Legion of Super-Heroes V3 (1984)

The new series was launched in August 1984, with a five-part story featuring the Legion of Super-Villains. Giffen left in the middle of the story and was replaced by Steve Lightle, who stayed on the book for a year. The debut story arc saw the death of Karate Kid in issue #4. Levitz and Lightle co-created two Legionnaires, Tellus and Quislet, whose unusual appearances contrasted with the humanoid appearances of the other Legionnaires. Greg LaRocque began a lengthy run in #16, including a crossover with John Byrne‘s recently rebooted Superman titles in #37 and #38. The crossover was the first of several attempts by DC editors to explain the origins and fate of Superboy and his history with the Legion, in light of the revisions to the DC Universe caused by Crisis on Infinite Earths that removed Superman’s career as Superboy from his personal history. In the crossover, the Legion’s Superboy was revealed to have come from a parallel “pocket universe” created by the Time Trapper. The crossover ended with Superboy’s death. Levitz’s run ended with the return of Giffen and a four-part story “The Magic Wars”, concluding in #63 (August 1989).

Leave a comment