REVIEW: ‘Legion of Super-Heroes,’ Issue #10

Legion of Super-Heroes #10 is published by DC Comics, written by Brian Michael Bendis, art by Ryan Sook, inks by Wade Von Grawbadger, colors by Jordie Bellaire, and letters by Dave Sharpe. With the Legion exonerated of all wrongdoing, it is now up to them to put together the many scattered problems that have been left in the wake of recent events. And in the midst of all this, Superboy and Saturn Girl begin exploring a love that brings a whole new meaning to the term “timeless”.

If I were to describe Legion of Super-Heroes #10’s story in one word it would have to be busy. A lot has happened during the first nine issues of this book, and I quickly realized I had forgotten many of the errant shards of the story that had slipped out of the moment to moment of the book’s narrative. Mordru the Mad had been captured on New Gotham? Nope, that had flown under my radar. That is one of a half dozen story beats that are either started, continued, or concluded within this issue. And while it is a bit to take in, it is at least handled in as clear away as possible. Plus, having some of these strands addressed will undoubtedly help clear things up for the future.

Among the many threads, readers a guided through in Legion of Super-Heroes #10 the biggest ones deal with the wrapping up of Rimbor’s recent aggression against the United Planets, and the pursuit of the recently escaped Mordru.

The final dealings with Rimbor take the form of a Legion detachment lead by Ultra Lad going to the planet itself to reestablish peaceful relations, and a handful of Legionaries taking Crav the General Nah to the Eldars of Oa for imprisonment for his crimes. While Crav’s imprisonment goes off without a hitch, Ultra Lad and company are thrown a bit of a curveball with their attempt to bring Rimbor back into the intergalactic community. And the results could have some big impacts on the Legion.

As previously stated, the other big portion of Legion of Super-Heroes #10 follows the Legions investigation of Mordru’s escape. For this task, the Legion dispatches Saturn Girl and Superboy. That’s right. The two new lovebirds have been sent out on their own assignment. And if I’m honest, they are adorable. With Saturn Girl unaccustomed to physical expressions of affection, and Superboy just being unaccustomed to everything, the pages the two spend alone fall into that awkwardly sweet space that only young love gets to occupy. It is easily my favorite aspect of this issue.

While the numerous Legion teams and their respective excursions make the story feel a bit busy, one thing that becomes much steadier with Legion of Super-Heroes #10 is the visual presentation. After the last two issue’s different artists for every page approach, having series regular artist Sook back for lines on a whole book feels like a calming breeze. While Sook does a great job with all the various Legionnaires that appear here, he lands Superboy and Saturn Girl with extra skill. The visual work here is a large part of what sells the quirky romance.

Along with Sooks’ fine work on lines is Bellaire’s wonderful colors. A wide range of places and color palettes are utilized during this issue, and Bellaire delivers each with skill.

Lastly, we have a solid delivery of letters by Sharpe. All of this issue’s story is laid out well, and flows naturally with the art. This allows the reader to fully appreciate all aspects of the presentation of this book.

When all is said and done, Legion of Super-Heroes #10 works as a strong bridge to link the previous story with what is to come next. The ending’s tease of who the Legion will be up against next didn’t land with me as well as I’m sure it was meant to, but we can talk about that next time.

Legion of Super-Heroes #10 is available now wherever comics are sold.