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Legion: Secret Origin
Paul Levitz continues his 21st century run on DC's most famous 31st century team, the Legion of Super-Heroes! Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad. These three heroes began the formation of the Legion. But why was the organization known as the United Planets formed? Who tried to kill R.J. Brande the first time? What great power could leave entire planets desolate and lifeless? Though these questions have remained unanswered for years, SECRET ORIGIN will uncover the until-now untold details of one of the greatest super-teams of all time! The man who knows the Legion of Super-Heroes best, Paul Levitz, along with artist Chris Batista, bring you one of the most exciting and pivotal Legion stories to date!
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
7 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 4, 2020
I'm not sure which Legion continuity this was supposed to fall under, it came out right before the New 52 started. The Legion has been rebooted so many times that even fans like myself have a hard time following it. And Brian Michael Bendis rebooted it again in 2020. The story is serviceable but there's not much characterization or anything else to make this a recommendation. Chris Batista's art is all right. His heads looks bit narrow and long, almost as if they are being squished.
August 15, 2019
Let there be some mysteries.
This whole mini-series is basically a shoe-horned series that retells the LEgion of Super Heroes origin, except throwing in time-travel secretive organizations, and a mystic who spends the whole series telling everyone 'it'll be all right - the legion must form' which got old REALLY quick. There was nothing in the story that really felt like it was a worthwhile addition to the story (although, to be fair, I'm not a big legion fan in the first place, so anything was likely to be too much for me), although Brainiac and Phantom Girl do have some cute moments. Otherwise, it's a pretty dull slog through an unimportant mystery with a little bit of space action thrown in, and a lot of navel gazing and talking heads. The art is very nice throughout, with impressive color work. But it's all in a service to a story that doesn't seem like it needed to be told.
This whole mini-series is basically a shoe-horned series that retells the LEgion of Super Heroes origin, except throwing in time-travel secretive organizations, and a mystic who spends the whole series telling everyone 'it'll be all right - the legion must form' which got old REALLY quick. There was nothing in the story that really felt like it was a worthwhile addition to the story (although, to be fair, I'm not a big legion fan in the first place, so anything was likely to be too much for me), although Brainiac and Phantom Girl do have some cute moments. Otherwise, it's a pretty dull slog through an unimportant mystery with a little bit of space action thrown in, and a lot of navel gazing and talking heads. The art is very nice throughout, with impressive color work. But it's all in a service to a story that doesn't seem like it needed to be told.
November 1, 2017
Reprints Legion: Secret Origin #1-6 (December 2011-May 2012). The universe is in danger. The 31st Century needs heroes and the United Planets’ forces aren’t strong enough to stop the danger. R.J. Brande has a plan and a team to stop the oncoming threat. The danger is real and the Legion of Super-Heroes could be the only hope!
Written by Paul Levitz, Legion: Secret Origin collects the six issue limited series. The series features art by Chris Batista and was released after the New 52 relaunch of the DC Universe.
The New 52 didn’t hit the Legion (in fact the Legion was severed from the New 52 DCU leaving a team behind in Legion Lost). Legion: Secret Origin actually is a little sketchy since the Legion has been relaunch time and time again. A clear timeline for the Legion hasn’t really been established with events like Crisis, Zero Hour, Infinite Crisis, etc. always tearing apart their world. For this reason, Legion: Secret Origin feels a bit redundant and as a fan of Legion, you know it might not be permanent.
The story just really doesn’t add enough to the Legion’s past. The story of Brande’s founding of the Legion has been told before, but this feels like an expansion upon it because it was a Golden Age story and not as fleshed out. It almost feels a bit like the misguided Spider-Man: Chapter One which sought to streamline Spider-Man’s past and instead just felt like it was playing with a classic. In that aspect, it feels a bit like a chore trudging through the past to get to the obvious conclusion: the formation of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
I will say that the art for Legion: Secret Origins is on point. Chris Batista brings a lot of fun to the series. The Legion has always been over-the-top even in their names…Matter-Eater Lad and Chlorophyll Kid are examples of that. They’re costumes need to be bright and garish. They are representations of both the planets the characters come from and are almost flags for the character…and I love that that aspect of the Legion hasn’t changed that much over the decades.
I love the Legion (and wrote about that previously), but I hate how the Legion is often treated. DC often reboots their universe out of necessity, but it often hits the Legion the hardest since the continuity of the past screws up their future. Legion: Secret Origin doesn’t change much, but it also doesn’t add much to the story of the Legion. It feels like an unnecessary title in a time when the Legion is struggling to find an audience…and ended up losing both of their books.
Written by Paul Levitz, Legion: Secret Origin collects the six issue limited series. The series features art by Chris Batista and was released after the New 52 relaunch of the DC Universe.
The New 52 didn’t hit the Legion (in fact the Legion was severed from the New 52 DCU leaving a team behind in Legion Lost). Legion: Secret Origin actually is a little sketchy since the Legion has been relaunch time and time again. A clear timeline for the Legion hasn’t really been established with events like Crisis, Zero Hour, Infinite Crisis, etc. always tearing apart their world. For this reason, Legion: Secret Origin feels a bit redundant and as a fan of Legion, you know it might not be permanent.
The story just really doesn’t add enough to the Legion’s past. The story of Brande’s founding of the Legion has been told before, but this feels like an expansion upon it because it was a Golden Age story and not as fleshed out. It almost feels a bit like the misguided Spider-Man: Chapter One which sought to streamline Spider-Man’s past and instead just felt like it was playing with a classic. In that aspect, it feels a bit like a chore trudging through the past to get to the obvious conclusion: the formation of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
I will say that the art for Legion: Secret Origins is on point. Chris Batista brings a lot of fun to the series. The Legion has always been over-the-top even in their names…Matter-Eater Lad and Chlorophyll Kid are examples of that. They’re costumes need to be bright and garish. They are representations of both the planets the characters come from and are almost flags for the character…and I love that that aspect of the Legion hasn’t changed that much over the decades.
I love the Legion (and wrote about that previously), but I hate how the Legion is often treated. DC often reboots their universe out of necessity, but it often hits the Legion the hardest since the continuity of the past screws up their future. Legion: Secret Origin doesn’t change much, but it also doesn’t add much to the story of the Legion. It feels like an unnecessary title in a time when the Legion is struggling to find an audience…and ended up losing both of their books.
December 11, 2012
The idea of interweaving a new story amidst a comic’s origin has been done well elsewhere, but sadly not here. Instead, it’s kind of incoherent. There were some elements I liked — the way this story better linked the really sporadic early Legion stories. However, beyond that we get a menace that never really gels and is overly obvious at the end. We get bits of real Legion history that will probably be meaningless to everyone but big fans. Oh, and we get very annoying narrative from the Security Council for three whole issues (presumably until someone told Levitz to quit). Despite the good bits, as a whole the story is pretty mediocre.
March 27, 2018
I think as an origin story it kinda fails. I picked it up hoping it would help me get into other Legion titles within the New 52. I couldn't get myself to care about all of these characters, which admittedly are new to me. The whole thing is really convoluted without seeming to go anywhere. Maybe I'm missing something readers of previous Legion titles would pick up on. But then what was the purpose of doing an origin volume in the first place?
Convoluted, generic, uninteresting artwork.
Convoluted, generic, uninteresting artwork.
November 9, 2020
After nearly being assassinated, billionaire R. J. Brande seeks to form a group of heroes led by those who saved him, a trio of superpowered teenagers, as a possible invasion threatens the fate of the United Planets. Levitz brings fans an enjoyable origin story with plenty of nods and dry humour, told through colourful illustration. What can a ragtag group of teenagers from across the galaxy possibly do in the face of political tension?
December 31, 2012
I think with all of the controversy that has surrounded some of Paul Levitz's decisions as DC Comics former EIC, one thing was forgotten (besides even Mark MIllar telling people that Levitz really is/can be a very nice human being). Levitz cam write, and this is my first exposure to some of his new work. Currently he is writing two ongoing series, and he just wrapped up two mini-series.
This is Levitz introducing people to the Legion's back story. Outside of Dr. Who I cannot think of any property with a more confused continuity. So my first bit of advice is pick your Legion canon and go from there, or do as I do. Enjoy the fact that for some reason the title seems to attract, or make, some good writers. Levitz tosses in some nice science doubletalk for the science portions and adds a dash of space opera. Toss in an overarching mystery that appears it might intended for the main title and it makes for an enjoyable read.
This is Levitz introducing people to the Legion's back story. Outside of Dr. Who I cannot think of any property with a more confused continuity. So my first bit of advice is pick your Legion canon and go from there, or do as I do. Enjoy the fact that for some reason the title seems to attract, or make, some good writers. Levitz tosses in some nice science doubletalk for the science portions and adds a dash of space opera. Toss in an overarching mystery that appears it might intended for the main title and it makes for an enjoyable read.
October 3, 2012
An absolutely amazing retelling of the origin missions of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
June 30, 2019
I'm a big fan of Levitz' original Legion run, from back in the 80s. So this is kind of like comfort food for me. But it's a little unsatisfying. It was originally a six-issue mini-series. DC's publishing history from when this came out (2011/2012) is a bit confusing, so I'm not sure if it ties into anything else Legion-related that was coming out at around the same time or not. And it doesn't work that well as a standalone story. We see more of the "behind the scenes" stuff going on around the founding of the Legion that we see of the Legion itself. And some of the main Legion characters don't really get to do much here. There's not much in the way of character development. Aside from all this nitpicking, I did enjoy reading this. Levitz is still a good writer, and there was a lot of fun stuff here.
May 30, 2018
A fun, albeit quick read.
October 5, 2018
A good introduction to the Legion.
June 4, 2020
O roteiro é fraco e a arte apenas regular.
April 14, 2021
Prosta historia o totalnie bezosobowych postaciach, wyciętych z kartonu, które robią jakieś fikołki i udają że coś obchodzi je los wszechświata.
August 17, 2021
A master utilizing tools well used, but still interesting in the new beginning and the Time Trapper
January 24, 2017
Outras edições de quadrinhos da Panini
Sem ligação especial, a não ser terem sido publicadas aproximadamente em um período recente e já terem sido resenhadas por mim.
Publicações no mesmo formato e qualidade gráfica, com temas próximos, também em preços atraentes.
Marvel
Novos Vingadores: tudo morre
Homem-Aranha Superior, Vol. 1: Meu Pior Inimigo
Vingadores: A Ira de Ultron
A Era de Ultron: Futuros Alternativos
DC
Legião: Origem Secreta
Superman e a Legião dos Super-heróis
Superman: Brainiac
August 1, 2013
The art is pretty lame as even when there is trouble afoot most of the Shiny Happy People barely get a wrinkle above their brow. The story is so recycled and unoriginal and the security council narrative so heavy handed that is seems like the most unnecessary piece ever. What's that character from Naltor 'these young people are important' I don't think I read it properly the first time if you could just keep repeating that EVERY OTHER PAGE I'm sure the message will get through. Not to mention instead of actually taking the time to develop characters he just has them barfed all over the page. At one point Lyle is trying to tell his backstory and Lightening Lad shushes him because what care we for character development is my head now Levitz is Lightening Lad forever shushing any interesting detail aside for yet another assassination attempt or loud explosion. Thanks for yet another Legion reboot this time with only half the calories of actual Legion. BOO LEVITZ. BOO.
April 14, 2013
Having been a Legion fan for a long time, I have read many versions of their origin. Paul Levitz, as expected, enhances the story and delivers a lot of behind-the-scenes info. The story covers the period from RJ Brande's first gathering together Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad up until they are about to travel to the past to first meet Superboy. The story has a lot more detail than the original origin story - back in 1958 - and the Legion has several more members than were mentioned in that story.
My only real disappointment with this was the artwork. Chris Batista's pencils are clean and precise, but I found them to be just a touch too "cartoony" for my taste, and I didn't think they quite worked for this story. But that is a minor criticism of what is, overall, an excellent comic series.
My only real disappointment with this was the artwork. Chris Batista's pencils are clean and precise, but I found them to be just a touch too "cartoony" for my taste, and I didn't think they quite worked for this story. But that is a minor criticism of what is, overall, an excellent comic series.
August 8, 2012
This mini-series had great art, but it was a pretty standard story. There's nothing really interesting and compelling about this series, however, it does serve as a good introduction to the Legion for those who know nothing about them.
November 1, 2012
While I wasn't that pleased with the changes to the original stories, on it's own merits it's an entertaining tale.
April 11, 2013
yet another retelling of the origin of the LSH. it was a big yawn in some places, particularly as it was just more Brainy, who seems to be a favorite of Paul Levitz. art was nice.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews