The Legion: Foundations by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and many artists (graphic novel review).

I’ve got to a stage wondering if I’ve missed any ‘Legion Of Super-Heroes’ stories. I think I’m missing one volume, even if I think I might have got the original issues, but it’s kind of expensive, but I can be patient.

In the meantime, I came across this one, “The Legion: Foundations” by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. There’s an enormous list of artists, including Dave Cockrum, although I have to confess I didn’t recognise his art, but there was no indication of who did what. The opening three pages would certainly put you off, but a page flick reveals a variety of art styles. I suspect for some of them, you’ll have to grind your teeth and just read the story.

This graphic novel is composed of The Legion #15-30 and The Legion Secret Files 2003. It is essentially a time travel story in some respects, although the usual suspect, the Timer Trapper, isn’t involved. Instead, although it isn’t revealed until two-thirds through, we have two Darkseids from different times, and one of them needs the Legion’s help. Saying anything else, apart from which Superboy, let alone how many, there has to be enough of the plot.

The art styles vary considerably, including some which are colour dependent, to a simplistic one. There are times I wish there was an editorial page explaining what is happening. The Legion is the one put together by the two writers and includes Kid Quantum as leader.

The way Livewire lost his arm is different, and he merges with Element Lad, who had been trapped in the distant past, as he reaches their present. If anything, there are a lot of distractions from side plots. One thing Abnett and Lanning do have in their favour is they know how to write large groups. Just give yourself a good 70 minutes to read in one sitting.

GF Willmetts

April 2025

(pub: DC Comics, 2004. 176 page graphic novel. Price: varies. ISBN: 1-4012-0338-8).

check out website: www.dc.com