are the usual tropes of the franchise.

The art is great but that is usually one of the staples of a title with colorful aliens and colorful heroes.

[Shannon Schmelzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to this "Threeboot" of the Legion.

I really like that Waid has returned the Legion to the idea of being a "club" with the more modern spin of them being a social movement. And Kitson's redesigns are just fire. His Cosmic Boy might be one of my favorite Cos' costumes. As well as his Star Boy. The threat of Praetor Lemnos and Terror Firma are very real in this book and I can't wait to see where this goes.

And speaking of redesigns, Waid also takes the time to reimagine some of these characters, and for the most part I think they are all bangers. I like Colossal Boy/Micro Lad. I love what he did with Triplicate Girl to make her truly unique.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a fan of what I guess is now "classic" LSH stories... going back to the 80s. And I loved the weird Giffen attempt at re-booting the Legion stories - so you'd think I'd be ready for another shot at the Legion.

Turns out, maybe not. There were some interesting twists on LSH mythology and the art was (for the most part) pretty good... but it didn't add up to an enjoyable whole. Lots of treading water and introducing characters with the sketchiest of background information. (In fact, the best moments in the stories tended to be the backstories rather than the A plot.)

[Danielle Routh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I loved the LoSH cartoon as a kid, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the source material as well (although no Superman, sadly). Trying to throw back the world to the "good old days" of the twenty-first century is a fun starting point, and the characters themselves are interesting. It is hard to tell the male superheroes apart at times because they have similar haircuts and outfits, and some of the "parents just don't understand" can verge into cliche territory, but I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading the second collection.

[B. Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good art, very good story!

[Brannigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Steven W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty awesome. A different take on the Legion but one I really liked.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Updated version of the Legion original..so-so

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book, really interesting re-imagination of the Legion as a youth movement rather than as a traditional superhero team. Good twists on old concepts (Phantom Girl, Colossal Boy, Projectra, Triplicate Girl), engaging sociopolitical commentary without bogging itself down, and good artwork.

[Kian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good art and intriguing plot.

[Kalynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reprints Teen Titans/Legion Special #1 and Legion of Super-Heroes (5) #1-6 (November 2004-July 2005). The Legion of Super-Heroes isn’t a team; the Legion is a movement. With new members joining from planets all over the United Planets, the Legion’s sudden growth and power is frightening to many adults and world leaders. With enemies in the Science Police and accusations of being a rogue enforcement group, the Legion has problems. When Dream Girl has a vision of a threat to the entire United Planets, the Legion learns that they could be facing their biggest danger yet!

Written by Mark Waid, Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 1: Teenage Revolution features art by Barry Kitson with additional art by Leonard Kirk, Dave Gibbons, and Scott Iwahashi. The collection also features material printed in Teen Titans/Legion Special #1 (November 2004).

The Legion of Super-Heroes is one of the reasons I started really getting into DC. DC lore is deep and convoluted, and heroes have been around for decades and decades. Though the Legion is old, it frequently relaunches and readjusts to the time. This entry shows a new more militant Legion that isn’t just about superpowers but a state of mind.

I am often pretty critical of Mark Waid. I find his comics to be solid, but extremely basic “comic book” writing (which is sometimes ok, but not very original or inspired). This entry of Legion is better than many of his other books. The story is somewhat rehash of past Legion adventures, but it also introduces some new ideas to the Legion and their members.

The Legion of Super-Heroes almost always relished their one-dimensional members. You had characters that could turn invisible, grow, shrink, or control electricity. Everyone had a niche, and they only could fill their specific niche. Waid reimagines the niches for the new series and tries to give the characters depth…while in a long-term sense this is a good idea but with such a rich and diverse pool of characters to choose from, it feels like you only get to see your favorite characters once every few months (or potentially years).

Waid’s attempts to develop the Legion are aided by some great art by Barry Kitson. Kitson does a nice job giving characters distinct looks while adhering to the character’s classic appearances. He is in a tricky spot in that he needs to modify the characters while keeping them “classic”…and he succeeds.

Legion of Super-Heroes 1: Teenage Revolution is very dense and a slow read. Though it is only six issues, the collection feels much longer. It is an ok hop-on point for new readers, and it also provides enough classic feel for long-time Legionnaire fans. Waid seems to have a plan with the first collection, and it will be interesting to see where he goes. Legion of Super-Heroes 1: Teenage Revolution is followed by Legion of Super-Heroes 2: Death of a Dream.

[EscaPe iNTo thE PaGEs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 solid stars for this one!

[Adam Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mark Waid's taken on the Legion of Superheroes is hard to get through. They are the the picture of "rebels without a cause." They are rebelling against authority, but because the book lacks a central thrust its a bit vague as to what actually is their concern. As with many legion books, there are too many characters and no focal point which does hurt the book. I'll see if it gets better when they go to Supergirl and the Legion Superheroes, but this one is ultimately forgettable.

[Emile Rudoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

En su momento me gustó mucho esta serie y ahora que hago una relectura la estoy disfrutando también. Como comenté aquí me gustó mucho el origen de Triplicate Girl y de la misma manera sentí divertido el de Phantom Girl como una chica que está dividida entre dos mundos. Me encanta que Colossal Boy quiera que lo llamen Micro Lad ya que el en realidad es un gigante y su "poder" es hacer su cuerpo pequeño al tamaño de un humano normal. Pero el personaje que mas disfruté es Princess Projectra. Aquí es una niña rica y mimada y, como diríamos aquí en México, una niña fresa. Y ese final cuando está hablando con su papá es impresionante. También me gusta la manera en que están llevando a Cosmic Boy como el líder y a Brainy como su segundo al mando. Quizás si algo se le podría criticar a estos primero seis números es que casi no hemos visto a Saturn Girl, pero eso es un gusto personal. Y si, como leí en alguna entrevista con Mark Waid creo que haber hecho los números mas grandes (estos son según yo de 32 páginas en vez de las 22 normales) y si se sienten un poco cansados. Pero en general fue una serie que me gustó y aquí lo estoy confirmando.

[The other John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a compilation of The Legion of Super-Heroes issues 1 through 6. The 2004 edition, that is. It's another reboot of the Legion, a concept created back in the 50s. (At one time I knew what year the Legion first appeared--I think I'm losing my fanboy status.) I've been a Legion fan on and off for years. I've been turned off by some of the darker visions of the group. This generation, however, is intriguing. The setting is somewhat dark--the government is oppressive, there are wholesale slaughters happening on distant planets, etc. Yet the Legion itself has an element of hope, an idealism that is shooting for a better way of life. Another unusual aspect is that the Legion has an undercurrent of rebellion which I don't recall seeing in its previous incarnations. When I first noticed it, I was a bit taken aback. Was I just reacting to finding a new concept in an old familiar package? Or am I just getting to darn old and identifying with the grown-ups more than the teenage heroes of the story? I don't know. I do know that the latest version of the Legion is worth checking out, if for no other reason than this particular collection leaves a lot of plot lines dangling.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, the Legion was rebooted again. I'm not sure why, probably due to some mega-crossover happening in the mainstream DC universe (Infinite Crisis, most likely). The basic idea for the team remains the same, however: a thousand years in the future, there's a huge super-team of human and alien teenagers who use their abilities to protect the United Planets.

This version of the Legion goes back to exhaustively using the "lad" and "lass" type names, which I've never been fond of, and is centred around the idea of the Legion as iconic figures within the teenaged counter-culture of the 31st century. It's an interesting idea, but Waid seems to want to say that they're rebels because of their celebration culture created before their birth. This seems like a meta-commentary on the current state of comic book fandom, but one that seeks to be a booster of comic fandom, rather than a critique of it.

Overall, this was a fine read, but a lot of that is due to familiarity with the characters and seeing them reimagined. It lacks both the moral and storytelling complexity of the Five Year Gap stories, while at the same time not being as fun and light-hearted as the post-Zero Hour ones.

[Caitlin W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a world with a corrupt government, it is only teenagers that can see reality and justice for what they are. Teens run away from their well-meaning parents to join a rebel group of young people, many of whom happen to have super powers. As this is the first in the series, not too much of the plot is gone into, but we are introduced to many characters on a two-page spread near the beginning of the book. Some of the characters are introduced for a short period of time or not at all, and though each has his or her nickname under the portrait and a description of his or her ability, many of the names and abilities, not to mention facial features, are too similar to be much help in distinguishing them from one another. The art is fairly typical of comic books, with chiseled muscles and dynamic movement. Recommended for grades 7 and up.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when your culture is so utopian that there is no room for individuality, free-thinking, or bending the rules...and you're a rebellious teenager? Well, you join up with the Legion of Super-Heroes, of course! A bunch of teenagers from around the universe, fed up with the passive way their parents and other adults interact with the world and let their governments decide what's best for them, join forces to use their diverse powers as a team to save people and fend off threats. Even the threats that the united governements say don't exist. I thought this was totally fun, and very well written. I'm not normally one for super-hero comics, but this really looks a lot of sci-fi themes and also just teenager hormones/emotions/relationships.