Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: N/A
Written by: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Penciled by: Leonard Kirk, Tony Harris
Inked by: Robin Riggs, Tony Harris
Colored by: Sno Cone, Tony Harris and Tom Feister
Lettered by: Nick J. Napolitano
Editor: Ivan Cohen and Stephen Wacker
Publisher: DC Comics
Meet the Legion
This is quite possibly the best Secret Files and Origins comic that DC has ever done! It is exactly what one of these books should be, and while it is still a bit pricey ($4.95 American), it accomplishes everything it should, and could ever possibly do. These Secret Files and Origins, in my opinion, are all about catching up on things, and getting readers ready for the next big storyline. People that are new to a book should check these out, but regular readers can often miss them, and only lose a few ancillary stories that don’t really have a great effect.
While this one still works more for the newbie, it is also a great way for the regular reader to get a brief refresher. Legion probably has the largest recurring cast around, and a solidly written recap is never bad. Things happen quickly in these pages, and with the huge cast, developments can easily be forgotten. This Secret Files definitely helped flesh out what is currently happening, and only made me more exciting for the next regular issue.
Give us 48 pages, and we’ll give you the news!
The storyline follows Trudy Trusoe, a reporter for the news program “Special Edition,†as she embarks on a tour of everything and everyone involved with the Legion. We get a quick origin of the team, and a rundown of all the significant places as well. Not to mention some outstanding character work that hits on all of the important players. Even with the minimal amount of time that DnA has to spend with each character, they do a superb job of fleshing everyone out.
The thing that pulls it all together is the simply fantastic artwork. Never before have I seen a comic integrate the artwork of two disparate pencillers so perfectly. The team of Leonard Kirk and Robin Riggs renders the majority of the story. The odd dynamic is brought in with the work of Tony Harris. Instead of “Who’s Who†type pages interspersed throughout, we’re instead treated to “links†throughout the story. The “links†are in fact half-page, full-page, or even two-page spreads integrated into the story. As Trudy goes about her tour, they serve to highlight each team member. Minimal story is advanced on these pages, or in these panels. Yet, they serve the other purpose of a Secret Files, getting to know the characters better. Done in this unobtrusive way, it works marvelously.
This is absolutely the comic to buy if you are a Legion fan, or a fan looking to get in on the book now. It’s an exciting time for Legion. The world of Apokolips, and Darkseid himself is playing a part, not to mention that Superboy has just journeyed from the past. Now is the best time to sample the book, and this is the best issue you could ask to do so.
