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LEGION #1
"No Place Like Home"
Recommended (7/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Dan Abnett
Pencils: Olivier Coipel
Writer/Inks: Andy Lanning
Colors: Tom McCraw & Digital Chameleon
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Mike McAvennie
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
After being greatly impressed with most of Legion Worlds and what I've read of Legion Lost, I decided to jump back into the Legion with their new ongoing series, rather than wait for the trade that will probably never come. The first issue is not as strong as the Legion Worlds issues have been, working well as a first
issue but feeling a little familiar for those of us who have been following the
Abnett/Lanning Legion. I also have to admit that Coipel's work, while
interesting, isn't my favorite of the most recent Legion artists. However,
leaving aside some flaws and personal gripes, this is a solid first issue for a
new Legion series, and does a nice job of balancing the paranoia and darkness of
the Giffen/Bierbaum era and the optimism and hope of the Levitz/reboot eras.
The arrival of the Legion
back onto Earth is terrific, a spectacular way to open the comic. It is probably
some of Coipel's strongest work in the book as well, as he delivers a convincing
look at 30th century Metropolis and a chaotic, fast-paced scene, aided by the
multiple voice, cutting in-and-out dialogue provided by Abnett and Lanning. The
creators have given us an opening scene as powerful as any origin, with the
heroes coming from the stars and landing in a fiery spectacle before making
their presence known. Topping it off with a terrorist action/rescue is a nice
addition to that, and a nice nod to the Legion's origin, which saw them rescuing
RJ Brande from some would-be assassins.
I'm also enjoying that the Legion has come back with some questions. Readers of Legion Lost know what happened to the missing members
and to Saturn Girl, but for new readers it's a mystery. It's a nice way to
reward fans new and old, as new readers won't be any more lost than the
reporters, and will probably be drawn more into the book, while old readers will
enjoy being in on some knowledge a little early.
That said, this book may not
be as enjoyable for those who have already been following the Abnett/Lanning
Legion. Much of the book is given over to none-too-subtle reintroductions of
characters and their powers and to the recap of what has happened in the Legion
books since the writers took over. It's all very interesting, and crucial first
issue material, but it's also stuff that many Legion fans already know.
Honestly, I prefer my Legion
a little lighter, working with the government and accepted and loved by the
populace, but Abnett and Lanning are trying to strike a balance there as well.
The public are so enthralled by the Legion that President McCauley is forced to
deal with them, even as someone attempts to get them out of the way in a pretty
nifty cliffhanger. And the tension between the Legion and the Overwatch was
entertaining and certainly understandable, setting up once again a rival team
like the Workforce was in the early days of the reboot era.
The Legion fanbase is
legendarily demanding, and I expect that as many fans will be crying for Abnett
& Lanning's heads as praising this series. However, while their version of
the Legion may not be the ideal for me personally either, I can't deny that
they've gotten my attention, and this first issue gives every indication that
they plan to keep it.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
