LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
Original Legion Chronology
Part 5: 2980–2983 (Superboy & Legion of Super-Heroes)
IntroductionMembers1: 20th Century 2: 20th-29th Century 3: Early 30th Century 4: Adventure & Action 5: Superboy & the Legion 6: Legion vol. 27: Legion vol. 3 8: 5 Year Gap 9: Legion vol. 4
Special thanks to Aaron Severson and DarkMark's Comics Indexing Domain
| New member joins | Story arc | Death | Adult Legion | Imaginary Stories |
| Legion Time | Comments | Issue # |
|---|---|---|
| 2980 | ||
|
The Legion's
new computer forces Projectra to go on a gruelling, bogus mission. Mon-El
is elected leader, replacing Karate Kid; Element Lad is deputy. Saturn
Girl gets a new costume. NOTES: The Legion leader is sworn in by the Legion's "adult advisor." Based on his costume, this is clearly Marla Latham, although he is not named in this story. This was the final issue of the Legion's run in Action Comics. The text notes that Saturn Girl's new costume was designed by K. Haven Metzger of Columbia City, Indiana. GLORITH REALITY: Valor is elected leader. |
Action #392 (Sept. 1970) | |
| Roxxas escapes from Takron-Galtos and takes refuge on Trom. | (Superboy #211, 10.75) | |
| Lightning Lad clashes with Lightning Lord, whose hair turns white in the battle. NOTES: The origins of the Ranzz siblings and the Legion are retold in this story. | Superboy #172 (Mar. 1971) | |
| Devlin O'Ryan is born to Ethan and Megan O'Ryan on Xanthu. | * | |
| NOTES: This 80-Page Giant issue showcased fan-designed Legion costumes for Duo Damsel, Karate Kid, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, and Shadow Lass. Only the Duo Damsel costume, submitted by Nick Pascale of Brooklyn, New York, was used in subsequent stories. | Adventure Comics #403 (Apr. 1971) | |
|
Mordru creates
a magical duplicate of Cosmic Boy to destroy the Legion, but Superboy is able to stop the duplicate before it can strike. NOTES: Cosmic Boy is described as a master of the Braalian martial art Ku-Jui. GLORITH REALITY: The duplicate is defeated by Valor. |
Superboy #173 (Apr. 1971) | |
| Invisible Kid and Chemical King defeat a thief who has duplicated Invisible Kid's invisibility formula. In the process, Invisible Kid explains how he devised the formula that gave him his power. NOTES: This story featured the establishment of a commercial time travel service, which never appeared again. | Superboy #176 (July 1971) | |
| Four Legionnaires are possessed by Krogl and Marlxa, a pair of wraith creatures who must periodically revitalize themselves by inhabiting physical bodies. Shadow Lass is nearly killed when the two wraiths use the Legionnaires' bodies to squabble with each other. NOTES: In this issue only, Karate Kid, Projectra, and Shadow Lass wear the fan-designed costumes introduced in Adventure #403 (Sept. 1971). | Superboy #183 (Mar. 1972) | |
| Luc and Perla Ranzz, the parents of Ayla, Garth, and Mekt Ranzz, are killed when their starship collides with a meteor. NOTES: The names of Ayla and Garth's parents were not revealed until Who's Who #9 (May 1991). | (Superboy #207, Apr 1975) | |
| Dave Cockrum begins as penciller (through #202) | ||
| mid-2980 | Ultra Boy is elected leader. Saturn Girl, Ultra Boy, and Matter-Eater Lad take vacations to their homeworlds. Matter-Eater Lad's brother Renkil Kem tries to take Tenzil's place in the Legion by convincing the others that Tenzil is plotting against them. First appearance of Magnozite, the only matter that Bismollians cannot eat. NOTES: Tenzil Kem's family has apparently moved back to Bismoll by this time. In their previous appearance in Action #381 (Oct. 1969), they were living on Earth. | Superboy #184 (Apr. 1972) |
|
After Superboy
defeats Mordru in the 20th century, Chameleon Boy falls under the
influence of Mordru's blood-crystals, which cause him to develop an irrational, murderous hatred of the Boy of Steel. GLORITH REALITY: The Legion is not yet aware of Superboy's existence. Chameleon Boy tries to kill Valor. |
Superboy #188 (July 1972) | |
| Nov 4 | Timber Wolf is apparently killed on Asteroid X52. He is rescued by Tyr, who brainwashes him. | (Superboy #197, Sept. 1973) |
| 2981 | ||
|
During
the Legion's leadership election, Mon-El and Saturn Girl are kidnapped and
nearly killed by Tharok and Validus. Mon-El is reelected to a second term
as leader; Brainiac 5 is deputy leader. NOTES: The results of the election are not
actually revealed until Superboy #193 (Feb. 1973). Shadow Lass is depicted as Caucasian in this story. GLORITH REALITY: Valor is reelected. |
Superboy #190 (Sept. 1972) | |
| Feb 24 | Sun Boy celebrates his birthday and clashes with Dr. Regulus. NOTES: Sun Boy is said to be 11 sola-years, which is equal to 17-18 Earth years. Based on his birth date as listed in the 2995 Sourcebook, however, he turns 23 on this date. | Superboy #191 (Oct. 1972) |
| The Legion prevents a nuclear war on Pasnic, bringing about a truce between the two opposing powers, King Jonn and King Lillt. Chameleon Boy, Duo Damsel, Karate Kid, and Shrinking Violet get new costumes. NOTES: Duo Damsel's new costume is the fan-designed costume seen in Adventure #403 (Sept. 1971). The 2995 Sourcebook indicates that this adventure concluded on January 3, 2981, but this story clearly takes place after the events of Superboy #200 and #191. | Superboy #193 (Feb. 1973) | |
| Metropolis University student Drake Burroughs is transformed into a cloud of anti-energy. Professor Vultan creates a containment suit that enables him to mimic the powers of various Legionnaires. | (Legion vol. 2 #283, Jan. 1982) | |
| Calling himself ERG-1, Drake Burroughs tries out for Legion membership, but is rejected. He saves the Legion on Manna-5 by releasing his anti-energy; they believe him dead. Colossal Boy and Phantom Girl get new costumes. Notes: Wildfire was originally created by Dave Cockrum and called Starfire. He was propsed along with a group of potential Legionnaires who would form an off-shoot called the Outsiders. The Outsiders also included Reflecto. When Cockrum moved to Marvel, his propsed Legionnaires were used in the new X-Men. Among the Outsiders were Nightcrawler and two female characters who, combined, resemble Storm. They debuted in Giant Sized X-Men #1. | Superboy #195 (June 1973) | |
| May 2 | Timber Wolf, now sporting a new costume and more feral appearance, returns to the Legion. He attempts to kill the President of Earth; the Legion discovers that he has been brainwashed by Tyr. Notes: Timber Wolf's feral appearance was later attributed to the degenerative effects of the zuunium radiation that gave him his powers. Starting with this issue, the title on the cover becomes Superboy & the Legion of Super-Heroes. Tyr was originally created by Dave Cockrum as part of a group of Legion villains. Tyr was the only one used, though the entire group resembles Marvel's Imperial Guard. The Imperial Guard first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #107 and many of its members resemble Legionnaires. Gladiator is Tyr's counterpart in the Imperial Guard. | Superboy #197 (Sept. 1973) |
| The Legion
stops the Fatal Five from changing history by killing Superboy in the 20th century. Element Lad and Princess Projectra get new costumes. GLORITH REALITY: No similar events. |
Superboy #198 (Oct. 1973) | |
| Tyr's gun hand
takes mental control of Superboy. Dream Girl and Star Boy get new
costumes. Bouncing Boy defeats Hunter II (Adam Orion, son of
the original Hunter). GLORITH REALITY: Tyr's gun hand takes control of Valor. |
Superboy #199 (Nov. 1973) | |
|
||
| May 29 | After learning
that he is losing his powers again, Bouncing Boy proposes to Duo Damsel.
They are married in Nix Olympia on Mars. Afterward, the Legion
saves the bride from Starfinger. Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel become Legion
reservists. Mon-El asks Superboy to rejoin. Light Lass, Lightning Lad, and
Shadow Lass get new costumes. NOTES: J'Onn J'Onzz, the Martian Manhunter, is
glimpsed briefly at the wedding, his first 30th century appearance. J'Onn first appeared in Detective Comics #225 (Nov. 1955). GLORITH REALITY: The Legion has not yet met Superboy. |
Superboy #200 (Feb./Mar. 1974) |
| Superboy
returns to active membership. Infectious Lass, Porcupine
Pete, and Molecule Master apply for Legion membership. ERG-1
reappears to defeat Molecule Master, who is revealed as an android out to
steal the Miracle Machine. Karate Kid nearly dies after saving Dream Girl
from two assailants. GLORITH REALITY: The Legion has not yet met Superboy. |
Superboy #201 (Mar./Apr. 1974) | |
| Jun 1 | Colossal Boy and Shrinking Violet are lost in an asteroid field. Drake Burroughs, now calling himself Wildfire, joins the Legion, which encounters the Devil-Fish, an intelligent, amphibious ocean creature that subsists on pollution. NOTES: This was the last issue drawn by Dave Cockrum. | Superboy #202 (May/June 1974) |
| The Legion helps to evacuate the doomed planet Korlon, also called Dryad. The Dark Man later convinces several of the survivors, including Blok, that the Legion is actually responsible for their world's destruction. They form the League of Super-Assassins. NOTES: The story says that these events took place six years before, but the costumes of the Legionnaires present in the flashback suggest that it was after Superboy #200. | (Legion vol. 2 #272, Feb. 1981) | |
| Time and Time Again Phase 4: GLORITH REALITY ONLY: The United Planets is attacked by a second Sun-Eater. The Legion succeeds in destroying the monster with the aid of a time-lost Superman. Superman once again vanishes into time following the Sun-Eater's destruction, leaving the Legion uncertain of his fate. NOTES: Superman was transported to the 30th century from the year 1943, as seen immediately prior to this story in Superman vol. 2 #54 (Apr. 1991). Following this story he is catapulted back in time approximately 100 million years, as seen in Action Comics #664 (Apr. 1991). | Adventures of Superman #477 (Apr. 1991) | |
| Mike Grell begins as penciller (through #224) | ||
|
||
| Jun 27 | Invisible Kid is killed by Validus. His spirit is apparently reunited with the ghost of a girl named Myla, with whom he had fallen in love. | Superboy #203 (July/Aug. 1974) |
| The Legion discovers clues to the existence of a mysterious Legionnaire called Anti-Lad, who apparently joined at the same time as Superboy. Brainiac 5 becomes obsessed with Supergirl, building a robot duplicate of her in his sleep. Supergirl tells him that she is leaving the Legion. POST-CRISIS AND GLORITH REALITIES: No similar events. |
Superboy #204 (Sept./Oct. 1974) | |
| Superboy and
Lana Lang visit the 30th century to celebrate Lana's birthday. As Insect
Queen, Lana helps Superboy and Ultra Boy defeat a mastermind who has taken
control of the other Legionnaires. GLORITH REALITY: The Legion has not yet met Superboy or Lana Lang at this time. |
Superboy #205 (Nov./Dec. 1974) | |
| The Legion creates clone duplicates of Ferro Lad and Invisible Kid. They are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, but can only survive for 48 hours. All of the Legionnaires are shown to have contributed to the cell banks. Meanwhile, Projectra and Karate Kid visit Orando. | Superboy #206 (Jan./Feb. 1975) | |
| The Legion apprehends Universo with the help of rookie Science Police officer Roon Dvron. Lightning Lad and Lightning Lord commemorate the one-year anniversary of their parents' deaths. NOTES: Universo's real name is said to be Argus Oranx III, which was later described as an alias. Mekt and Garth Ranzz are erroneously depicted as twins. | Superboy #207 (Mar./Apr. 1975) | |
| Sep 8 | The Legion battles a new Legion of Super-Villains (Lightning Lord, Chameleon Chief (Jall Tanusz), Sun Emperor (Nigel Douglous of Earth), Nemesis Kid, Spider Girl, and Radiation Roy). NOTES: This is the first appearance of the teenaged Chameleon Chief and Sun Emperor. Adult versions of these villains appeared with the adult LSV in Jimmy Olsen #63 (Sept. 1962). | Superboy #208 (Apr. 1975) |
| Jim Shooter begins as writer (2nd tenure) | ||
| Duo Damsel, Karate Kid, Saturn Girl, and Timber Wolf save Projectra from the Pain Plague. Flynt Brojj wins the "Legionnaire for a Day" contest. NOTES: "Flynt Brojj" was based on real-life Legion fans Mike Flynn and Harry Broertjes, creators of the fanzine Legion Outpost. | Superboy #209 (June 1975) | |
| Private Mike Essad, a soldier from World War VI, attempts to destroy Metropolis. Karate Kid meets Sadaharu, a comrade of his late father, the villainous Black Dragon, and learns that his mentor, the Sensei, killed the Black Dragon when Val was an infant. NOTES: This story was the first time Karate Kid's origin was revealed in detail. This issue establishes that Karate Kid's father was Japanese and his mother Caucasian, but he was only occasionally drawn to look half-Japanese. | Superboy #210 (Aug. 1975) | |
| Element Lad confronts Roxxas on Trom. Chemical King narrowly prevents Jan from killing the villain. Meanwhile, the Legionnaires cede their former clubhouse to the Substitute Heroes. | Superboy #211 (Sept. 1975) | |
| Sep 16 | The Legion faces the Legion of Super-Rejects: Calorie Queen (Taryn Loy of Bismoll), Chameleon Kid (Toog Lintens of Durla), Esper Lass (Meta Ulnoor of Titan), Magno Lad (Kort Grezz of Braal), Micro Lad (Lalo Muldroon of Imsk), and Phantom Lad (Solon Darga of Bgtzl). Matter-Eater Lad is drafted to run for the Bismollian Senate. Cosmic Boy breaks up with Night Girl, but they are reunited after she saves him from "Crafty" Colson and his gang. Night Girl gets a new costume. | Superboy #212 (Oct. 1975) |
| Cocky master thief Benn Pares attempts to steal the Miracle Machine. Timber Wolf singlehandedly defeats Black Mace. | Superboy #213 (Dec. 1975) | |
| The Legion meets Leland McCauley IV, spoiled son of Leland McCauley III. Shrinking Violet and Brainiac 5 visit Klorra, a world of giants. | Superboy #214 (Jan. 1976) | |
| Phantom Girl returns to Bgztl to visit her brother, Gmya Wazzo, and witnesses a murder committed by hitman Ron-Vizl. Tinya is stalked by one of the hitman's vicious accomplices, but Gmya takes over Sun Boy's body to protect her from the assassin. Later, the Legionnaires battle the Emerald Empress, who has recruited a new criminal army on the planetoid Kar Zagas. Cosmic Boy, restricted by a Braalian holiday that prohibits him from using his powers, single-handedly rescues his comrades from a trap, but is mortally wounded. The Empress, however, impressed by his sense of honor, uses the Emerald Eye to save his life before making good her escape. New costume for Cosmic Boy. | Superboy #215 (Mar. 1976) | |
| Pursuing fallen satellite probe C-117, reported to contain the loot from a legendary unsolved robbery, the Legion visits the dimension-shifting island-city of Marzal and meet its champion, Tyroc (Troy Stewart). The Legionnaires help Tyroc defeat the vicious Beta Gang, after which Tyroc agrees to join the Legion. Meanwhile, Bouncing Boy, despite the loss of his powers, manages to defeat a gang of crooks that attacks him and Duo Damsel. | Superboy #216 (Apr. 1976) | |
|
Brainiac 5 matches wits with Khundian Field Marshall Lorca. Superboy meets
Legion Academy student Laurel Kent, who is apparently his
descendant. NOTES: The first story has the
first reference to the 30th century Thanagar. Laurel Kent is implied to
be the descendant of Superman and Lois Lane. As revealed in Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 3 #42-43
(1988), she was really a Manhunter android. The letter column establishes
that the events of the Karate Kid series (which started in March-April
1976) take place in the Legion's near future. GLORITH REALITY: The Legion has not yet met Superboy. |
Superboy #217 (May 1976) | |
| Oct 9 | Tyroc officially joins the Legion after stopping an attack by Legion reject Absorbency Boy (Kirt Niedrigh of Earth). First appearance of Legion reject Quake Kid (Shanen Dreyus of Earth) and second appearance of Infectious Lass. | Superboy #218 (June 1976) |
| Shrinking Violet's vacation with Duplicate Boy on Imsk is rudely interrupted by the Fatal Five. Duplicate Boy is nearly slain by Validus, leaving him comatose. Colossal Boy expresses a romantic interest in Shrinking Violet, and is visibly disappointed when she is later reunited with Duplicate Boy. The Legionnaires ultimately defeat the Fatal Five and capture Emerald Empress, Mano, and the Persuader. Light Lass becomes the first person to see Mano's unmasked face. NOTES: This issue includes a cross-section diagram of the Legion cruiser. | Superboy #219 (July 1976) | |
| The Legion liberates the inhabitants of the planet Murgador from the tyranny of the planet Thargg. Dream Girl foresees the assassination of the president of Demros-II. | Superboy #220 (Oct. 1976) | |
| The Legion battles Markx Grimbor, a.k.a. Grimbor the Chainsman, the master of chains and restraints, and his partner and lover Charma, whose pheromones entrance men but cause uncontrollable hatred in women. | Superboy #221 (Nov. 1976) | |
| Tyroc pretends to go on a rampage in Metropolis to help the Legion capture extortionist Fenton Pike. The Legionnaires discover the secret of the famous hero Questar, champion of Zentor. | Superboy #222 (Dec. 1976) | |
| Paul Levitz begins as writer | ||
| Chameleon Boy, Karate Kid, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy, and Superboy battle the Time Trapper. Their battle is observed by Pulsar Stargrave and his minions Holdur and Quicksand (Anjelika Dugensa of Earth). GLORITH REALITY: The Legion is not aware of the existence of Superboy or the Time Trapper at this time. |
Superboy #223 (Jan. 1977) | |
| The Legion comes face-to-face with Pulsar Stargrave and his minions. Stargrave tells Brainiac 5 that he is Querl's long-lost father, and enlists Brainy's help against Mordru. | Superboy #224 (Feb. 1977) | |
| Karate Kid begins a sojourn in the 20th century to "find himself" and prove to King Voxv of Orando that he is worthy of Projectra. | Karate Kid #1 (3-4.76) | |
| 2982 | ||
| James Sherman begins as penciller (through #242) | ||
| Wildfire is elected leader, but Superboy attempts to bluster his way to leadership — even though his part-time status makes him ineligible — because the Legion computer has predicted that the leader will be shot in their battle with the Resource Raiders. Meanwhile, Projectra, Sun Boy, and Timber Wolf thwart an assassin and meet U.P. Ambassador Relnic. GLORITH REALITY: No Superboy at this time. |
Superboy #225 (Mar. 1977) | |
| Jan 3 | Dawnstar, a Legion Academy student, joins the Legion. Pulsar Stargrave forces Brainiac 5 to steal Mordru's Star Stone from Mordru's palace on Zerox. NOTES: The Star Stone tells Brainy that Stargrave is the original Brainiac android. The original history of Pulsar Stargrave is unknown. Based on the events of Action #544 (June 1983), it is unlikely that he really was the original Brainiac. | Superboy #226 (Apr. 1977) |
| The Legion battles and defeats Pulsar Stargrave on Colu. | Superboy #227 (May 1977) | |
| Fenton Pike attempts to avenge himself on the Legion by destroying Metropolis's fusion power-sphere. | DC Special #28 (June/July 1977) | |
| Feb 10 | Chemical King sacrifices his life
to stop Deregon,
governor of Australia and an agent of the Dark Circle, from starting
World War VII. NOTES: Chemical
King's death was foreshadowed by the Adult Legion story in Adventure
Comics #354 (Mar. 1967). Retold in Secret Origins #47. POST CRISIS: Braniac 5 takes Superboy's place on the mission. |
Superboy #228 (June 1977) |
| While the Legionnaires attend Chemical King's funeral on Shanghalla, Bouncing Boy and S.P. officer Dvron are trapped in Legion headquarters, where an accident restores Bouncing Boy's powers. He swears Dvron to secrecy, not wanting to disrupt his happy marriage. | (Superboy #230, Aug. 1977) | |
| Wildfire and a group of Legionnaires invade the Dark Circle homeworld in search of Deregon. Meanwhile, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, and Saturn Girl discover that Deregon is still hiding on Earth, but the Dark Circle agent is accidentally killed while trying to flee. | Superboy #229 (July 1977) | |
| On the planet Remor, the unscrupulous sorcerer Sden, a native of the galaxy of Trevenon, tricks the Legion into finding the Crystal of Catastrophe for him. The Legionnaires realize Sden is up to no good and Superboy takes the crystal back to the 20th century for safekeeping. NOTES: The Crystal of Catastrophe next appears, in the 20th century, in Adventure Comics #453 (1977). GLORITH REALITY: Superboy is not a Legionnaire at this time. The subsequent whereabouts of the Crystal of Catastrophe are unknown. |
Superboy #230 (Aug. 1977) | |
| Karate Kid returns to the 30th century with Projectra and frees King Voxv of Orando from Sadaharu. | Karate Kid #10 (Sept./Oct. 1977) | |
| Title changed to Superboy & the Legion of Super-Heroes | ||
| The Fatal Five kidnap Karate Kid and Projectra in an effort to stop the Legionnaires from evacuating the planet Mordan, which is about to be destroyed when its star goes nova. NOTES: With this issue, Superboy is officially retitled Superboy & the Legion of Super-Heroes. That title appeared on the covers beginning with issue #197, but was not formally reflected in the indicia until this issue. | Superboy & the Legion #231 (Sept. 1977) | |
| Mordru draws Superman, the Justice League of America, and Earth-2's Justice Society to the 30th century. Using the Legionnaires as hostages, he forces the JLA to retrieve the talismans of the Demons Three (Abnegazar, Rath, and Ghast). NOTES: The text alludes to a recent, untold clash between Mordru and the Legion that did not appear in any published story. The Justice Society first appeared in All-Star Comics #3 (Win 40), the Justice League of America in Brave and the Bold #28 (Mar. 1960), and the Demons Three in Justice League of America #10 (Mar. 1962). POST-CRISIS AND GLORITH REALITIES: No similar events. |
Justice League of America #147 (Oct. 1977) | |
| The Demons Three overcome Mordru, but immediately turn against each other. They force the JLA, JSA, and Legion to do battle as their proxies, but the heroes ultimately trap the three demons in the recreated Justice League satellite. NOTES: The JLA Satellite first appeared in Justice League of America #78 (Feb. 1970). It was destroyed during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, as shown in Crisis #8 (Nov. 1985) and Justice League of America Annual #3 (1985). POST-CRISIS AND GLORITH REALITIES: No similar events. |
Justice League of America #148 (Nov. 1977) | |
| The planet Imsk threatens to secede from the United Planets over a dispute involving hunting rights. When the solar system is ravaged by a mysterious shrinking plague during the annual Klordny week celebrations, the U.P. accuses Imsk of involvement, causing tension between Shrinking Violet and her fellow Legionnaires. While searching for the cause of the plague, the Legionnaires protect R.J. Brande from an assassin called Immune (Dr. Murleen Dreeu of Xorma) and eventually discover that the shrinking plague and Immune's attack are both the work of Dr. Regulus. | Superboy & the Legion #232 (Oct. 1977) | |
| The Legionnaires stop the female Sklarian Raiders from stealing a new hyper-time drive. Rond Vidar and Brainiac 5 then use the drive in an experiment that accidentally transforms their friend Professor Jaxon Rugarth into the psychotic, nearly all-powerful Infinite Man. Afterwards, Saturn Girl comes to the aid of Projectra, who has become trapped in an illusory mental world of her own making as a result of her grief over Karate Kid's return to the 20th century. | Superboy & the Legion #233 (Nov. 1977) | |
| The Legion participates in the hunting of Imskian space dragons and learns the origin of the shrinking powers of the Imskian population. An accidental explosion somehow merges Colossal Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, and Shrinking Violet into the monstrous Composite Legionnaire, which goes on a rampage on Earth. The U.P. hires the mercenary Bounty (Jaeger Tallspirit of Minerstown) to stop the monster, but Bounty is arrested by the Legion after trying to destroy the Composite Legionnaire with an outlawed nuclear weapon. Wildfire finally succeeds in separating the Legionnaires, but is left comatose. NOTES: This story mentions that nuclear weapons were outlawed on Earth centuries ago. According to Who's Who in the Legion #1 (Apr. 1988), which also revealed Bounty's real name and background, he was later pardoned and continued to work for the U.P. It is not known whether this Bounty is the same non-corporeal entity that later possessed Dawnstar (Legion vol. 4 #6 and 36). | Superboy & the Legion #234 (Dec. 1977) | |
|
The Legion uses the energy of the legendary Titanian psycho-beast to revive Wildfire, but leads U.P. council member Marko Chang that they have caused the death of his son, Redvik. He charges the Legionnaires with murder, but the case is dismissed when Brainiac 5 reveals that Redvik is still alive. When the Legionnaires drive off a party of Sklarian raiders assaulting Earth's Life Institute, Superboy learns that the Legion has been brainwashing him periodically to keep him from learning of the Institute's work. Brainiac 5 lies to him, telling him that the Institute has succeeded in creating artificial life, to keep him from learning that their discoveries allow humans to live for centuries, with "a youth that lasts decades." NOTES: This story was intended to explain the Legionnaires' youthfulness, but the existence of the youth serum was ignored in later stories. GLORITH REALITY: The Legion is unaware of Superboy's existence at this time. |
Superboy & the Legion #235 (Jan. 1978) | |
| Several Legionnaires try to take some much-needed leave. Cosmic Boy and Night Girl's holiday on Braal is interrupted by the Worldsmith, a powerful alien who remodels planets at the order of his unknown clients; his renovation includes statues reminiscent of those on Earth's Easter Island, leading the Legionnaires to speculate that the Worldsmith once visited Earth. In deep space, Mon-El prevents a Khundian armada from seizing a powerful new energy source, while on Titan, Saturn Girl accepts Lightning Lad's proposal of marriage. | Superboy & the Legion #236 (Feb. 1978) | |
| Jun 17 | On the eve of Lightning
Lad and Saturn Girl's wedding, history is altered by the Time Trapper.
After the wedding, some of the Legionnaires travel back in time to the
20th century and then confront the Trapper at the end of time. The Trapper
is revealed as a Controller, armed with a duplicate of the Miracle
Machine. He is defeated and history is restored to normal. NOTES: Legionnaires
3 #1 (Feb. 1986) revealed
that the Controller was only a pawn of the real Time Trapper. This story,
commonly referred to as "the Legion tabloid," was published as
a one-shot oversized tabloid, part of DC's Limited Collectors' Edition series. POST-CRISIS AND GLORITH: It is unclear if any of these events other than the wedding itself took place. |
Limited Collectors Edition #C-55 (1978) |
| Jun 17 | In a ceremony on R.J. Brande's private asteroid estate, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl resign, as mandated by the Legion constitution. Brande is held hostage by Arma Getten, who tries to force the Legionnaires to help him destroy the entire solar system. Getten is apparently slain by one of his own weapons. The Legionnaires later help Brande build a new star for the planet Graxl. | Superboy & the Legion #237 (Mar. 1978) |
| Ayla Ranzz, Tasmia Mallor, Nura Nal, and Projectra enjoy a night out in Metropolis and break up a gang of crooks. NOTES: This story takes place some time before the Earthwar storyline. According to the letter column of Superboy & the Legion #247 (Jan. 1979), this story originally was intended to run in Superboy & the Legion #237. | (Superboy & the Legion #242, 8.78) | |
|
On Rimbor,
Ultra Boy's former girlfriend An Ryd is murdered by Pulsar
Stargrave. Brainiac 5, driven mad by Stargrave, secretly frames Ultra Boy
for the crime. NOTES: Chameleon Boy realizes in this story
who framed Ultra Boy, but he doesn't reveal the truth until #250 (Apr. 1979). Pulsar Stargrave's involvement was revealed in Legion vol. 2 #273 (Mar. 1981). GLORITH REALITY: Brainiac 5 is driven mad by Glorith after he discovers her involvement in the creation of the Legion. It is unclear who actually murdered An Ryd. Glorith's role (in the Glorith Reality) was shown in Legion vol. 4 Annual #1 (1990). |
Superboy & the Legion #239 (May 1978) | |
| Charma, sent to an all-women prison for her earlier crimes, is murdered by her fellow inmates. Grimbor imprisons Kandru, the President of Earth, to lure the Legion to him so he can have revenge. Dawnstar trains at the Legion Academy along with Jed Rikane (later called Power Boy), Laurel Kent, and Grev Mallor (Shadow Lad, later called Shadow Kid), and talks about her origins. Wildfire expresses romantic interest in Dawnstar, but is rebuffed. NOTES: Grev Mallor is erroneously described as Shadow Lass's younger brother, rather than her cousin. | Superboy & the Legion #240 (June 1978) | |
| EARTHWAR | ||
| Aug | Dawnstar, Mon-El, Ultra Boy, and Wildfire protect a peace conference between the United Planets and the Dominion on Weber's World, where Science Police security chief Ontiir is behaving suspiciously. Light Lass and Timber Wolf fight Lightning Lord. The Khunds launch an assault on Earth. The Legion meets S.P. officer Shvaughn Erin. | Superboy & the Legion #241 (July 1978) |
| The Legionnaires take the fight to Khundia, where they find Warlord Garlak being mentally controlled by a beam from Weber's World. | Superboy & the Legion #242 (Aug. 1978) | |
| Sep | On Earth, the Legion reservists and the Substitute Heroes fight a desperate holding action against the Khund invaders. | Superboy & the Legion #243 (Sept. 1978) |
| Karate Kid returns to the 30th century. The Legion discovers the true mastermind of the Earthwar: Mordru, who has been posing both as one of the masters of the Dark Circle and as Ambassador Relnic. | Superboy & the Legion #244 (Oct. 1978) | |
| Sep 27 | Mordru is defeated, ending the Earthwar. The Khunds and Dark Circle are expelled, and the U.P. signs a treaty with the Dominion. The Legion constitution is amended to allow married Legionnaires. Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl return to active membership. | Superboy & the Legion #245 (Nov. 1978) |
| Forced to race the Flash through time, Superman briefly appears in the 30th century and encounters the Legion and himself as Superboy. POST-CRISIS AND GLORITH REALITIES: No similar events. |
DC Comics Presents #2 (8-9.78) | |
| Joe Staton begins as penciller (through #260) | ||
| The Legion meets Karate Kid at the Medivac-Lab on Mercury, where he is preparing to return his friend Iris Jacobs to the 20th century after restoring her to her normal form after her stint as Diamondeth. The Legionnaires investigate a series of mysterious attacks and discover that Medivac-Lab is threatening a previously unknown native Mercurian lifeform. On the frontier world of Corvan IV, Colossal Boy and Element Lad are captured by the Fatal Five, now Corvan IV's ambassadors. | Superboy & the Legion #246 (Dec. 1978) | |
| 2983 | ||
|
Superboy singlehandedly
rescues Colossal Boy and Element Lad from the Fatal Five. The inhabitants
of Corvan IV decide not to try to join the United Planets; at their request,
the Fatal Five departs in peace. On Earth, on the anniversary of Superboy
joining the Legion, Lightning Lad is elected the new Legion leader, with
Element Lad as deputy. NOTES: By a weird
coincidence, this issue marked the 247th appearance of the Legion, which
debuted in Adventure Comics #247 (Apr. 1958). Although Lightning Lad's
term as leader was the longest in terms of number of issues, in Legion
time it lasted only a year. GLORITH REALITY: Colossal Boy and Element Lad are rescued by Valor. The Legion has not yet met Superboy. |
Superboy & the Legion #247 (Jan. 1979) | |
| Gerry Conway begins as writer | ||
| The Legion investigates a mysterious monster lurking in the sewers beneath Metropolis, leading Shadow Lass to be badly injured. Meanwhile, R.J. Brande finds himself inexplicably bankrupt. NOTES: The text of this story inexplicably describes the Legion as existing in the 31st century, not the 30th. | Superboy & the Legion #248 (Feb. 1979) | |
| The Legion discovers that the sewer monster menacing Metropolis is a creation of Mantis Morlo, the Chemical Conqueror, who is defeated by Brainiac 5. Later, Chameleon Boy flirts with Ambassador Aplynn Jeryl of Arctoraan and thwarts renegade Science Police technician Giy Delor in his attempt to blackmail Jeryl with the theft of a priceless Arcotoraan jewel. | Superboy & the Legion #249 (Mar. 1979) | |
| Chameleon Boy discovers proof of what he has suspect since the murder of An Ryd weeks earlier: Brainiac 5 has gone mad. Brainy uses the Miracle Machine to create the virtually unstoppable Omega, who attacks the Earth as the first step in Brainiac 5's plan to destroy the universe. NOTES: The story in issues #250–251, originally slated for an unpublished 64-page Legion of Super-Heroes Spectacular, was co-written by Jim Starlin and Paul Levitz, with art breakdowns by Starlin. When the Spectacular line was cancelled and the story reformatted for two issues of the regular series, Starlin asked that his name be removed from the credits and replaced with the pseudonym "Steve Apollo." | Superboy & the Legion #250 (Apr. 1979) | |
| Feb 17 | Matter-Eater Lad destroys Omega by eating the Miracle Machine. He is driven insane by its energies. Legion headquarters is left all but destroyed by the battle. | Superboy & the Legion #251 (May 1979) |
| Matter-Eater Lad and Brainiac 5 are both committed to a United Planets medi-center on the Isle of St. Croix. The Legion battles the Starburst Bandits. | Superboy & the Legion #252 (June 1979) | |
| The United Planets refuses the Legion's request for operating funds to repair the damage suffered during the Earthwar and the battle with Omega. Several Legionnaires are attacked by the League of Super-Assassins (Blok, Lazon (Chey-Nu), Mist Master (Ye Sti-Tuan), Neutrax (Wi Kan Muur), Silver Slasher (Ki-Lan), and Titania). NOTES: This story suggests that Blok originally was human and that he is Silver Slasher's cousin, implications that were ignored in his subsequent appearances. | Superboy & the Legion #253 (July 1979) | |
| Brainiac 5 is temporarily released to lead the Substitute Heroes against the League of Super-Assassins. Later, the Legion learns that the youths, all from the planet Korlon, were convinced by a mysterious figure called the Dark Man that the Legion was responsible for the destruction of their homeworld several years earlier. The Legionnaires appeal to R.J. Brande for funds, only to discover that he is now bankrupt. NOTES: First reference to the Dark Man, whose actual first appearance is in #269 (Nov. 1980). | Superboy & the Legion #254 (Aug. 1979) | |
| The
Legion travels back to Superman's era to stop him from rescuing Pete Ross's
son Jon from the warlike Nyrvnian race. Jon and the Nyrvnians are
destined to one day save the Earth. POST-CRISIS AND GLORITH REALITIES: No similar events. |
DC Comics Presents #13 (Sept. 1979) | |
| An alien menace called Gorgli lays siege to the Earth with weapons stolen from the Superman
Museum. The Legionnaires travel back in time to Krypton on the day of
its destruction to obtain the Kryptonian lenses needed to thwart Gorgli's
plans. POST-CRISIS: The Legion visits the Krypton of the Pocket Universe. GLORITH REALITY: No similar events. |
Superboy & the Legion #255 (Sept. 1979) | |
| Brainiac 5 is cured of his insanity after telepathically reexperiencing traumatic events of his childhood with the help of Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad. The Legionnaires are arrested for their apparently pointless comandeering of the Cosmic World amusement park. NOTES: It is unclear to what extend the events of Brainiac 5's childhood depicted in this story are recreations of real events and or simply fantasies. | Superboy & the Legion #256 (Oct. 1979) | |
| The Legionnaires are freed after Brainiac 5 demonstrates that they seized control of the Cosmic World amusement park to stop an ecological disaster caused by faulty management by the park owners. The Legion Espionage Squad discovers that the President of Earth is responsible for R.J. Brande's bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel become colonists on the frontier world of Wondil IX. | Superboy & the Legion #257 (Nov. 1979) | |
| The President of Earth admits that he took R.J. Brande's fortune to help repair the damage and suffering caused by the Earthwar. Brande decides to allow the Earth to keep the money. The Legionnaires are attacked by the Psycho-Warrior. | Superboy & the Legion #258 (Dec. 1979) | |
| The Legion learns
the origins of the Psycho-Warrior (Rejis Thomak of Bunyon's World). During
their battle, Superboy learns of the eventual deaths of his foster parents.
Afterwards, he decides to resign from the Legion. Before he departs, Saturn
Girl gives him a post-hypnotic suggestion not to return to the 30th century. NOTES: With this issue, Superboy
& the Legion of Super-Heroes was retitled Legion of Super-Heroes.
Superboy moved to a new solo book, The New Adventures of Superboy. GLORITH REALITY: No Superboy at this time. |
Legion vol. 2 #259 (Jan. 1980) | |
| The Legion goes undercover in the Bacard Barley Space Circus and prevents a war between the U.P. and the Cygnus Confederation masterminded by ringmaster Aton Gissark. | Legion vol. 2 #260-261 (2-3.80) | |
| The Legion tries to find the Christmas Star. NOTES: The official title of this issue was DC Special Series #21. | Super-Star Holiday Special (Spring 1980) | |
| The Legionnaires help R.J. Brande build a new star. Unfortunately, Brande's customers are wiped out by the android inhabitants of an artificial world constructed by a long-dead genius called the Engineer. The Legionnaires ultimately destroy the artificial world so that it will not threaten other star systems. | Legion vol. 2 #262 (Apr. 1980) | |
| Dagon the Avenger kidnaps the parents of Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, and Ultra Boy: Crav and Mytra Nah, Ji Daggle, Arn Digby, Tarnia Tolarn, Marte Ida Allon and Wynn Allon, and Derek Morgna). NOTES: Although Ji Daggle raised Reep Daggle, she was later revealed to be his aunt, not his mother. Colossal Boy's mother is called Ida Allon, not Marte Allon; Ida was later said to be her middle name. | Legion vol. 2 #263 (May 1980) | |
| The Legionnaires free their parents from Dagon, who they learn is Yondor, one of the technicians who helped design the security system of their new headquarters. Meanwhile, Dawnstar, Shadow Lass, and Tyroc are trapped on Marzal when it vanishes from Earth's dimension. | Legion vol. 2 #264 (June 1980) | |
| Sep 1 | Tyroc learns that his use of his powers is causing Marzal to prematurely fade out of Earth's dimension. He returns Dawnstar and Shadow Lass to Earth, but he himself remains on Marzal, effectively ending his membership in the Legion. | Legion vol. 2 #265 (July 1980) |
| On Wondil IX, Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel accidentally release the 2,500 year-old djinn Kantuu. | Legion vol. 2 #266 (Aug. 1980) | |
| The Legion defeats Kantuu and returns him to his bottle. | Legion vol. 2 #267 (Sept. 1980) | |
| R.J. Brande and the Legionnaires accompanying him are captured by the bizarre, time-traveling Dr. Mayavale, a native of the planet Avatanda who believes that the Legionnaires wronged him in several of their past lives and hopes to exact karmic justice. NOTES: This was the only Legion story written by J.M. DeMatteis. Cover by George Pérez. | Legion vol. 2 #268 (Oct. 1980) | |
| The Legion learns that Colossal Boy's mother, Marte Allon (described here as a professor at Metropolis University), is a candidate for the presidency of the Earth. Earth is invaded by the Fatal Five, whose leader, Tharok, is now allied with the Dark Man (first actual appearance). NOTES: This story first revealed the way the president of Earth is elected in the Legion's era: three candidates are selected by the World Computer Bank and given only a single day to campaign. | Legion vol. 2 #269 (Nov. 1980) | |
| Timber Wolf and Light Lass arrange to release Blok, a member of the Dark Man's League of Super-Assassins, from the Everest Planetary Prison to help them battle the Fatal Five. Meanwhile, the other Legionnaires learn that the Dark Man is a fully human (non-cyborg) clone of Tharok. | Legion vol. 2 #270 (Dec. 1980) | |
| Light Lass reviews the origin of Tharok and the Dark Man, a clone created from a sample of Tharok's brain tissue who was mutated by radiation to become a powerful psychic vampire. The Legionnaires strike a truce with the Fatal Five to work together against the Dark Man, who is apparently annihilated along with Tharok when the two doppelgangers collide. Marte Allon is elected President of Earth. | Legion vol. 2 #271 (Jan. 1981) | |
| Oct 10 | Blok applies for Legion membership along with three Earth Natives: Crystal Kid (Bobb Kohan), Lamprey (Tayla Skott), and Nightwind (Berta Harris). Blok tells the Legionnaires how his home planet was colonized by the U.P. and describes its destruction, which the Dark Man convinced him was perpetrated by the Legion. Blok is admitted to the Legion after helping to defeat the Starburst Bandits, who recently escaped from prison. NOTES: This story gives the name of Blok's planet as Dryad, not Korlon, as described in his first appearance in Superboy & the Legion #253 (July 1979). Crystal Kid, Lamprey, and Nightwind were characters created by Legion fans. Nightwind, originally called Nightwing, appeared in Amazing World of DC Comics #12; she originally was called Lara Londo, but was renamed Berta Harris after her creator, Robert Harris of Allentown, PA. Crystal Kid, whose name was originally Rondo Kane, was created by Robert Cohen of Calgary, Alberta, and Lamprey, originally called Angela Majors, was created by Scott Taylor of Portland, TX. They both appeared in Amazing World of DC Comics #14. | Legion vol. 2 #272 (Feb. 1981) |
| When R.J. Brande is stricken with Yorggian Fever, the Legion learns that he is really a Durlan (although he can no longer change shape) and that he is Chameleon Boy's father. | Secrets of the Legion #1-3 (1-3.81) | |
| Brainiac 5 quits the Legion after Marte Allon accuses him of murdering An Ryd (whose death he had pinned on Ultra Boy). Brainy, Chameleon Boy and Ultra Boy travel to Rimbor, where they discover that An was killed by Pulsar Stargrave. Brainiac 5 apparently destroys Stargrave, but not before he seemingly kills Ultra Boy. Brainy rejoins the Legion. NOTES: In this story, Stargrave claims to be the original Brainiac android. Based on the later transformation of Brainiac in Action Comics #544 (June 1983), that seems unlikely. Stargrave's true origin is unknown. This story is the earliest appearance of the Interlac alphabet. | Legion vol. 2 #273 (Mar. 1981) | |
| While the Legion holds a memorial service for him, Ultra Boy, stricken with amnesia, becomes part of the pirate crew of Captain Alisia Frake. | Legion vol. 2 #274 (Apr. 1981) | |
| The Legion confronts Captain Frake's pirates. Saturn Girl realizes that Ultra Boy is still alive, but before she can reach him, he is blasted by Captain Frake and vanishes, his fate unknown. Captain Frake is killed in the destruction of her ship. | Legion vol. 2 #275 (May 1981) | |
| When Universo steals a device made by her father in the 20th century, Supergirl
follows the villain back to the 30th. POST-CRISIS AND GLORITH REALITIES: No similar events. |
Superman Family #207 (May/June 1981) | |
| The Legion visits the planet Avalon in search of three missing U.P. space explorers and discovers that the throne of Avalon's king, Leon, has been usurped by his former vizier, Romdur, who the Legionnaires discover is Mordru the Merciless. They manage to defeat him by burying him under the rubble of his own castle. | Legion vol. 2 #276 (June 1981) | |