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LEGION WORLDS #4
Recommended (8/10)
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DC Comics
"You Are Here: Xanthu"
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pencils: Duncan Rouleau
Inks: Jaime Mendoza
Letters: Comicraft
"War Makes Us Weapons"
Writer: Dan Abnett
Pencils: Rick Leonardi
Inks: Al Williamson
Letters: Kurt Hathaway
Colors: Tom McCraw & Digital Chameleon
Editor: Mike McAvennie
Price: $3.95 US/$6.50 CAN |
I know that some old-time Legion fans are up in arms about the changes that Abnett and Lanning have made in the Legion, but I have to admit that I'm really enjoying the Legion Worlds mini, especially the last two issues.
There have been hints throughout of the Robotican threat, and in this issue, we
see what they're really all about. More to the point, since they are based
heavily on the familiar "dominating robot army" concept, it shows us a world at
war in the 30th century, and the changes that war has made in a few of the
Legionnaires. It doesn't hurt that this issue is graced with some of the best
art of the series yet, with the lead feature by Duncan Rouleau and backups by
Leonardi and Williamson.
The lead feature is interesting as it shows
what war against the Roboticans is like. Abnett, Lanning and Rouleau paint a
powerful picture of a world railing against an unbeatable foe, and show us the
use of super-powers in open combat, something we haven't seen much of aside from
the occasional alien invasion story or World War II tale. I was particularly
impressed by the changes made in Dreamer, who has shifted into more of the role
that Paul Levitz put her in during his volume three run on the series, although
as a fan of XS, I was pleased by her altered personality and heavy role as well.
Rouleau is someone whose work I enjoyed on M-Rex, which also dealt with a future conquered by
technology, and he is ideally suited for the Robotican threat. He can do
incredible work on sprawling technological armies, and he gives the Roboticans a
sense of scale that makes them seem like an unbeatable infection more than an
invading army. He also does some terrific work on the characters, particularly
an XS decked out for combat and some impressive power displays from Star Boy.
Each issue of this series has featured some
kind of big development, and it seems that the developments are getting bigger.
Last issue was a re-establishing of the Legion to some degree, and this one is
the evacuation of an entire planet, and possibly the deaths of a couple of
Legionnaires. One thing that Abnett and Lanning have brought to the book is a
feeling that anything could happen next, and I appreciate that.
The backup feature is short, but is a nice
expansion of Dreamer's new powers and role, and helps to flesh out the changes
made in her character, with terrific artwork from Leonardi to boot.
I'm not certain if the Legion can survive without its hardcore fanbase, and I don't know if the Abnett/Lanning team is maintaining the interest of that fanbase, but I do know that I'm more interested in Legion Worlds than I have been in anything Legion
for quite some time.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
