Jerry Ordway Commission And ComiConn Report

I went to ComiConn this last Saturday for the first time and was thoroughly impressed with this comic convention.

I knew going in that this was going to be a more relaxing sort of convention for me. This wasn't the size of Boston Comic-Con. There weren't as many guests that I felt I needed to run into (although the ones that were there were of the highest quality - more later). And I wasn't even sure if I was going to get any commissions. So I thought that this would be a leisurely afternoon of chatting with some creators and ... gasp ... buying comic books. Sometimes at the bigger cons, I get so wrapped up with meeting people I never even hit the dealer end of things. And with this con being closer to NY than Mass, I knew I would be looking at new dealers' collections.

I would describe this as a small to medium sized con with one big room for dealers, one hallway and one small room for indy and small press, and one small room where the main guests were sitting. As usual, me and my buddy got there early and thank goodness. The place got so mobbed they had to stop letting people in for a while and the line snaked out the hotel. I wonder if next year's con will be at a different venue.

We were near the front of the line when the doors opened and quickly spied the creator room.

Not everyone had arrived but Paul Kupperberg and Robert Greenberger were there. It was great to meet Kupperberg in person. I told him who I was and that we had done an interview at this site. We talked about Supergirl for a while. When I told how much I loved his characterization of Kara in the series, he told me he always wanted his 'heroes to act heroic'. I got him to sign a bunch of issues, including this gem in my collection - Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1, now signed by Kupperberg, Carmine Infantino, and Rich Buckler.

And I got Greenberger to sign my Superman Encyclopedia, a reference I use all the time for this site. I thanked him for putting that together.

With no other creators there yet, I went to the dealer room and started thumbing. The first table I went to I found gold. For a mere $80 bucks (after some wheeling and dealing) I got a low grade copy of Action Comics #253, the second appearance of Supergirl, and a very tight copy of Doom Patrol #121, the famous death of the Patrol at the hands of General Immortus.

I was basically half an hour into the con and if I had to leave right then I would have been thrilled. Fantastic.

Heading back to the creator room with my buddy, we saw that Peter David had arrived as well as Joe Kelly. I talked a bit to David about how much I loved his Supergirl run, especially the first 50 issues. I also had some Fallen Angel issues to get signed.

While finishing with David, Jerry Ordway arrived. Ordway was doing free quick sketches while you waited so my friend and I got in his line and got out our issues and commission gear. I had mostly Crisis on Infinite Earths books for him to sign, but also brought Secret Origins #1 and Adventures of Superman #444 (second part of the first Matrix story). And, of course, I got the quick commission that opened up this post.

While he was sketching, it was great to talk to Ordway. I asked about working on Crisis over Perez' intricate panels. (Not surprising he said it was hard.) I asked why he didn't ink the 'Death of Supergirl' pages for COIE #7. I always assumed Giordano wanted to ink them. Turns out Perez had already sold the pages to a dealer with the understanding that Giordano was the inker. So Giordano had to ink it to keep the contract valid. In return, Ordway got all the pages of Crisis #8 to do with what he wished (he still has them all). And I talked about inking Wayne Boring on Secret Origins. Ordway was a very nice guy and I had such a great time talking to him.

After some signatures from Joe Kelly and Mike DeCarlo, I hit the dealer room again and found some nice buys but nothing that compared to those top 2 books. I got a nice fun commission from Chris Giarrusso (will post soon). And by 3pm, we felt we had done everything we needed to so we headed north for home.

While I like the zaniness and guests lists of the bigger cons, I also think that these smaller cons are great fun and less stressful. ComiConn was really fantastic, providing an intimate venue to talk with some creators (a sort of tailor made list of creators for me) and grab some good books. I will definitely make the trek again next year.

Review: Legion Of Super-Heroes #12

Legion of Super-Heroes #12 came out last week, the finale of the Dominator Super-clone storyline. I have to say the title has somewhat rallied for me over this arc, bringing back some older characters, highlighting the personalities of the members, and always falling back on the Legion being more like a family than a group of super-powered individuals. Those elements have often overshadowed the main plot of the Dominators trying to clone a sort of Amazo-like army of Legion/Daxam/Dominator soldiers. But overshadow in a good way.

Add to that the stunning internal art of Francis Portela and the throwback slick Steve Lightle covers and it has been more of a win for this book recently.

And this issue had more of the same. We see the resilience of Dream Girl, the leadership and strength of Mon-El, the grit of Star Boy. And they all have their parts to play in a victory. Thanks goodness for all this great characterization because some of the plot points are a little iffy.

Still, overall this book has moved steadily upwards in my mind over the last half year or so and this issue continued that momentum, even if it was a smaller step forward than the prior ones.

The trapped Legionnaires of Brainy and Dream Girl as well as the rescue squad of Duplicate Damsel, Bouncing Boy, Star Boy, and some recruits have been betrayed by Comet Queen. Surprisingly, rather than gather the genomes of these new Legionnaires, the Dominators decide to eat them instead.

Seems a little off for the Dominion. Heck, grabbing Duplicate Damsel alone would make sense. Then, in essence, you only need to make one clone that can copy itself. So I thought that seemed off.

Still, it is great to see Dream Girl continue to be more than a seer and a pretty face. Here she escapes from her shackles and frees the other prisoners. Levitz has really made her tough and a leader under that shiny exterior.

And, as I said last issue, I have loved the way he has treated Duplicate Damsel in the book as well. She has been fierce and unyielding, unwilling to leave anyone behind. In this mission on the Dominion homeworld she has impressed me the most.

This panel, in particular, struck home the point. She is an army of one, willing to fight the whole Dominion military if need be.

While skirmishing with the 'red shirts' of the Dominator infantry, the Legion realizes that things have gotten much worse. The one of the long teased at super-powered clones emerges from his birthing matrix. Funny, it seems only to have Daxamite powers. For some reason I thought other DNA had been collected.

I did think it was a nice touch to have it look like the Daxamite Dominator sympathizer Res-Vir who started this whole thing back in the Panoptes story in LSH #1. Nice continuity there.

But being fresh from the 'womb', the clone isn't fully juiced yet. Brainy quickly realizes that Star Boy can overcome the clone's powers with tremendous mass. Remember Thom isn't really whole himself and is unsure if he can do it until Dreamy inspires him.

Again, a nice touch of characterization. Thom loved Nura enough to go after her. She loves him so much that her love can spur him to new heights.

Of course, this goes against my 'I am dumping you for Brainy' anticipated Dream Girl plot.

As for the other Legionnaires, they are trying to figure out how to convince the UP to let them go into Dominator space to help. Mon-El has a brainstorm and has Sensor Girl use her powers to show the council the battle raging.

Of course, the UP rightly states that part of Sensor Girl's powers are illusions. How can they know this is true. Mon-El tells them that is enough evidence even if they don't believe it and takes off with Ultra Boy.

So, it is a nice use of Sensor Girl who has been a bit missing from the book. And a great move by Mon-El.  I liked that. But if Mon-El was going to go in regardless of what the UP thought about it ... why not just go in before this? I just think the whole UP holding up the rescue has felt off given the Dominators wormholing their starfleet into Panoptes space. What more proof do you need that you are indeed at war?

While the big guns are on their way, the Legion rescue squad continues to mop up the foot soldiers. Realizing that more super-clones could hatch, Bouncing Boy slams into the techno-organic tree they are in, knocking it down.

This is another one of those moments I have to roll with. I like Bouncing Boy. And seeing him pinball of Dominator troops, knocking them down, was great. And giving him a nice moment is also great. But, he doesn't have super-strength or speed. I don't know if I would think he could level this thing. So great characterization and a nice moment ... but maybe overboard?

In what I thought was the weakest moment of the book, the chief Dominator basically pulls the plug on the whole 'super-clone' idea, literally eating the head scientist and deciding to rely on the old ways, the warrior caste.

Seriously, if the Dominion had good handcuffs, this plan would have worked! They were 2 minutes away from having a Daxamite cadre. And because a million things had to fall the Legion way, they aren't going to pursue this? I don't know ... this all seemed too fast.

But the book ends on a nice high note. Mon-El and Jo show up and basically mop the floor with the Dominators, breaking everything up, knocking out the super-clone, and raising hell.

I love the awe on Otako's face as she sees these two in action for the first time. It must be something to behold your heroes up close. It is this sort of feeling that makes the Legion the Legion. It was good to see this low-powered squad basically save the day, letting the powerhouses just do the property damage.

Of course, there is still the sour note of why Comet Queen went rogue. Any ideas out there?

So overall, a winner of an issue for showing the Legion at it's best, rallying around each other, using their unique powers in winning combinations, and striving for justice. And that's really what I want out of this book. These things were enough to gloss over the rough spots of the plot.

We know the Fatal Five are right around the corner too!

Overall grade: B+/B

More Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez

Earlier this month, I posted about Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez' 1982 DC Style Guide. I included some of his Supergirl style sheets and action shots. For those who didn't see them, you can go  here.

Well, I decided to go digging a little more at Garcia-Lopez' pages on the Comic Art Community site and found some stuff worth sharing. Here is the link:
 http://comicartcommunity.com/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=247

Above is theStyle Guide and there is Supergirl on the back cover.

But Garcia-Lopez also did some of the stock art on DC's licensing pictures as well. These look much more recent that the mid-80s given the outfits as well as the DC 'swoosh' logo. Despite the 'mid-riff' costumes that were Supergirl staples in JLU, the latter part of PAD's run, and the whole Loeb renewal, it seems that DC Licensing material always has Supergirl in a Matrix style red skirt/full shirt.

I love this picture above ... heroic, happy, strong.

There are also lots of pics of the Women Trinity - Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl. Despite decades with different Batgirls with different costumes, it seems the DC Licensing Batgirl is Babs in her more classic costume.

It is a quibble but I am not into Wonder Woman or Batgirl sporting the high heel look.

Here's another more action style pose of that Trinity.

And then this pic showcases the Women of the DCU. It is pure 80's with the head band Supergirl, the red unitard Donna Troy, and that Zatanna outfit I like to forget.

Blog friend Dave Mullen also forwarded me this link showing that Garcia-Lopez stuff is still being used in marketing: http://www.comicboards.com/php/show.php?msg=superman-2012081110345989&layout=thread

Here are some mini page markers with the pre-DCnU Superman and Wonder Woman outfits as well as the headband Supergirl. Amazing that this stuff is still being made with the 'old school' looks!

Anyways, solid stuff all around and worth sharing!

Off To ComiConn

By the time this is posted I will be an hour into a long drive down Interstate 95 South on my way to ComiCONN.

I haven't been to this convention before so I will post about it next week. The guest list isn't long but as I have said before it includes several Supergirl creators - Paul Kupperberg, Peter David, and Joe Kelly. It also includes Robert Greenberger (responsible for the Superman Encyclopedia), Jerry Ordway (inker for the bulk of Crisis on Infinite Earths ... and too many other things), and Mike DeCarlo.

As great as it will be to meet those guys, I am also excited to check out this con because it will be all new dealers.

As for commissions, I don't know if I will be lucky enough to get one this time around. We'll see!

Review: Supergirl #12

Supergirl #12 came out this week, wrapping up the first year of this new Kara's story and the last issue before the 'Zero Month' event. We had been told that this issue would also introduce us to Supergirl's Fort of Solitude. So there was a lot to look forward to here. And yet, for me, the biggest draw and the best thing about this issue was the second meeting between Superman and Supergirl.

All along I have said that it doesn't make much sense for Superman  to not be seeking out Supergirl. And, in many ways, I have felt that Supergirl should be seeking out Superman. To make me even more skittish, we have heard from DC's editorial staff that this will always be a tough relationship, that Superman is a loner unwilling to mentor.

I have been amazed how off some of those promotional or editorial comments have been when compared to the actual feel of the book and this is no different. The Superman/Supergirl scene in this book is the strongest part of the issue. It read right. It felt right. And while it ends with the two separating again, there is a feeling this is temporary. So kudos to writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson. It would be easy to play this at either extreme ... loving family living together or angry battling cousins. But this 'down the middle' approach is more difficult but also truer to real life.

Yes, there is an undersea fight, a new power revealed, the Fort, and the return of a rogue. But I will concentrate on that opening scene.

The art on the book is solid although it is important to note that while Mahmud Asrar penciled the issue, he only inked some pages with Cam Smith and Marc Deering chipping in. So some pages seem to lack the depth I have become used to on the book, the three-dimensional feel and lush environment I get from the totally Asrar pages. Amazing what Copic markers add to things!

 The issue opens up with the cousins in Superman's arctic Fortress of Solitude. So I guess Supergirl approaching Superman and flying to the North Pole will be an untold tale. It's too bad because I would love to see that ... maybe a back-up story for a future Annual?

Still, this opening panel, shot from the angle of the bottle city of Kandor, the 2 cousins standing next to each other, not poised for battle, contemplating the loss of their world ... well let's just say that was a great way to open this book for me. But that sense of loss is so different. For Superman this is a look at an unknown world. For Kara, this is a look at a place she visited. Those are very different levels of grief.

One of the things that I like is that Superman, throughout this encounter, keeps returning to two points. One, he wants to help. Two, he cannot understand what Kara is going through. He had a different trip to Earth. She remembers everything and awoke her. He is understanding ... but not overwhelming, condescending, or authoritative. Basically, this was pitch perfect.

As for Supergirl, she also seems to have the right approach to this second meeting. She apologizes for that initial attack admitting she was scared to find herself in this crazy place.

No chip on her shoulder, no overwhelming angst, no nasty edge.

These are two people ... long lost relatives ... trying to form a relationship.

In fact, you get the sense that Kara is a strong and self-sufficient young woman. It is subtle but look at how she blushes when she asks Kal for help. She clearly isn't used to doing this. And yet, she swallows some of that pride and still asks. It shows an underlying maturity here.

But she also rejects Superman's offer to live in the Fortress. She still has that drive, that need to find out what happened to her family, to answer all the questions. She isn't going to be told what to do.

This panel is fantastic ... nuanced but powerful.

At least one question about her origins is answered here. Looking back at Brainiac/Collector's scans, Superman is able to discover that Supergirl's pod was in orbit around the sun for at least the last 5 years. That's why she emerged so powerful. She was guzzling up undiluted yellow sun energy.

So that one piece of information is interesting and explains her powers. But it is only one piece. She could have been in orbit and in stasis for decades if she was shot from Krypton when Kal was. But she could have been in stasis on Argo and shot only 5 years ago. I still have lots of questions.

When the pod entered Earth's atmosphere, a large chunk fell to the bottom of the ocean. So I guess my new question is was this a planned entry into Earth's atmosphere? Some pre-planned crash onto Earth after getting juiced? It has to be ... right?

 As I said above, I couldn't imagine Kal not seeking out Kara before this. For one, she's family. But just as importantly, she hasn't exactly been quiet during her time on Earth, brawling in New York, driving away the World Killers, and corona-waving Greenwich Village while fighting the Banshee. He had to see this destruction.

Thankfully, Green and Johnson recognize that Superman would notice. But listen to Superman's words. He listened to Supergirl's initial demands, he left her alone. But he can't have her endangering lives. But he always, always comes back to the point that he just wants to help. He'll help her find the piece of her pod; he'll help her get used to Earth and her powers. He wants to help!

Of course, Kara has been attacked and imprisoned at every turn. Despite saying he wants to help, she feels he is trying to control/corral her. And she isn't happy, threatening to fight. She's young and been through a lot ... I suppose this makes sense.

 I love ... love ... Superman's response. He isn't going to fight his family. He isn't going to force her to stay. He tells her to leave and prove to him that her days of destruction are behind her. There is some implication that if they aren't behind her, this time he will find her.

But more importantly, it seems like he is sad that she doesn't want to stay. By inking him with his face in shadows, you get that sense he is unhappy by this ... not angry unhappy. Sad.

Maybe I am transferring my take on this here. Maybe I am over-reading this. But I think he wants to get to know Kara. He wants her to be in his life. But he won't force her to be in it.

 As much as I love that interaction, I love Supergirl's response just as much. As she flies away, trying to find the pod-piece on her own, she is completely conflicted.

Should she go back or not? Is Kal right or not? She knows that Superman has a point, that he can help, and maybe she wants him in her life too (or am I over-reading this too).

This internal conversation again adds depth to Kara's character. She isn't completely isolated and angsty.

 Okay, that was a lot of analysis on the Superman/Supergirl conversation. But I think it warranted it. No fists were thrown. They had a conversation. They asked and offered help. They respected each other. Solid stuff.

Over the ocean, Supergirl hears a computer voice calling her, much like Superman's ship talking to him in Action.

Diving into the ocean and cruising to the sea floor, Kara discovers she doesn't need to breathe. She also discovers a new power ... being able to create a force field out of her stored energy.

Okay ... enough new powers!

 And after fighting some mutated fish, she discovers her Fort calling to her.

Was this also pre-planned by whoever shot her here? Was a self-growing home part of what came with her? Was this some way of filling her in on what happened.

Nice design here!

Inside the computer voice fades away to be replaced by the evil tones of Simon Tycho.

Of course, this makes perfect sense. We learned in Supergirl #1 that Tycho's technology surveyed all items from space that land on Earth and that he had 'first dibs'. So he would know all about this place.

There is so much to see even on these few panels - red knowledge crystals and input devices. All the answers are probably here! And just in time for Supergirl #0.

So great cliffhanger here, probably one not dealt with for a couple of months. The art was still very good. I know Sam Basri is drawing Supergirl #13. I wonder if that was to give Mahmud Asrar time to do all the art on the upcoming issues.

But for me, the best thing about this issue was that opening scene. You can see Superman and Supergirl struggling to form a familial relationship when they are basically strangers. But there wasn't animosity. There weren't impenetrable walls. I get the sense that eventually these two will become friends. And that's really all I want.

Overall grade: B+

November 2012 Solicits

The DC November solicits have been released and there are a couple of surprises out there. Here is the link to Newsarama's coverage: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-comics-november-2012-solicitations.html

I still think the DC website is very difficult to navigate, especially upcoming issues.

First off, November is the 'H'El on Earth' month in the super-books. I have talked about that arc elsewhere. Here are the official solicits.

SUPERGIRL #14
Written by MIKE JOHNSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale NOVEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
• A “H’ELL ON EARTH” crossover chapter!
• Picking up from SUPERBOY #14, Supergirl meets the villainous H’el!
• What happens when she finds herself agreeing with his pro-Krypton/anti-Earth plans?
• Continued this month in SUPERMAN #14! 

I'll wait to see just how much I see Kara embracing H'El's plans. More likely, he simply promises her that he will recreate her home and she is tempted.

ACTION COMICS #14
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Backup story written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by RAGS MORALES and MARK PROPST
Backup story art by CHRIS SPROUSE and KARL STORY
Cover by RAGS MORALES
Variant cover by STEVE SKROCE

• Brainiac first warned of the Multitude, and now Superman comes face to face with them — on Mars!
• Plus: In the backup story, what appointment is so important that Superman would drop everything to attend it?


We are nearing the end of Morrison's run on Action which means he has three issues to wrap up the Multitude story. They look like angels??


Will three issues be enough for Morrison to capably tell this story?

SUPERMAN #14
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:25 B&W Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

• Following events in this month’s SUPERGIRL #14 and SUPERBOY #14!
• It’s their worst nightmare: A creature of unknown Kryptonian origin, more powerful than Superman, smarter than Supergirl and more lethal than Superboy.
• His actions will change the course of a planet’s fate! 

I still am on the fence about what H'El is ... World Killer? Bizarro? Bizarro-like? Failed NOWHERE clone? 

Maybe I need to post a poll?

SUPERBOY #14
Written by TOM DeFALCO
Art and cover by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

• A “H’EL ON EARTH” crossover chapter!
• Guest-starring Supergirl and The Teen Titans!
• Fresh from the events of SUPERMAN #13, Superman’s deadliest new foe comes after Superboy!

 I think the best fit would be a Match-like failed clone. It would give Superboy, who is still finding himself, a living foil, someone he can contrast himself too.

WORLDS’ FINEST #6
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE, GEORGE PEREZ and SCOTT KOBLISH
Cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
1:25 B&W Variant cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE

• What happens when Huntress, the former Robin of Earth 2, meets Damian? The same thing that happens when anyone meets Damian: a massive fight!
• Huntress has managed to keep her true identity on this Earth a secret so far, but with Damian on her trail, can the world’s greatest detective be far behind?

I didn't think that Helena would be able to continually skim 3 million off the top of Wayne Enterprises unnoticed. I am extremely interested to see just what will happen when the identities and origins of Karen and Helena become known to the heroes of Earth One. That needs to be an arc in and of itself.

As for this issue, I love that it is Damien that confronts Helena. This is Bruce's children fighting. How fantastic to see the differences in upbringing and environment.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #7
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by CHRISCROSS and MARC DEERING
Cover by MICO SUAYAN

• The first time in print for these digital first adventures!
• It’s a four-way, knock-down, drag out rumble as Intergang guns-for-hire
PRANKSTER and MISTER FREEZE join the fray.
• Can BATMAN and SUPERMAN survive these villains and protect the life of – Joe Chill?!

This issue looks more like a Batman book than Superman. Still, Smallville hasn't disappointed (except for the elimination of Steph). It should be fun to see the Smallville-verse's Batman.

SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES #7
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR

• Who is the Terrible TOYMAN? What does he want, anyway? Where does he get all those cool toys?
• Can’t a Super Family have a Tooth Fairy Party in peace?
• Better save your receipts, because these toys are about to malfunction!

Supergirl attacked by My Little Ponies? Superboy attacked by action figures? Aw yeah fantastic!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #14
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by PASCAL ALIXE
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

• Just as the team gets back to Earth, they are interrupted by SUPERMAN.
• There’s a Black Market alien technology being fenced and the Man of Steel has traced a connection to the Red Hood!
• An old friend of Jason is coming for him leading up to next month’s “DEATH OF THE FAMILY” tie-in issue!

Well, I bought Red Hood and the Outlaws  #1 and quickly realized it wasn't for me. But I feel I need to see Superman in the DCnU, interacting with other heroes. I haven't liked how Superman has been portrayed in Justice League. Maybe he will be more inspiring here?

DC COMICS SUPER HEROES: SUPERGIRL BUST
Sculpted by Jim Maddox
Rocketing straight from Krypton is this beautiful new bust featuring the Girl of Steel—Supergirl! Complete with a new costume and origin, Kara Zor-El is flying higher than ever! So use some super-speed of your own and order one before it’s too late!
Measuring approximately 6” high x 4” wide x 6.75” deep, his hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue is packaged in a 4-color box.


This was previewed at the San Diego ComiCon and is now available. Looks like a nice addition to my collection so I'll be there. Saving my pennies as we speak!


All that said, I hope that the Superman, Supergirl, and Superboy come out of H'El on Earth as something of a family.

Review: Legion Lost #12

Legion Lost #12 came out last week and this review has been percolating on the back burner. Sorry for the delay. Written by Tom DeFalco with art by Pete Woods, I feel like this issue closed the book on the first premise of the title while building on its new direction. In some ways I am glad that DeFalco wrapped up the plot begun by Fabien Nicieza. In other ways, there is a bit of hand waving as to how it all happens.

Still, while the action is heavy in this issue, the purpose is to lay the cards out on the table. What are each of these Legionnaires hiding from each other. What agendas are there just below the surface. How can they function as a team, how can they be the Legion, when there are so many secrets? Are they that lost ... not only in time but from each other. Even the Legionnaires that I thought might not be hiding anything are shown to have their own issues.

So while heavy on exposition, DeFalco keeps the ball moving along by infusing a decent chaotic and ever-shifting battle into the mix. And there are a few very nice moments mixed in which reminded me that this is a Legion book. With next month being Zero Month, this title is now teed up for a great 'jump on point' publicity campaign.

Last issue ended with the revelation that Alastor, the Hypertaxis virus index case, had somehow mutated to becoming some sort of Deadman-like wraith, capable of possessing a person but without a body of his own. Now I don't think I can explain just how this happened with what little I know of the description of the Hypertaxis virus. So I guess I just need to roll with it.

The problem is normal humans get consumed when possessed so he needs someone super to house his consciousness. With that premise he begins to jump from body to body trying to find someone strong enough to contain him. He jumps from Dawnstar to Tellus in hopes of getting the Legion all together to find the right host.

Interesting that Dawnstar has her own secret. I thought she might be spared but she feels that Alastor was tricked into being the Hypertaxis carrier. I suppose that is better than her only storyline being in love with Timber Wolf.

We learn Tellus has been keeping secrets which might make the Legion want to kill him! Hmmm ... any guesses?

And then the possessed Tellus flies to the super-powered military unit which captured Tyroc and Chameleon Girl (who have since freed themselves). Realizing Tellus isn't going to be strong enough he leaves the Legionnaire and jumps into Metamerican.

So a couple of things here. One, I don't really like the Yoda-speak DeFalco has Tellus speak in. Second, Pete Woods can really draw monsters. He must love having Yera on the team.

That said, I love his version of Dawnstar the most.

I like this scene where she saves the now freed Metamerican. She seems stunned that he would question her saving him. That is a Legion sentiment. Even if he was gunning for the team minutes ago, the Legion isn't going to let anyone die. Nice nice panel.

Inside Yera, Alastor reveals more secrets. Maybe Dawnstar is on the money because Yera has information that Alastor was indeed a pawn.

I do think this body-hopping was a clever way of revealing all the Legion secrets as well as showing how resourceful the team has to be with an ever changing threat with different powers.

Tyroc is next on the confession parade. We have known about his 'prophecy' seen on a gravestone. We don't know much more.

I still think that gravestone must have his name on it and have some information about his death or something he did in this time.

Gates and Timber Wolf end up showing up as well.

I thought Gates' political beliefs alone would be enough grist for his character. But it turns out that he also has been holding onto a secret. He has seen his (and the team's) death.

Interesting. I wonder if that ties somehow into Tyroc's prophecy and Tellus' secret.

And finally, Timber Wolf is possessed. We know he thinks the Legion has been mind-wiped and dumped into the past as part of a Witness Protection system. But now Dawnstar's feelings for him are put out in the open.

It turns out that Alastor was stalling to try to get Wildfire to show up. Only Wildfire is strong enough to withstand a possession and Dawnstar being in danger is an easy way to get Wildfire to acquiesce to Alastor's demands.

But without an organic host, Alastor has nothing to possess. He cannot stay in Wildfire's suit without a true body to possess. And Wildfire does the right thing, heading into space where there is nothing to jump to.

In a nice showing of Wildfire's intergrity, the Legionnaire rejects Alastor's pleas to save him in exchange for fixing his suit. It might end up killing Wildfire but he won't help a villain. With no where to stay, Alastor leaves Wildfire's body.

Now anyone who has read comics knows that a disembodied spirit like Alastor will most certainly survive somehow to eventually leap into something. Maybe years down the road ... but it will happen. And I am glad because otherwise this felt close to an execution, certainly against the Legion code and not at all in line with Dawnstar's sentiment with the Metamerican just pages before.

Still, it essentially ends the Alastor storyline.

But this was my favorite moment of the book. Despite having driven Alastor off the planet, despite being the heroes, Major Nicholson demands the Legionnaires get arrested.

Despite it being treasonous, Metamerican refuses. He has seen the future while possessed, he knows what the Legion represents - a team of different races and species working for the good of the universe. It gives him hope.

In this dark DCnU, a little light just shone.

So one Gates group teleport escape later we can cue up the dramatic team shot on a gargoyle looking over a city at sunset. It might seem trite but I am a sucker for it. Sure everyone seems to be hiding something but they are still a team; they are still Legion. If there was ever a last page for a trade collection it was this one.

So one year in the initial premise of Legion Lost is behind us and this new deception-based arc about trust starts. While I am glad Hypertaxis is behind us, I hope we get just a little more closure - maybe showing the virus' effects are temporary with Gates returning to normal and TW not shooting claws anymore?

Will all the secrets be laid out completely coming up? Or will things remain muddy? Will this premise have any more long term staying power than the Hypertaxis one? I don't know. How long can there be a team book built on team distrust?

Still, this book remains an interesting read and certainly a fresh look at the usually optimistic and bright Legion world.  Plus we get the standard slick work by Pete Woods!

Overall grade: B