Reviewer: Mathan “Rubber Band Shooting Lad†Erhardt
Story Title: Foundations
Written by: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Penciled by: Chris Batista, Eric Wright, Tony Harris, Dave Cockrum, and Paul Rivoche
Inked by: Robin Riggs, Chip Wallace, Doug Hazlewood, Tony Harris, Al Milgrom, and Paul Rivoche
Lettered by: Jared Fletcher
Colors by: Sno Cone, Eric Wright, Tom Feister, and Paul Rivoche.
Editor: Stephen Wacker
Publisher: DC Comics
This issue begins in Smallville in the 20th Century, where three familiar looking teens confront a teenage Clark Kent about his secret identity and super powers. He protests, but they whisk him away to the future.
We then cut to Spark making her peace with Element Lad. After that we see Kid Quantum greeting some Legion Cadets, including some familiar faces. Cosmic Boy and Saturn Girl show up to give the cadets a tour, but Cos gets called away because of a disturbance near Braal.
Cos, Apparition, Brainiac, Kid Quantum, Shikari, and Wildfire are dispatched to deal with the dimensional storm that is dangerously close to the President’s yacht. Then we’re back to Legion World, where Spark and her reformed criminal brother Mekt remember Lightning Lad. We also get a glimpse as to how disturbed Mekt really is. Then we see Apparition confronting the President (who happens to be her mother) on the yacht.
Back on Legion World, the cadet tour continues and they all get a lesson on Element Lad. In the Braal system the team deals with the threat and makes the discovery of a time displaced hero. Cosmic boy and Saturn Girl go visit Element Lad’s memorial, and make an even more startling discovery about a fallen comrade.
Oh yeah, those teens take Clark Kent to the 31st century all right, but not to a world we’ve ever seen. At least not a world we’ve seen in the future.
DnA are doing some mighty fine work. DC has given them the 31st century as their playground, and they are making the most of it. With this issue they have set up a years worth of stories with delicately laid seeds. I can’t wait for the next issue, just so they can explain how so many familiar faces appeared in this one.
The art. There were so many different styles. I loved them all. It was great to have Cockrum back doing the Legion. Lightle last issue, and Cockrum this one, who’s next? Every style complimented the part of the story they did. I have to admit that I miss Harris’ look from Starman, but it’s always good to see his work.
This is the perfect celebration of 45 years of the Legion. It nods to the past without messing up the present, and plants seeds for the future. Long Live the Legion.
