Legion of Super-Heroes #1 Review
I’ve been reading DC Comics since I was able to sound out words and ingest stories into my mind. But from the very start, there has been one corner of the DC Universe I have avoided like it was Crime Alley and my name was Thomas Wayne. That corner is THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES. There was no real rhyme or reason to the avoidance, other than that it seemed intimidating. I mean, come on, Jim Shooter was 13 years old when he started writing the series, so I had A LOT to catch up on. But with the new relaunch from Joshua Williamson and Hayden Sherman, I decided it was time to head to the future with Legion of Super-Heroes #1.
In the future, the United Planets have outlawed the use of powers to fight crime. Superheroes have been outlawed. The heroes of our time are nothing more than myths and comic-book characters to those stuck in a universe on the edge of collapse. After the murder of the galaxy’s richest man, worlds rush faster towards collapse. But what if that isn’t the future they are destined for? What if the seeds of the superhero have once again taken root on planets across the system? The stage is mysteriously set for the debut of the Legion of Super-Heroes, even if it costs them everything.
With a number of interweaving first steps into the future, the narrative is guided by the narration of someone who believes that superheroes are a cosmic good. What drives everything else is Hayden Sherman’s vivacious art, which never steers into the mundane in its style or paneling. Each of the stories that is going on in Legion of Super-Heroes #1 is incredibly well-crafted, thanks to Sherman’s character-inspired layouts. When we are following Brainiac’s portions of the story, the panels follow a more circular format, which reflects the iconic circles on Brainiac’s head. My favorite of the style choices is the lack of hard edges for Saturn Girl’s portions of the story. The curved lines that all interlock reflect her planet’s lack of division between thoughts and people. It keeps the issue flowing with grace while still keeping every story distinct with a unique visual style.
Along with the powers of Titan, Saturn Girl’s planet, we get a peculiar visual representation of their communication. It’s a very small part of the issue, but it puts Williamson and Sherman’s worldbuilding on full display. Care has been paid to every aspect of this story to keep not only the characters distinctive but also the worlds they inhabit. Legion, as a storied team, has built up a lot of backstory for these planets since their inception, but this series goes the extra mile to give weight to their differences. For a newcomer to this corner of DC Comics, I get so much of what they are in a single issue with flair.
The distinct interlacing stories show Joshua Williamson on his A-game. Every character is sharp in their personality, be it a more serious-in-tone character like Brainiac, or Lightning Lad, who has a more jovial and excited way about him. It sets the pieces into play to create a really fun team book once they finally cross paths but the journey to get there is going to be incredible if this is any indication.
With every planet having its own atmosphere, Tamra Bonvillain’s color palettes bring a vibrant distinction to each. The opening page of the issue is drenched in nostalgic, joyous bursts of color, with Sherman’s line work creating a look into a past that isn’t a solid thing for those of the future. Keeping colors clear and distinct in huge scenes like those that we see in the Earth portions shows Bonvillain at their best. The colors of this first issue are a sea of wonder that I want to explore forever. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering guides the eye through the narrative with a journal-style narration that matches the flair of the rest of the art without ever distracting from it.
As I think about the Legion of Super-Heroes as a corner of the DC Universe, I’m glad that I waited until this issue to jump in. It’s fresh, radiant, and everything about it is electric. Williamson brings his very best to the table, laying out all the parts of a mystery that spans the universe and time itself. Sherman and Bonvillain are working overtime to create visions of the future of the DC Universe. When DC talks about its NEXT LEVEL initiative, this is the kind of work they are talking about. It elevates the story to something so much more through the creative team’s collaboration.
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