Marc
10-26-2002, 11:37 PM
LEGION #13
WRITERS: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
ARTIST: Kev Walker
Greetings Everyone! Get ready for a review of Legion #13!
By the way, The Legion mini-site is finally back up and running at DC Comics. Check it out!
http://www.dccomics.com/features/leg_wiz/index.html
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
ISSUE SYNOPSIS:
Our story is entitled: “Meanwhile…”
And “Meanwhile” is an apt title, since this issue is really just an interlude to what’s coming and I don’t think everything’s going to turn out rosy. This issue has come out only two weeks after issue #12. We’ve got a fill-in artist in Kev Walker, who does an admirable job filling-in for regular penciler Olivier Coipel.
Let’s get started. On the planet Earth, Computo has Brainiac 5 at his mercy and goes on a rant, describing how he was created and then abandoned. He is understandably angry, since he feels that he dutifully saved the Legionnaire’s lives, and was then promptly disassembled.
Meanwhile...on Legion World
M’Onel radios in that the Warworld Dreadnought is nearing Earth. Kid Quantum signals the Khund fleet to prepare their bombardment run against the now Robotican Earth. The hundreds of warships open fire on Earth, with Legion World joining in as well. Bouncing Boy does his best Wedge Antilles impression when he spots the massive Warworld Dreadnought approaching, and it certainly is massive. The Dreadnought dwarfs Legion World and the entire fleet of ships defending Earth. Star Boy struggles as he maintains the integrity of Earth’s orbit with his gravitational powers.
Elsewhere on Legion World...
R.J. Brande and Brin Londo (Timber Wolf) gaze out from the observation viewport, witnessing the onslaught from the battle outside. Brande reveals who he is to the young man, and Timber Wolf is shocked that this old gentlemen is actually the founder of the Legion of Superheroes. Brande is grateful for the kindness that Londo has displayed towards Tinya (Apparition) and her infant son. He reassures Londo that he has the qualities of a hero, and presents him with a Legion ring.
Meanwhile...on Earth
Computo explains his whereabouts following Imperiex’s attack on Earth during Our Worlds at War. He disappeared into deep space, seeking to get as far away as possible from organic lifeforms. His anger brewing, he plotted his revenge against machine-kind’s mistreatment at the hands of organic life.
Meanwhile...on the planet Akue
Three members of the Credo, the hate-filled superteam last seen in issue #5, are confronted by Psiclone, a “Paragon of Mercy of the Sepentary’s Hyperguard”, who attacks them. The Credo’s Singularity arrives and apparently destroys Psiclone.
Meanwhile...on Earth
Computo lays down the history (future) of machine-kind’s slavery to organics. We see how machines were “exterminated” by organic lifeforms, and Computo likens it to “genocide”. All of this ill will towards machines is what led Computo to create Robotica.
Meanwhile...on the planet Colu
Orn Fex and Ial Gix discuss the current situation on Earth. The traitorous Sharn Nux must succeed in her mission to wipe out the Robotican central core on Earth, or else machines shall spawn throughout the galaxy and eventually become the dominant lifeforms.
Meanwhile...on Earth
Metropolis to be precise, as Kinetix and Lt. Shvaughn Erin make their way across the ravaged landscape. The Terrorforms have evolved further into cyborg patrol machines, and Kinetix herself is changing.
Elsewhere on Earth...
Computo is still talking, explaining how he united all abandoned machines throughout the galaxy to join his newly formed Robotica. Brainiac 5 taunts him, and Computo becomes enraged.
Meanwhile...on the Warworld Dreadnought
The mammoth ship and the surrounding fleet continue their attack on Earth’s shields. M’Onel is confident that the fleet will succeed, but the Warworld operating system is skeptical. At that moment the Terrorforms on Earth begin attacking the fleet above, firing like rockets through the atmosphere. One warship is nearly torn in two, and Legion World itself is also hit. The Terrorforms then begin boarding the ships. Kid Quantum is losing hope that the Legion will win this one.
Meanwhile...on Earth
Computo has made his argument. Machines throughout history have been treated as slaves, forced to work for their creators and never given the rights they deserve as sentient beings. Robotica seeks to change all that. Brainiac admits that the truth of the matter is that organic lifeforms have been afraid of machines. Artificial intelligence has made machines superior to all other life, and their mistreatment was wrong. Computo once again makes his offer, and Brainiac agrees to help his “son”.
To be continued...
THOUGHTS & REACTIONS:
This issue was decent, considering it was nothing more than an interlude to what’s ahead. Maybe that’s why I feel impartial towards it, since I think we’re getting ready for a major turn of events. Issue #13 here is like the calm before the storm, as everybody’s true colors are revealed and we see what every key character is currently up to.
If there is one failing that the Legion of Superheroes has suffered from over the years, then that has to be the shear number of characters and convoluted storylines. Here is no different, but writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are maintaining remarkable control over the proceedings. As an interlude issue, they’ve managed to fill us in on where all of our heroes stand, so we don’t forget anyone when the action really gets going. Personally I completely forgot about Lt. Erin and Kinetix on Earth, and we last saw them just two issues ago! There’s so much going on here that it’s easy to get lost, but I’m not complaining.
Just to summarize everyone’s whereabouts, we have:
-Brainiac 5 and Computo on Earth;
-Kinetix and Lt. Erin on Earth;
-7 Legionnaires on the Warworld Dreadnought
-the rest on Legion World
-Star Boy in orbit
-The Group Mind on Colu
-The Credo on Akue
This is a fantastic storyline and I’m excited to see how things turn out. I sense that not everyone is going to survive this, but we’ll have to wait and see. As I mentioned earlier, Kev Walker has done a good job on pencils this issue and his work in no way detracts from my enjoyment of the story.
I liked Computo’s arguments about intelligent machines being considered sentient beings. It reminded me a lot about the terrific Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The Measure of a Man”, in which the android Data was put on trial to determine his status as sentient lifeform or Starfleet property. Computo brought up a lot about human history and slavery, and it makes you wonder how our inheritors will treat other lifeforms in the future. It’s not pleasant to think about, but I can see intelligent machines being treated as nothing more than property by their human “owners”.
I’m also curious about the cameo that the Credo made in this issue. Could they play a larger role in upcoming events? They are a serious threat to the safety of the United Planets, and if the army that Singularity had assembled at the end of issue #5 is any indication, they could present the Legion with a difficult challenge. I can see the Credo as a sort of “Anti-Legion”, but they will have to wait until after the Robotica crisis is resolved.
Well, those are my thoughts on issue #13. We’ve been given a chance to catch our breath as the battle to save Earth escalates. Be here in two weeks for issue #14!
- Cap
WRITERS: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
ARTIST: Kev Walker
Greetings Everyone! Get ready for a review of Legion #13!
By the way, The Legion mini-site is finally back up and running at DC Comics. Check it out!
http://www.dccomics.com/features/leg_wiz/index.html
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
ISSUE SYNOPSIS:
Our story is entitled: “Meanwhile…”
And “Meanwhile” is an apt title, since this issue is really just an interlude to what’s coming and I don’t think everything’s going to turn out rosy. This issue has come out only two weeks after issue #12. We’ve got a fill-in artist in Kev Walker, who does an admirable job filling-in for regular penciler Olivier Coipel.
Let’s get started. On the planet Earth, Computo has Brainiac 5 at his mercy and goes on a rant, describing how he was created and then abandoned. He is understandably angry, since he feels that he dutifully saved the Legionnaire’s lives, and was then promptly disassembled.
Meanwhile...on Legion World
M’Onel radios in that the Warworld Dreadnought is nearing Earth. Kid Quantum signals the Khund fleet to prepare their bombardment run against the now Robotican Earth. The hundreds of warships open fire on Earth, with Legion World joining in as well. Bouncing Boy does his best Wedge Antilles impression when he spots the massive Warworld Dreadnought approaching, and it certainly is massive. The Dreadnought dwarfs Legion World and the entire fleet of ships defending Earth. Star Boy struggles as he maintains the integrity of Earth’s orbit with his gravitational powers.
Elsewhere on Legion World...
R.J. Brande and Brin Londo (Timber Wolf) gaze out from the observation viewport, witnessing the onslaught from the battle outside. Brande reveals who he is to the young man, and Timber Wolf is shocked that this old gentlemen is actually the founder of the Legion of Superheroes. Brande is grateful for the kindness that Londo has displayed towards Tinya (Apparition) and her infant son. He reassures Londo that he has the qualities of a hero, and presents him with a Legion ring.
Meanwhile...on Earth
Computo explains his whereabouts following Imperiex’s attack on Earth during Our Worlds at War. He disappeared into deep space, seeking to get as far away as possible from organic lifeforms. His anger brewing, he plotted his revenge against machine-kind’s mistreatment at the hands of organic life.
Meanwhile...on the planet Akue
Three members of the Credo, the hate-filled superteam last seen in issue #5, are confronted by Psiclone, a “Paragon of Mercy of the Sepentary’s Hyperguard”, who attacks them. The Credo’s Singularity arrives and apparently destroys Psiclone.
Meanwhile...on Earth
Computo lays down the history (future) of machine-kind’s slavery to organics. We see how machines were “exterminated” by organic lifeforms, and Computo likens it to “genocide”. All of this ill will towards machines is what led Computo to create Robotica.
Meanwhile...on the planet Colu
Orn Fex and Ial Gix discuss the current situation on Earth. The traitorous Sharn Nux must succeed in her mission to wipe out the Robotican central core on Earth, or else machines shall spawn throughout the galaxy and eventually become the dominant lifeforms.
Meanwhile...on Earth
Metropolis to be precise, as Kinetix and Lt. Shvaughn Erin make their way across the ravaged landscape. The Terrorforms have evolved further into cyborg patrol machines, and Kinetix herself is changing.
Elsewhere on Earth...
Computo is still talking, explaining how he united all abandoned machines throughout the galaxy to join his newly formed Robotica. Brainiac 5 taunts him, and Computo becomes enraged.
Meanwhile...on the Warworld Dreadnought
The mammoth ship and the surrounding fleet continue their attack on Earth’s shields. M’Onel is confident that the fleet will succeed, but the Warworld operating system is skeptical. At that moment the Terrorforms on Earth begin attacking the fleet above, firing like rockets through the atmosphere. One warship is nearly torn in two, and Legion World itself is also hit. The Terrorforms then begin boarding the ships. Kid Quantum is losing hope that the Legion will win this one.
Meanwhile...on Earth
Computo has made his argument. Machines throughout history have been treated as slaves, forced to work for their creators and never given the rights they deserve as sentient beings. Robotica seeks to change all that. Brainiac admits that the truth of the matter is that organic lifeforms have been afraid of machines. Artificial intelligence has made machines superior to all other life, and their mistreatment was wrong. Computo once again makes his offer, and Brainiac agrees to help his “son”.
To be continued...
THOUGHTS & REACTIONS:
This issue was decent, considering it was nothing more than an interlude to what’s ahead. Maybe that’s why I feel impartial towards it, since I think we’re getting ready for a major turn of events. Issue #13 here is like the calm before the storm, as everybody’s true colors are revealed and we see what every key character is currently up to.
If there is one failing that the Legion of Superheroes has suffered from over the years, then that has to be the shear number of characters and convoluted storylines. Here is no different, but writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are maintaining remarkable control over the proceedings. As an interlude issue, they’ve managed to fill us in on where all of our heroes stand, so we don’t forget anyone when the action really gets going. Personally I completely forgot about Lt. Erin and Kinetix on Earth, and we last saw them just two issues ago! There’s so much going on here that it’s easy to get lost, but I’m not complaining.
Just to summarize everyone’s whereabouts, we have:
-Brainiac 5 and Computo on Earth;
-Kinetix and Lt. Erin on Earth;
-7 Legionnaires on the Warworld Dreadnought
-the rest on Legion World
-Star Boy in orbit
-The Group Mind on Colu
-The Credo on Akue
This is a fantastic storyline and I’m excited to see how things turn out. I sense that not everyone is going to survive this, but we’ll have to wait and see. As I mentioned earlier, Kev Walker has done a good job on pencils this issue and his work in no way detracts from my enjoyment of the story.
I liked Computo’s arguments about intelligent machines being considered sentient beings. It reminded me a lot about the terrific Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The Measure of a Man”, in which the android Data was put on trial to determine his status as sentient lifeform or Starfleet property. Computo brought up a lot about human history and slavery, and it makes you wonder how our inheritors will treat other lifeforms in the future. It’s not pleasant to think about, but I can see intelligent machines being treated as nothing more than property by their human “owners”.
I’m also curious about the cameo that the Credo made in this issue. Could they play a larger role in upcoming events? They are a serious threat to the safety of the United Planets, and if the army that Singularity had assembled at the end of issue #5 is any indication, they could present the Legion with a difficult challenge. I can see the Credo as a sort of “Anti-Legion”, but they will have to wait until after the Robotica crisis is resolved.
Well, those are my thoughts on issue #13. We’ve been given a chance to catch our breath as the battle to save Earth escalates. Be here in two weeks for issue #14!
- Cap