Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1 (1982) fits between regular issues #289 and 290, and I consider it my first issue… at least of that era. It’s not, really, but it’s a good “jumping on point” and I see it as the issue that set the tone for the next several years to come (until the “Five Years Later” reboot of 1989). It’s not really that, either, which returns me to my point. Starting the new collection with issue #284 provides a good running start at not only the subplot that would develop into the “Great Darkness” story itself, but also all the sub-plots and character development that combines into a true story arc.
The title of Paul Levitz’ introduction says it all: “These Stories were Never Meant to be Collected.” One story not only flows into the next, story elements also often overlap. That’s the way they did things before the decompressed write-for-the-trade mentality kicked in.
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*SPOILER ALERTS ARE ON!!!!*
Shvaughn Erin, from the Earthwar Saga from Superboy and the Legion #241-245, reappears as the Science Police's Legion liasion officer. She begins to bond with Element Lad which will lead to a relationship that will later result in an unexpected transmutation.
We see Brainiac 5, Dream Girl and Mon-El trying to cure a child, Danielle Foccart of a rare energy overload to her nervous system. It seems Brainy likes to look for cerebral challenges outside his work as a Legionnaire. Nice to see Mon without his cape. Their efforts are watched by Danielle's older brother, Jacques, a French-African. Brainy muses about using "circuitry" that was dangerous before but now he figures he can control it. On cue, it all goes wrong!!
There's no way to be subtle about this. Danielle is possessed by Computo the Computer Conqueror from Adventure #340-341 (Ja-F'66). I'm nearly positive that this is its first appearance since then, though the original tales were reprinted in the 70s Legion of Super-Heroes #3-4. The A.I. Antagonist locks down the Legion's upgraded HQ and attacks the Legionnaires on base by controlling the compter systems. It wants revenge on the Legion, still wants to conquer humanity and is rapidly burning out its human host. Its power is substantial. It prevents Element Lad from reaching it, negates Mon-El's anti-lead serum and paralizes him. It clearly enjoys tormenting Brainiac 5 and the others.
The Emerald Intelluct devises a plan which involves Foccart, whom Computo mostly ignores, drinking the late Lyle (Invisible Kid) Norg's invisibilty serum, effectively becoming Invisible Kid II. He is able to incapacitate Computo by tranquilizing Danielle. Brainy vows to cure her, nominates Jacques for membership and he accepts.
Other points:
-Cosmic Boy ditches the Chippendales look and gets a more dignified costume.
-Star Boy grows his soon-to-be-trademarked beard, the first Legionnaire with facial hair!
-great scene where Duo Damsel is too freaked out to battle Computo who killed a third of her!
-the growing (sorry!) closeness of Colossal Boy and Shrinking Violet which will also have an unusual resolution.
-the question of why there can be no Green Lanterns on Earth is raised!
-a Servant of Darkness sent to steal Computo's power but is destroyed. I have a theory about its origin but I shall defer for now!
-Lightning Lad's continued emotional difficulties are eerily brought to "life".
-Cameos by Superboy and our favorite Subs!
-Wildfire's legitimate beef against IK II's membership and Blok's legitimate reasoning for it.
I still don't know why the Legion needed another Invisible Kid. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the character but couldn't they have thought up another power? Post-Crisis, Danielle Foccart would get her moment to shine!
BTW, in a matter of serendipity, on Mister Silver Age's forum, I just started a thread on Brainiac 5's possible criminal liabilty on the creation of Computo, now said to have killed "scores of people". The term I focused on was "reckless". Reusing some of Computo's circuitry certainly qualifies.
But last year, a series of “Deluxe Editions” picked up with the beginning of the renaissance, the first volume, “The Great Darkness Saga,” reprinted LSH #284-296 and Annual #1. Earlier this week, the second volume, “The Curse,” picked up were the previous volume left off, reprinting LSH #297-313 and Annuals #2-3. Will we ever see the release of Superboy #224 through LSH #283? I don’t know, but while we wait, here’s wishing the current series of “Deluxe Editions” a long and healthy life!