This issue resolves way too cute. Levitz sets up a complicated, timed ending and then doesn’t deliver. The issue doesn’t even have a cliffhanger… it just has a happy, wink wink ending about Brainiac having to give Mon-El a compliment.

It’s too passive; it’s almost like a Saturday morning cartoon.

Otherwise, the issue is often a decent action issue. While some Legionnaires head to investigate the bad guy (who’s barely in the issue, since the aliens from Invasion! are here too), the others are fighting spaceships.

As usual, there are action problems from Portela. He never manages to convey the size of the battle and is much better suited for the Legionnaires investigation scenes. The close-ups are also odd this issue, with Portela’s faces looking far too amateurish and manga influenced for a mainstream sci-fi book.

It’s okay, but Levitz is definitely making some awkwardly bad choices.

CREDITS

Shadow War; writer, Paul Levitz; artist, Francis Portela; colorist, Javier Mena; letterer, Pat Brosseau; editor, Chris Conroy; publisher, DC Comics.

Legion continues to be fine. Levitz is preaching to his choir though; he’s got cute little jokes between boy and girl Legionnaires I’m sure he was doing back in the eighties. He’s having fun and he clearly likes the characters.

It makes the comic entertaining to read, but not necessarily entertaining overall. Levitz makes some odd narrative choices, like treating Mon-El as a mute. Everyone talks about him, like he’s the comic’s de facto star, which I’d never thought was the case. Levitz exaggerates it.

Maybe for the new readers? He’s making a central figure, one easy to identify.

The more impressive thing this issue has to be Portela. He draws the action scenes here a lot better than last time. He still has problems with the comic’s visual pacing overall though.

Once again, I find myself without a lot to say about Legion.

It is what it is.

CREDITS

Hostile World; writer, Paul Levitz; artist, Francis Portela; colorist, Javier Mena; letterer, Pat Brosseau; editor, Chris Conroy; publisher, DC Comics.

My issue with Legion of Super-Heroes—to some degree, with all the incarnations in the last five or so years—is it’s just a refresh of the Paul Levitz, pre-Crisis Legion. Notice I didn’t say rehash. I said refresh. Even here—with Levitz relaunching the title for the big DC line-wide relaunch—it plays on the good memories of his previous work.

DC can’t get it in their head (and never has been able to)… certain comics don’t need to be relaunched.

Levitz does a fine job scripting and I’m reasonably engaged. But he’s playing off readers’ existing affections.

If I have any problems with this comic book, it’s with artist Francis Portela. He has a real problem with cause and effect. He can’t tie visuals together (whether landing craft launching or guys punching).

But the comic’s good. It’s just… It’s not “new.”

And probably shouldn’t be.

CREDITS

Renegade World; writer, Paul Levitz; artist, Francis Portela; colorist, Javier Mena; letterer, Pat Brosseau; editors, Chris Conroy; publisher, DC Comics.