Lost Levitz Issues

In the midst of economic collapse and unprecedented social unrest, Earth's populace elects Tayla Wellington as President. President Wellington immediately demands that the Legion cease its relief efforts and put itself under the command of Science Police Earth. Jeckie, as Legion Leader, has some well-chosen words with Wellington, regarding a leader's duty to her people. In the background, we see what the Legionnaires don't: that Wellington is a pawn of Dominators.

Cham, Saturn Girl, and Dream Girl investigate Laurel Gand, who claims to be a Daxamite born on Ricklef II. They can find no record of her birth or Khund-fighting career before 2988. When they question Brainiac 5, he insists that Laurel's story is true. Brainy becomes belligerent when Cham suggests that Laurel might be a clone (or some other duplicate) of Kara Zor-El which Brainy created.

Finally Imra, at Brainy's insistence, enters first Laurel's mind, then Brainy's to search for the truth. Laurel completely believes her own story, and has detailed memories of her life -- including memories of becoming a Legionnaire at the same time as Brainiac 5. In fact, Laurel seems to remember herself in the place of Supergirl.

Brainy's mind, however, is fragmented and Imra fears that he has been interfering with the timestream. Dream Girl privately suggests that Brainy has arranged a comfortable delusion that allows him to deal with Supergirl's death. If that delusion is revealed as untrue, it will unbalance his mind. Remembering the damage that Brainy did the last time his mind was unbalanced, the three investigators conclude that it is both prudent and kind to allow Brainy's delusion to stand unchallenged.

Against her better judgment, Imra gives all the Legionnaires a powerful telepathic-hypnotic suggestion to accept Laurel's story as true. In effect, history is rewritten, with Laurel Gand replacing Supergirl.

In a poignant epilog, Saturn Girl alone removes Supergirl's memorial statue from the Legion HQ, bidding a silent farewell to a friend only she remembers.

A subsea earthquake hits the undersea city Pacifica, weakening the main dome and endangering millions. The Legion, despite Earthgov orders, responds to the disaster and successfully evacuates the city before the dome cracks and the ocean comes rushing in.

(cover by Erick Quinones)

The U.P. reports that the hitherto-peaceful planet Baaldur has suddenly attacked three of its neighboring worlds. Ambassador Relnic asks for Legion aid in discovering why. Chameleon Boy leads an Espionage Squad team of Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, and Invisible Kid to Baaldur to see what they can find. Meanwhile, the Legionnaires on Earth are kept busy dealing with on crisis after another. The story ends on a cliffhanger as the Espionage Squad members find themselves outmaneuvered and trapped by Baaldur's shadowy leader. Only Invisible Kid, injured, is able to escape and signal the Legion for help.

Earthgov sends the Science Police to arrest Jeckie, who stands on her rights as Sovereign of Orando and refuses to come with them. Shvaughan Erin negotiates a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Glorith leaves Baaldur with Laurel in tow, and arrives on Daxam where she is welcomed as a visiting head of state. It quickly becomes evident that she has prepared an extensive network of sympathizers on Daxam, and she sets about exploiting their help to enslave the population.

On Baaldur, Ultra Boy is weakening quickly. From resistance agents, the Legionnaires learn of Glorith's plot to enslave the Daxamites. Cham theorizes that Glorith has magically drained his ultra-energy.

Mr. Emory arrives, and the Legionnaires are shocked to see that he is an old friend of theirs: Dev-Em.

Glorith holds the Legionnaires captive as she drains their super-energies, preparing the final spell that will give her complete control over the entire population of super-powered Daxamites. Before her spell is complete, though, there is a sudden roaring sound, and a boom tube emerges in Glorith's throne room. Out flies Dev-Em, super-powered and apparently immune to Glorith's magic. Daxam's sun becomes red again, the boom tube fades, and Dev-Em...noticeably at the ragged edge of sanity...fights Glorith. In the struggle, the Legionnaires free themselves and join the fight. As Glorith weakens, the Legionnaires find that their strength returns. Dev-Em reveals that he did indeed come from the Time Trapper's pocket universe. His theory is that he was intended to be an agent of the Trapper. With the Trapper's demise, though, Dev-Em found himself under the command of Darkseid.

Darkseid, who considers Daxam to be a monument to himself and his godhood, was angered at Glorith's attempt to repeat his feat of using the Daxamites as a private army, and "desecrating" the planet. So Darkseid enhanced Dev-Em's abilities and sent him to stop Glorith. Unfortunately, the strain has driven Dev-Em mad; he thinks of himself as a Daxamite and an agent of destruction.

Glorith beats Dev-Em down and stands ready to kill him. But in the fight, she has lost control of Laurel Gand, who attacks her and draws Glorith's blood.

Angered at the affront and her defeat, Glorith lets loose a blaze of power; when the smoke clears, Glorith is gone and every inhabitant of Daxam outside the room is dead. Dev-Em, driven mad, flies away into space.

The epilogue finds the Legionnaires on their way home to Earth. Invisible Kid tries to comfort Laurel, but Laurel insists that one way or another, Glorith must be made to pay.

During a particulaly bad winter for the population of Earth, Jeckie must deal with some increasingly-unhappy Legionnaires. Among them are Element Lad, whose relationship with Shvaughn is being strained by the Earthgov/Legion feud; Sun Boy, who continues to disobey; and Laurel, who wants the Legion to find Glorith and make her pay for the death of Daxam.

Ultra Boy once again leads a team of Legionnaires to the weird dimension of the Seerons, who are dealing with a Dominator invasion of their own. The Legionnaires enjoy the chance to get out some of their frustrations by bashing Dominators. In the end, Seeris is saved once more.

While Saturn Girl and Sun Boy lie comatose in the medi-center, Jeckie convenes a Legion discipline hearing to question Laurel, Brainy, and Rond. Brainy withdraws, saying nothing and presenting no defense. Laurel speaks eloquently, supported by Rond. Ultra Boy, impatient with Jeckie's handling of the meeting, announces angrily that Laurel and Brainy acted on their own because they didn't want to get the Legion into worse trouble with Earthgov.

Still, sentiment is bordering on hostile, until a surprise witness steps up: Luornu Durgo Taine, formerly Triplicate Girl/Duo Damsel.

Luornu argues that Laurel, Brainy, and the others acted on their consciences. She talks about the Legion oath, and a Legionnare's duty to take action whenever injustice can be fought. She talks of her own part in the conspiracy to attack the Time Trapper, and of the agonizing months that came after. Yet she says that she was glad the make the sacrifice she did -- had to make it -- and would make it again, with or without the Legion's permission.

Luornu's testimony carries the day, and the Legionnaires vote not to impose any discipline upon Brainy and Laurel. However, Earthgov is not so understanding; when the meeting adjourns, Jeckie finds a squad of Science Police waiting to take Laurel, Brainy, Rond, Sun Boy, and Saturn Girl into custody and extradite them to Baaldur.

While the Legion is enmeshed in increasing red tape from Earthgov, there comes a message from the U.P. Military High Command: The Khunds are again on the move. The planet Pasnic is in imminent danger of takeover; King Jonn appeals for Legion help.

Laurel, after a long talk with the recovering Saturn Girl, decides to head for Pasnic and help fight the Khunds. Initially she wants to resign from the Legion, but Jeckie convinces her to take a leave of absence instead.

Saturn Girl returns to Winath to care for Lightning Lad, who has fallen ill of the new plague. Meanwhile, Lightning Lass goes to Colu to beg Brainy to leave the planet and help.

Doctor Gym'll, working with a U.P. team of epidemiologists, makes a surprise announcement: he has located the origin of the plague. It originated with Validus Ranzz, the son of Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl.

At Blok's urging, the White Witch comes to Winath. There she, Dream Girl, and Saturn Girl link with Blok in a seance that allows Saturn Girl to establish a mystical linkage with Darkseid.

Imra reminds Darkseid that he gave Validus back to her. He reminds her that she owes him a great debt. Yes, he did lay the seeds that caused the Validus Plague; it is of no great concern to him whether Winath lives or dies.

Saturn Girl begs for mercy; spare her husband and children, she says, and she will give Darkseid whatever he wants. He laughs: the great Saturn Girl, reduced to a mere housewife on her knees? If Saturn Girl is what you want, she answers, then you may have her. She rips off her insignia and throws it on the ground at Darkseid's feet.

Then darkness takes her.

Meanwhile, Brainy has been working hard with Dream Girl, who acts as an intermediary between him and the White Witch (the two are not on speaking terms). He learns that some Winathians have resisted the Plague, and determines that these people are currently infected with the Locarno virus. Perhaps the Locarno virus helps defeat the Validus Plague. Then there is one person, Brainy says, who can help Winath . . . .

Doctor Gym'll brings a medical student, Richard Kent Shakespeare, to Legion HQ to use Brainy's medical equipment. Shakespeare was exposed to an experimental virus during a lab accident, and appears to be wasting away visibly. Brainy, who is visiting Legion HQ after the Validus Plague, becomes interested in the case.

Meanwhile, Dawnstar sponsors former Legion trainee Nightwind for membership. Nightwind's powers come in handy almost at once, when she assists several Legionnaires in calming food riots in Metropolis.

Word reaches Cham that Brande Industries is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Marla has a long chat with Cham, and Cham announces that he is resigning from the Legion to deal with the crisis. He tells Jeckie that he is sure he can do more good for the U.P. by keeping Brande Industries in business than he can with he LSH.

This offbeat issue deals with the U.P./Khund war, and focuses on Laurel Gand, Rond Vidar, Chuck and Luornu Taine, and a motley assortment of minor heroes who have joined the ranks of the U.P. Militia in trying to fight back Khund advance into U.P. space. Chuck and Luornu have dissolved the Legion Academy and have accepted King Jonn's appeal to start up the U.P. Military Academy to train elite U.P. forces.

The "Engine" of the title is a new, experimental model of stardrive that Laurel, Rond, Chuck, and Luornu must escort from the perimeter back to U.P. shipyards on Nullport.

Two stories in this issue focus on the problems of sovereigns.

In the first, "Sense of Duty," Jeckie worries about the Legion's problems and about Earthgov's interference. In a dream, she talks with Val, expresses her concern that the Legion might be forced to leave Earth. Val begs her not to give up his native world. Then, upon awakening, her Sensor Girl powers tell her that Orando is, very slowly, moving back toward this continuum. Communicating with the Council of Regeants, she is told that the people miss their own space, and that they have asked to come back. The chief councillor expresses his wish that Jeckie will take back her throne. She signs off, without giving an answer, the goes back to a fitful sleep.

The second story, "Sovereign," joins Mysa on Tharn, the new Sorceror's World, as she is preparing for her wedding. In a series of flashbacks, we see what has happened on Tharn recently: the establishment of the new Sorceror's World, Mysa's efforts to help her old teachers. We see her working with the Khund wizard Harlack, growing more fond of him.

Then the Khunds invade Tharn, and the teachers have but one last hope: Mysa and Harlack join their magical abilities in a spell to call back Mordru. A young, charismatic, and apparently no-longer-evil Mordru appears, unites the world, and forces back the Khundish invaders. In the process, Harlack is mortally wounded; Mordru preserves his life with a spell that turns him into a psychic vampire. Shamed, Harlack takes the name "Vyrkos," which is the Khund word for vampire.

With the Khunds beaten back, peace reigns on the Sorceror's World. We return to the present, where Mysa arranges her veils and steps forth for her wedding to Mordru, the new Lord Emperor of the Sorceror's World. Although we do not see Mordru's thoughts, on his face we see a decidedly evil grin. . . .

Tensions within the Legion mount, causing fights to break out between Wildfire and Atmos, Dream Girl and Atmos, Lightning Lass and Timber Wolf, Element Lad and Shvaughn, and Jeckie and Sun Boy. Meanwhile, with Starfinger's backing, a two-bit criminal named Laevar Bolto begins to assemble a new Legion of Super-Villains. The first members are the Persuader, Dr. Regulus, and two newcomers: a magically-transformed bounty hunter called Grinn, and a red-haired, flame-throwing woman who calls herself Beauty Blaze. They succeed in their first case: breaking Lightning Lord and Spider Girl out of prison.

The LSV attacks -- and destroys -- a Dominator ship in Earth orbit. Against Earthgov's orders, Jeckie sends the team into combat, but they are too late to stop the LSV.

SP's come and arrest Jeckie, bringing her before Tayla Wellington. Wellington dresses her down. Jeckie, furious, says that if Wellington is determined to lose Earth, then SHE will have no part of it. She returns to LSH HQ long enough to gather a few belongings and tell Timber Wolf that he is now acting Leader -- then departs for Orando.

Ultra Boy arrives home to find a note from Phantom Girl; she has gone to Bgtzl to see her parents, and will be back on the evening phase-shuttle. He goes to the port, waiting for her. Then, there is a great concussion, and the phase-shuttle is destroyed. All aboard are lost and presumed dead.

Starfinger repeats his demand for protection money from Earth. The Legion, suffering from bad press and worse morale, seeks new members. Echo joins, as well as trainee Crystal Kid. In addition, a hero who calls himself Reflecto shows up. Reflecto is Stig Ah, a Rimborian with the power to defect any object or energy that threatens him. Growing up on Rimbor, he idolized Ultra Boy -- when he decided to become a superhero, he took the name and costume of the Reflecto identity that Ultra Boy once adopted. The Legion gratefully accepts Reflecto into their ranks.

Following a violent confrontation with the LSV on the Moon, Violet receives a draft notice from the government of Imsk; Imsk has declared war on the U.P. and she must enter the army. With a few tears, she resigns from the Legion and departs Earth.

The LSV invades and takes command of Earthgov, forcing Tayla Wellington to her knees before Starfinger. Out of his mind with hatred, Starfinger is convinced that Earth owes him money, and he vows that he will have it back. Wellington refuses to sign an appropriation.

Then the Legion bursts in. The battle is long and difficult, but the Legionnaires act with a spirit of courage and camaraderie which has been missing lately. Beauty Blaze, Spider Girl, Grinn, and Lightning Lord are captured. Reflecto fights the Molecule Master, and when the smoke is cleared, both are dead. Starfinger, Bolto, Saturn Queen, the Persuader, and Dr. Regulus escape, vowing to return.

The Legion arrives back on Earth to find the SP's waiting for them. Earthgov has declared the Legion a subversive organization, and has placed them under SP control. Shvaughn has been replaced by a new Legion Liaison, SP Chief Circe, who will attend all meetings and approve all Legion operations. Circe bears a warrant for the arrest of Karate Kid (Myg) as a subversive.

Myg escapes, helped by his teammates. The shattered Legion meets, in secret, aboard an orbiting Legion cruiser, and elects Sun Boy as Leader de facto. Blok, Dawnstar, and Dream Girl tender their immediate resignations and leave Earth. Soon after, Crystal Kid leaves.

There are six Legionnaires left: Colossal Boy, Sun Boy, Lightning Lass, Invisible Kid, Polar Boy, and Nightwind. They respond to an emergency call but are repulsed by the SP's; they return to HQ to see anti-Legion graffiti and angry mobs.

Lightning Lass says that she can't stand it any more, and resigns on the spot.

Polar Boy attempts to give a pep talk, and Sun Boy walks out, leaving Polar Boy as acting Leader. Polar Boy offers the post to Colossal Boy, who declines. Nightwind, scared, says that this is it, they should disband the Legion; she's not interested in being arrested and put in jail.

Polar Boy, sensing that a mission is necessary, takes the other three on a mission to find some new members. They locate Fire Lad in a run-down tenement, and Polar Boy talks him into joining the Legion. Next, Polar Boy says, they will approach the other Subs and build up the Legion's strength.

With the aid of Fire Lad, the Legion recruits former Subs to join. Although they have misigivings, and some are downright reluctant, in the end most decide to join.

Earthgov declares Legion HQ off limits, and Legion Liaison Circe is withdrawn along with all formal Earth support. The re-formed Leigon adopts the original Legion clubhouse, formerly Subs HQ and now a forgotten relic, as base of operations. There, a private rededication ceremony is held, and the following new members are inducted: Chlorophyll Kid, Infectious Lass, Porcupine Pete, Visi-Lad, Color Kid, and Stone Boy.

This Spotlight on Polar Boy issue shows the new Legion divided and tense, as Earthgov increases the pressure and old tensions and resentments from the Subs years resurface. Polar Boy tells the story of his life to Invisible Kid, stressing his devotion to duty and his desire to be part of the Legion -- a desire that has often warped his personality. And now that he has achieved that goal, he finds that he is disenchanted and disappointed. Invisible Kid tells him not to be bitter, but to keep believing.

Meanwhile, Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass find themselves attracted to one another.

Infectious Lass is hounded by Earthgov and pursued by disreputable-looking characters. When one of these injures her severely, no Earth hospital will treat her -- for fear of infection, they say. The Legion does its best, and when she is out of danger, she resigns. Invisible Kid is left, at the end of the story, alone and looking miserably after her as she departs.

Meanwhile, we see Storm Boy sneak out and report to the Domimators that he is succeeding in his mission to discredit and disillusion the Legion.

Invisible Kid resigns to join the resistance, where he finds Drura waiting for him.

Colossal Boy sees Storm Boy sneaking out and follows him, learning that he is a spy. He reports to Polar Boy, saying that the Legion is doing more harm than good, that it's time to give up on Earth, that the only real good is being done by the United Planets.

Polar Boy, having had enough, calls a general meeting and asks for a vote of confidence. Colossal Boy makes a subsitute motion: that the Legion disband. In the end, Colossal Boy's motion carries by a vote of 7-1. Only Polar Boy voted against it.

Polar Boy, sadly, bangs the gavel and announces that the Legion of Super-Heroes is officially disbanded.

In the format of the old ADVENTURE COMICS stories, this is the untold tale of the Legion's first encounter with Mordru, and of Mordru's subsequent defeat.

The SUBS become more effective as a fighting force, while a destitute Sun Boy runs into Circe, who recruits him as a spokesman for Earthgov.

A young Sklarian girl, Brita An'an, was born with the power to shift mass between herself and other objects. Now a teenager, she is taken captive by a Khund captain who fancies her for a plaything. The rest of the people in her crew are killed.

Brita manages to escape and the Khund captain's vessel is destroyed. Other Khunds start chasing her, giving her the derisive name "Kono" (saying that she has as little punch as Kono juice.) She winds up on Rimbor, where Jo Nah and his furry companion come to her aid. Kono becomes one of Jo's friends, and adopts the furry beast she calls "Furball."

Cham's difficulties as head of Brande Industries are contrasted with Imra & Garth's running of the Lightning Ring Plantation and Jo's dealings with Rimbor gangs as head of a Silverale smuggling operation. In all three cases, the principals reflect on how different it was with the Legion.

Jacques trains the Subs, weilding the team into an elite fighting force. In the process, we learn more of his background, his hopes, and his inner insecurities.

Earthgov uses Dominator-produced generators to phase the city Marzal back into the real world, then Science Police descend on the city and attack. Tyroc leads a valiant defense, but in the end everyone is killed. Only quick action by the Subs saves Tyroc from the same fate. He joins his lot with the Subs, vowing to see Earthgov toppled.

The Subs learn that Polar Boy is being held as a political prisoner and, against their better judgement, try to spring him. Brek, however, is a shattered man, and makes no effort to co-operate with them. In the end, the Subs are forced to withdraw and Polar Boy stays in prison.