The Legion of Super-Heroes #285
Published and © by DC, March 1982
Title: “Night Never Falls on Nullport”
Synopsis: While visiting the Nullport space station to pick up a new cruiser, the Legion uncover a Khundian plot.
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciler: Pat Broderick
Inker: Bruce Patterson
Review: Pat Broderick is an above-average Bronze Age artist but he never seemed at home on The Legion of Super-Heroes. Generic tech and lackluster character design undermine otherwise solid work. And it’s especially noticeable when compared to Keith Giffen’s Legion art, which debuts in this issue’s backup tale.
•••
Title: “The Forgotten Future”
Synopsis: Dream Girl returns to her homeworld to investigate why the Naltorians have lost their future-casting powers.
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciler: Keith Giffen
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt
Review: It’s a subdued start for one of the era’s best creative teams, but their penchant for world-building is already apparent.
Grade (for the entire issue): B+
Cool factor: Welcome to the 30th century, Keith Giffen!
Notable: First Keith Giffen LoSH art.
Character quotable: “I shall pray to Cassandra that she bring us salvation.” – The High Seer of Naltor (who shouldn’t have worried – Dream Girl’s got this)
A word from the writer: “Keith became my primary contributor and we found ourselves in creative harmony as only happens in the rarest moment for comics writers and artists: Despite different styles, tastes, and approaches to our work, we bounced ideas back and forth in a constant ‘can you top this’ … and had a ball.” – Paul Levitz, from the introduction to “The Legion of Superheroes: The Great Darkness Saga” collection, 2010
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Sequential Reaction (Vol. 1) on April 5, 2016.
