Tuesday, December 29, 2020

LSH v4 #41 annotations: the Return of the Planetary Chance Machine!

Annotations for Legion of Super-Heroes v4 #41


Notes:
  • Cover: The layout of “3 panels on each side and a full figure in the middle” is an homage to Adventure #300 (1962), which itself was an homage to Superman Annual #2 ;(1960), and which was later homaged in such Legion books as LSH v2 #301, ;LSH v4 #24, Legionnaires #59, and Adventure Comics 504-513 variants, and by other companies and characters including Cerebus, Bart Simpson, Dick Tracy, The Trouble With Girls, Flaming Carrot, and Dark Horse Presents. See this Comicvine gallery for 49 different examples. For example:
    • We last saw this layout on the cover of issue 24, the Quiet Darkness part 4. But it’s even MORE of an homage, because most of the characters on this cover are the same ones (or nearly so) as the ones we saw on Adventure 300 (Sun Boy, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy on the left, Superboy in the middle, and Lightning Lad, Triplicate Girl, and Mon-El; here we have Catspaw instead of Saturn Girl, Andromeda instead of Superboy, and Ultra Boy instead of Mon-El).
    • Can I just say how much I love Chris Sprouse’s art, especially on the younger Legionnaires? The last artist who gave me that vibe was Terry Shoemaker on “Tales of the LSH”.
    • This is not the first appearance of the new costumes for the founders – that was over a year ago in the Feb 1992 issue of Who’s Who in the DC Universe #16. You’ll recall that Tom Bierbaum has spoken about how the Legionnaires book came about, first it was going to be a retelling from the 5YL perspective, then it became a new team book with the SW6 group. This entry for “Legion of Super-Heroes: The Beginning” was published in Who’s Who when it was going to be a flashback book. The text recaps the team’s traditional origin story while folding in the 5YL Glorith/Durlan/Brande/Valor retcons.

       

  • Page 5: Lyle was originally killed in SBOY #203 in June 2981 (per the Sourcebook compressed timeline), so it’s been 14 years since his parents last saw him, but for Lyle, it’s been 17 years since he was cloned in 2978.
  • Page 6: Sade is written out of the storyline - oh, hey, she left off-panel - just like Grinn was earlier. 
  • Page 7: Crystal Kid is a former Legion applicant (linked with Lamprey and Nightwind) who was rescued from the Weisinger Chambers along with Catspaw, Dragonmage, and Computo. He joined (offscreen) in May 2991 shortly after Ultra Boy left in the wake of Phantom Girl’s apparent death, and resigned in August 2991 in the wake of Black Dawn. Invisible Kid II didn’t resign until June 2992, shortly before the Legion disbanded, so he did have some overlap with Crystal Kid.
  • Page 9: I guess we’ve only seen Triplicate Girl with two bodies since she came back
  • Page 12: The carcass of Fortress Lad has seen better days
  • Page 15: the Planetary Chance Machine was  used to pick who would go on or lead a mission (not pick the Legion leader). It first appeared in ADV 319 and then made a second appearance in the Legion of Substitute Heroes Special.
    • It also made an appearance in the podcast a few years ago, in LOSP episode 299.5 (July 2014): “With Monkey Boy trapped in deep space, the remaining Subs must do everything they can to stave off the impending doom (Dooooooooooommmmmm) of Episode 300. In desperation, they turn to the Planetary Chance Machine to help them decide what story to cover. What will it be? Not even the Subs know!”



Here's what we know of the timeline to date. I'm color coding them based on whether the date appeared in the 2995 Sourcebook (yellow; text in yellow is as written in the Sourcebook), it's a confirmed date that was given in the comic (green), or an estimated date based on keeping track of events and days (cyan). Bold text is something new added this issue. Italics are unknown dates.
  • 6/11/1992 - Aria tries to take the dying Brin Londo back in time to prevent his father from administering the first Zuunium injection, but accidentally dumps them both in the 20th century (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 1).
  • 2/12/75 –  The inhabitants of the planet Trom are exterminated by the pirate Kivun Roxxas. The sole survivor is 12 year-old Jan Arrah (LSH v4 #31).
  • 3/26/2978 Dark Circle obtained updated cell samples from when Dr. Zan Orbal restored bodies and powers to Matter-Eater Lad, Lightning Lad, and Bouncing Boy on Tartarus, to complete their collection (LSH v4 #22).
  • 10/78 Doppelganger substitution during Dark Circle invasion (LSH v4 #22).
  • 2/17/89 – Mekt admitted to Labyrinth Penal Institute (LSH v4 #10).
  • 6/23/89 – Magic Wars end (LSH v3 #63)
  • 9/89 – Polymer shield around Earth removed, Earthgov debt soars (LSH v4 #30)
  • 10/89 – the Great Collapse
  • 11/2/89 – Tayla Wellington elected President (LSH v4 #30)
  • 1/19/90 – Mutual assistance pact signed with the Dominion; Earthgov officially secedes from the United Planets (LSH v4 #30)
  • 4/13/90 – Communique from Earthgov President Wellington, trying to legally disband the Legion, with Imra, Rokk, and Cham “currently out of the picture” (LSH v4 #1).
  • 4/90 – Validus Plague ravages Winath; former Legionnaire Brainiac 5 helps (LSH v4 #3).
  • 6/7/90 – Legion Academy closes (LSH v4 #16).
  • 7/6/90 – Former Legion Academy heads Chuck and Luornu Durgo Taine open the United Planets Militia Academy (LSH v4 #16).
  • TBD 2990 – Earthgov secedes from the United Planets, and the Science Police Earth splits from the Science Police Proper (LSH v4 #2). Since then, “resistance forces have opposed Earthgov since the introduction of repressive measures… but with little success to date.” (LSH v4 #13)
  • 4/12/91 – Tinya goes missing; she was secretly sent back in time by Glorith (LSH v4 #2).
  • 5/8/91 – Search for Tinya called off; Jo resigns; Sun Boy is leader (LSH v4 #2).
  • 5/27/91 – Mekt released from Labyrinth, rehabilitated (LSH v4 #10).
  • 6/9/91 – Planned date of wedding of Tinya and Jo (LSH v4 #2).
  • 7/91 – Reported threats regarding Earthgov failure to pay debts (LSH v4 #30).
  • 8/12/91 – Black Dawn; Timber Wolf is seriously injured, Wildfire is lost; Starfinger II (Char Burrane) and the Khunds are somehow involved (LSH v4 #12, #28).
  • 8/14/91 – It is now postulated that full Domination of Earthgov began at this time (LSH v4 #30).
  • 8/15/91 – Blok, Dawnstar, and Dream Girl resign (LSH v4 #28).
  • 8/17/91 – Crystal Kid resigns (LSH v4 #28).
  • 8/23/91 – Element Lad resigns (LSH v4 #28).
  • 9/1/91 – Impulse resigns (LSH v4 #28).
  • 9/4/91 – Echo and Tellus resign (LSH v4 #28).
  • 9/14/91 – Sun Boy resigns and appoints Polar Boy as unofficial temporary leader (LSH v4 #28).
  • 10/8/91 – Imsk sets off the Damper weapon on Venado Bay on Braal-13 during the Imsk/Braal War. Rokk lost his powers, Loomis lost an arm. Salu was head of security on the damper project and knew what it would do, but fought against it (not hard enough, in her admission). Imsk won, as the army is occupying Braal (LSH v4 #1). She says that Braal attacked Imsk, and they were just defending themselves (LSH v4 #10).
  • TBD 2991 – Garth and Imra, having left the Legion, start the Lightning Ring Plantation (LSH v4 #3).
  • 1/21/92 – Rebirth Summit (LSH v4 #1).
  • 7/6/92 – LSH leader Polar Boy disbands the Legion, mentions Black Dawn which “cost” the Legion (LSH v4 #1); Mordru coronated as the Supreme Teacher of Sorceror’s World (LSH v4 #6).
  • TBD 1992 – Down and out, Dirk is rescued by Shvaughn Erin, who warns him not to trust Earthgov, but he doesn’t trust her. Dirk is later recruited by Circe (LSH v4 #28)
  • 8/22/92 – Brek Bannin arrested for insurrection (LSH v4 #11).
  • 9/9/92 – Dirk joins Earthgov as a spokesman and liaison (LSH v4 #28)
  • 4/11/93 – Announcement of upcoming wedding of Grev Mallor (of the City People) to Kahnya Nahtahnie (Lady Memory of the Hill People) on Talok VIII.
  • 8/14/93 – wedding of Grev Mallor and Kahnya Nahtahnie.
  • 1/17/94 – Marzal reappears over Africa and the corrupt Earthgov destroys it, but not before Tyroc escapes (LSH v4 #16).
  • 10/22/94 – Raid on anti-government terrorists, but ringleader Vidar (aka Universo) is not captured; Cham tells Marla he’s leaving (LSH v4 #1).
  • 10/23/94 – Cham begins to recruit members for the new Legion, first approaching Rokk; Vi leaves the Imsk army for Winath; Dominator agents help Roxxas escape from Labyrinth (LSH v4 #1).
  • 10/25/94 – Attack on Jo and Kono on Rimbor; Loomis and Lydda en route to Kathoon (LSH v4 #2).
  • Fri 11/21/94 – Blok is killed by Roxxas the Butcher (LSH v4 #3).
  • Thu 11/27/94 – Mordru crushes Rond Vidar’s ring; Rokk and Cham finally meet up with Jo and decide to go to Tharn to rescue Mysa; Dominators and Shvaughn Erin watch the tape of Roxxas and Blok, whose body is delivered to Winath; Mon-El resurrected (LSH v4 #3).
  • Fri 11/28/94 – Mon-El goes to Talok VIII, then Shadow Lass and Mon-El visit Brainiac 5, then Mon-El destroys the Time Trapper (LSH v4 #4).
  • Sat 11/29/94 – Mordruverse (LSH v4 #5).
  • Sat 11/29/94 – Cham, Rokk, Jo, Kono, and Furball arrive on Tharn and are captured by Mordru; after being hired by Earthgov to find Blok’s killer, Celeste, Devlin, and Bounty leave for Trom (LSH v4 #6).
  • Sun 11/30/94 – Celeste, Devlin, and Bounty meet Jan on Trom (LSH v4 #6); with the help of Laurel Gand, Rokk’s crew rescues Mysa and Rond from Mordru but are teleported to Grocz; Celeste, Devlin, Bounty, and Jan leave Trom for Winath (LSH v4 #7); Earthgov links to Roxxas reported, riots ensue (LSH 4 #30).
  • Mon 12/1/94 – Rokk, Cham, Jo, Kono, Furball, Rond, Laurel, and Mysa travel from Grocz to Zirr (LSH v4 #8).
  • Tues 12/2/94 – Rokk, Laurel, and Rond take some R&R time on Zirr with baby Lauren, while the others go to Winath; Marla reminisces (LSH v4 #8); on Cygnus IV, Roxxas watches a holo of Laurel Gand; Celeste, Devlin, Bounty, and Jan arrive on Winath (LSH v4 #9).
  • Wed 12/3/94 – Rokk and Rond arrive in the morning, having left Laurel behind on Zirr; everyone (Rokk, Rond; Cham, Jo, Kono, Furball, Mysa; Celeste, Devlin, Bounty, Jan; Brainy, Garth, Ayla, Vi, Imra) is on Winath when Roxxas attacks; Bounty, Mekt, Cham, and Celeste are seriously injured, while Jo disappears and is presumed dead; Earthgov linked to Roxxas; Tenzil arrives on Earth (LSH v4 #10).
  • Thu 12/4/94 – On Winath, Roxxas is on the loose, and kills a doctor and nurse in the Bloomfield Free Clinic. On Earth, Tenzil participates in the Batcave dig, meets with Shvaughn and Brek (who is released for the first time since incarceration 2 years prior), has dinner with Prosecutor Jakobi, then falls asleep. (LSH v4 #11).
  • Fri 12/5/94 – Tenzil and Brek in court; Holo Scene news article on the trial (LSH v4 #11); Celeste is healed by a green glow; the former Legionnaires team up to capture Roxxas, who reveals Dominion control of Earthgov (LSH v4 #12).
  • Wed 12/10/94 – All-points bulletin on Persuader, who meets Kent Shakespeare in on Quarantine trying to attack Char Burrane Jr. (LSH v4 #12). Persuader is defeated by Kent and SP Captain Gim Allon, who then takes Kent to Toonar (LSH v4 #13).
  • Thu 12/11/94 – Kent leaves Toonar for Winath; Laurel fights Khunds in deep space; Tenzil and Brek on Gnogg. (LSH v4 #13).
  • Sun 12/14/94 – The Legion is formally reinstated.
  • Mon 12/16/94 – Tenzil, Brek, and Calorie Queen are taken to Tartarus by Prince Evillo; Tenzil banished to the Realm of Darkness (LSH v4 #14).
  • Thu 12/25/94 – Garth, Cham, and Rokk remotely survey Talus (LSH v4 #14).
  • Fri 12/26/94 – Tenzil and Sugyn return from the Realm of Darkness, only to hear that Tenzil has been declared dead and his Senate seat vacated (LSH v4 #14).
  • Sat 12/27/94 – Loomis writes his report on Talus’ suitability for being the new HQ; Tenzil leaves Brek behind on Tartarus and heads for Winath (LSH v4 #14).
  • Sun 12/28/94 – The reformed Legion establishes headquarters on the asteroid world of Talus.
  • Sat 1/3/95 – Tenzil Kem rejoins the Legion.
  • Sun 1/11/95 – Orando falls to the Khunds (LSH v4 #15).
  • Mon 1/12/95 – The Legion agrees to team with the United Planets Militia to beat back a Khundish invasion that threatens the heart of the United Planets (LSH v4 #15).
  • Exact date unknown – Cham meets with a Khundish double agent; Venegar falls to the Khunds, who then make a deal with the Hill People of Talok VIII; the UP Militia tries to decide if Xolnar or Talok VIII will be attacked next; Valor and Shadow Lass appear on Talok VIII; Khunds attack Xolnar; Circe wants Dirk to give a pro-Dominator speech (LSH v4 #15).
  • Exact date unknown  Last stand on Xolnar; introduction of the Resistance on Earth (LSH v4 #16).
  • Fri 3/13/95 – SP Officer Roon Dvron’s police report on Sussa Paka (LSH v4 #22, 23, 27).
  • Sat 3/14/95 - Sussa Paka escape SP custody, steals Starfinger's helmet for Molock Hanscom on the way out (LSH v4 #27).
  • Sun 3/22/95 – Khund decoy fleet arrives at Talok VIII, while the main fleet attacks Xolnar, leading to the death of Jed “Power Boy” Rikane; after destroying the Talok fleet, the Legion and the UP Militia arrive at Xolnar to finish the Khundish fleet; Glorith sent to the end of time; the Khunds are driven back to pre-2995 borders, and the Legion concludes its participation in the war against Khundish encroachment (LSH v4 #17).
  • Wed 3/25/95 – Don and Dawn Allen are arrested by Earthgov (LSH v4 #17).
  • Thurs 3/26/95 – Don and Dawn Allen are put on trial (LSH v4 #17); Sussa Paka steals Earthgov Artifact J-1-WRTZ for Molock Hanscom (LSH v4 #27).
  • Fri 3/27/95 – Tensions increase on Earth with the execution of Legion friends Don and Dawn Allen. (Note that 3/27/95 is a Friday, while the comic says it happened on a Monday) (LSH v4 #17); additional riots, and martial law is instituted (LSH v4 #30).
  • Sat 3/28/95 – Daily Planet article on the Allen executions (LSH v4 #17).
  • Exact date unknown – Valor and Shadow Lass help counter a Dark Circle attempt on Queen Projectra’s life on Orando, then remove the Dark Circle cultists from Carggg; Universo and Jacques meet; holo studio bombing allegedly by one of the Resistance groups (LSH v4 #18).
  • Thu 4/9/95 – Valor and Shadow Lass leave Carggg on their way to some R&R in deep space (LSH v4 #22).
  • Sat 4/11/95 – Luna is destroyed, ravaging Earth (LSH v4 #19) and causing powerspheres to detonate across the globe, with a death toll in the billions and widespread environmental devastation (LSH v4 #30). The mysterious “SW6" Legionnaires awaken in an underground Dominion chamber on Earth. (LSH v4 #20, 25Earthgov authorizes executions. (LSH v4 #25).
  • Sun 4/12/95 – Jo Nah returns from an extended journey through time (LSH v4 #19) and is added to the reformed adult Legion team; the SW6 Legion encounters Devlin O’Ryan (LSH v4 #20); all outside aid to Earth is rejected (LSH v4 #30).
  • Mon 4/13/95 – Dacey and Doritt Ranzz are born to ex-Legionnaires Garth and Imra Ardeen Ranzz. Rokk recalls the events of Venado Bay as the Dominators start executing Science Police Earth officers who are revolting against the Dominators. Mysa Nal is contacted by the spirit of Amethyst (LSH v4 #20). After being exposed to the null radiation from the detonation of Metropolis' powersphere on the 11th, Devlin is getting worse. (LSH v4 #25).
  • Wed 4/15/95 – Furball meets Aria on Zuun, unaware that she’s being hunted by Darkseid; Atmos revealed to have been killed by Project Champion; the Dominators begin harsher punishment of insurrectionists on Earth (LSH v4 #21).
  • Fri 4/17/95 – Jo, Celeste, and Kent on the way to Zuun to get Brainy and Furball; on Talus, Kono reads Nura’s unanswered messages to Mysa; on Altair, Valor finds troubling news from a Dark Circle computer (LSH v4 #22).
  • Sat 4/18/95 – Disease and rebellion reported widespread on Earth; Dominators performing mass executions (LSH v4 #30).
  • Exact date unknown: members of the Dark Circle recount the history of Valor (LSH v4 Annual 2).
  • Mon 4/20/95 – Devlin is healing and appears to have powers just like Reflecto of Rimbor (LSH v4 #29).
  • Tues 4/21/95 – Jo, Celeste, and Kent arrive at Zuun (LSH v4 #22).They are briefly detained but they escape to the surface and meet up with Brainy and Furball, but Lobo captures and leaves with Aria; during the escape, Celeste generates a burst of intense green energy. On Earth, Resistance leader Jacques has Laurel and Bounty meet up with Circe, who has turned against the Dominators and Earthgov. Valor leaves Shady to go to Earth to check into what he found (LSH v4 #23).
  • Wed 4/22/95 – Lobo brings Aria to Darkseid, followed by Jo, Kent, Celeste, Brainy, and Furball. Lobo is revealed to be merely a probe and Darkseid vanishes him, and then turns Furball back into Brin. The Gemini Matrix activates and Aria turns into an adult Gemini and blasts Darkseid, per his secret wish, who then disappears. Back on Earth, BION discovers the adult Laurel Gand while looking for the SW6 version, and the SW6 Legionnaires reveal themselves to Devlin (LSH v4 #24). The SW6 Legionnaires and Devlin escape the tunnels and link up with Universo and the Earth Resistance (LSH v4 #25), and then quickly go to the Resistance HQ in New Mexico. The Subs and Universo’s Resistance team capture the Weisigner Chambers from the Dominators, while BION follows Laurel to Talus (LSH v4 #26).
  • Thu 4/23/95 – Garth and Imra decide to hold the christening of their new twins next week, on Saturday May 2 (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 2).
  • Sat 4/25/95 - Legionnaires in Africa with the Resistance and the SW6 Batch become aware of each other; the Subs and Grin’s resistance team discover others in the Weisinger Chambers; Rokk, Kono, and Loomis manage to subdue BION on Talus (LSH v4 #27). Dirk Morgna’s pod is discovered (LSH v4 #28).
  • Sun 4/26/95 – On Talus, Brainiac 5 studies BION, and Valor suggests that the adult Legionnaires may be clones. Monica Sade is released from the Weisinger chambers, and then Dominator troops temporarily gain control of the Chambers. Circe and Bounty plan to take out Pinnacle Command, while the Dominators prepare mind-wiped agents to attack the Subs (LSH v4 #29).
  • Thu 4/30/95 – Tensions on Earth reach the breaking point when President Tayla Wellington is assassinated by the Dominion during a live broadcast (LSH v4 #29, 30). Aria tries to take the dying Brin Londo back in time to prevent his father from administering the first Zuunium injection, but accidentally dumps them both in the 20th century (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 1). Legionnaires begin to arrive on Winath for a reunion to attend the christening of Dacey and Doritt Ranzz (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 2).
  • Fri 5/1/95 – On Earth, the Subs battle mind-wiped Dominator agents; the Dominators and UP fleets meet up in orbit around Earth (LSH v4 #30). More Legionnaires arrive on Winath for the christening; the Naltor Dreamers defeat the Winath Jaybirds 6-1, clinching their first pennant since 2980 (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 2).
  • Sat 5/2/95 – Dacey and Doritt's christening; Pol Jath Krinn is born to Rokk Krinn and his wife Lydda; Ayla Ranzz learns that Garth is really Proty I, inhabiting her brother's re-animated body (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 2).On Earth, Jan helps Shvaughn Erin and sees his SW6 self, while in space the adult Valor meets his SW6 counterpart (LSH v4 #31).
  • Wed 5/6/95 – Cham begins a search for R.J. Brande; on Earth, Circe and Bounty capture Spider Girl; the Subs escape from the Weisinger chambers with the help of the SW6 Legion, but Grinn sets off a self-destruct mechanism that destroys all the chambers; SW6 Chameleon Boy, Karate Kid, and Princess Projectra are killed fighting Dominion troops (Note: the Sourcebook says this happened on 5/15, but that's too much time since the christening) (LSH v4 #32).
  • Thurs 5/7/95 – Cham arrives on Yal and finds Brande; the Dominators get intel on the Soul of Antares (LSH v4 #33).
  • Fri 5/8/9 – Adam Orion arrives on Yal to capture Brande, but fails; the Antareans are hijacked by someone using the Emerald Eye; the SW6 Legionnaires find Crystal Kid still alive, along with Catspaw, Dragonmage, and Computo (LSH v4 #33).
  • Fri 5/15/95: The battle for Earth begins, with fighting on the ground and in the skies. SW6 Laurel Gand and the UP capture Pinnacle Command. King Jonn declines the adult Legion’s offer for help from off-world, but asks them to be prepared to defend the UP from other outside threats (LSH v4 #34).
  • Sun 5/17/95: The crippled Dirk Morgna encounters his SW6 counterpart; the Dominion fleet is defeated by the U.P. militia with the aid of the SW6 Valor; Pinnacle Command orders his troops to surrender; Earth is liberated and Jacques Foccart is named the new acting President of Earth; on Gallan, Universo and Leland McCauley raise a toast to their imminent conquest of Earth (LSH v4 #35).
  • Tues 5/19/95: Circe kills Dirk Morgna and then takes her own life; Bounty is badly wounded in a fight with Sade; the Bounty entity leaves its host body, who the Legionnaires realize is Dawnstar (LSH v4 #36).
  • Wed 5/20/95: Jan Arrah takes his leave from Jacques now that the fighting is over (LSH v4 #36).
  • Fri 5/22/95: Nura propositions Thom on the eve of the Galaxy Series finale; Saturn Girl is kidnapped (LSH v4 #37).
  • Sat 5/23/95: Naltor Dreamers beat the Toonar Pilots to win the Galaxy Series; SW6 Brainiac 5 arrives on Earth and sends SW6 Valor back to 2978 (LSH v4 #37).
  • Sun 5/24/95: The Tokyo sinkhole opens up (LSH v4 #38).
  • Tue 5/26/95: The two Brainiac 5s report that the Earth is doomed (LSH v4 #38).
  • Wed 6/3/95: Seismic disturbances spur Foccart to order the takeoff of the cities equipped for it. Of the 480 cities with escape domes, only 94 make it to safety in the Bgztl Buffer Zone (LSH v4 #38).
  • Thu 6/4/95: The Great Terran Disaster – the Earth explodes, killing the two billion people who could not be evacuated in time. The cities that were saved joined together in the moon's former orbit as New Earth (LSH v4 #38).
  • Sat 6/6/95: After Jan gives a speech to the evacuees, the adult Legionnaires head back to New Earth (LSH v4 #39).
  • Sun 6/7/95: Several SW6 Legionnaires rescue the kidnapped Cham, RJ Brande, Kid Quantum, and the Proties from Leland McCauley IV (LSH v4 #39).
  • Tue 6/9/95: SW6 and Adult Legionnaires battle mind-wiped Dominator agents from the Weisinger Chambers; Nura enlists the help of J’onn J’onzz to help Mysa; and the old and young Legions finally get together (LSH v4 #40).
  • Thu 6/11/95: Sean Erin becomes Chief of the Science Police for New Earth. Reep Daggle resigns from the reformed adult Legion to organize and lead the youthful Legionnaires. Jacques Foccart resigns as president of New Earth to rejoin the reformed adult Legion and names vice president Troy Stewart to succeed him. Catspaw, Dragonmage, and Computo II join the SW6 Legion (LSH v4 #41).

Friday, December 18, 2020

LSH v4 #40 Annotations: Guess who's back, back again, Shady's back, tell a friend

Annotations for Legion of Super-Heroes v4 #40

In IOKIAS, Tom says: "The cover demonstrated how the book was starting to “stunt” to try and pump up sales.  Because we had the Squire Burroughs character in the story, they put him on the cover with artwork that made him look like the original Wildfire.  The caption was “Guess Who’s Back?  Wrong!”  This is hardly a cover that’s representative of the significant events of the issue, but it is a cover that probably motivated a more than a few people to pick up the issue, considering that one of the steady requests we got in the letter column was for the return of Wildfire (and the very first thing they did after Mary and I were gone was to actually bring back Wildfire)."

Notes:
  • Cover: Last episode when we talked about issue 39, I stated that after re-reading the series so far and reading the IOKIAS entries, I have a better feeling for what Giffen was doing and what the Bierbaums were doing. With this issue, Tom and Mary are on their own, for better or worse. This cover is one of the “worse”. I felt it was a knowing and deliberate thumb to the nose for the Bronze Age readers whose Legion included Wildfire, arguably one of the most popular Legionnaires (and more pointedly, the first of the Bronze Age). Tom blames Editorial, see above.
  • Page 2: surprisingly, Cham and Devlin haven’t met yet. Cham has been off on Talus, and then Yal and Gallan for the last month (since issue #33, around May 8th), and never made it to Earth to help with the liberation.
  • Page 3: Recall that SW6 Valor was sent back in time (to 2978 when the Dominators cloned the Legion) back in issue #37, on May 23, which was the day before the Tokyo sinkhole first opened up.
  • Page 4 panels 2-3: the Subs finally get some recognition! They were never in it for that, they just wanted to help the Legion.
  • Page 4 panel 4: Hailing Universo as a hero – recall that he tried to take over Metropolis (Legion Chain Gang, early 2978, ADV 359-360) and took over Earth (Universo Project, 3/2987, LSH v3 #32-35), so I guess either they have short memories or are very forgiving.
  • Page 6 panel 4: Starting to meet those who had been in the Weisinger Chambers and who had been mind-wiped (as noted on the panel in issue #27), including Flare (in white, which is maybe an asbestos suit) and Holdur (the guy with the fin head behind the guy in orange and blue armor, aka Hold Atovlo, who was an agent of Pulsar Stargrave back in SBOY #223). The guy in green is probably Absorbancy Boy, you can tell by the sideburns (a disgruntled Legion reject from SBOY #218, later to be known as Earth Man, and his costume appears to be Earth Man’s, with different coloring)
  • Page 6 panel 5: the woman with yellow skin who says “just for a sec” is Cocheta Drisden, who is related to Charma, former girlfriend of Grimbor (according to Tom Bierbaum in IOKIAS, “The Charma look-alike turns out to be Cocheta Drisden, who I believe is the sister of the original Charma”, but this is never officially stated anywhere in canon). She was listed as “mind wipe complete” in the Weisinger Chamber logs back in issue 27.
  • Page 6 panel 6: Jan Arrah is back. Recall that he left Earth after the fighting was over, a few weeks back in issue 36.
  • Page 7 panel 1: Myg and Squire Burroughs were also listed as “mind wipe complete” in the logs. Myg’s new powers were said to be “sonic emissions” while Squire’s were “object animation”. (Myg last appeared in LSH v3 #63 at the end off the Magic Wars, while this is Squire's first appearance.)
  • Page 7 panel 3: because nobody ever changes their clothes in the 30th century, the guy at the back of the line saying “we fought for humanity” is seen in panel 5 to be Black Mace, aka Mick Yardreigh (last seen in SBOY #213). He was mind wiped but he did not manifest any powers.
  • Page 7 panel 7: the orange guy with the red eyes is Holdur. His powers were “enhanced strength/grip” and his mind-wipe was complete.
  • Page 8 panel 4: I guess Myg kept his old super-karate powers (though you can see he’s blasting with his right hand), and Squire turned (or was turned) into his brother.
  • Page 12 panel 3: don’t forget about Universo’s super-hypnotism powers!
  • Page 13 panel 2: Squire has the same problem as his brother did with containment suits. Will we ever see him again? 
  • Page 13 panel 3: the guy on the receiving end of the SP’s fist is Dafe Meron, aka Polecat. He was last seen in ADV #331 as a rejected applicant, with powers of “pungent toxic emissions”. His mindwipe was complete. 
  • Page 14 panel 1: Delan was a world listed on the Legion’s Emergency Board in ADV #327
  • Page 14 panel 2: We finally pick up the Mysa story! We last saw her in issue 20 when she was contacted by the spirit of Amethyst (on 4/13), and we’ve only seen a couple of references to her since (like when Kono read her unanswered messages and once when Nura mentioned her).
  • Page 14 panel 3 Add J’onn J’onzz to the list of me who Nura has had “dalliances” with
  • Page 14 panel 6: J’onn’s first 30th century appearance since SBOY #200 when he was at the wedding of Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel on Mars. Cockrum threw him (and Tars Tarkas of Barsoom) in there as Easter eggs. 
  • Page 15 panel 2: The Legion of Super-Monsters were the Drill Beast, Earthquake Beast, Eye Monster, Mirror Monster, and Omnibeast, under control of Jungle King back in ADV #309
  • Page 15 panel 5: Imra was kidnapped almost 2 weeks ago, back on 5/27 in issue 37
  • Page 16-17: on the ground floor are all the Legionnaires with living counterparts, on the second floor are those whose older counterparts are dead (except for Ultra Boy, who presumably doesn’t want to see young Tinya)
  • Those listed in issue 27 as “mind wipe complete” who did not appear in this issue were D. Spengler Bonita (enhanced speed), Wray Muntz (reality distortion), Caress (from Emerald Empress' second Fatal Five in LSH v3 #25, Flynt Brojj (sensory enhancement and deprivation, last seen in LSH v3 #12), and Quake Kid (from SBOY #218).


Here's what we know of the timeline to date. I'm color coding them based on whether the date appeared in the 2995 Sourcebook (yellow; text in yellow is as written in the Sourcebook), it's a confirmed date that was given in the comic (green), or an estimated date based on keeping track of events and days (cyan). Bold text is something new added this issue. Italics are unknown dates.
  • 6/11/1992 - Aria tries to take the dying Brin Londo back in time to prevent his father from administering the first Zuunium injection, but accidentally dumps them both in the 20th century (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 1).
  • 2/12/75 –  The inhabitants of the planet Trom are exterminated by the pirate Kivun Roxxas. The sole survivor is 12 year-old Jan Arrah (LSH v4 #31).
  • 3/26/2978 Dark Circle obtained updated cell samples from when Dr. Zan Orbal restored bodies and powers to Matter-Eater Lad, Lightning Lad, and Bouncing Boy on Tartarus, to complete their collection (LSH v4 #22).
  • 10/78 Doppelganger substitution during Dark Circle invasion (LSH v4 #22).
  • 2/17/89 – Mekt admitted to Labyrinth Penal Institute (LSH v4 #10).
  • 6/23/89 – Magic Wars end (LSH v3 #63)
  • 9/89 – Polymer shield around Earth removed, Earthgov debt soars (LSH v4 #30)
  • 10/89 – the Great Collapse
  • 11/2/89 – Tayla Wellington elected President (LSH v4 #30)
  • 1/19/90 – Mutual assistance pact signed with the Dominion; Earthgov officially secedes from the United Planets (LSH v4 #30)
  • 4/13/90 – Communique from Earthgov President Wellington, trying to legally disband the Legion, with Imra, Rokk, and Cham “currently out of the picture” (LSH v4 #1).
  • 4/90 – Validus Plague ravages Winath; former Legionnaire Brainiac 5 helps (LSH v4 #3).
  • 6/7/90 – Legion Academy closes (LSH v4 #16).
  • 7/6/90 – Former Legion Academy heads Chuck and Luornu Durgo Taine open the United Planets Militia Academy (LSH v4 #16).
  • TBD 2990 – Earthgov secedes from the United Planets, and the Science Police Earth splits from the Science Police Proper (LSH v4 #2). Since then, “resistance forces have opposed Earthgov since the introduction of repressive measures… but with little success to date.” (LSH v4 #13)
  • 4/12/91 – Tinya goes missing; she was secretly sent back in time by Glorith (LSH v4 #2).
  • 5/8/91 – Search for Tinya called off; Jo resigns; Sun Boy is leader (LSH v4 #2).
  • 5/27/91 – Mekt released from Labyrinth, rehabilitated (LSH v4 #10).
  • 6/9/91 – Planned date of wedding of Tinya and Jo (LSH v4 #2).
  • 7/91 – Reported threats regarding Earthgov failure to pay debts (LSH v4 #30).
  • 8/12/91 – Black Dawn; Timber Wolf is seriously injured, Wildfire is lost; Starfinger II (Char Burrane) and the Khunds are somehow involved (LSH v4 #12, #28).
  • 8/14/91 – It is now postulated that full Domination of Earthgov began at this time (LSH v4 #30).
  • 8/15/91 – Blok, Dawnstar, and Dream Girl resign (LSH v4 #28).
  • 8/17/91 – Crystal Kid resigns (LSH v4 #28).
  • 8/23/91 – Element Lad resigns (LSH v4 #28).
  • 9/1/91 – Impulse resigns (LSH v4 #28).
  • 9/4/91 – Echo and Tellus resign (LSH v4 #28).
  • 9/14/91 – Sun Boy resigns and appoints Polar Boy as unofficial temporary leader (LSH v4 #28).
  • 10/8/91 – Imsk sets off the Damper weapon on Venado Bay on Braal-13 during the Imsk/Braal War. Rokk lost his powers, Loomis lost an arm. Salu was head of security on the damper project and knew what it would do, but fought against it (not hard enough, in her admission). Imsk won, as the army is occupying Braal (LSH v4 #1). She says that Braal attacked Imsk, and they were just defending themselves (LSH v4 #10).
  • TBD 2991 – Garth and Imra, having left the Legion, start the Lightning Ring Plantation (LSH v4 #3).
  • 1/21/92 – Rebirth Summit (LSH v4 #1).
  • 7/6/92 – LSH leader Polar Boy disbands the Legion, mentions Black Dawn which “cost” the Legion (LSH v4 #1); Mordru coronated as the Supreme Teacher of Sorceror’s World (LSH v4 #6).
  • TBD 1992 – Down and out, Dirk is rescued by Shvaughn Erin, who warns him not to trust Earthgov, but he doesn’t trust her. Dirk is later recruited by Circe (LSH v4 #28)
  • 8/22/92 – Brek Bannin arrested for insurrection (LSH v4 #11).
  • 9/9/92 – Dirk joins Earthgov as a spokesman and liaison (LSH v4 #28)
  • 4/11/93 – Announcement of upcoming wedding of Grev Mallor (of the City People) to Kahnya Nahtahnie (Lady Memory of the Hill People) on Talok VIII.
  • 8/14/93 – wedding of Grev Mallor and Kahnya Nahtahnie.
  • 1/17/94 – Marzal reappears over Africa and the corrupt Earthgov destroys it, but not before Tyroc escapes (LSH v4 #16).
  • 10/22/94 – Raid on anti-government terrorists, but ringleader Vidar (aka Universo) is not captured; Cham tells Marla he’s leaving (LSH v4 #1).
  • 10/23/94 – Cham begins to recruit members for the new Legion, first approaching Rokk; Vi leaves the Imsk army for Winath; Dominator agents help Roxxas escape from Labyrinth (LSH v4 #1).
  • 10/25/94 – Attack on Jo and Kono on Rimbor; Loomis and Lydda en route to Kathoon (LSH v4 #2).
  • Fri 11/21/94 – Blok is killed by Roxxas the Butcher (LSH v4 #3).
  • Thu 11/27/94 – Mordru crushes Rond Vidar’s ring; Rokk and Cham finally meet up with Jo and decide to go to Tharn to rescue Mysa; Dominators and Shvaughn Erin watch the tape of Roxxas and Blok, whose body is delivered to Winath; Mon-El resurrected (LSH v4 #3).
  • Fri 11/28/94 – Mon-El goes to Talok VIII, then Shadow Lass and Mon-El visit Brainiac 5, then Mon-El destroys the Time Trapper (LSH v4 #4).
  • Sat 11/29/94 – Mordruverse (LSH v4 #5).
  • Sat 11/29/94 – Cham, Rokk, Jo, Kono, and Furball arrive on Tharn and are captured by Mordru; after being hired by Earthgov to find Blok’s killer, Celeste, Devlin, and Bounty leave for Trom (LSH v4 #6).
  • Sun 11/30/94 – Celeste, Devlin, and Bounty meet Jan on Trom (LSH v4 #6); with the help of Laurel Gand, Rokk’s crew rescues Mysa and Rond from Mordru but are teleported to Grocz; Celeste, Devlin, Bounty, and Jan leave Trom for Winath (LSH v4 #7); Earthgov links to Roxxas reported, riots ensue (LSH 4 #30).
  • Mon 12/1/94 – Rokk, Cham, Jo, Kono, Furball, Rond, Laurel, and Mysa travel from Grocz to Zirr (LSH v4 #8).
  • Tues 12/2/94 – Rokk, Laurel, and Rond take some R&R time on Zirr with baby Lauren, while the others go to Winath; Marla reminisces (LSH v4 #8); on Cygnus IV, Roxxas watches a holo of Laurel Gand; Celeste, Devlin, Bounty, and Jan arrive on Winath (LSH v4 #9).
  • Wed 12/3/94 – Rokk and Rond arrive in the morning, having left Laurel behind on Zirr; everyone (Rokk, Rond; Cham, Jo, Kono, Furball, Mysa; Celeste, Devlin, Bounty, Jan; Brainy, Garth, Ayla, Vi, Imra) is on Winath when Roxxas attacks; Bounty, Mekt, Cham, and Celeste are seriously injured, while Jo disappears and is presumed dead; Earthgov linked to Roxxas; Tenzil arrives on Earth (LSH v4 #10).
  • Thu 12/4/94 – On Winath, Roxxas is on the loose, and kills a doctor and nurse in the Bloomfield Free Clinic. On Earth, Tenzil participates in the Batcave dig, meets with Shvaughn and Brek (who is released for the first time since incarceration 2 years prior), has dinner with Prosecutor Jakobi, then falls asleep. (LSH v4 #11).
  • Fri 12/5/94 – Tenzil and Brek in court; Holo Scene news article on the trial (LSH v4 #11); Celeste is healed by a green glow; the former Legionnaires team up to capture Roxxas, who reveals Dominion control of Earthgov (LSH v4 #12).
  • Wed 12/10/94 – All-points bulletin on Persuader, who meets Kent Shakespeare in on Quarantine trying to attack Char Burrane Jr. (LSH v4 #12). Persuader is defeated by Kent and SP Captain Gim Allon, who then takes Kent to Toonar (LSH v4 #13).
  • Thu 12/11/94 – Kent leaves Toonar for Winath; Laurel fights Khunds in deep space; Tenzil and Brek on Gnogg. (LSH v4 #13).
  • Sun 12/14/94 – The Legion is formally reinstated.
  • Mon 12/16/94 – Tenzil, Brek, and Calorie Queen are taken to Tartarus by Prince Evillo; Tenzil banished to the Realm of Darkness (LSH v4 #14).
  • Thu 12/25/94 – Garth, Cham, and Rokk remotely survey Talus (LSH v4 #14).
  • Fri 12/26/94 – Tenzil and Sugyn return from the Realm of Darkness, only to hear that Tenzil has been declared dead and his Senate seat vacated (LSH v4 #14).
  • Sat 12/27/94 – Loomis writes his report on Talus’ suitability for being the new HQ; Tenzil leaves Brek behind on Tartarus and heads for Winath (LSH v4 #14).
  • Sun 12/28/94 – The reformed Legion establishes headquarters on the asteroid world of Talus.
  • Sat 1/3/95 – Tenzil Kem rejoins the Legion.
  • Sun 1/11/95 – Orando falls to the Khunds (LSH v4 #15).
  • Mon 1/12/95 – The Legion agrees to team with the United Planets Militia to beat back a Khundish invasion that threatens the heart of the United Planets (LSH v4 #15).
  • Exact date unknown – Cham meets with a Khundish double agent; Venegar falls to the Khunds, who then make a deal with the Hill People of Talok VIII; the UP Militia tries to decide if Xolnar or Talok VIII will be attacked next; Valor and Shadow Lass appear on Talok VIII; Khunds attack Xolnar; Circe wants Dirk to give a pro-Dominator speech (LSH v4 #15).
  • Exact date unknown  Last stand on Xolnar; introduction of the Resistance on Earth (LSH v4 #16).
  • Fri 3/13/95 – SP Officer Roon Dvron’s police report on Sussa Paka (LSH v4 #22, 23, 27).
  • Sat 3/14/95 - Sussa Paka escape SP custody, steals Starfinger's helmet for Molock Hanscom on the way out (LSH v4 #27).
  • Sun 3/22/95 – Khund decoy fleet arrives at Talok VIII, while the main fleet attacks Xolnar, leading to the death of Jed “Power Boy” Rikane; after destroying the Talok fleet, the Legion and the UP Militia arrive at Xolnar to finish the Khundish fleet; Glorith sent to the end of time; the Khunds are driven back to pre-2995 borders, and the Legion concludes its participation in the war against Khundish encroachment (LSH v4 #17).
  • Wed 3/25/95 – Don and Dawn Allen are arrested by Earthgov (LSH v4 #17).
  • Thurs 3/26/95 – Don and Dawn Allen are put on trial (LSH v4 #17); Sussa Paka steals Earthgov Artifact J-1-WRTZ for Molock Hanscom (LSH v4 #27).
  • Fri 3/27/95 – Tensions increase on Earth with the execution of Legion friends Don and Dawn Allen. (Note that 3/27/95 is a Friday, while the comic says it happened on a Monday) (LSH v4 #17); additional riots, and martial law is instituted (LSH v4 #30).
  • Sat 3/28/95 – Daily Planet article on the Allen executions (LSH v4 #17).
  • Exact date unknown – Valor and Shadow Lass help counter a Dark Circle attempt on Queen Projectra’s life on Orando, then remove the Dark Circle cultists from Carggg; Universo and Jacques meet; holo studio bombing allegedly by one of the Resistance groups (LSH v4 #18).
  • Thu 4/9/95 – Valor and Shadow Lass leave Carggg on their way to some R&R in deep space (LSH v4 #22).
  • Sat 4/11/95 – Luna is destroyed, ravaging Earth (LSH v4 #19) and causing powerspheres to detonate across the globe, with a death toll in the billions and widespread environmental devastation (LSH v4 #30). The mysterious “SW6" Legionnaires awaken in an underground Dominion chamber on Earth. (LSH v4 #20, 25Earthgov authorizes executions. (LSH v4 #25).
  • Sun 4/12/95 – Jo Nah returns from an extended journey through time (LSH v4 #19) and is added to the reformed adult Legion team; the SW6 Legion encounters Devlin O’Ryan (LSH v4 #20); all outside aid to Earth is rejected (LSH v4 #30).
  • Mon 4/13/95 – Dacey and Doritt Ranzz are born to ex-Legionnaires Garth and Imra Ardeen Ranzz. Rokk recalls the events of Venado Bay as the Dominators start executing Science Police Earth officers who are revolting against the Dominators. Mysa Nal is contacted by the spirit of Amethyst (LSH v4 #20). After being exposed to the null radiation from the detonation of Metropolis' powersphere on the 11th, Devlin is getting worse. (LSH v4 #25).
  • Wed 4/15/95 – Furball meets Aria on Zuun, unaware that she’s being hunted by Darkseid; Atmos revealed to have been killed by Project Champion; the Dominators begin harsher punishment of insurrectionists on Earth (LSH v4 #21).
  • Fri 4/17/95 – Jo, Celeste, and Kent on the way to Zuun to get Brainy and Furball; on Talus, Kono reads Nura’s unanswered messages to Mysa; on Altair, Valor finds troubling news from a Dark Circle computer (LSH v4 #22).
  • Sat 4/18/95 – Disease and rebellion reported widespread on Earth; Dominators performing mass executions (LSH v4 #30).
  • Exact date unknown: members of the Dark Circle recount the history of Valor (LSH v4 Annual 2).
  • Mon 4/20/95 – Devlin is healing and appears to have powers just like Reflecto of Rimbor (LSH v4 #29).
  • Tues 4/21/95 – Jo, Celeste, and Kent arrive at Zuun (LSH v4 #22).They are briefly detained but they escape to the surface and meet up with Brainy and Furball, but Lobo captures and leaves with Aria; during the escape, Celeste generates a burst of intense green energy. On Earth, Resistance leader Jacques has Laurel and Bounty meet up with Circe, who has turned against the Dominators and Earthgov. Valor leaves Shady to go to Earth to check into what he found (LSH v4 #23).
  • Wed 4/22/95 – Lobo brings Aria to Darkseid, followed by Jo, Kent, Celeste, Brainy, and Furball. Lobo is revealed to be merely a probe and Darkseid vanishes him, and then turns Furball back into Brin. The Gemini Matrix activates and Aria turns into an adult Gemini and blasts Darkseid, per his secret wish, who then disappears. Back on Earth, BION discovers the adult Laurel Gand while looking for the SW6 version, and the SW6 Legionnaires reveal themselves to Devlin (LSH v4 #24). The SW6 Legionnaires and Devlin escape the tunnels and link up with Universo and the Earth Resistance (LSH v4 #25), and then quickly go to the Resistance HQ in New Mexico. The Subs and Universo’s Resistance team capture the Weisigner Chambers from the Dominators, while BION follows Laurel to Talus (LSH v4 #26).
  • Thu 4/23/95 – Garth and Imra decide to hold the christening of their new twins next week, on Saturday May 2 (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 2).
  • Sat 4/25/95 - Legionnaires in Africa with the Resistance and the SW6 Batch become aware of each other; the Subs and Grin’s resistance team discover others in the Weisinger Chambers; Rokk, Kono, and Loomis manage to subdue BION on Talus (LSH v4 #27). Dirk Morgna’s pod is discovered (LSH v4 #28).
  • Sun 4/26/95 – On Talus, Brainiac 5 studies BION, and Valor suggests that the adult Legionnaires may be clones. Monica Sade is released from the Weisinger chambers, and then Dominator troops temporarily gain control of the Chambers. Circe and Bounty plan to take out Pinnacle Command, while the Dominators prepare mind-wiped agents to attack the Subs (LSH v4 #29).
  • Thu 4/30/95 – Tensions on Earth reach the breaking point when President Tayla Wellington is assassinated by the Dominion during a live broadcast (LSH v4 #29, 30). Aria tries to take the dying Brin Londo back in time to prevent his father from administering the first Zuunium injection, but accidentally dumps them both in the 20th century (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 1). Legionnaires begin to arrive on Winath for a reunion to attend the christening of Dacey and Doritt Ranzz (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 2).
  • Fri 5/1/95 – On Earth, the Subs battle mind-wiped Dominator agents; the Dominators and UP fleets meet up in orbit around Earth (LSH v4 #30). More Legionnaires arrive on Winath for the christening; the Naltor Dreamers defeat the Winath Jaybirds 6-1, clinching their first pennant since 2980 (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 2).
  • Sat 5/2/95 – Dacey and Doritt's christening; Pol Jath Krinn is born to Rokk Krinn and his wife Lydda; Ayla Ranzz learns that Garth is really Proty I, inhabiting her brother's re-animated body (LSH v4 Ann 3 part 2).On Earth, Jan helps Shvaughn Erin and sees his SW6 self, while in space the adult Valor meets his SW6 counterpart (LSH v4 #31).
  • Wed 5/6/95 – Cham begins a search for R.J. Brande; on Earth, Circe and Bounty capture Spider Girl; the Subs escape from the Weisinger chambers with the help of the SW6 Legion, but Grinn sets off a self-destruct mechanism that destroys all the chambers; SW6 Chameleon Boy, Karate Kid, and Princess Projectra are killed fighting Dominion troops (Note: the Sourcebook says this happened on 5/15, but that's too much time since the christening) (LSH v4 #32).
  • Thurs 5/7/95 – Cham arrives on Yal and finds Brande; the Dominators get intel on the Soul of Antares (LSH v4 #33).
  • Fri 5/8/9 – Adam Orion arrives on Yal to capture Brande, but fails; the Antareans are hijacked by someone using the Emerald Eye; the SW6 Legionnaires find Crystal Kid still alive, along with Catspaw, Dragonmage, and Computo (LSH v4 #33).
  • Fri 5/15/95: The battle for Earth begins, with fighting on the ground and in the skies. SW6 Laurel Gand and the UP capture Pinnacle Command. King Jonn declines the adult Legion’s offer for help from off-world, but asks them to be prepared to defend the UP from other outside threats (LSH v4 #34).
  • Sun 5/17/95: The crippled Dirk Morgna encounters his SW6 counterpart; the Dominion fleet is defeated by the U.P. militia with the aid of the SW6 Valor; Pinnacle Command orders his troops to surrender; Earth is liberated and Jacques Foccart is named the new acting President of Earth; on Gallan, Universo and Leland McCauley raise a toast to their imminent conquest of Earth (LSH v4 #35).
  • Tues 5/19/95: Circe kills Dirk Morgna and then takes her own life; Bounty is badly wounded in a fight with Sade; the Bounty entity leaves its host body, who the Legionnaires realize is Dawnstar (LSH v4 #36).
  • Wed 5/20/95: Jan Arrah takes his leave from Jacques now that the fighting is over (LSH v4 #36).
  • Fri 5/22/95: Nura propositions Thom on the eve of the Galaxy Series finale; Saturn Girl is kidnapped (LSH v4 #37).
  • Sat 5/23/95: Naltor Dreamers beat the Toonar Pilots to win the Galaxy Series; SW6 Brainiac 5 arrives on Earth and sends SW6 Valor back to 2978 (LSH v4 #37).
  • Sun 5/24/95: The Tokyo sinkhole opens up (LSH v4 #38).
  • Tue 5/26/95: The two Brainiac 5s report that the Earth is doomed (LSH v4 #38).
  • Wed 6/3/95: Seismic disturbances spur Foccart to order the takeoff of the cities equipped for it. Of the 480 cities with escape domes, only 94 make it to safety in the Bgztl Buffer Zone (LSH v4 #38).
  • Thu 6/4/95: The Great Terran Disaster – the Earth explodes, killing the two billion people who could not be evacuated in time. The cities that were saved joined together in the moon's former orbit as New Earth (LSH v4 #38).
  • Sat 6/6/95: After Jan gives a speech to the evacuees, the adult Legionnaires head back to New Earth (LSH v4 #39).
  • Sun 6/7/95: Several SW6 Legionnaires rescue the kidnapped Cham, RJ Brande, Kid Quantum, and the Proties from Leland McCauley IV (LSH v4 #39).
  • Tue 6/9/95: SW6 and Adult Legionnaires battle mind-wiped Dominator agents from the Weisinger Chambers; Nura enlists the help of J’onn J’onzz to help Mysa; and the old and young Legions finally get together (LSH v4 #40).

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Legion sales data for issue #10

Comichron has done their number crunching dealy thing with Diamond and Lunar/UCS data and produced approximate sales charts for October 2020, which includes Legion #10. Still impacted by the Covid shutdown and DC's change in distributors, Comichron has managed to put together some approximate sales numbers for October's books (within a range).

 

For October, LSH v8 #10 tied for the #64 book overall, with sales somewhere between 28,000-34,000 - a tick up from last month's 27-32k. (I'll use the midpoint of 31,000 here for simplicity.) Other books it tied with in that same range (or very close to it) were Batman's Grave #11, Wonder Woman #764, Flash #763, Maestro #3, Star Wars Bounty Hunters #6, Shang-Chi #2, Werewolf by Night #1, and Miles Morales Spider-Man #19. It was tied for the #25 book for DC (out of 51 for the month). Although there were two different covers, they are not broken out here because they were the same price and retailers could order as many as they wanted of each (not limited variants).

Batman 3 Jokers #3 was the top-selling book for the month (the third straight month), selling between 195k and 235k copies (midpoint 215,000).

Other DC books that sold higher than LSH in October: 12 different Bat-books (Batman, Joker, Harley, Batgirl, Nightwing, Catwoman), 2 Death Metal, 2 each of Justice League, Wonder Woman, and Superman, and 1 each of Rorschach, Batman/Superman, Strange Adventures, Green Lantern, and Flash (the usual suspects, with the extra sales for WW based on her "when is the movie coming out" factor plus a new appearance of Rorschach).

So here's what our table looks like now, with the limited insight into sales. Sales still look remarkably consistent with what we've seen for the entire run so far. The position number has slipped a bit - it had been hovering at around #17, then last issue it was #20, but the total number of issues sold by the title has remained roughly constant at around 30k per month.

I added a new column this month, showing how many books DC has put out that month. It's worth noticing that DC has significantly cut down the number of different issues it publishes per month (all lower selling titles). It's more important to look at the number of issues sold.

LSH v8 sales and rank

Issue

Total sales

(all covers)

overall #

DC #

Total DC

#1 book

1

75,611

10

3

114

138,434

2

35,653

50

17

95

117,926

3

34,732

44

15

112

167,377

4

30,675

51

18

88

190,568

5

29,058

59

18

80

142,089

6

TBD

23

17

65

TBD

7

TBD

41

18

49

TBD

8

Est. 38,000

46

22

57

Est. 300,000

9

Est. 29,500

Tie 62

Tie 20

55

Est. 207,500

10

Est. 31,000

Tie 66

Tie 24

51

Est. 215,000

More data as it becomes available....