I never really got into The Legion of Superheroes comic book series, in any of its incarnations, through no fault of its own. It’s just…some of the set up turned me off. I like to fall in love with characters and get attached to them, and that’s just hard to do with a series that’s got dozens and dozens of heroes, at least in book form. It made casual reading difficult for me, because every time I tried to pick up an issue and get into it, I’d not recognize half the characters. And finally, I think one of the things that really turned me off was the idea that it was the 30th/31st century, which meant that all the regular DCU heroes I loved were dust on the wind. The idea of superheroes aging into their twilight is a major turnoff for me, and one of the reasons I never really loved Batman Beyond, even if it did have its moments.
Having said that, I’ve caught the last few eps of the new Legion TV Series, and I’m really digging it. It takes a JLU-style approach of a core cast that makes regular appearances along with guest-star Legionnaires, which keeps me from feeling overwhelmed, and there’s not 50+ years of continuity to get bogged down in. In short, it’s accessible for the casual viewer, which I count myself as even though I’m neck deep in the mainline DCU. It’s also a lot of fun, so I don’t consciously dwell on the fact that it’s the 4th millinium and all my favorite heroes are dead. Most of all, though, it’s a really character driven show and even the bit-player heroes are given enough depth and handled with enough seriousness that I can’t help getting attached to them. To the point, even, that I wish some of them could be pulled into the mainline DCU, because I want to see them played off their 20th century predecessors, and their animated versions are just so much less screwed up and weighted down than their comic counterparts. Brainiac 5 and Tim Drake (before the canon screwed him up). Secret and Triplicate Girl. Bart Allen and Matter Eater Lad. Triplicate Girl and Killa Nilla (this is not a typo). The list goes on, and gets weirder, because I’m wicked nuts. These interactions would rule, and I can say that secure in the knowledge that it’s not just my crossover kink egging me on.
I include now a brief list of a few of my favorite Legionnaires, in no particular order. I should note that I’ve researched in depth their comic counterparts, and can say for certain if the comics had been my sole introduction to these people, I would not now be their lifelong fan, because wowzers, the angst. Not to say I don’t like those who aren’t listed here: I in fact think Timber Wolf rocks, but I’m trying to focus on those who aren’t part of the core team or are in other ways unique.
Because I realize some of my readers may already be bored to tears, the rest of this entry is ensconced underneath a cut.
For those who go on, be aware there are some very slight spoilers ahead. I try to keep them as vague as possible.
[tags]dc comics, legion of superheroes, losh, dcu, batman beyond, justice league unlimited, jlu, brainiac 5, querl dox, robin, tim drake, secret, the secret, greta hayes, the flash, kid flash, bart allen, triplicate girl, luornu durgo, timber wolf, brin londo, matter-eater lad, matter eater lad, tenzil kem, squirrel girl, doreen green, ferro lad, ferro, andrew nolan[/tags]