Each issue of DC Universe: Legacies so far has featured a back up story spotlighting various nooks and crannies of the DC Universe largely untouched upon in the main feature's narrative of DC history as seen through the eyes of Metropolis policeman Paul Lincoln. To date, these "Snapshot" stories have focused on DC's magic based heroes, the Seven Soldiers of Victory, non super powered adventurers such as the Challengers of the Unknown and the Sea Devils, and DC's war and outer space heroes. I haven't written about them so far because, frankly, their hasn't really been anything to write about. They've been good but unremarkable.
The most recent issue (#6) contains "Snapshot: Revision!" (all the subtitles of these stories so far have begun with "R"), an amusing story, written by Len Wein with art by Keith Giffen and Al Milgrom, which gently pokes fun at the convoluted continuity of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Teenaged Clark Kent is working out in the fields of the Kent family farm in Smallville when a Time Bubble appears carrying Legion founders Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl. They've traveled back in time one thousand years to invite "Superboy", although Clark never actually called himself that in the current continuity, to come back to the 31st century with them and join their super-hero club.
So far, things have proceeded pretty much the way they did in the Legion's first appearance in Adventure Comics #247. Soon, however, another Time Bubble appears carrying older versions of the Legionnaires warning of dire consequences for Earth if their younger selves take Clark back to the 31st century and seeking to prevent that from occurring. They are soon joined by yet another Time Bubble carrying yet another group of Legionnaire's seeking Superboy's help. Then comes another Time Bubble. And another. And another. And another. And another, and so on. This goes on until the Kent cornfield is filled with Time Bubbles, all bearing representatives from all of the various revisions, revamps, reworkings and regurgitations of the Legion that have occurred over the past couple of decades. Confusion reigns as the many Legions take to bickering amongst themselves while a confused Clark can only stand by helplessly scratching his head and wondering what the heck is going on.
It's really nice to see a lighthearted, somewhat silly story like this in a modern super-hero comic. In the darker post-Identity Crisis Dan DiDio/Geoff Johns DC Universe it sometimes seems that there just isn't room for this type of story. I'm glad that an exception was made in this case, and I'd like to see more stories like this.
No comments:
Post a Comment