Power of the Atom #1 (August, 1988)
"Home is the Hero!"
Writer - Roger Stern
Penciller - Dwayne Turner
Inker - K.G. Wilson
Letterer - Bill Oakley
Colorist - Nansi Hoolahan
Assistant Editor - Renee Witterstaetter
Editor - Mike Carlin
Cover Price: $1.00
Taking a (hopefully) brief break from this week's Legion Learning... because post-move (really during-the-interim-of-the-move) my comics library is upside-down (in some cases literally), and I don't know where that second box of Action Comics might be hiding out.
Figured we'd go with a random pick from whatever box I was able to access... and so, here's the Atom!
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We open with the Atom (in his peek-a-boo hair mask) bursting through the phone of his old friend/acquaintance/whoever, Normal Brawler. As he bounces to the floor he begins to return to normal human size... however, stalls out at just three feet tall. Also, his costume disappears... leaving him in (very baggy) street clothes. He grabs Norm by the collar and demands answers, before coming to his senses.
Norman asks what Ray remembers... which takes us into a Katarthan-flavored flashback. Full disclosure: the Sword of the Atom miniseries and Special(s)... bored the hell out of me. I get what they were going for, but it just came off reading like boilerplate fantasy, and not at all special. Anyhoo... while surveying a secret alien penal colony, Ray, his right-hand man Voss, and main squeeze Laethwen he discovered a stone that was fueled with "active dwarf star plasma", not terribly different from the stuff that helped Ray become the Atom in the first place.
Studying the stone and it's powers, Ray deduces that the Katarthans were very likely full-grown peoples at one point in time. If you haven't read the Sword of the Atom... Laethwen and her people were like six-inches tall... and all of the Atom's adventures with them were in the tiny world. I think Ray either gave up his ability to resize to average human height... or flat-out lost it at some point. It's been awhile since I've read it. Anyhoo, one day a "giant" (ya know, a normal-sized dude) approached the tribe looking for Mr. Palmer.
It's Don Brice... ya know, that guy! Actually, I don't... and unfortunately, neither does the DC Wikia. Ray seems to know him though (he was his C.I.A. Contact at one point), and that's really all that matters. Brice warns that there are drug-runners in the area, and they're planning to slash and burn the area of the jungle that the Katarthans call home... then he dies.
And so, Ray boards a golden bird to do some reconnaissance... which leads him to a tent where some cookie-cutter bad guys argue against some cookie-cutter good guys about burning down the rain forest. I remember this being a big deal in the late 80's... hell, it still might be today, for all I know. I recall it being all about the acid rain back then... which I could add to that list of things I thought would have a bigger "danger" presence in my life... right there with quicksand. Anyhoo (am I saying that a lot?), the Atom makes his presence felt, and one of the baddies immediately believes him to be a demon. Ray doesn't help his case much by slashing him with his tiny blade.
There's a struggle, and a fairly comedic fight with these geeks trying to take shots at our tiny hero. Finally, outside the tent, one thinks he has a clear shot... however, when he pulls the trigger Ray moves... and the bullet penetrates a fully-loaded gas tube. Boom.
Well so much for saving the rain forest, right? The Atom wakes up several hours later, and the jungle is still in flames. He crawls over to a shiny object, and realizes it's just a piece of his sword. In the distance he sees the remains of New Morlaidh (the Katarthans' tiny village).
He makes his way to the wreckage, and begins sifting through it. He doesn't find any survivors... hell, it's not clear if he finds any dead bodies either. What he does find, however, is that dwarf-star fueled stone. And so, he shrinks it to a more manageable size, and slips it into his right glove.
With an renewed resolve, he tracks down the would be slashers-and-burners to a village (large enough for paved streets). He faces off with the baddies... who again, immediately believe him to be a demon. Ray doesn't help his case much either, as he begins to size-shift right before their eyes. To be fair, Ray is just as surprised as they are. He says he just stopped wanting to be small... and so he grew!
The baddies chase him into an office, and so Ray decides to do some "direct dialing". He punches the first phone number he can think of into the phone... and bada-bing bada-boop, he winds up back in Ivy Town.
That number he punched in, by the way, was his own home phone number... so, he's kinda surprised to see ol' Norman. Turns out, post the Palmer-Loring divorce and Ray's subsequent jungle adventure, Jean sold the place to Mr. Brawler for a song. Ray is initially quite peeved, but understands.
Brawler offers to make some calls to help Ray with his size issue. Can't go around fighting crime looking like that, right? Norm calls a buddy at the C.I.A., however, as luck would have it... his phone line is being tapped by some ne'er do wells.
We rejoin Ray in (what was once) his library. He finds his old steamer trunk, and decides to take a stroll down memory lane. In it, he finds the book Norman had written about Ray's life as the Atom... which, I wanna say was a plot point during the Sword of the Atom business.
This reminds him of his time with the Katarthans, and his lost-love Laethwen. Enraged, he punches a fireplace... pulverizing the brick to powder! Welp, that's new!
--
Anytime I read something for the blog (or any blog) that I initially don't like... I let it marinate for a little while, and wind up giving it another go. Had to do that here, as the first time around I thought it was... not so much bad, but really quite boring. Reading it a second time... well, it still didn't rock my socks... but I feel like I had a deeper appreciation for it.
This serves as a pretty good bridge from the swashbuckling Sword of the Atom stuff back into the more standard superhero fare. I mentioned during the synopsis that the Sword story really wasn't my scene... so I'm happy to see it go. That having been said, I'm also glad with the sorta nebulous way it was done. Having the tiny town leveled... but with no bodies found, leaves the door open for later discoveries and adventures down the line. Fair enough.
Overall... a decent enough start for this ongoing. Plenty of questions to be answered, and a likable enough hero to want to stick around. The art was pretty good, some really dynamic panels here... still not a fan of this Atom costume, but that's not Turner's fault.
I'd say this is worth tracking down... if you can find it on the cheap. This is one of those post-Crisis series that always finds its way into the quarter-bins... so, if you're interested... it shouldn't be too terribly difficult to find, and certainly won't (or shouldn't) break the bank.
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Action Comics #861 (March, 2008)
"Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes, Chapter 4: Chameleons"
Writer - Geoff Johns
Penciller - Gary Frank
Inker - Jon Sibal
Colorist - Dave McCaig
Letterer - Rob Leigh
Associate Editor - Nachie Castro
Editor - Matt Idelson
We're past the halfway point... and we're on to the "cheapest" chapter of the arc. I say that because, anytime I see a "this era" copy of Action Comics in the quarter bins... it's this issue. Like nine times out of ten... not sure why, maybe it was over-ordered? Maybe all the Legion purists already dropped out by this point? Couldn't say!
Also, I try not to talk about my personal life here... but today is moving day! The house is a mess of boxes (more so than usual), and I'm using a mixture of lamps and the often unforgiving Arizona Sun to get through this one... so, apologies for some potato-quality (more than usual) images that might follow. Also, apologies for perhaps a less-deep post-synopsis section... though, c'mon... who sticks around here that long anyway?
--
We pick up where we left off... Superman (and the Legion) are stood captive before Brainiac-5 (who is flanked by some Brainiac-bots). I was unaware that the Legionnaires came along... I'd have bet Superman made the trip solo. Let's hear it for reading/art comprehension! As this is going on, various races (Races? Sure, why not?) of aliens are discussing that weird ongoing Earth situation.
On Colu, Brainiac-5 reiterates that he's going to terminate the good guys... and reveals his plans to eliminate the Earth! He also reveals that he has that lightning rod from the end of The Lightning Saga.
He continues... instructing his Brainy-bots to leave the room so he might attend to the termination of his former friends himself. Once they're out of earshot, however, we get a glimpse of the real Brainy!
Turns out he's playing the Coluans in order to make use of their technology... and keep universal peace. What better way than becoming a dictator, right? He notes that Superman looks tired... and I'll try to resist making a "I just flew in from..." joke. Dawnstar tells Brainiac about the Red Sun epidemic, and we learn that it's also hit Colu... so, Superman will remain depowered on this planet as well. Apparently, Brainy's plan had Superman arriving before the Sun went red... but the Time Bubble had a hiccup. He also informs his friends that he's got someone "on the inside" of the Justice League of Earth.
Speaking of whom, we join the baddies as they are showing the students of Earth their two latest alien acquisitions... Shadow Lass and Light Girl. The children comment how scary these aliens-under-glass are. We learn here that Earth-Man knows all about Brainiac's plan... and suggests they inform the Coluan governing body of his ambiguous loyalty... whoops. It's also revealed that the teacher is actually Silver-Age Legion reject Eyeful Ethel... whose power grants her the ability to sprout extra eyeballs... and it's pretty gross. Anyhoo, she thinks she catches something in (one of) her peripheral vision(s), but shakes it off. Turns out her intuition was right on.
From here we get to know our Justice Leaguers a bit better... starting with Golden Boy. He's, well... a complete jerk. His power is akin to King Midas... and we watch as he turns a fella to gold, while demanding to be "polished" by his attendants.
Next stop, Storm Boy... and boy howdy is he a mess. We learn that he was rejected by the Legion because his powers weren't "natural"... and so, he's over-indulged in sorta super-power "cosmetic surgery". For so brief a scene, it's really rather deep and tragic. He blames his surgery-addiction on his rejection... just as he lays down for another go-round... minus anesthesia.
Elsewhere, Radiation Boy and Spider-Girl are chatting... and it's made pretty clear that ol' Roy has a thing for Sussa. It's even alluded to that, at one time, she seconded that emotion. Here, however... he's pretty deformed, and she's promised herself to Earth-Man.
Speaking of whom... we join him as he dances victoriously around his life-size Legion of Super-Heroes inaction figures collection. He also displays that he has the powers of those he's taken captive. His dance party is interrupted by a call from Spider-Girl... and so, he heads out. When he's out of sight, a young girl reveals herself as having been watching.
She finds a window that is glowing red, and decides to peek inside. She finds our old friend Sun Boy is being used as a sort of solar engine... very likely responsible for the interuniversal Red Sun outbreak. She proves to not be the greatest spy, as she almost instantly tips off Earth-Man to her presence... and we learn that things might not be exactly as they seem with our tiny spy.
Meet Brainiac's gal "on the inside" Chameleon Girl!
Speaking of Brainiac... we pop back over to Colu, where Colossal Boy is slapping him around with his giant mitts. Ya see, Colossal Boy is married to Chameleon Girl... and isn't at all pleased that Brainy would put her in any danger. Superman plays peacekeeper, and gets them to settle their tea kettles.
Colossal Boy tosses Brainiac-5 a Legion Flight Ring... just in time for the Coluans to revolt against their "leader". As they fight off the baddies, Brainiac reveals that without him as leader, Colu will charge into Universal War within the next four hours... uh oh!
--
Another chapter that just pulled me right along. Really enjoying this ride. In my social media chats about this arc (and The Lightning Saga) I find that it had a pretty mixed reception in the Legion-fan community. Some proclaim it to be the arcs that brought them back to the fandom, while others mark it as their jumping off point. I suppose that's fair enough... being a life-long X-Men fan, I know a thing or two about divisive new takes on my favorite characters. Sometimes they work... other times, not so much.
I feel like my main takeaway from this issue were in those single page vignettes where we got to "meet" the Justice League of Earth members. It didn't overstay its welcome... I feel like sometimes Geoff Johns gets a bit overindulgent when it comes to (pardon the pun) humanizing his villains. I mean, who could possibly hate Captain Cold after he gave him that Rogue Spotlight issue in Flash? Hell, he even managed to make Sinestro somewhat sympathetic for a bit. These Leaguers are, at their core, tragic and broken figures... rejected from the Legion, and were never able to make their peace with that. It's easy for us to identify with them... perhaps even (in part) explain away their less-than-noble actions.
Worth mentioning... I've given Gary Frank a bit of guff over the past few issues for his odd facial proportions... ya know, somehow chipmunk cheeky, and heroin slim at the same time... however, I really enjoyed his work here... especially during those JLE vignette pages. The facials there were really amazing!
Outside of that... we learn that Sun Boy might be (unwittingly) responsible for the Red Sun Menace, which is pretty cool... and sets the table for a great "turn of the tables" later on, and feels organic. The inclusion of Chameleon Girl might feel like a bit of a cop-out... I mean, shape-shifters are only second to clones when it comes to meta-human espionage... but, ya know... Durlans are shape-shifters, so why not use it?
Overall... if you've read the first three chapters, I couldn't think of a reason why you'd not return for this one. It's still a fun ride... and quite the education. Worth picking up so check those quarter-bins!
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Action Comics #860 (February, 2008)
"Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes, Chapter 3: Lightning and Shadows"
Writer - Geoff Johns
Penciller - Gary Frank
Inker - Jon Sibal
Colorist - Dave McCaig
Letterer - Rob Leigh
Associate Editor - Nachie Castro
Editor - Matt Idelson
Cover Price: $2.99
We've hit the halfway point... and we're still havin' a good time! Let's hit it and git it!
--
We pick up our story with the Justice League of Earth checking into the report of the broken Time Sphere (I prefer "Time Bubble" but whattayagonnado?). It's made completely clear here that these folks are "in" on the big lie. They know Superman's true origin, and are responsible (at least in part) of massaging those facts to fuel the rampant anti-alien sentiment and xenophobia of 31st Century Earth.
Meanwhile, at the Alien Holding Camp (#6736... not sure if those numbers hold any significance), we see a spiky-haired prisoner being interrogated... and beaten by the Warden. His only reply to his tormentor's questioning is "Long Live the Legion". I'm thinking he's going to wind up being important. Anyhoo, the beating is interrupted by a report that the Camp is under attack...
... by the Legion of Super-Heroes!
The heroes fight their way into the holding cells and proceed to free several of the alien captives. Many are awestruck at the sight of the curious man in blue with the red cape... though, the camp guards assume he's just another fake. Hell, under a Red Sun... I suppose that might just be a moot point. Superman is able to overpower the guards, however, not without taking a bit of "battle damage" from an errant billy club. As he stands (relatively) victorious, an alien child informs him that Superman doesn't bleed. Dunno, kid... if someone just saved me from a life of torture, I don't think I'd get hung up on semantics.
The ramshackle Legionnaires continue following Brainiac-5's trail... finding that it disappears inside one of the cells. Dawnstar deduces, via "wormhole residue" that Brainy had teleported back to Colu... which positively tickles Wildfire. Apparently the only planet worse than Earth right now is Colu!
The gang decides to continue that other Legionnaire presence that Dawnstar felt at the end of last issue... and, wouldn'tcha know it, it leads to that interrogation room! As they approach it's giant door, there is a rather frosty explosion. We learn that the man in the box was Polar Boy! A one-armed Polar Boy even! Colossal Boy gives his buddy Brek a Legion Flight Ring... and Polar Boy manifests a right-arm and hand out of ice to wear it. It's a really neat looking visual... though I'm always a bit iffy when it comes to mutilation of established characters. We get a bit of exposition from Brek... learning that he was one of the first Substitute Heroes, and worked hard to earn his ring... something that separates him from the Legion-Rejects who went on to become the Justice League of Earth.
We suddenly find the crew walking through a dark hallway... it isn't entirely clear if they're still in the Holding Camp or not. I assume they are, but at the same time... that would make this too convenient. Either way, it's here they run into Shadow Lass and Night Girl... and hoo-boy, we are in Chipmunk Cheek City.
Night Girl is overjoyed at the sight of Polar Boy, while Shadow Lass is gobsmacked to see Superman. From here, the ladies lead the crew into the all-new all-different Legion Clubhouse. See what I mean about being too convenient? Unless that upturned rocket serving as the Holding Camp was the original clubhouse??? Can't say for sure...
The Clubhouse is sort of an Underground Railroad for Extraterrestrials... and the remaining Legionnaires act as conductors helping them escape the camps and return to their home planets. Superman questions how they can do something so high-tech and still remain off the grid... it's here that we learn that they're making their own energy thanks to Lightning Lass. Oh, Timber Wolf is there too, for good measure.
As the Legion-types reconnoiter, they are interrupted by a telepathic message... from Earth-Man! It would appear that his "absorbency" powers help him to take on (or absorb) powers from others... in this instance, Saturn Girl and her telepathy... and, well also Lightning Lad for his shoot-lightning-from-his-hands thing. The Clubhouse has been discovered... and a fight is on!
The Legionnaires have to hold back the depowered Superman as he instinctively goes to jump into battle. They drag and load him into a pod to ensure his survival... and wind up firing him into space. It looks as though the Earth explodes as he rockets away... at least part of it anyway! As luck would have it, he lands on Colu!
Upon exiting the pod, Superman finds himself surrounded by some brainy-looking individuals who are all hungry for knowledge. It's actually quite creepy... they have these wires with male-connectors coming from their heads, which "pok" (at least that's the sound I'm imagining) into Superman's... knocking him out.
He wakes up stood before the man who orders his termination... Brainiac-5?!
--
Another great chapter! Perhaps not as great as last issue, but still a swell time!
We spoke yesterday about subtlety... and, hey... why not do that again? Today we see an Intergalactic Underground Railroad which is necessitated by rampant xenophobia and hatred... sounds perfectly reasonable. A lesser writer would have had these scenes littered with video monitors of a fat white man (these days, an orange one), or a man wearing an American Flag bandanna egging the baddies on. Johns is better than that... and leaves politicizing the issue to the reader... if they choose to. If you choose to leave politics out of it... it's just a great story with a message of tolerance, acceptance, and overcoming widespread propagandist-fueled fear and hatred. Very well done.
The status quo changes a bit with this issue... it looks like the Earth is (at least partly) toast, and the next chapter will largely take place on Colu. I'm wondering what color Sun they've got there, hmm.
One of the main reasons why I've "ducked" the Legion for so long is the space opera aspect... at least my projecting that LoSH is largely a space opera. I used to absolutely hate it when the X-Men would have space adventures... I felt so disconnected, and thought the stories were pretty boring. I couldn't imagine reading a series where every issue is a "space" issue. It's probably why Kyle Rayner's time as (the main) Green Lantern resonated with me so much... he was largely Earth-bound.
In leaving Earth and heading to Colu, I feel like we're "dipping a toe" into the space opera... and I can really appreciate that. I don't feel overwhelmed... and I certainly don't feel disengaged. It's just when they pile planet upon planet all at once... I sorta check out.
I once had a warehouse guy working for me... he referred to people who didn't like to fly (in planes, naturally) as "ground lizards". So, for ground lizards such as myself... I definitely appreciate the way this is panning out.
Overall... loving this run, and I most certainly recommend checking it out. Just like I said yesterday... grab the trade, you'll be happy you did!
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