Heroes inspire people as much as they help people. Sometimes they inspire other heroes, that’s where the Legion of Super-Heroes got their start. Heroes from all over the galaxy, using their powers from their given species to make a difference. Who inspired the Legion and what’s with the naming convention? Let’s find out!
In some worlds and timelines, Clark Kent is so eager to help others with his powers that he dons his red, yellow, and blue garb to become Superboy, the teen of steel. He would have all manner of adventures in this time, already acting like the big boy scout he would be known for. These exploits would be long remembered, so much so, it would last well into the thirtieth century.
Three young people from a variety of planets, with powers their species were born with, would come together. Cosmic Boy, from the planet Braal, where the people could control magnetism. Saturn Girl, from Saturn’s moon, Titan, using her people’s telepathic abilities to aide the cause. Lightning Lad, of the planet Winath, whose people could generate and manipulate electricity and abilities related to electricity. These three would found the Legion of Super-Heroes and go back in time to seek out the teen who inspired them.
This would begin a consistent team up with Superboy in his time as well as him coming to the future to help the Legion. As time went one, more heroes from other planets would join the Legion. There was a committee hearing to see if new heroes were worthy to enter the team. Usually this would require having an ability the rest of the team did not possess and being very capable with it, preferably in combat.
Soon, the teams numbers truly were legion. Dozens of members ready to help any planets in need. They would become a new type of guardian working with the United Planets government’s Science Police in keeping the peace. Threats from across the galaxy would go up against the Legion, from the organized crime syndicate, The Dark Circle, to a powerful wizard known as Mordru.
Time and Space are a capricious thing in the DC universe so eventually reality could get reset for one reason or another. No longer inspired by Superboy, but by all the heroes of the 20th century, a wealthy industrialist would pitch the idea to the struggling United Planets government. Billed as a team of diverse youths working together to bring peace to the galaxy as well as meeting new planets, the United Planets decided to sponsor them. Unlike the committee and volunteers of old, now there was an instituted draft to find the best hero from each planet of the United Planets to join the Legion.
After yet another crisis of universe ending proportions, another reset occurred, this time a universe more similar to the original but with some key differences. One, the United Planets was now more of a totalitarian government that the Legion was working under. Though the government does not really care for the team, the devotion of young people across the galaxy is that of a cult, so to eliminate them would likely cause an uprising.
Another rewrite of reality would bring them closer to their original timeline with Superboy inspiring them. Yet another would occur where many members of the team were trapped on 21st century Earth after contracting a disease that could wipe out the 31st century if they returned before letting it run through their systems. The latest reboot of existence has the Legion welcoming Superboy, this time he is Clark Kent’s son, Jon Kent. The team is located on New Earth and their headquarters is the entire domed city of New Metropolis.
There you have it! The Legion have almost as many reboots as they do Legionnaires on the roster. They’ve been animated with their own series and many guest appearances, live action appearances on the small screen as guest starts to recurring characters. Where will the Legion end up next and in what form? Guess we’ll have to wait to find out! See you next time!
Suggested Reading
Adventure Comics #247
Legion of Super-Heroes
Teen Titans/Legion Special
Justice League of America, Vol. 2 #8
Dr.
Bustos
drbustos@comicattack.net
