Superboy #202
Published and © by DC, May-June 1974
Title: “Lost: A Million Miles From Home!”
Synopsis: When their Legion Cruiser loses power, Shrinking Violet must figure out what happened to Colossal Boy.
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciler: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Mike Grell
Review: DC’s 100-Page Giants were almost always chockablock with interesting material, and this issue is no exception. While this lead story is slight, it features a rare collaboration between the two most important Legion artists of the early Bronze Age. A shoutout to outgoing penciler Dave Cockrum for his reinvigorating run.
•••
Title: “The Legionnaire Who Killed!”
Synopsis: Star Boy faces a court-martial and possible expulsion from the Legion for killing a man in self-defense.
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciler: Curt Swan
Inkers: Sheldon Moldoff and George Klein
Review: Even during the Silver Age – this story is from Adventure Comics #342 –the Legion felt weighty because actions had repercussions.
•••
Title: “The Super-Stalag of Space!”
Synopsis: The Legion races to rescue Brainiac 5 but soon join him as prisoners in Nardo’s cosmic concentration camps.
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciler: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Review: This reprint from Adventure Comics #344 features some promising concepts, but it’s hard to take a villain named Nardo seriously.
•••
Title: “The Execution of Matter-Eater Lad!”
Synopsis: After several failed attempts, the Legion manages to escape Nardo’s prisons – but Matter-Eater Lad bears the weight of their victory.
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciler: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Review: The conclusion of the “Super-Stalag of Space!” saga (this part from Adventure Comics #345) is undermined by a ridiculous conclusion.
•••
Title: “The Wrath of the Devil-Fish!”
Synopsis: Wildfire joins the Legion of Super-Heroes while other members face an underwater challenge from the Devil-Fish.
Writer: Cary Bates
Artist: Dave Cockrum
Review: Dave Cockrum’s swan song as Legion artist features some of his strongest work on the title.
•••
Title: “The Superboy of Bigville!”
Synopsis: A gangster’s complicated scheme involving blackmail and impersonation falls apart when the real Superboy gets involved.
Writer: Uncredited
Penciler: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Review: This Silver Age story from Superboy #91 has too much silly for a Bronze Age Legion book.
Grade (for the entire issue): B+
Second opinion: “All good things must come to an end goes the cliché, and it was with deep regret that we saw Dave Cockrum’s last art job in (Superboy) #202.” – Howard Stangroom, Comics Unlimited #39, September 1976 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: Cockrum? Grell? A Legion 100-Page Giant? Oh, yeah!
Notable: Also includes four pages of “The Lore of the Legion!” featuring character bios with illustrations by Dave Cockrum. … According to the annual statement of ownership, Superboy had an average total paid circulation of 238,992 for the 12 months preceding Oct. 1, 1973.
Character quotable: “Doomsville is your destination, Matter-Eater Lad …” – Nardo (… yes, Nardo)
Editor’s note: This review was written March 19, 2023.
