Please join the [Legion Fan Club] as we peruse and enjoy the Legion tales from just before and right after the artistic triumph of the EarthWar Saga of the late 1970s (that we read a few months ago)!!!
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #237-240, 246-247
The comics before the Earth-War Saga kind of resemble the “52 pick up” writer’s room feel of the Composite Legion story era we read recently, but the art sure looks pretty- Walt Simonson, Curt Swan, Jim Starlin, Howard Chaykin, Joe Staton, Mike Grell…take a peek!
PRIOR TO EARTHWAR:
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #237 Arma Getten kidnaps R.J. Brande and sends the Legion to retrieve three items as a ransom! Writers: Paul Levitz, Jay Zilber Art: Walt Simonson!!! (SING ALONG: “Ar-ma Getten, gen-tille Ar-ma Getten, Arma Getten, je te plum-er-ai.”)
https://www.dcuniverse.com/comics/book/superboy-and-the-legion-of-super-heroes-1977-237/cb4bb5f6-cb70-4fa7-a3ca-eb1451dff047
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #238 When the new United Planets President outlaws the Legion, some are sent to the Takron-Galtos prison planet, some are imprisoned on Earth and the rest go underground. WRITTEN BY (4): Al Milgrom, Bob Rozakis, Jim Shooter, Jay Zilber PENCILS: Curt Swan! (we read part two of this back in July fyi as Adventure #360, but the original story for part one, Adventure #259, has not been digitized except as shown in this double sized reprint issue, so enjoy!)
DC Universe
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #239 When Ultra Boy is framed for the murder of an old girlfriend, An Ryd, he must prove his innocence before the Legion can find him and bring him to jail! Writers (3): Jim Starlin, Paul Levitz, Mike Flynn Artist: Jim Starlin (inks: Joe Rubenstein) Cover: Joe Rubinstein, Mike Grell. (story continues in #250 that we’ll read in the weeks to come, written and drawn by Jim Starlin)
https://www.dcuniverse.com/comics/book/superboy-and-the-legion-of-super-heroes-1977-239/415e1610-9186-441b-88ed-e5964c59d5e4
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #240 Grimbor wants revenge on the Legion after the death of Charma in prison. While still a student at the Legion Academy, Dawnstar recounts her origin and learns teamwork when she tries to round up two escaped creatures by herself. Writers: Paul Levitz, Paul Kupperberg, Jack C. Harris, Jay Zilber Artists: James Sherman, Howard Chaykin (!) Cover: Joe Rubinstein, Mike Grell. NOTE: The first story here is a reprint of the main story in #221- but #221 has never been digitized or even appeared in a Legion Showcase TPB, so enjoy now!
https://www.dcuniverse.com/comics/book/superboy-and-the-legion-of-super-heroes-1977-240/0f271f85-4656-40d2-96be-7e575795d4ce
AFTER EARTHWAR:
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #246 People are disappearing on Mercury, and the Legion tries to get to the bottom of things. Writers: Paul Levitz, Len Wein Artist: Joe Staton Cover: Mike Grell DC Universe
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #247 Tharok plans to remake Corvan IV the way the Fatal Five wants it, but the Legion steps in. Writers: Paul Levitz, Len Wein Artist: Joe Staton Cover: Dick Giordano, Joe Staton
https://www.dcuniverse.com/comics/book/superboy-and-the-legion-of-super-heroes-1977-247/f7c195ed-5326-459b-8973-be329fdfe928/
Questions to consider (spoilers ahead):
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Which is better in your opinion in this run of comics: the art or the writing overall? Why?
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Did issue 238 deserve a fantastic wraparound cover for the contents inside? Why or why not?
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Did the drama and suspense of #239 concerning Ultra Boy being framed for murder appeal to you? What worked and what didn’t for you? Is Jim Starlin a better writer or artist in your opinion? Why?
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Did the last two issues of this run seem far different that the issues prior to EarthWar? Which group of the reading did you enjoy more, Prior or After EarthWar? Why?
Next week, the first Legion Club reading of 2020, we push the Legion Time Bubble to the max and go check on New 52 Legion Lost for the final issues of that series!!!
The monthly WatchaLong will be January 8th instead of New Year’s Day.