Formats

Ashcan

A publisher's in-house facsimile of a proposed new title. Most ashcans have black and white covers stapled to an existing coverless comic on the inside. It can also refer to promotional or sold comics, released by publishers to advertise a forthcoming title or story.

Cameo

A cameo occurs when one or more LSH characters or elements makes a token appearance in a non-LSH comic in a way that has little or no imfluence on the story. This appearance may be a single panel or a more substantial presence. The distinguishing characteristic of a cameo is that the LSH character/element takes no real active part. A cameo may occur as part of an event or crossover.

Crossover

A crossover occurs when elements and/or characters from a non-LSH comic impact Legion continuity. This impact on the LSH is what distinguishes a crossover from a team-up or guest apearance. 

Digest

Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches, but can also be 5⅜ x 8⅜ inches and 5½ x 7½ inches.

Digital-only

A comic released only in digital form, i.e. there is no print edition.

End of Run

This story marks the end of the Legion's run in this title.

Event

An event is a a crossover story on a generally larger scale than normal. Often these events include many more comic book characters from a shared universe coming together. Also, the outcome of the storyline often affects on-going titles for months and sometimes years to come. An event may involve a one-shot or limited series comic or comics and/or tie-in issues of other comics. An event is almost always also a crossover. As used on this site, an event involves the LSH in the form of team-ups, guest appearances, and/or cameos.

First issue

The first issue of a title.

Gatefold cover

This is a cover that has a foldout leaf on the front cover or on both the front and back covers. The gatefold usually has printed material on both sides, so both sides of the foldout portion of the cover should be counted as extra pages or partial pages.

Guest Appearance

A guest appearance occurs when one or more LSH characters appear in a non-LSH comic, i.,e., a comic that doesn't usually focus on the LSH. The distinguishing characteristics are the venue, i.e. LSH characters appearing "away from home," and the level of involvement, i.e. more than a cameo but less than a full-fledged team-up. A guest appearance can be part of a crossover or an event. 

Hardcover

In comics, a hardcover is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format with hard covers, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles.

Last issue

The last issue of a title.

LSH-related

An LSH-related story has some relation to the Legion or Legion mythos, however tangential.

Magazine

A magazine, or a magazine-size comic.

Mainstream

A mainstream story is one that centers around the Legion or some subgroup of Legionnaires. Several factors can qualify a story as mainstream. As with all things Legion, it's more of an art than a science.

  • Stories appearing in comics that star or feature the Legion are usually mainstream.
  • Stories appearing in other comics, but with a clear focus on the Legion, are usually mainstream. A splash page with the Legion logo is a good sign.
  • A fan consensus has developed regarding which stories, published prior to the Legion's first continuous run (beginning in Adventure 300), are considered mainstream. This consensus is reflected in the contents of the Legion of Super-Heroes Archives volumes.
  • Much controversy surrounds various spin-off titles such as Karate Kid, Timber Wolf, Valor, Science Police, Wanderers, etc. I tend not to consider these types of stories as mainstream.

Non-DC

Items from other publishers than DC.

One-shot

The only published issue of a comic.

Parody

A parody or humorous version of the Legion.

Promo/Giveaway

A type of comic book intended to be given away as a premium or promotional device instead of being sold.

Reference

A reference feature is a text or graphic feature that provides information about the Legion mythos or behind-the-scenes publishing facts.

Reprint(s)

Any printing of a comic story or stories after the first.

RPG

Accessories for role-playing games.

Season end

The last episode of a TV show's season

Spinoff

A spinoff is a title (often a limited series) focused on one or a few characters or elements from the Legion.

Start of Run

This story marks the start of the Legion's run in this title.

Tabloid

In terms of paper size, a tabloid is about the size of a large magazine, with a depth of around 14 inches (36 centimeters) and a width of around 10 inches (25 centimeters). The tabloid is essentially half the size of the larger broadsheet format, making it much more compact and easy to handle. The precise paper size can very slightly.

Team-Up

A team-up occurs when one or more LSH characters works with one or more non-LSH characters in a way that significantly influencs the story. In other words, LSH and non-LSH charcters work togther to achieve a goal.  This cooperation distinguishes a team-up from a simple cameo.

TPB

In comics, a trade paperback (often shortened to TPB or trade) is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles.

Video

A television program or episode, or some other video format.

Wraparound cover

In a wraparound cover the image extends to the back of the comic