What's the word on Legion?

[DisneyBoy]

Okay. So the first season's pretty much wrapped up, I think, and I'm curious to know how the show has gone over with people.

I was in the camp that would have given it a chance if Supergirl had been the one in the spotlight and the series more closely resembled the DCAU. I was open to the idea of new designs, but after watching the pilot, I wasn't too keen on the look of the series, or the wide arrange of characters and villains, none of whom really jumped out as interesting.

Have some folks really fallen for the new series?

[danreyes1]

When I saw the new designs, I was very skeptical. I thought it'de be the dissapointment The Batman was initially. But it actually turned out to be a pretty fun show. Sure, they got Superman's character all wrong and turned Brainiac into a mecha, but over time they manage to get these changes to work. The real strength of this series is that these characters are even more obscure than the Titans or the background JLU were. We have little to no idea who these people are in the comics, so we have no preconcepetions to dissapoint. It's nowhere near as good as the Timmiverse, but then again, nothing ever will be. For what Legion is, it's a good show. Give it a chance.

[BonyT]

Think I'm in pretty much the same boat you are, DB, in that I watched the pilot, wasn't terribly impressed, and haven't really paid a lot attention to the show since. The character designs didn't really bother me (although Legion certainly doesn't have The Batman's gorgeous and distinct animation, a feature which hooked me on that show right from the start); but there really just didn't seem to be much going on in LOSH to hold my attention.

I will say, however, that I caught most of part 1 of the season finale, and found it more engaging than what little I'd seen of the show in the past.

[CyberCubed]

I've watched the entire season and it is certainly a decent show, but my problem with it is none of the characters are that engaging.

This show has not grabbed me the way Teen Titans did. The strength of the 5 main characters in that series really showed, and Legion just doesn't have the same chemistry as they do.

I'll continue watching because the plots are pretty standard fair and the fights resemble Teen Titans, but overall the characters just aren't that good.

I would have also preferred this show to have Supergirl with Timmverse designs with the Legion as adults, but this version is ok. I think the question is are people getting comfortable with shows not in DCAU canon?

[Anthonynotes]

I'm still enjoying the show, though imagine things will pick up/be adjusted for season two...

Still hate the "Superboy embargo" (to borrow an expression) for DC of late declaring any reference to the Boy of Steel's name as off-limits (vs. just sucking it up and paying Siegel and Shuster's estates the royalties or buying the name/rights outright and ending this silly legal fight). Far as I'm concerned, a teenaged superheroic Superman *is* Superboy, and not "Superman". Otherwise, don't have any major issues with the show (Brainy-as-a-robot didn't bug me for whatever reason)...

-B.

[Ian]

So far, I'd say it has the best freshman season of any post-2001 DC cartoon. While the designs took some getting used to, and the first few episodes suffer from the usual growing pains, it gets better almost immediately. It's got a great personality, and a lot of heart, if you care about those things.

[Caswin]

"Phantoms" was good on just about all counts.

Everything else I've seen, mediocre or worse. (Although I managed to miss "Sundown". Oops.)

[TemporalFlux]

Have some folks really fallen for the new series?

It hasn't blown me away, but I've enjoyed it. Most of the modern DC toons have a rocky first season, though; even Justice League was rather bland to me in its first season (so much so that I almost stopped watching). The second season is usually where things pick up, so I'll reserve judgment on Legion until I see that.

From the alleged spoilers I've seen, Legion season two has a great deal of potential and is primed to continue the "season two break-out" tradition for modern DC toons. If true, there is even a plot element being introduced that will somewhat remove season two from season one in order to give the series a fresh start.

At the very least, WB still seems to be behind the series. TVShowsonDVD reported today (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7245) that McDonald's will have a Legion themed Happy Meal promotion in August that will include various Legion figures. The McDonald's promotion will coincide with the first DVD release for Legion and assumably with the premiere of Legion season two.

[Bones Justice]

I like this show. It's not Justice League Unlimited but it's more like that than Teen Titans, despite the character designs. I've only ever read a few Legion comics years ago but I didn't feel lost watching the show.

I would rather have seen Supergirl in this series but I'm glad they used Superman instead of Superboy. They have put the idea of Superman to good use but if they do truly erase his memory when they return him to the past, wouldn't the whole trip be a waste?

I like most of the other Legionnaires. To my surprise, Bouncing Boy is actually a good character. Brainiac Five is the only character that I do not like -- he's very whiny and too powerful.

I thought the pilot episode was a little slow but it wasn't terrible. I started to have hope for the show with the second episode, Timber Wolf, because they showed a dark side as well as being open to change:


Timber Wolf's father experimented on him and is evil; Timberwolf becomes a member of the Legion rather than the cliche ending of being a one-shot character.


The next two episodes were the highlights of the season so far for me. Legacy combined action and a good story with a twist. Phantoms is my favorite episode of the season -- the action is as good as stuff we saw in Justice League Unlimited. Both episodes could have taken the cliche ending or "moral of the story" ending but took a different and more honest route to the finale.

Champions is an entertaining episode because of the action but the story idea leaves a lot to be desired. Fear Factory is the only really bad episode that I've seen so far -- cliche, boring, predictable, very little action.

I haven't watched the rest of the season yet but I'm hoping to watch the rest this weekend (TGFT). But so far, from what I've seen, this is a solid series that is worth watching. I hope to see it back next season.

[duncanvw]

I'm an old guy (38) and the very first two comics I ever read were Batman vs. Man-Bat and a very old issue of LOSH. I was hooked on both immediately. LOSH was my very favorite.

That said, I've waited for a LOSH animated series for over 20 years, following the speculation, watching the guest eps on shows like JLU and STAS, loving them but still feeling a little less than satisfied.

I love the LOSH Animated Series, and here's why: It's been a really bonding experience for me and my stepson. He's not at all familiar with LOSH history. The reason I really enjoy the show is because the writers have paid A LOT of respect to the stories from the comics. I remember watching eps such as "Subsitutes" and "Sundown" and thinking, "This is it! These are the comics I loved as a kid, and here they are, in action!" LOSH has always been slightly off the beaten path as far as the DC universe goes, and this show is similar in that regard.

I completely understand why some people wouldn't like this show. But the reason I do like it is because I think it's a fun take on stories I read 30 years ago. And for this old guy, that's reason enough to look forward to 22 minutes of fun each Saturday.

And let's face it, love any of these shows or hate them all, DC comics fans are LUCKY to be able to watch their favorite characters come to life. The comic universe is wonderfully dynamic. Comics from the 50s look different than those of today because they should. It's the same with TV. If everything was JLU, sure it would be great, but BTAS wasn't Superfriends either, and that was totally cool with me. And I never missed an ep of Superfriends when I was a tike in footy pjs.

Keep an open mind. Not every show is for everyone. We're lucky that DC comics continue to come to life.

[CapdCrusader376]

well i have to agree with some of you here, i myself was pretty skeptical when i saw the designs for the show an i was hoping that it would spinoff off the Timmverse and feature Supergirl. But then came Sept and i missed the pilot, so ended up watching the 2nd Ep first (Timberwolf) and i thought WOW this is going to be a great series then i saw the Pilot and wasnt as good as Timberwolf, but as Weekends went by some of the eps got better and some (Fear Factory) took a very big dive for me, but the Season held up as enjoyable. then when i saw Chain of Command i thought this is the type of Ep that hooked me in the begining, and i thought it was outstanding ep all around. then Sundown which was good but so far none has been up to par with Chain of Command, but i do enjoy the show and it is something that has room to improve and from the news ive read for season 2 they are Improving. soo i cant wait till Season 2, but i am really dissapointed with them releasing only 4 eps on DVD, instead of just releasing an entire Season along with The Batman Season 4 and Teen Titans Season 4 that would be a better idea in my opinion.

[TemporalFlux]

but i am really dissapointed with them releasing only 4 eps on DVD, instead of just releasing an entire Season along with The Batman Season 4 and Teen Titans Season 4 that would be a better idea in my opinion.

For some reason, that's WB's strategy on practically *every* DC animated property (from Superman to Justice League). First we get a few compilation releases and then we get a season set.

I guess it's WB's way of trying to squeeze out as much double-dipping as possible.

[mr.happy]

I recently watched a bit of a LoS marathon, and I have to say I like it more than I thought I would. Generally speaking, I think it's better than Teen Titans, which had a few outstanding episodes, but was often just a little too "wacky" and "hyper" for my taste. LoS has yet to match TT's occasional peaks, but it's a pretty steady performer, and I expect it will improve next season.

[FireWarrior]

Other than the "Phantoms" episode, I'm pretty disappointed. The pilot was decent and the listed episode was fantastic with some great action. However the other episodes have just been mediocre. I just can't get into the story too much and the characters are not really helping either. Here's to hope that the later episodes will be better.

[Anthonynotes]

Ha ha, me too, except that I'm thirty nine and about to turn 40. :sad:


Cool... there's at least two people on here older than me (just turned 32). Often feel like the only person here who isn't a teenager/college student-aged person... :-)

-B.

[TemporalFlux]

Cool... there's at least two people on here older than me (just turned 32). Often feel like the only person here who isn't a teenager/college student-aged person... :-)

-B.

I'm 31; I mere young'in by comparison. ;)

[Yojimbo]

I found it to be consistent for a first season DCAU series. The staff flexed the range of their writing...spoofs, comedy, action, etc. The references, blatant and hidden were fun to track. I'm onboard for next season.

[Alph]

Far as I'm concerned, a teenaged superheroic Superman *is* Superboy, and not "Superman".

That doesn't really make sense. Teenage males are men biologically, and whether or not they are men emotionally depends on the individual. I mean, maybe if he was prepubescent, then you'd have a point, but he's not, so if the other characters just automatically called him "Superboy" that would be sort of insulting.

[Undrave]

You're right, that would be as insulting as calling someone "Lad"... ;)

Hey, the Lads chose the names XD if Superman wants to be called 'Superman' then its his choice and the others don't need to go "You'Re too young to be called Superman. We'll call you Superboy...or Superkid? Or Superlad?"

Anyway I get tired of every new show being compared to the Timmverse -.- just LET IT GO guys! Let it go!

Loved the first season of LoSH and I'm really eager to see what improvements they'll make for next season. I hope to learn more about Triplicate girl and actually see her fight again.

[adoptedBatpuppy]

It's a nice show, but not as good as JLU. In fact it has a far way to go to reach JLU, or TT storywise, and artwise, but I believe it has a huge potential to get better! :shrug:
I enjoy some of the episodes, but have yet to see season finale. :)
The characters need more development, especially new ones being introduced to the show!

[duncanvw]

I think, more than anything else, I'm encouraged by the progress this show has made in its first season. I really like most of the character designs. I have to admit, I'm a Bouncing Boy fan from WAAAAAYYY back, and this is the most aggressive character design for him that I can find. Same with TimberWolf. I also like the brainy-mech angle. Some stuff is simply for kids, and I'm cool with it. My kids LOVE B-5.

The best part about LOSH comics was that you could always count on Lightening Lad, Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy, but beyond that, you never knew who might show up. I love the cameos by people like Sun Boy and Tyroc. And the fact that Trip Girl makes the cut as one of the "opening credits" characters is pretty true to the comics too.

I keep beating this horse, but love this show, hate this show, or feel total indifference, comic fans are lucky to have solid animation with stories that are compelling enough for us to argue about them.

And, if prior DC animation is any indication, the best is ahead for this show. I know somewhere down the line we're bound to see RJ Brande, Darkseid, maybe even Brainiac and some other old-skool DC heroes and villians known for long-lives or time travel.

And let's face it - this show deserves credit for one thing if nothing else. The fat kid ends up with the hottest chick. When I explained to my stepson's overweight friend that Bouncie actually marries Trip in the comics, he beamed with pride. Considering the role models, body images, etc. that male boys have to deal with, to see Bouncie become the leader and get the girl is a positive thing. I'm not saying that young girls don't have it even worse, but I'm still proud of DC for showing us that a cute girl could fall for a guy who is the less-than-perfect matinee idol.

And hey, if I could choose a power, bouncing around like a big rubber ball is pretty dam cool.

[Alph]

And hey, if I could choose a power, bouncing around like a big rubber ball is pretty dam cool.

I think anyone who has played Kirby's Adventure for NES already knows that.

[Anthonynotes]

That doesn't really make sense. Teenage males are men biologically, and whether or not they are men emotionally depends on the individual. I mean, maybe if he was prepubescent, then you'd have a point, but he's not, so if the other characters just automatically called him "Superboy" that would be sort of insulting.

Well, besides that teenagers (to 32-year-old me) *aren't* adults (much as they seem to wish they were) and (as others noted) it's odd seeing Super*man* mentioned among a bunch of members with "Boy" and "Lad" in their names, I also grew up on the old Superboy... so sue me. :-)

-B.

[Undrave]

*sues Brainatra*

j/k XD

I REALLY hope we get to see Triplicate Girl fight again. In the first episode she was A-MAZING! Her style was just so cool! But since then she hasn't thrown a single punch! Always stuck in the cruiser :/

[Alph]

Well, besides that teenagers (to 32-year-old me) *aren't* adults (much as they seem to wish they were) and (as others noted) it's odd seeing Super*man* mentioned among a bunch of members with "Boy" and "Lad" in their names, I also grew up on the old Superboy... so sue me. :-)

-B.

Well, see, the problem then is that you're an old fart. ;)

I certainly didn't consider myself a kid a couple years ago, even though you old people might've.

[Hades]

Same goes for me. I watched the first 3 episodes, and just couldn't stand it, especially Alexis. Then I watched the 2 parter finale, and the one where Bouncing Boy becomes the leader, and while it seemed to improve, there are two major issues I have with it. The first one is minor, and that being that Superman does not belong here, Supergirl does. The other one, which I think is major, is that I do not know who these characters are, how they relate to the characters from the past (there seems to be no GL, Flash, Thanagarian, etc), and what the heck is exactly going on.

In the other thread, someone told me to read some of the current comics, but will that tell me what type of world the 31st century is? Will that give me details on who the Fatal Five are? I just don't see a few issues telling me what I need to know to understand this show.

[Razor]

The first one is minor, and that being that Superman does not belong here, Supergirl does.


Superman was part of the founding CONCEPT of the LOSH series. If he doesn't belong there, then, well... that doesn't really make much sense.



The other one, which I think is major, is that I do not know who these characters are, how they relate to the characters from the past (there seems to be no GL, Flash, Thanagarian, etc), and what the heck is exactly going on.



What makes you think there has to be a connection or throwback to older characters?

[BCVM22]

The first one is minor, and that being that Superman does not belong here, Supergirl does.

Count the number of times Superboy's name is mentioned here (http://www.toonopedia.com/legion.htm) and perhaps you'll reconsider.

Superboy is to the Legion is what the Martian Manhunter is to the JLA; he was there at the beginning and for most of the reincarnations thereafter.

[Cobblepot1982]

OK, ok, folks- I get it, yer all much older than I: 25.

[Hades]

I retract my statement about Superman not belonging there, as I went to Wikipedia and read that Superboy and the LoSH was the name of the original comics.

Oh, there is a character that I read there that I have taken interest in, and that is Shadow Lass. Who is she in the animated series?

[CyberCubed]

Well its understandable that casual fans wouldn't be as interested in the Legion characters as say...the Justice League or even Teen Titans.

There were far more memorable characters who had ties to older characters as well in those version.

Although Brainiac 5 should be pretty memorable, from this point of view.

[Undrave]

In the other thread, someone told me to read some of the current comics, but will that tell me what type of world the 31st century is? Will that give me details on who the Fatal Five are? I just don't see a few issues telling me what I need to know to understand this show.

I don't know anything about LOSH and I'm sure most of the target audiance doesn't...what's there more to understand? You want to get all the inside jokes and references and feel smart when you can tell in advance what's gonna happen or sumthin'??

[Bobbywoodhogan]

I like it, the action scenes are very good.

[Anthonynotes]

Same goes for me. I watched the first 3 episodes, and just couldn't stand it, especially Alexis. Then I watched the 2 parter finale, and the one where Bouncing Boy becomes the leader, and while it seemed to improve, there are two major issues I have with it. The first one is minor, and that being that Superman does not belong here, Supergirl does. The other one, which I think is major, is that I do not know who these characters are, how they relate to the characters from the past (there seems to be no GL, Flash, Thanagarian, etc), and what the heck is exactly going on.

In the other thread, someone told me to read some of the current comics, but will that tell me what type of world the 31st century is? Will that give me details on who the Fatal Five are? I just don't see a few issues telling me what I need to know to understand this show.

First off, what the others said----the Legion started off as a backup series in Superboy's comic in the late 50s, gained more appearances in the 60s (with regular backups in "Adventure Comics", along with appearances in various Superman stories of the period) and wound up getting the Superboy comic renamed "Superboy and the LOSH" in the 70s... with the "Superboy" part dropped once Supes got a new solo series in the early 80s. Basically, Superboy was the reason for their coming into existence as characters, though Supergirl was often seen (mainly in 60s stories) as a Legionnaire too (via time-travel and the memory-block I've mentioned previously to prevent Superboy from recalling her once back home in Smallville).

Re: what the 31st century is like:

Basically, it's what you've seen in the cartoon series: by the Legion's time, Earth is similar to "Star Trek" in having a global government and being the capital planet of a interstellar federation of planets, here called the "United Planets". Poverty, disease, and war have generally been eliminated on Earth by the Legion's time-era, with humanity spreading across the galaxy (and interacting with other planets and their denizens).

The Legion were formed as a super-team (in an era when superheroes were a distant memory in the past---thus no GL, Flash, etc.) by Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad (in most versions after running into each other to wind up helping to save the life of RJ Brande, a vastly wealthy businessman and the Legion's sponsor in most of their incarnations) in homage to the legendary Superboy (or Superman/heroes of the 21st century in general in more recent incarnations), and to help fight crime in the 31st century universe.

As noted, superheroes are mostly a distant memory, and thus, there's no Flash, GL, etc. running around in the Legion's time-era in most incarnations, though their descendants are sometimes shown, and their time-era does get honored at times (see: the Superman Museum).

- IIRC, for Green Lantern, the United Planets doesn't allow the GL Corps to operate in UP-space for some reason (probably because they don't answer to the UP government)---the reason given for why no Green Lanterns are (usually) shown in LOSH stories...

- Flash: A pair of twins nicknamed the "Tornado Twins" have been seen rarely in the Legion's time as super-speedy descendants of Flash (Barry Allen, the Flash before Wally).

- Thanagarians: No idea what happens to them by the 31st century.

Info on the Fatal Five (though not much): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_Five

Shadow Lass info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Lass Don't think she's shown up yet on the cartoon though.

Hope all of this helps...

[Wonderwall]

I like the show, if its done anything, is that it made me care about the legion, were before i was never really a fan. The first episodes are pretty boring and werent special but the whole season got better and better, to the point that by the season finale it was a pretty cool show. Its not quite up there with the regular DCAU, but it could, I enjoy it around the same I did TT. I hope the trend continues into next season.

[Christo]

I will go so far as to say that I am happier with the first season of LOSH than I've been with the first season of a DC Animated show since Superman: TAS.

With that said, much of my enjoyment comes from my prior knowledge of the Legion, and the fact that they are staying true to the spirit of all of the characters with 40+ year histories. This show is made with love and respect and it shows in every episode. I can see how someone who has never read a Legion book may not pick up some of the subtle nuances that the LOSH creative team has thrown into their show, thus it feels like this show is aimed more at someone like me than it is aimed at the Legion virgin. But it rocks my socks off.

My only 'gripe' with the first season is that they sometimes feel the need to give Superman a little 'more' to do than is needed. Both of the season finale episodes, for example, involved extraneous action scenes with Superman that pulled focus from the main story, IMHO. And I personally don't need 31st century versions of Lex Luthor or Mr. Mxyzptlk. But those are minor quibbles.

There's so much potential here ... I'm greatly looking forward to the second season.

Long Live the Legion!