Superboy & the Legion of Super-Heroes #241
Published and © by DC, July 1978
Title: “Prologue to Earthwar”
Synopsis: Stretched thin, the Legion must provide security on Weber’s World while also repelling an incursion of Resource Raiders on Earth.
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciler: James Sherman
Inker: Bob McLeod
Review: Prior to “The Great Darkness Saga” (see reviews), “Earthwar” was probably Paul Levitz’s best-known Legion story. But this earlier arc was the output of a writer still mastering his craft; the plotting here feels rushed and the characterization blunt. James Sherman and Bob McLeod deliver some gorgeous – though inconsistent – art.
•••
Title: “My Brother’s Keeper”
Synopsis: Light Lass and Timber Wolf visit to Winath to stop the latest mad scheme of Lightning Lord.
Writer (plot): Paul Levitz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciler: Arvell Jones
Inker: Danny Bulanadi
Review: Light Lass is relegated to the role of damsel in distress in this slight story featuring subpar art.
Grade (for the entire issue): B-
Second opinion: “The first (chapter) of a spectacular, intergalactic war adventure.” – Paul Emrath, AFTA #2, August 1978… “Levitz’s creative peak was the ‘Earthwar Saga.’ ” – Hassan Yusuf, FantaCo’s Chronicle’s Series Annual #1, 1983 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: Fun to see Levitz and the Legion stretching out into a multi-issue epic.
Not-so-cool factor: Light Lass deserves better than that backup feature.
Notable: First appearance of Shvaughn Erin. … Includes a text feature titled “Magic and the Legion (Part 1): Things That Go Bump in the Night,” documenting the role of magic in the 30th century.
Character quotable: “Now, you just stand around looking cute and scout this dive while I pump the bartender for some info!” – Timber Wolf, toxic manly man
Editor’s note: This review was written July 15, 2023.
