LSH Annual – 2011

It’s time for another frivolity break, so let’s board our time bubble and head over to the 31st Century for another adventure with the Legion of Super-Heroes in…

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1: Here I Am
Writer: Paul Levitz, Penciler: Keith Giffen
DC Comics, February 2011

Plot

On the planet Orando (homeworld of Sensor Girl/Princess Projectra), a desperate young woman, Falyce, flees her tormentors and stumbles into the abode of the Emerald Eye of Elkron, which transforms her into the Emerald Empress. With the aid of the powerful Eye, she quickly subjugates the entire planet.

Lightning Lass and Shrinking Violet are passing Orando in their spacecruiser, but the powerful Eye draws the ship down to the planet and the Empress takes them prisoner. Back at Legion headquarters in Metropolis, Gates, Sensor Girl, and Sun Boy receive data indicating their comrades’ ship has crashed. They set out for Orando, but the Empress is expecting them. A series of battles ensue as the Empress and Legionnaires both attempt to gain the upper hand. As part of a calculated plan, Violet shrinks to molecular size, enters the Eye, and proceeds to its core, and then rapidly enlarges, shattering the Eye. Falyce is freed from the domination of the Eye, but is seriously traumatized. As the rest of the Legionnaires return to Earth, Sensor Girl remains on Orando to nurse Falyce and the planet back to health. Meanwhile, the Eye restores itself and escapes Orando to a destination unknown.

Comments

DC published yearly “annuals” for its comic franchises including the Legion. This 45-page special issue features this “one-off” story that has only a slight connection to the 2010-2013 “older Legion” plotline. Long-time LSH fans know the first Emerald Empress, Sarya of Venegar, first appeared in Adventure Comics #352 way back in January 1967 as a member of the Fatal Five. Falyce was actually the third Emerald Empress in Legion lore.

Nope, this wasn’t a particularly good story and Giffen’s pencils are mediocre as usual (he was the Legion’s regular artist in the 1980s), however, it was fun to visit again with the Emerald Empress and the Eye. There are cameo appearances by Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, and Dream Girl.