Join honorary Legionnaires Don (Kid Canadian) MacPherson and Randy (Father Boy) Lander as they delve into the reverie of The Legion and "Dream Crime".
Don:
Well, smack my ass and call me a Durlan... DC's Stephen Wacker, AKA Editor Lass, sent along some black-and-white preview copies of the first three chapters of the upcoming "Dream Crime" story arc from The Legion. Though carrying on continuing subplots of the series, "Dream Crime" brings a new look to the book, and the title continues to stand out as complex, well-crafted and clever super-hero storytelling.
Randy:
As you can tell, Don's been deep into the Silverale again, but he's got a point about The Legion. Judging from the first two and a half (our copy of issue #21 is incomplete and mostly unlettered) parts of "Dream Crime," Abnett and Lanning are ready to embark on another intriguing epic for the Legionnaires.
The Legion #s 19-21 - "Dream Crime"
written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
illustrated by Chris Batista & Mark Farmer
lettered by Comicraft
edited by Stephen Wacker
Don:
Nura Nal, the precog known as Dreamer, accompanies Saturn Girl to Titan, where it is hoped that Nura's clairvoyant gift can be married to the vast telepathic resources of Titanet to develop a defensive early-warning system. Unfortunately, something sinister lurks on the edges of Dreamer's consciousness, and soon, it extends its influence beyond her, drawing the grieving Saturn Girl into an illusion of happiness and camaraderie.
This title embarks on something of a new direction with this story arc. The same mix of dark and mature storytelling with some traditional DC Universe elements is to be found in the writing, but the artwork is decidedly different. Chris Batista provides some much brighter artwork that could perhaps be described as a bit more conventional super-hero fare. It lacks the European flair and dark mood that Olivier Coipel established on the book.
But while that darkness is gone, new strengths are to be found. There's a remarkable level of detail brought to bear here. His style here reminds me a little of a cross between the work of Adam (Wonder Woman) Hughes and Lee (Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.) Moder. The clean lines make the surreal, imaginary world of the 31st century seem much more real. Batista's efforts here are leaps and bounds ahead of his earlier efforts on Steel years ago or later fill-in stints on various Marvel titles. This Legion work should really get him noticed.
Randy:
We're definitely in agreement here. I've usually thought of Batista as the fill-in guy to dread, but his work on these issues of Legion show that he has come a long way. It's interesting that you note his similarities to two artists who are identified with the last ten or so years of the Legion, and I agree with you, it seems that the art on the book has shifted somewhat to a more conventional style. And while I'll definitely miss Coipel's work here, Batista's detailed world-building and strong character work makes it a pretty easy transition.
Don:
Abnett and Lanning's run on this title has been an impressive one, and they've built up some complex but entertaining stories and a new status quo for the Legion in a short time. As I delved into this new story arc, I expected more complexities and links to what's come before, and I found them. But I also found a stunning level of accessibility. The writers manage to provide a great deal of exposition, weaving it seamlessly into the dialogue. The reader is focused on the characters' personalities when that important background information is presented.
Randy:
There's a secret to writing the Legion successfully, and Abnett and Lanning seem to have found it. Their ability to handle an enormous cast and far-flung locales is really on display in the first part of "Dream Crime" and you're right that the accessibility is strong, even though there's so much going on. I'm reminded somewhat of some of Levitz's classic stories on the Legion of Super-Heroes, including the legendary "Great Darkness Saga," although there's also a familiar element from other science-fiction and comics when we see Imra enter something of a dream realm. It was interesting and fun to see all of these characters in a different setting, where what they do and who they are is as much a reflection of how Imra sees them as it is moments for the characters.
Don:
As chilling and entertaining as the main plotline is, the subplots are just as strong. Though I wasn't a fan of Sensor's transformation, her resulting emotional turmoil works quite well. And the interplay between Brainiac 5 and Shikari as the former searches for two lost teammates is hilarious.
Randy:
Hilarious and, for this Legion fan, very much welcome. In Legion Worlds, Abnett and Lanning left some favorite characters isolated from the team, and I'm glad to see that they haven't just been forgotten. Also appealing in these issues, and familiar from Legion Worlds, is the sense that Abnett and Lanning understand the scope of the Legion, with a well-thought-out and fascinating take on Saturn Girl's homeworld as well as a strange re-invention of the Legion setting in Imra's dream.
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