Legion of Super-Heroes #11
Writer: Brian Bendis
Artists: Ryan Sook and Wade Von Grawbadger
Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Review by Carl Bryan
Warning – Small spoilers follow
Finally Bendis breaks his formula of presenting the story… well, sort of.
Look… Out There…
Ryan Sook delivers some of his best art, as the change of scenery reminds one of a Guardians of the Galaxy movie. The scene changes from planet to planet work really well, as you see the legends “New Krypton”, “Rimbor”, “Earth”…. displayed at the top of each page. This a continuation of a precedent set last issue, and it works as a perfect segue, as we follow the Legion from planet to planet.
Bless me Grandfather, For I am Not You
Confessional page… that seems to be a staple formula for Bendis and crew, as the story begins with Mon-El reminding each of us that Jon Kent is his great to the sixth power grandfather. Bendis is really drawing out why Mon-El’s so resentful of Jon, and his current title of Superman. I guess the altruism of the blood line ran out.
Speaking of having Bendis on Jon Kent writing duties, check out Action #1027. I’ve never seen such a team up between members of the “House of El”, but I’ve also never seen a Superman daydream destroying a building, nor how brutal he is in delivering an ultimatum to a villain. Bendis may be tainting Clark’s Boy Scout title!
Pieces and Parts…
Kala Lour/The Gold Lantern here.. Superboy there… all the Legionnaires are scattered far and wide, to the point where each issue really needs to be double the size it actually is. Right when you get into aspects of the story, you turn the page to another locale and another storyline. With a cast this huge, it appears to be necessary, but is it?
Conclusion
Bendis is nibbling at the edges of legend and lore with the Legion and the entire Superman family. Some may enjoy what he’s doing, but it’s all showing Superman, Superboy and the entire House of El in a darker light.
I’m not even a big fan of Jor-El coming back, and how dark he was when he did. Superman isn’t meant to be dark, like Batman. Superboy should be a beacon of light, and – as the character does cast a huge shadow – Mon-El should probably be written with some humility. This isn’t a Star Wars movie, could somebody please tell Bendis!
These issues are starting to wear thin. Change a picture here, load stilted dialogue there. Last issue I had hope, but this issue… not so much!
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
