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Legends (comics)
Encyclopedia
"Legends" was a comic book
crossover
story line that ran through a six-issue, self titled limited series
and various other titles published by DC Comics
in 1986
and 1987
. Each of the individual crossover/tie-in issues had a Legends Chapter #
header added to their trade dress
.
The series was plotted by John Ostrander
, scripted by Len Wein
, pencilled by John Byrne, and inked by Karl Kesel
.
, Superman
, and Secret Origins
. It was also the first major DC Universe
crossover after the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths
.
Legends served mainly as a launching pad for several new comic series, including the latter-day Flash title, Keith Giffen
and J. M. DeMatteis
' comedy/action take on the Justice League, and the villain-based black ops Suicide Squad
. The series also saw the post-Crisis
introduction into the DC Universe of Captain Marvel
(who was spun off in the miniseries Shazam: The New Beginning) as well as Wonder Woman
, who had been rebooted by DC Comics at the same time Legends was being published. The majority of the heroic cast would found the new JLA
.
, with the evil god Darkseid
making a wager with the mysterious Phantom Stranger
that he can make humanity turn against its heroes. To carry out his bet, Darkseid sends his minion Glorious Godfrey
to Earth, where he uses his supernatural ability to control anyone who hears the sound of his voice, and thus turn them against Earth's heroes. To further his scheme, Darkseid sends a new fire elemental called Brimstone to Earth, where he defeats the Justice League (in their Detroit-based incarnation, along with Firestorm and a time-traveling Cosmic Boy); meanwhile, Captain Marvel is framed for murder when a cyborg
villain called Macro-Man explodes mid-battle via Darkseid's machinations. Captain Marvel is blamed by the media for its death. Batman
also suffers his own loss when Robin (Jason Todd) is caught up in a crazed mob and is trampled. Fearing widescale panic, President Ronald Reagan
(the U.S. Commander-in-Chief at the time of publication) declares martial law
and bans all superheroic activities in America. However, this angers several members of Reagan's department of defense, who - at the behest of Amanda Waller
- activate "Project: Task Force X", AKA the Suicide Squad. Recruiting a team of expendable imprisoned supervillains, Amanda Waller has the Suicide Squad destroy Brimstone.
In the end, Doctor Fate
is forced to intervene when Glorious Godfrey begins a campaign to use his army of followers to invade Washington DC and take over the United States. Dr. Fate organizes Superman
, Batman, Captain Marvel, Guy Gardner
, Black Canary
, Teen Titans members Changeling
and the Flash, and the Blue Beetle
to oppose Glorious Godfrey. They are joined by the Martian Manhunter
, who responds to a JLA distress call from the President, and Wonder Woman; together, they defeat the forces of Glorious Godfrey, including Darkseid's cyborg Hounds of War. In the end, the masses are freed from Godfrey's power when Robin leaves his hospital bed and gathers an army of children, who are untouched by Godfrey's powers, to serve as a human shield between the heroes and Godfrey. When Godfrey strikes a young girl who argues that Godfrey is controlling them, the shock of Godfrey's actions frees the mob from his power. Godfrey himself is defeated when he steals Dr. Fate's helmet and puts it on, rendering him mindless as a result. In the aftermath, the Martian Manhunter, Batman, Blue Beetle, Guy Gardner, Black Canary, Captain Marvel and Dr. Fate form a new Justice League
. Superman and the Flash decline membership, stating that they will assist if needed, Wonder Woman quietly exits, while Changeling opts to remain with the Titans.
Legends: The Collection (ISBN 1-56389-095-X) was published in 1993 collecting the entire 6-issue limited series.
The three Superman issues have been collected in Volume 2 of the Superman: The Man of Steel trade paperback series.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
crossover
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
story line that ran through a six-issue, self titled limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
and various other titles published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
in 1986
1986 in comics
-Year overall:* Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, a four-issue limited series written and drawn by Frank Miller and published by DC Comics, debuts...
and 1987
1987 in comics
- Year overall :* Independent publishers continue to enter the comics arena, including Amazing, CFW Enterprises, Imperial Comics, Matrix Graphic Series, New Comics Group, and Rebel Studios...
. Each of the individual crossover/tie-in issues had a Legends Chapter #
Number sign
Number sign is a name for the symbol #, which is used for a variety of purposes including, in some countries, the designation of a number...
header added to their trade dress
Trade dress
Trade dress is a legal term of art that generally refers to characteristics of the visual appearance of a product or its packaging that signify the source of the product to consumers...
.
The series was plotted by John Ostrander
John Ostrander
John Ostrander is an American writer of comic books. He is best known for his work on Suicide Squad, Grimjack and Star Wars: Legacy, series he helped create.-Career:...
, scripted by Len Wein
Len Wein
Len Wein is an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men...
, pencilled by John Byrne, and inked by Karl Kesel
Karl Kesel
Karl Kesel is an American comics writer and inker whose works have primarily been under contract for DC Comics...
.
Publication history
The six issues of the Legends series could be read as an abbreviated story by themselves, or all 22 chapters could be read as a longer story that included the Legends issues as well as issues from other titles including BatmanBatman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, and Secret Origins
Secret Origins
Secret Origins is the title of three American comic book series published by DC Comics.The title began in 1961 and for one issue, all reprints. The title Secret Origins of Super Heroes went onto a second series, also reprints, which ran for seven issues from 1973-1974...
. It was also the first major DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
crossover after the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
.
Legends served mainly as a launching pad for several new comic series, including the latter-day Flash title, Keith Giffen
Keith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
and J. M. DeMatteis
J. M. DeMatteis
John Marc DeMatteis is an American writer of comic books.-Early career:Born in Brooklyn, DeMatteis graduated from Midwood High School and Empire State College. He worked as a music critic before getting his start in comic books at DC Comics in the late 1970s...
' comedy/action take on the Justice League, and the villain-based black ops Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X , is a name for two fictional organizations in the DC Comics Universe. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 , and the second in Legends #3...
. The series also saw the post-Crisis
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
introduction into the DC Universe of Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel (DC Comics)
Captain Marvel is a fictional comic book superhero, originally published by Fawcett Comics and later by DC Comics. Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, the character first appeared in Whiz Comics #2...
(who was spun off in the miniseries Shazam: The New Beginning) as well as Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, who had been rebooted by DC Comics at the same time Legends was being published. The majority of the heroic cast would found the new JLA
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
.
Plot
The plot of Legends is similar to the biblical story of JobBook of Job
The Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
, with the evil god Darkseid
Darkseid
Darkseid is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
making a wager with the mysterious Phantom Stranger
Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger is a fictional character of unspecified paranormal origins who battles mysterious and occult forces in various titles published by DC Comics, sometimes under their Vertigo imprint.-Publication history:...
that he can make humanity turn against its heroes. To carry out his bet, Darkseid sends his minion Glorious Godfrey
Glorious Godfrey
Glorious Godfrey is a DC Comics villain created by Jack Kirby, originally as part of The Fourth World series of comic books in the early 1970s. He first appeared in Forever People vol. 1 #3 .-Fictional character biography:...
to Earth, where he uses his supernatural ability to control anyone who hears the sound of his voice, and thus turn them against Earth's heroes. To further his scheme, Darkseid sends a new fire elemental called Brimstone to Earth, where he defeats the Justice League (in their Detroit-based incarnation, along with Firestorm and a time-traveling Cosmic Boy); meanwhile, Captain Marvel is framed for murder when a cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
villain called Macro-Man explodes mid-battle via Darkseid's machinations. Captain Marvel is blamed by the media for its death. Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
also suffers his own loss when Robin (Jason Todd) is caught up in a crazed mob and is trampled. Fearing widescale panic, President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
(the U.S. Commander-in-Chief at the time of publication) declares martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
and bans all superheroic activities in America. However, this angers several members of Reagan's department of defense, who - at the behest of Amanda Waller
Amanda Waller
Dr. Amanda Blake Waller is a character published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Legends #1 in 1986, and was created by John Ostrander, Len Wein, and John Byrne...
- activate "Project: Task Force X", AKA the Suicide Squad. Recruiting a team of expendable imprisoned supervillains, Amanda Waller has the Suicide Squad destroy Brimstone.
In the end, Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate is the name of a succession of fictional sorcerers who appear in books published by DC Comics. The original version was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, and first appeared in More Fun Comics #55...
is forced to intervene when Glorious Godfrey begins a campaign to use his army of followers to invade Washington DC and take over the United States. Dr. Fate organizes Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Batman, Captain Marvel, Guy Gardner
Guy Gardner (comics)
Guy Gardner is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He is a core member of the Green Lantern family of characters, and for a time was also a significant member of the Justice League family of characters.He was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in Green Lantern...
, Black Canary
Black Canary
Black Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
, Teen Titans members Changeling
Beast Boy
Garfield Mark "Gar" Logan, known as Beast Boy or Changeling, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics...
and the Flash, and the Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is the name of three fictional superheroes that appear in American comic books published by a variety of companies since 1939.-Publication history:...
to oppose Glorious Godfrey. They are joined by the Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
, who responds to a JLA distress call from the President, and Wonder Woman; together, they defeat the forces of Glorious Godfrey, including Darkseid's cyborg Hounds of War. In the end, the masses are freed from Godfrey's power when Robin leaves his hospital bed and gathers an army of children, who are untouched by Godfrey's powers, to serve as a human shield between the heroes and Godfrey. When Godfrey strikes a young girl who argues that Godfrey is controlling them, the shock of Godfrey's actions frees the mob from his power. Godfrey himself is defeated when he steals Dr. Fate's helmet and puts it on, rendering him mindless as a result. In the aftermath, the Martian Manhunter, Batman, Blue Beetle, Guy Gardner, Black Canary, Captain Marvel and Dr. Fate form a new Justice League
Justice League International
Justice League International is a DC Comics superhero team written by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis, with art by Kevin Maguire, created in 1987.-Publication history:...
. Superman and the Flash decline membership, stating that they will assist if needed, Wonder Woman quietly exits, while Changeling opts to remain with the Titans.
Story chronology
The official reading order was announced as follows by DC Comics:- Chapter 1 Cross-over: BatmanBatman (comic book)Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published in May 1939. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication in the spring of 1940...
#401 (November 1986): "A Bird in the Hand..." - Chapter 2 Cross-over: Detective ComicsDetective ComicsDetective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
#568 (November 1986): "Eyrie" - Legends #1 (November 1986): "Once Upon A Time...!"
- Chapter 3 Cross-over: Green Lantern CorpsGreen Lantern CorpsThe Green Lantern Corps is the name of a fictional intergalactic military/police force appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians, a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa...
vol. 1, #207 (December 1986): "Simple Minds" - Legends #2 (December 1986): "Breach of Faith!"
- Chapter 4 Spin-off: Cosmic Boy #1 (December 1986): "Those Who Will Not Learn the Lessons of History..."
- Chapter 5 Cross-over: Justice League of AmericaJustice LeagueThe Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
#258 (January 1987): "The End of the Justice League of America: Saving Face" - Chapter 6 Spin-off: Secret OriginsSecret OriginsSecret Origins is the title of three American comic book series published by DC Comics.The title began in 1961 and for one issue, all reprints. The title Secret Origins of Super Heroes went onto a second series, also reprints, which ran for seven issues from 1973-1974...
vol. 2, #10 (January 1987): "The Phantom Stranger" - Chapter 7 Cross-over: Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #55 (January 1987): "The Stench of Brimstone"
- Legends #3 (January 1987): "Send For... the Suicide Squad!"
- Chapter 8 Spin-off: Cosmic Boy #2 (January 1987): "Is History Destiny?"
- Chapter 9 Cross-over: Justice League of America #259 (February 1987): "The End of the Justice League of America: Homecoming"
- Chapter 10 Cross-over: Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #56 (February 1987): "Firestorm No More"
- Chapter 11 Cross-over: Blue BeetleBlue BeetleBlue Beetle is the name of three fictional superheroes that appear in American comic books published by a variety of companies since 1939.-Publication history:...
vol. 6, #9 (February 1987): "Timepiece!" - Legends #4 (February 1987): "Cry Havoc...!"
- Chapter 12 Cross-over: WarlordWarlord (comics)The Warlord is a sword and sorcery comic book published by DC Comics. The series and titular character debuted in 1st Issue Special #8 , and was created by Mike Grell.-Publication history:...
vol. 1, #114 (February 1987): "When A Legend Dies" - Chapter 13 Spin-off: Cosmic Boy #3 (February 1987): "Past, Present... and Future"
- Chapter 14 Cross-over: Justice League of America #260 (March 1987): "The End of the Justice League of America: Flesh"
- Chapter 15 Cross-over: Blue Beetle vol. 6, #10 (March 1987): "Time on His Hands"
- Chapter 16 Cross-over: Warlord vol. 1, #115 (March 1987): "The Citadel of Fear"
- Chapter 17 Cross-over: Superman vol. 2, #3 (March 1987): "Legends From the Darkside"
- Chapter 18 Cross-over: Adventures of Superman #426 (March 1987): "From the Dregs"
- Chapter 19 Cross-over: Action ComicsAction ComicsAction Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
#586 (March 1987): "The Champion!" - Legends #5 (March 1987): "Let Slip the Dogs of War"
- Chapter 20 Spin-off: Cosmic Boy #4 (March 1987): "Time Without End"
- Chapter 21 Cross-over: Justice League of America #261 (April 1987): "The End of the Justice League of America: Last Stand"
- Legends #6 (April 1987): "Finale!"
- Chapter 22 Spin-off: Secret Origins vol. 2, #14 (May 1987): "The Secret Origin of the Suicide Squad"
Collections
A trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback 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...
Legends: The Collection (ISBN 1-56389-095-X) was published in 1993 collecting the entire 6-issue limited series.
The three Superman issues have been collected in Volume 2 of the Superman: The Man of Steel trade paperback series.