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Mild Mannered Reviews - Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century

Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #9

Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #9

Scheduled to arrive in stores: December 19, 2007

Cover date: February 2008

"Bad Ideas"

Writer: Scott Beatty
Penciller: Ethan Beavers
Inker: Ethan Beavers

Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel

Click to enlarge



Brainiac 5 is studying Superman artifacts from our present day with his fellow Legionnaires. Brainiac finds a photo by Jimmy Olsen that bothers him greatly... his namesake, Brainiac The First.

The identical Compu-Sigil is unmistakable and the Legionnaires are horrified at the discovery. Brainy reveals he and his 'bloodline' had spotty genetic memory of the past but the photo had confirmed his fears - direct lineage to one of histories biggest serial killers.

Brainy returns to base and has a very strange request for Clark - hit him as hard as he possibly can to unlock his history knowledge firewalls and allow his system upgrade. With an almighty crash Brainy flies through walls in the base crashing into his team mates. Fully upgraded Brainiac reveals to Clark his Kryptonian name... Kal-El.

Brainiac decides to make up for historical sins by taking Clark to Rao, the Kryptonian sun. Sun Boy, Triplicate Girl, Bouncing Boy, Clark and Brainy fly out in an adapted Time Bubble. Bouncing Boy is puzzled by the upgraded bubble and Brainy explains he's using a phantom zone projector to shoot them through the galaxies faster to shift through time and dimensional shift faster. They arrive in orbit around Krypton, though Brainy keeps that fact secret.

In his eagerness to make things up to Superman he made several miscalculations when using the Phantom Zone to speed up their journey. Rao begins flaring Solar flames which weaken Clark and knock the Phantom-Time Bubble down to a jungle on Krypton's surface. They scramble out to discover the bubble is cracked and question Brainy's rash actions.

The Legionnaire reveals his great grandfather was a great enemy of Superman's and now that they are trapped in the past he'll succeed where Brainiac failed - by killing Superman!

Superman comforts his friend, explaining he has actually done something to help him. By his slip of the tongue Superman now knows he'll always succeed against Brainiac. So though he's broken a specific rule of time about knowing too much about one's future Brainy is oddly comforted into action. He uses the Legion flight rings to fashion a repair to the bubble so they can escape.

Sun Boy decides to collect Krypton rock samples to fashion a shell for the bubble. While he soars away repairs begin. The Legionnaires are so preoccupied Kryptonian thought beasts attack them and quickly gain the upper hand. Brainy realizes their thoughts are actually attracting the beasts and uses his 12th level intellect to distract them while Sun Boy flies back to the rescue.

Flames from the hero drive off the beasts and Sun Boy presents a soft rock to Brainy to create the shell. Coating Bouncing Boy in the muddy samples they use his body to create the shell and the bubble is quickly readied for action.

Clark looks solemnly at the land realizing he's home. Birthright home...

Brainy apologizes. Using the projector to boost travel contradicted the laws of science and bumped them back in time to Prehistory.

Superman points out Brainy isn't to blame for his evil ancestor's actions but now that it's been revealed to him he'll be ready to fight him... someday...

4Story - 4: I'd long suspected they'd link STAS with the new show and this issue establishes it completely for that fact it's a solid 4! The story itself was okay, it explained how in Season Two Brainy is super evolved and that is nice to know but the journey to Prehistoric Krypton seemed pointless and the 'conserving' history theories were juggled throughout.

Brainy wouldn't tell Clark about Krypton, but he told him his birth name and also revealed no matter the confrontation Superman would always beat Brainy and that seems a little wrong - especially for a 12th level intellectual.

4Art - 4: Neatly begins bridging gaps between seasons and is exquisitely illustrated - I only wish Brainiac could have featured in person or as a computer system instead of ghostly flashbacks and bad photos.

4Cover Art - 4: SWEET! Absolutely a cover that screams - buy me right now for the love of God!

This book is brilliant.


Mild Mannered Reviews

2008

Note: Month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

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