Legion of Super-Heroes
DC Comics.
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 1 (Adventure Comics 247, 267, 282,
290, 293, 300-305; Action Comics 267, 276, 287, 289; Superboy 86, 89, 98;
Superman 147; Superman Annual 4; w Jerry Siegel, Otto Binder; a John Forte,
Jim Mooney, George Papp, Curt Swan, Sheldon Moldoff, George Klein).
[From DC Comics: It started out as just another Superboy story—on
the face of it, perhaps a bit more innovative than most, although it was
published during one of the most creatively unique periods in DC Comics'
history. It wound up changing the entire comics field. The Legion of Super-Heroes
was merely a clever title for a group of teenaged superheroes (only three
of whom were actually named) from the far future who went back in time to
pay tribute to the greatest teenaged superhero of them all - the Boy of
Steel, Superboy. But the interest on the part of the comics fans was so
great, the superteam was brought back time and time again, in the majority
of the Superman Family titles. Eventually, demand grew so strong the Legion
of Super-Heroes was awarded its own continuing series. While quite a number
of significant Legionnaires made their first appearances throughout the
earliest years—Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Sun Boy, Phantom
Girl, Chameleon Boy, Triplicate Girl, Bouncing Boy, Star Boy, Matter-Eater
Lad, Shrinking Violet, and Ultra Boy—the membership roster continued
to grow... and indeed, continues to grow to this day. Under the direction
of editor Mort Weisinger, these early Legion of Super-Heroes stories were
produced by much of the Who's Who of Superman Family writers and artists
of the 1950s and 1960s: Otto Binder and Al Plastino (who produced the original
Legion appearance in Adventure Comics #247), George Papp, Jim Mooney, John
Forte, Curt Swan, Sheldon Moldoff, and George Klein. The majority of Legion
appearances during these early years came from the typewriter of the writer
who started it all: Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel. This first volume
of The Legion of Super-Heroes includes, in their entirety, all of the significant
appearances of the teenaged superteam prior to the establishment of the
ongoing series, as well as the first half-dozen stories in the regular series—culminating
with one of the most significant comic book stories ever published.]
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 2 (Adventure Comics 306-317; Superman's
Pal Jimmy Olsen 72; Superman Annual 4; w Edmond Hamilton; a John Forte,
Curt Swan). [From DC Comics: Even by comic book standards
of the late 1950s, there was nothing especially unusual about superhero
teams. With precedents dating back to the dawn of the Golden Age of comics,
popular heroes had been gathering together in umbrella titles to fight crime,
injustice and threats to humanity. But the Legion of Super-Heroes was different.
They were created for an appearance in a Superboy story in Adventure Comics
as a team. What was slated to be a one-time appearance in the first of two
stories in that issue exploded into comics history, with reader response
so overwhelmingly favorable that the teenages super-team was brought back
for repeated appearance in Adventure, Action Comics, Superman, and Superboy
until, little more than four years following their debut, the young heroes
of the 30th century received their own continuing series. Now, almost 35
years after their creation, the Legion of Super-Heroes is more popular than
ever, with its own series spinning off into a variety of companion titles.
This second volume of The Legion of Super-Heroes reprints a baker's dozen
of the group's adventures, thirteen tales which introduce long-lasting characters
and elements to the Legion mythos, including members of the Legion of Substitute
Heroes and the resurrection of Lightning Lad.] 
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 3 (Adventure Comics 318-328; Superboy
117; Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen 76; w Edmond Hamilton, Jerry Siegel; a John
Forte, Curt Swan, Jim Mooney). [From DC Comics: Over
thirty-five years ago, a Superboy story in the page of Adventure Comics
#247 introduced a trio teenaged superheroes who were destined to become
the first cult hit of the Silver Age of Comics. They were Cosmic Boy, Saturn
Girl, and Lightning Lad, three of the 30th century's greatest heroes who
had travelled back to the past to pay homage to the teen hero who had inspired
their own heroic careers... Superboy. They were the Legion of Super-Heroes!
Over the years, the Legion's membership has multiplied, as have fans of
these amazing youths. They rose from occasional guest stars in Superboy
stories to lead feature status in Adventure Comics and, eventually, into
their own book. Today, the Legion inhabits not only their own title, but
a variety of spin-off titles as well. In the first two volumes of The Legion
of Super-Heroes Archives, DC re-presented the formative years of the Legion.
In this volume, we bring you the next thirteen installments in the Legion
saga from the pages of Adventure Comics, Superboy, and Jimmy Olsen, stories
that include such important events as the first appearance of the villainous
Time Trapper and the introduction of the Legionnaire Lone Wolf.]
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 4 (Adventure Comics 329-339; Superboy
124-125; w Edmond Hamilton, Jerry Siegel, Otto Binder; a John Forte, Jim
Mooney, George Papp). [From DC Comics: Back in the
days before the advent of organized fandom, the Legion of Super-Heroes was
something special, a comic book feature with an avid and loyal following.
What began as a one-time visit by the 30th century teenages heroes Cosmic
Boy, Saturn Girl, and Lightning Lad ot the Boy of Steel in the 20th century
in a 1958 Superboy story in Adventure Comics #247 led to a startling fan
phenomenon by 1960's standards... an ongoing series whose every appearance
was followed and studied by readers who could not get enough of the futuristic
adventures of the ever expanding roster of Legionnaires. And, by the mid-1960s,
some of these fans would start to come forward to help shape the destiny
of the Legion of Super-Heroes in stories that were themselves destined to
become legendary in the annals of Legion fandom. This, the fourth volume
in DC Comics' continuing re-presentation of the classic Legion of Super-Heroes
tales, reprints the next thirteen stories from the page of Adventure Comics
and Superboy, and includes such classic tales as the Legion's run-in with
their Bizarro counterparts, the Starfinger saga, and the strange fate of
Legionnaire Kid Psycho.] 
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 5 (Adventure Comics 340-349; excerpts
from Superman Annual 4; Adventure Comics 316; Adventure Comics 368; w Edmond
Hamilton, Jerry Siegel, Jim Shooter; a Curt Swan et al.).
[From DC Comics: By the mid-1960s, the ongoing adventures of the
Legion of Super-Heroes had reached near cult status in the growing realm
of comic-book fandom… but the glory days of the Legion were yet to
come. Here in the fifth volume of The Legion of Super-Heroes Archives some
of the most memorable stories in the Legion chronicles are re-presented,
including the introduction of many popular Legionnaires (Ferro Lad, Karate
Kid, Princess Projectra, and Nemesis Kid) and villains (Computo the Conqueror
and Universo), as well as major changes in the lives and roster of these
heroes of the 30th century. For it is in these issues that a member of the
Legion is expelled from the team for breaking the Legion's code against
killing... and a Legionnaire loses her life in the performance of her duty.
Yet the comings and goings of heroes and villains alike are only a part
of the excitement contained in these issues of Adventure Comics starring
the Legion. Rather, it is the way these stories were told that made even
hard-core Legion fans sit up and take notice. Continuity become more important
than ever to the Legion mythos, and longer story arcs were introduced into
the mix... and, with Adventure Comics #346, Jim Shooter became the new,
regular writer of the series. What made that particular assignment noteworthy
was the new writer's age and background: Jim Shooter was a 14-year-old comic
book fan when he began on the Legion.As a fan, his dedication to this favorite
comic book series was evident in his every story, and for the first time,
a teenager was writing about teenagers. It's little wonder, then, that the
characters rung truer than ever to readers and the Legion of Super-Heroes
went on to become a comic book classic.] 
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 6 (Adventure Comics 350-358; w
Jim Shooter, E. Nelson Bridwell, Otto Binder; a Curt Swan et al.; a Curt
Swan, Jim Mooney, Pete Costanza). [From DC Comics:
By the end of 1966, the glory days of the Legion of Super-Heroes had arrived.
In this, this sixth volume of The Legion of Super-Heroes Archives, we find
what are now considered landmark tales in the Legion mythos. Watch as the
intrepid young heroes encounter Prince Evillo and The Devil's Dozen, Miss
Terious and Sir Prize, The Fatal Five—Emerald Empress, The Persuader,
Tharok, Mano and Validus—the Sun Eater, and The Hunter. Explore the
world of the Legion as adults and as orphan children. Experience the heroic
death and terrifying, ghostly return of one of the most popular Legionnaires.
Young writer Jim Shooter continues to deliver some of his most memorable
Legion tales, which are, in turn, given life through the artwork of Curt
Swan and George Klein. Return with us to the thirtieth century... to a time
when teenagers were heroes... and the universe was under their protection.]
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 7 (Adventure Comics 359-367; Superman's
Pal Jimmy Olsen 106; w Jim Shooter, E. Nelson Bridwell; a Curt Swan, Pete
Costanza, Win Mortimer). [From DC Comics: By 1967,
as they approached their tenth anniversary, the Legion of Super-Heroes was
well on its way to becoming one of the most enduring and well-loved super-hero
teams. The devoted and enthusiastic fan following for this futuristic group
of super-teens continued to grow as the Legion faced the extraordinary challenges
contained in this volume. New galactic threats abound as the Legion squares
off against such villains as the Unkillables, Dr. Morlo and his sinister
creations, the Chemoids, and the armies of the Dark Circle, who would later
be among the Legion's deadliest foes. This period also featured the return
of two of the Legion's deadliest adversaries: Universo and the Fatal Five.
But out of these adventures come some of the Legion of Super-Heroes' finest
moments, such as the induction of Shadow Lass, as well as their wackiest,
like the 30th-century misadventures of Superman's pal, Jimmy Olsen. Journey
now to the 30th century - a bright future filled with hope, adventure, majesty
and wonder, a future protected by the Legion of Super-Heroes. Once upon
a time, a thousand years from now...] 
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 8 (Adventure Comics 368-376; Superboy
147; w Jim Shooter, E. Nelson Bridwell; a Curt Swan, Pete Costanza, George
Papp, Win Mortimer). [From DC Comics: The tenth year
of the Legion was one filled with innovation and change. All through 1968,
storytellers Jim Shooter, Mort Weisinger, E. Nelson Bridwell, Curt Swan,
Win Mortimer, and Pete Costanza continued to expand upon what was, and still
is, one of DC's most enduring super-teams. Perhaps the foremost addition
to the Legion canon was the filling in of one of the most obvious gaps in
the group's history: their origin. Told for the first time was the tale
of three teenagers and their transformation into the core of the Legion
of Super-Heroes—a story that has remained largely unchanged even into
the present. Their origin was not the only new and lasting addition to the
Legion's history from this period. 1968 also saw the introduction of the
Legion Academy, training ground for Legionnaires-to-be; the Tornado Twins,
30th-century descendants of Barry (The Flash) Allen; the threats of Mordru
the Merciless and the Legion of Super-Villains; and the induction of Timber
Wolf and Chemical King. And it all happened a thousand years from yesterday,
in a bright, optimistic future protected by a band of teenagers called the
Legion of Super-Heroes...] 
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 9 (Adventure Comics 377-380; Action
Comics 378-387, 389-392; w Jim Shooter, E. Nelson Bridwell, Cary Bates;
a Win Mortimer, Curt Swan). [From DC Comics: The
curtain falls on the first great era of the Legion of Super-Heroes, leaving
a questionable future for the teens from the 30th century. In 1970, things
looked bad for the Legion. Their starring berth in Adventure Comics was
unceremoniously taken away, leaving the Legion as the backup feature for
Action Comics. This meant that the twenty-six members of the Legion now
had to share only ten to twelve pages a month. But the Legion creators,
spurred on by 16-year-old wunderkind Jim Shooter, rose to the challenge,
creating a series of quirky, offbeat, and strangely poignant short stories.
Legion fans and collectors have often found it difficult to obtain these
stories—at any price. Now, the entire run of Legion backups from Action
Comicsis collected—in one volume! So sit back, put your feet up, grab
a cold Silverale, and enjoy the Legion of Super-Heroes.] 
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 10 (Adventure Comics 403; Superboy
172-173, 176,183-184, 188, 190-191, 193, 195, 197-202; w Cary Bates, E.
Nelson Bridwell; a George Tuska, Dave Cockrum). [From
DC Comics: The early 1970s was a dark time for the Legion of Super-Heroes.
The once proud group of young galactic guardians was reduced to no more
than an occasional backup story, or reprints, in the Superboy monthly series.
It was time for innovation - for taking chances. This volume encompasses
the efforts of some of comics' greatest creative talents (Dave Cockrum,
Murphy Anderson, Mike Grell, George Tuska, Nick Cardy, Cary Bates, and more)
to return to the Legion of Super-Heroes the glory that befits one of the
greatest super-teams ever assembled - and to propel them through the 1970s!
There were new costumes for many of our favorite heroes: Chameleon Boy,
Shrinking Violet, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Wildfire and more! Sexy bell
bottoms, open tunics, and other garb of the era brought a unique, racier
look to the team. Legion character chemistry also gained a bit more maturity
with the relationship between Dream Girl and Star Boy, and peaked with the
milestone marriage of Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel. With the successful efforts
of the new creative team, the Legion's popularity rocketed - moving from
backup status, to full-length stories, to sharing the title of the book
with Superboy himself. Now, The Legion of Super-Heroes commanded the title's
destiny. You have in your hands a treasury containing wondrous journeys
of heroism, romance and adventure shared by friends as they protect the
galaxy. Enjoy the ride!] 
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 11 (Superboy 203-212; w Cary Bates,
E. Nelson Bridwell, Jim Shooter; a Dave Cockrum, Mike Grell, Curt Swan).
[From DC Comics: By the mid-1970s, owing to the successful efforts
of its new creative teams, the Legion of Super-Heroes began to share equal
billing with their iconic member, Superboy. The new, racier Legion's popularity
skyrocketed, and to this day the Legion of Super-Heroes commands an enormously
dedicated fan following. What do you do when you control one of comics'
most popular titles with one of the most loyal fan bases? Editor Murray
Boltinoff saw no alternative: change the creative team and kill off a main
character! Fresh from the Midwest, newcomer Mike Grell was given the seemingly
thankless task of filling Dave Cockrum's artistic shoes for Superboy and
the Legion of Super-Heroes, drawing one of comics' most intricate and popular
super-teams. But Grell rose to the challenge, and he quickly began making
a name for himself in the industry, bringing edge-of-your-seat storytelling
to the Legion and creating of the title's most memorable periods. As for
the hero who dies a heroic death? For those of you who know, enjoy revisiting
the moment. For those of you who are discovering the Legion of Super-Heroes
for the first time, enjoy the ride!] Old Book of the Week 11/16/05: OK, it's pricey, but I can't resist this gem from my childhood. This is the peak of the Cockrum/Grell run that redefined the series, and gave teenaged boys everywhere new costumes for Dream Girl, Princess Projectra, and other fantasy-inducing Legionnaires. This is the series that made Cockrum's name, and his X-Men was clearly a continuation of the visual ideas he developed here. And the writing suddenly took on a new level of sophistication to match the visuals. So why can't DC release this classic run in affordable trade editions?
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives 12 (Superboy and the Legion of
Super-Heroes 213-223; Karate Kid 1; w Jim Shooter, Cary Bates; a Mike Grell
et al.). [From DC Comics: By the mid-1970s, owing
to the successful efforts of its new creative teams, the Legion of Super-Heroes
began to share equal billing with their iconic member, Superboy. The new,
racier Legion's popularity skyrocketed, and to this day the Legion of Super-Heroes
commands an enormously dedicated fan following. In keeping with the Legion's
history of change, editor Martin Boltinoff—for whatever reasons—decided
to change the creative team, bringing in an old hand as well as new, soon-to-be
favorites. Fresh from the Midwest, newcomer Mike Grell was giving the seemingly
thankless task of filling Dave Cockrum's artistic shoes for Superboy and
the Legion of Super-Heroes, drawing one of comics' most intricate and popular
superteams. But Grell rose to the challenge, and he quickly began making
a name for himself in the industry, bringing edge-of-your seat storytelling
to the Legion and, along with Cary Bates and Jim Shooter, creating one of
the title's most memorable periods. For those of you who know this classic
period, enjoy revisiting the moment. For those who are discovering the Legion
of Super-Heroes for the first time, enjoy the ride!] 
Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes 1 (Adventure Comics 247, 267, 282, 290, 293, 300-328; Action Comics 267, 276, 287, 289; Superboy 86, 89, 98, 117; Superman 147; Superman Annual 4; Superman's Pal Jimmy Olson 72, 76; w Jerry Siegel, Otto Binder, Edmond Hamilton; a John Forte, Jim Mooney, George Papp, Curt Swan). 
Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes 2 (Adventure Comics 316, 322-348, 365; Superboy 117, 125; Superman Annual 4; w Jerry Siegel, Jim Shooter, et al.; a John Forte, Jim Mooney, Curt Swan, et al.). 4/9/08 
The
Great Darkness Saga (287, 290-294, Annual 3;
w Paul Levitz; a Keith Giffen & Larry Mahlstedt et al.).
[From DC Comics: This is the Earth in the 30th century. A world of
science and technology. A world of peace and light. Preserving this peace
is the Legion of Super-Heroes, a group of young adventurers who are the
best and brightest of their kind. But a darkness is approaching their world.
A centuries-old evil that threatens to destroy their entire universe. Herein
lies the story of the Legion's greatest challenge, complete in one volume.]
An Eye for an Eye (1-6; w Paul Levitz; a Keith Giffen, Steve Lightle, Joe Orlando, Larry Mahlstedt). [From DC Comics: Don’t miss the first exciting collection of The Legion of Super-Heroes’ series that launched in 1984, featuring the talents of legendary Legion creators Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen! In this fast-paced, futuristic title, collecting the first six issues of the series, The Legion learns of a conspiracy by a consortium of evil calling itself The Legion of Super-Villains to destroy the team — and it’s Karate Kid who pays the ultimate price!] 
The
Beginning of Tomorrow (0, 62-65; Legionnaires
0, 19-22; w Tom McCraw, Tom Peyer, Mark Waid; a Lee Moder, Jeffrey Moy,
Brian Althorp, Scott Nebefiel, Stuart Immonen, Yancy Labat).
[From DC Comics: It is the bright, shiny future we have all dreamed
of—filled with a diverse mix of races, united under a single government.
But beneath the luster and optimism lurk conspiracies, intrigue and deadly
danger. In the face of such threats to the hope and well-being of the races
of the newly-formed League of Planets, one man with a vision will bring
together three unique youths to be the foundation of the next generation
of champions... The Legion of Super-Heroes. Presenting a new beginning for
one of the most beloved super-teams in the DC Universe, Legion of Super-Heroes:
The Beginning of Tomorrow is an excellent starting point for Legion fans
new and old, featuring the team's origin and their first triumphs and tragedies.]
Foundations (Legion 25-30, Legion Secret Files 2003; w Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning; a Chris Batista, Chip Wallace, Leonard Kirk, Dave Cockrum, Tony Harris, Tom Feister, Paul Rivoche, Eric Wight, et al.). [From DC Comics: The Legion embarks on a monumental mission by introducing the team's newest member: Superboy! As Foundations begins, the Teen of Steel becomes the latest Legionnaire...but is it the Superboy from the 21st Century, or someone new?] 
1 Teenage Revolution (1-6, Legion story from Teen Titans/Legion Special 1; w Mark Waid; a Barry Kitson, Leonard Kirk, Dave Gibbons, et al.). [From DC Comics: A bright, defiant, energized team of super-powered teenagers from different worlds forms a team of passionate activists crusading to leave their mark on a society that has forgotten how to fight for change.] Book of the Week 11/16/05: I hadn't been into the Legion since the glory days of Cockrum and Grell back in the early to mid 70s. None of the endless reboots and re-imaginings have gotten my attention—until now. Waid has yet again rebooted the concept, but this time he puts the technique to very good use. His 31st century is a typical Star Trek-style utopian future—or so its rulers would have us believe. His Legion is almost more a social movement than a super-hero team. And his characters are much deeper and richer than previous incarnations. Dream Girl, Chameleon, Brainiac, Triplicate Girl, and others explore the powers they posses and the full implications of those powers to wonderful effect. And the political and social machinations are equally fascinating. For the first time in 30 years, I'm a fan of the Legion.
2 Death of a Dream (7-13; w Mark Waid; a Barry Kitson, Kevin Sharpe, Georges Jeanty, Dale Eaglesham, Ken Lashey). [From DC Comics: A bright, defiant, energized team of super-powered teenagers from different worlds forms a team of passionate activists crusading to leave their mark on a society that has forgotten how to fight for change.] 
Strange Visitor from Another Century (14-19; w Mark Waid, Tony Bedard; a Barry Kitson, Adam DeKraker and Mick Gray). [From DC Comics: The greatest threat to the peace and stability of the galaxy in centuries had ended thanks to the Legion of Super-Heroes. Now, the United Planets must reaffirm control over a devastated population, and the ideal situation is to make the Legion an officially sanctioned peace-keeping force. Still financially and emotionally reeling from the tragic aftermath of the brink of war, will the 31st-century's band of rebellious teens be willing to work for the establishment? The Legion also gains a powerful new ally as legendary 21st-century hero Supergirl makes her debut in a new millennium. With no memory of how she got there and no idea how to get back, the Girl of Tomorrow applies for full-time Legionnaire membership.] 
Adult Education (20-25; w Mark Waid, Tony Bedard; a Barry Kitson, Mick Gray). [From DC Comics: The Legion of Super-Heroes was a revolution formed to impact society and shake up the status quo. But recent events have left the team without funding or a headquarters and no way to operate. The Core members choose to affiliate with the United Planets as a way to restructure their organization, but to the tens of thousands of members across the galaxy, this appears to be selling out. The news of this partnership triggers the youth throughout the cosmos to rebel and it appears the Legion has lost control of its members. Also, Supergirl, the strange visitor from another century and newest member of the Legion, is causing concern among her colleagues. The mightiest girl in the universe is proving not to be a team player. How can the Legionnaires reign in someone who is more powerful than all of them combined?] 
The Dominator War (26-30; w Mark Waid; a Barry Kitson, Kalman Andrasofszky). [From DC Comics: The Dominators’ plan to destroy Earth reaches fruition as the Robot Rebellion sweeps the planet!] 
The Quest for Cosmic Boy (31-36; w Tony Bedard; a Kevin Sharpe, Dennis Calero). [From DC Comics: The Legionnaires' leader, Cosmic Boy, has disappeared. Was he captured by enemies or has he fled responsibility?] 4/2/08 