Legion of Super-Heroes, Vol. 2: Death of a Dream

Legion of Super-Heroes (2005)

by Mark Waid, Various

A bright, defiant, energized team of super-powered teenagers from different worlds form a legion of passionate activists that crusade to leave their mark on a complacent society that has forgotten how to fight for change. This volume features an all-out brawi between the Legion and the evil agents of Terror Firma in the Fifth Dimension in order stop galactic destruction. But victory will not come without great sacrifice for this young team of heroes.

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

200 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

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

[Rob Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! If you love the Legion of Superheroes then you'll love this volume.

[Zaira's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I thought Teenage Revolution held a lot. It has nothing on Death of a Dream. I loved loved loved this book. I was up until 2 in the morning reading it because I refused to put it down until I had turned the very last page.

I love the focus on certain characters at certain times. There are so many of them that, in the wrong hands, these comics would have been a mess. But it's very orderly, introducing each and making you connect with each. The war is going strong in this book and it is terrifying. Some characters, like Brainiac 5, made me want to scream, while others made me laugh.

I didn't cry. I knew what was coming because of my extensive research on the Legion. I wanted to cry. But I didn't.

Every single time I read this book something new pops up. The art is wonderful, the writing is amazing. I loved every second spent in this book.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was busy, there was a lot going on and the large cast of characters and the frequent changes in artist didn't help, as the characters and locations blurred together. The Legion is trying to stop a war that the UP and all of the other adults want to deny is being started, fighting another teenage super team, while fighting with and misunderstanding each other along the way. The teenage revolution future feels forced in this story, to try and give the team an edge that doesn't feel right with such a young Legion (although they again seem like adults rather then teens). There is too much internal conflict played out in public for a Legion that is trying to unite the youth of the universe, and I don't really like the quasi-Legion of Substitute Heroes vibe of the kids gathered outside Legion HQ.

[Danielle Routh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't you love a good double-sided title?

I still can't tell all the male superheroes apart, but this is a solid follow-up to Teenage Revolution and provides a lot more backstory and development for many characters, especially Brainy and Cosmic Boy (who, frankly, I've disliked ever since the LOSH cartoon). There's real stakes, too, which you don't always get with main characters, and the ending is quite satisfying.

[Brannigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s good it’s just hard to get connected when there are so many different characters.

[Steven W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the legion. Good stuff.

[TheWord · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Jack Haringa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second trade collection of Mark Waid and Barry Kitson's "threeboot" of Legion of Super-Heroes finishes the story arc begun in the first, giving greater definition to many of the Legion's large cast of characters and clear direction for the team itself. Waid continues to strike a balance between respect for the Legion's Silver Age roots and a need for a more contemporary sensibility. He establishes new origins for both the team and individuals and even comes up with a reasonably plausible explanation for their costumes and goofy names.

For those familiar with the Legion's long history, some of the plot elements--including tension between team leaders, romances in unexpected places, and references to previous threats faced--will seem familiar. Waid updates all of these against a new vision of the 31st Century, which gets further defined in this volume. Waid is full of interesting ideas, and--at least for the first two collections of the ongoing series--has the space to flesh them out while developing his primary plot about forms of rebellion (which is a central theme to the series). Things take a turn for the less interesting when Supergirl is introduced as a central figure, beginning with the next trade collection.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid has this uncanny ability to take characters I've barely heard of and make me care about them. The Legion Of Super-Heroes have had a tumultuous past with many different incarnations but its hard for me to believe this one could be topped. While its not perfect, it is a good example of juggling multiple storylines and characters. At times there are too many but other than many of the dark haired guys looking too similar I could tell who everyone was. Barry Kitson's art, other than that slight flaw, was really good. I don't know how this was received but I can't imagine this wouldn't be liked if it got a proper chance. Overall, a really good book!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, my man Mark Waid did it again! Yes he did, folks. Number 2 here, is as good as number 1. Mmmmhmm. If you love Brainiac 5, you're gonna love Death of a Dream. It sort of had the spirit of REBELS, just without Tribulus. He faces off with everybody, and it just makes for good comedy as much as it does high adventure. Cosmic Boy, Triplicate, Dream Girl, Colossal Boy, Element Lad, Sun Boy (can you guess his powers?), these are my 31st century intergalactic gangstas. With a great villain, too. I truly have a deep love and appreciation for Legion, and this creative team deserves respect for a job well done. Thanks guys.

[Emile Rudoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahora que hice la relectura sentí que las tres estrellas que le puse aquí fueron las adecuadas. Me gustó, pero no me encantó. No es que los Legionarios no peleen entre sí, pero aquí es desgastante la situación. Ahora, hay algunos momentos increíbles como cuando Brainy dice que no es lo suficientemente inteligente o la aparición de Shrinking Violet Atom Girl, pero en general es poco. En su momento mandaron a Supergirl al futuro para ayudar a las ventas de la serie y creo que les funcionó, ya que estuvo en veinte números y para efectos de lo que estoy leyendo serán cuatro compilados. Ya veré si mejora mi relectura o vivo de la nostalgia.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reprints Legion of Super-Heroes #7-13. The Legion finds themselves at war with Lemnos and works to defeat him while trying to keep from falling apart. The Legion of Super-Heroes always seems like a strong comic, but it also always seems overly weighty. The Legion from the 1990s Zero Hour relaunch seems like the lightest of the Legions in existence and this Legion is definately more traditional Legion with a higher risk factor.

[Issam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't really stick with me. I had a hard time identifying with any of the characters here. Perhaps it's because I know very little about any of them, other than from what I've seen in DCAU. The story here wasn't very interesting though, and I got about halfway through before I stopped. I'll admit that I'm more of a Marvel geek, but I try to keep my mind open to other heroes and storylines, so I did give this a shot. I was dissapointed. Artwork was good though, so a point on that.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A continuation of the story begun in the first Legion of Super-Heroes books. In this one, we experience some rifts in the Legion itself, with a division of alliances and in-fighting...right when a huge threat to the universe rears its ugly head. Again, I think this series is a lot of fun, and more palatable than the typical super-hero stuff. Yay!

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice reimagining of the LSH and an interesting future world.
Lots of action, interesting characters and clever ideas.
Waid gets a bit bogged down trying to juggle such a big cast and sets up way too many sub-plots, but enough good to get you through the weaker spots.
Also, some very nice art. Barry Kitson is a vastly underrated artist.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Legionnaires. Mark Waid has done a wonderful job rebooting this series with deeply flawed characters. What makes this team do interesting is that they can not seem to work as a group and they are not sure if they are fighting the good fight. The end to this first storyline was a bit rushed, but other than that, it was pure comicbook heaven. 4/5

[Will Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this wrapped up nicely. And I don't mean in a coincidental, deus ex machina way. I mean each character played their part and this was a well written finale to the first volume. It can be hard to manage a team with so many characters and moving parts, but Mark Waid is a writer who can do it!

[Royce Rasmussen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a Legion of Super-Heroes fan from waaaay back, but, I hated this series. I love Mark Waid's Irredeemable, but, with this, I have n idea what he was thinking. He changed all the characters around, their personalities, their origins, pretty much everything. At least the art was good.

[Arnaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK Now I'm hooked on Legion. Really entertaining, great plot, great drawing.

[Justin Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read my review on Book 1. Once Jim Shooter takes the reins in issue 37, the book feels like a Legion title again.

[Damián Vives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waid profundiza sus líneas argumentales. Una colección que da muestras de su potencial.

[Jdetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Now I want to go read more about the Legion, I never thought I'd say that.