Legion of Super-Heroes #2 Review

Script: Brian Michael Bendis

Pencils, Inks: Ryan Sook

Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger

Colors: Jordie Bellaire

Letters: Dave Sharpe

Published by: DC

If there is one comic on the stands that could be picked up solely on the work of the artist, Legion of Super-Heroes would be it at this time. As much as I’ve enjoyed the story so far, the crisp and stunning artwork that Ryan Sook is producing in this series is something to see. He’s really taken to the Bendis style of storytelling - the often used double page spreads, and comfortably adds as many characters onto one page as possible. Because of this, it really does appear like Sook is having a ton of fun drawing this series. 

Teaming up with Sook, Von Grawbadger’s inks compliment all his pencils on every page and really help to highlight every single little nuance and these are all brought to technicolor life by Jordie Bellaire’s colors. Bellaire is fast becoming one of my favorite colorists in the industry right now as having her name on a book ensures that what I will see will more than likely be great. 

As for the story, Bendis’ take on the Legion was starting to take shape in the first issue, and begins to solidify in the second. This is a group of teenagers, and teenagers are one group that Bendis is really good at writing for. His style, in my opinion, has always lent itself well to this superhero age group as it provides a lot of quippy, fast-paced, Spider-Man style dialogue to be included. He does tone it down somewhat when he has Rose (of Rose and Thorn) in conversation with Madamhonor President Brande. It’s still quippy, but especially on Brande’s side of things, a lot less fast-paced. 

Speaking of Rose, she’s an interesting addition to this book as she seems to have been placed as an intermediary, or spokesperson, for the Legion. I’m not sure exactly what her place will be in the book going forward, but does feel like a mystery to be solved later - which are always fun. 

The interactions between the Legion and Superboy also come off as a lot of fun throughout the book. Jonathan Kent chose to go to the 31st century, but clearly is not yet prepared for everything that entails. For anyone who has seen the solicits for the third issue know that things are about to change once again for him… and it should be interesting. 

All in all, this has been a very fun start to the new Legion series and I really hope new and long time fans are giving it a try. It’s still early going in the story, but it feels like something big is just around the corner, and I can’t wait to see what it is.