The Legion of Super-Heroes #295
Published and © by DC, January 1983
Title: “The Origin of the Universe File –”
Synopsis: With a big decision to make, Timber Wolf turns to teammate Blok and the Legion archives for answers.
Writers (plot): Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen
Writer: Levitz
Penciler: Giffen and Howard Bender
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt
Review: Following their epic “Great Darkness Saga” (see reviews), it’s not surprising to see the creative team offer a low-key outing. But this issue – part Timber Wolf introspection, part Silver Age throwback – feels like filler. Writer Paul Levitz’s story isn’t bad; it offers fine character work and a clever back story. But readers were surely eager to debrief from the Legion’s cataclysmic battle with Darkseid. As for the art, Howard Bender does a nice job emulating the Legion’s Silver Age style, but it looks disjointed paired with Keith Giffen’s slick futurism. Collectively, this issue is a bit of a misstep.
Grade: B
Cool factor: We learn why there can no longer be Green Lanterns on Earth in the Legion’s era.
Not-so-cool factor: We don’t learn how the Legion is fairing in the aftermath of Darkseid.
Notable: “The Roll Call” wraps up on this issue’s “The Legion Outpost” letters page, with short bios on Legionnaires from Shadow Lass to the team’s honorary members.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Now I’m not alone – I have friends, I have work that’s important – and most of all, I’m part of a team – a family.” – Timber Wolf, the Legionnaire formerly known as Lone Wolf
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Sequential Reaction (Vol. 1) on Dec. 27, 2016.
