Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes, Vol. 5: Dominator War

Legion of Super-Heroes (2005)

by Mark Waid, Barry Kitson

The bright, defiant, energized team of 31st century super-powered teenagers known as the Legion of Super-Heroes is adjusting to its newest member: Supergirl. In this volume, Brainiac wants to bring the deceased Dream Girl back from the dead, and only the memories of a deadly enemy can help. And Supergirl's new boyfriend explores his feelings for her as the Legion takes on a foe who can target and exploit its every weakness

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2007

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Stewart Tame]

This is the final volume of the series, which might seem like a bad place to start. In my case, though, it makes sense because Mark Waid’s Legion of Superheroes is a title I was buying back when it first began. I stopped when I stopped buying *all* comics due to being out of work for a while. They were a luxury I just couldn't afford.

As it turns out, I missed a storyline or two. Probably the last single issue I read was somewhere in the volume before this one, maybe even the one before that. Due to my knowledge of the beginning of this series, and of Legion history in general, I wasn't completely lost, but it was a near thing. Saner folk should take the precaution of reading the volumes leading up to this one first, or risk mental injury.

This is certainly an epic story to end on. The cover promises Dominator War, and that's what we get. It's an all-out war with the Dominators with the fate of the United Planets hanging in the balance. I don't think that it's spoiling anything to say that the Legion ultimately prevails, but it's a very near thing.

As a longtime Legion of Superheroes fan, I have to say that Mark Waid’s version of the team gets so many things right. Sure, it changes stuff, but so many of those changes ring true. If this were a Marvel title, they’d just call it Ultimate Legion and everyone would know what to expect. Sure, it's not completely compatible with the classic series, but honestly that's half the fun.

If you're a Legion fan, this is highly recommended! Honestly, it's a series worth reading even if you aren't ...

[Jen]

Another trade book in the Legion series, and this time they have to learn to work with another group of teenaged superheros, the Wanderers (who think the Legion is just a bunch of sell-out pussies), to save the Earth from the Dominators, who have released a techno-virus that has disabled all technology on Earth and even turned some of the robots and machines against the humans. The group comes up with a plan, and the Wanderers eventually given in and fall under the leadership of the Legion, and together they find a way to beat the Dominators...but the final resolution leads to bad public opinion of Cosmic Boy, right as the election for the new Legion leader is happening. More good fun!

[Brian Rosenberger]

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes: Dominator War
DC, collects issues 26-30

Legion members are missing, trapped by the Wanderers, another team of super-powered teens. The Legion members were enlisted to join the Wanderers’ side in a war against the Dominators.

The Wanderer’s Leader is recognized as Mekt Ranzz, sibling to Legion members Lightning Lad and Light Lass.

Mekt says, “Answer to me and I will lead you to victory. Fight me, and we all die.”

Mon-El, Brainiac 5, Supergirl, and Ultra Boy are dispatched to suppress a robot rebellion. And who doesn’t love a robot rebellion? The biggest robot is a Trojan Horse, not a weapon, but a delivery system.

The Dominators celebrate, “All technology on Planet Earth is fully under the control of our A.I. Virus… The Legionnaires fight a war that is already lost.”

The Dominators dispatch Shock Troops to Earth. Cosmic Boy is captured and is interrogated but refuses to break. They turn their attention to Triplicate Girl. She breaks. Not! It’s all been a plan to ensnare the Dominators. The heroes take the battle to the Dominators home planet.

Flashback to the original Invasion (a 3 - issue series published in 1988 with multiple crossovers). The aftermath, a non-aggression treaty is formed amongst the defeated interstellar powers. Enter Booster Gold. The Dominators saw Booster’s arrival as a breach of the treaty and a declaration of War. Thus originated the Dominators’ long-term plans, altering Dominator physiology with unforeseen abilities, to ensure a final victory.

The Legion and Wanderers unify. One Legionnaire (one of my favorites) makes the ultimate sacrifice. Or not!

Best Quote: Brainiac 5 - “I have some inventing to do.”

Big fan of Barry Kitson’s artwork. I enjoyed this volume overall. I feel like the Legion is one of those DC books that never gets it just due. Great characters. Decades (centuries) of history.

[Michael]

A fairly epic saga, good twist at the end, although it was so micro-focused on the hero groups that the scope of the war was never felt and the claustrophobia didn't come through.

[TheWord]

1,5

[Brian Mulhall]

A bit manic. No sense of pacing.

[Kyle]

This collection ended Mark Waid's incredible run with this series. Sadly, this arc was a little disappointing.

Stripped of most of its humour and pared down to bare-bones action points, this should-be epic was really a bit of a rush job. Which is a shame because in past issues, Waid took his time to really develop conflict between characters and he wrote hilarious moments in to almost every panel. All that is missing in the Dominator War. Heck, there is barely even a war in the Dominator War.



3/5

[Emile Rudoy]

Me gustó, en particular el número 28 donde es la única vez que he visto que los Dominators podrían ser una amenaza real para alguien (no nada mas los Legionarios), sin embargo no hay mucho mas. Creo que tenía mas romantizada la serie (o en verdad he evolucionado mucho como lector en casi veinte años) pero este run de Mark Waid no ha sido mi hit. Y recuerdo muy poco pero lo que viene en su momento no me gustó solo para volver a mejorar cuando regresó Jim Shooter. Ya veremos que onda con el siguiente compilado.

[Esther]

The counter tactics used by both sides were interesting enough to read. Considering the tough choices and difficult decisions made, Cos definitely proves himself to be among the best LSH leaders around. Now imagine if Brainy was in charge... I'd read that.

[Devin Bruce]

Last read November 23, 2009.

[Abrar 709]

i think that the legion of super heros need to wrk together

[Joe]

I was looking for more.
It was okay

[Chris]

Too many characters (a recurring issue in this series), not enough Supergirl, and overall it just feels rushed. Mark Waid's run started out promising but limps to its conclusion.

[Andrew]

Not the strongest finish in comics, but still pretty good overall. Think Tony Bedard could've helped out on the outro. Seems a little rushed.

[Will Cooper]

Wraps up the Dominator War and it's pretty great!

[Damián Vives]

Waid se despide y si bien no lo hace a lo grande, le lega a DC un periodo notable de uno de sus productos más emblemáticos.

[Ned Leffingwell]

This was a great Legion story. It had plenty of colorful costumed heroes, and alien invasion, and crazy super-science. This was a nice blend of science fiction and superheroes.

[Zaira's Bookshelf]

Wow. This one is pretty epic. Intense, heart-wrenching, all of it.

[Sean]

Yet another Legion story and somehow there are even more characters! I'm not sure how but Waid keeps adding to the roster. There was just one story told here and for the most part, the subplots were at a minimum, which is a great relief. The overall story was very good. The Dominators plan, actions, motives, and then the resolution was all top-notch. The drawbacks were the sibling rivalry which seems to come up too often and the ridiculous names for these dozens of characters. The art was decent but not spectacular although the page of the initial of the Dominator's attack was amazing. I'd post the picture if I knew how. ; )