Text Play: Pokemon Mega Adventure #1

I am a Pokémon fan. I have been one since Red and Blue first came out twenty years ago. In recent years, I discovered Pokémon fan games thanks to Linkara's Let's Play of the Pokémon fan game Pokémon Omicron.

One of the games I've been playing is Pokémon Mega Adventure. As such, I thought it would be neat to document my journey through the region in the game, which can be downloaded here. I was inspired by J. Michael Shearer's Text Play blog entries. I highly recommend them, especially if you are a fan of Final Fantasy. So, with all that out of the way, let's begin the journey through Pokémon Mega Adventure!

I admit, I'm not going to start completely from the beginning, as I had been playing for about three hours of the game or so, and I'm getting ready for the first gym. The game started in the classic Pokémon way, with Professor Oak introducing himself, and you getting your first Pokémon. The choices were the original Kanto three: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.  I chose Bulbasaur, because I did so in Red back in the day. I named him Biollantus. I really want to watch that movie.

There is one thing I want to point out. On the way from the starting town (Okimira Town) to Kagawa City, this was how many Pokémon I managed to encounter and catch.

And here's my current party.

Yeah. That's a lot of Pokémon. And thanks to the Mystery Gift, I got all three Alola starters, too. Catching a Bidoof and Buneary was a bit of a pain. The first time I encountered a Bidoof, I got a critical hit when I really did not want one. You see, the journey from the starting town to Kagawa City is...an adventure in of itself. I passed through two routes, and the Corrda Forest. And in the Corrda Forest, there was a little tree, where if you played Gold and Silver...

The apricorns take me back. In Gold and Silver, certain trees provided an apricorn every day, and one could take it to a person who could make it into a special Pokéball for you. Different colors made different balls, and I guess that feature is coming back in this game. That's neat. Evidently, according to the man there, a "Mr. Kurt" on Route 3 can make them into Pokéballs. Well, it's nice to see that back.

There's an area full of lakes on the way, but fishing there so far has revealed no Pokemon. Maybe I just need a better rod. There are Surskit floating on the lakes, though. They have to be artificial lakes, because they are rectangular. Perfectly rectangular.

One cool thing about this game is that a player can see Pokemon actually running around on the grassy areas in places. Like, literally see them running around. It's really cool, and it also helps give a preview of what you could catch there. I love it.

As for my plans for the game, well...take on the Kagawa Gym. I already beat the other Trainers, and now just the leader himself. He appears to specialize in Rock-types. I have a Popplio and Rowlet, they could be a big help to my Bulbasaur and Azurill...

Xeodrifter Trailer, My Thoughts

I once said the Nintendo Switch will probably have one of the strongest libraries in video game history. Not just because of the first-party games and the ports, but also the indie games coming to the system. And another one is here. Say hello to Xeodrifter.

The trailer begins with a spaceship coming to a planet. I'm guessing it went to the red planet because it has that awesome diner. Yeah, the Freon Fries and the Betelgeuse Burgers there are to die for, especially when you wash them down with a cool Cesium Chocolate Shake.

I like the soundtrack. It's like the Metroid series soundtrack and retro new wave had a baby.

Our astronaut player character is fighting a...monster? Robot? Monster robot? It's a big cubic thing with a laser-shooting eyeball on it. I'm guessing that's what happens when one lets tofu get moldy. I wouldn't know, I never had tofu.

Does the astronaut turn into a submarine when he jumps in the water? How does that work? Is the astronaut a Transformer?

Evidently Piranha Plants have found their way to this game. They are weeds, alright. With teeth.

Ooh, you can jump into the background. That's neat. I imagine that is done to maybe solve some puzzles.

I have to admit, I like the general look of the game. It feels like an 8-bit Metroidvania game on steroids.

This game looks like a ton of fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

This day is a day to celebrate romance. It's celebrated all over the world, but it's not considered a public holiday anywhere. So, for those who have a significant other, enjoy this day. And for those who do not, just know this: You are loved, too.

Cage #2 (May 1992)

Since this month is Black History Month, I thought it would be nice to return to Luke Cage's 1990s series for this week's review. I looked at the first issue last year, and looking back...maybe I was a bit harsh on it. So maybe the second issue is going to be better.

So, back when we last looked at Cage's series, he got himself a bit of a deal going with the Chicago Spectator. Basically, they advertise his services as a Hero for Hire, and they get exclusive coverage rights. Meanwhile, a new villain: the lipstick-wearing diamond-nailed classics-quoting Hardcore has plans for Cage.

And with all of that, let's take a look at Cage #2!

The cover is pretty neat. It focuses on Luke fighting a robot. His facial expression is pretty understandable, considering the robot is firing a laser at him. Luke Cage may be invulnerable, but I can imagine taking a laser to the face would still hurt like heck. And if you look carefully at the corner, you can see another guy getting the Homer Simpson treatment.

"Creative Hate"
Writer: Marcus McLaurin
Pencils: Dwayne Turner
Inker: Chris Ivy
Letterer: Chris Eliopolous
Colorist: Mike Thomas
Editor: Kelly Corvese
Editor-In-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Our story begins with Luke Cage...getting socked so hard he is sent flying.

Where is he supposed to be, a silo? Or maybe a very odd stadium. The stadium idea makes more sense, as in a bunch of text boxes, it's revealed that Cage was given what was thought to be a simple job: Bodyguarding. But instead of protecting Whitney Houston, he's protecting a popular new rapper called MC Large. Large is a bit of a controversial figure, hence the need for a superhuman bodyguard. I bet right now, he's wishing he was protecting Whitney Houston. Heh heh, 1992 joke.

There had been bomb threats which led to the cancellation of Large's last two attempts at holding a show. Man, some people really take their dislike of his music too far. The threats were all talk, but this time, someone was willing to put some action into them, hence the robot. With a cartoony angry face on it. I love comics.

Heh heh, I loved In Living Color too, Cage.

Mickey Hamilton, the photographer for the Spectator, is watching this with MC Large (wielding a 'black bat', but the art makes it look more like a police baton), his manager Kurt Lockley, and some kid called "Troop" (I'm thinking he either wanted to be a Boy Scout or was a fan of Goof Troop). Troop wants to help out, but Mick advises him to stay in the skybox.

The robot, calling itself Hammer, tries to blast Cage, but our hero has steel-hard skin, and all it does is annoy him. Hammer decides that this brawl was pointless, and takes off like a rocket. However, if the show goes on, he will return. Cage is all "No, you get back here and take your beating", and leaps at the robot. He smashes the robot's gyro-stabilizers, making it lose control and veer all over the place.

Troop runs out to help. However, Cage has it handled. And he's made another discovery. The Hammer is not a robot.

It's a racist teenager in a mech suit. MC Large gives him a punch to the mouth. I like MC Large. His music may not be my cup of tea, but I can respect a man who enthusiastically punches racists. Cage stops him, but Large gets in his face, calling the Hero for Hire a hypocrite. Lockley isn't surprised. Large's music shocks people, but it sells records. And some, like the racist teenager, don't like what he's saying in the music. Lockley states if the cops get this guy, the show will be cancelled.

Lockley convinces Cage to basically...keep an eye on the kid so MC Large can perform, and then he can be turned in to the cops afterwards. Micky tries to convince Cage otherwise, but Cage reminds him that he follows his own rules, and agrees to sit on this for a while.

The scene then shifts to the previous night at the Spectator's building. It's security is being checked by a private investigator, one Dakota North. And she finds a pretty big hole in the security.

North pulls a gun, but the intruder throws a shuriken while complimenting her skill. The shuriken hits North in the arm, and she shoots at him. He's able to dodge her and flee from a helicopter, while quoting Lord Byron's 1815 work Hebrew Melodies. North checks the files the intruder was looking for. There was a breach, but North says that some of Cage's information is undocumented. And that info could be very dangerous. However, she is being listened to. In the helicopter, the intruder unmasks while listening in, revealing that it's Hardcore! Hardcore is the master of strategy! I love Hardcore. I hope he appears in the Luke Cage Netflix series in all his lipstick-and-diamond-wearing classics-quoting glory.

Back to the concert, Cage has tied up the wannabe Hitler Youth (Hope he remembered to take the kid OUT of the suit before doing so), and is moving some big speakers. He and Micky are discussing Cage's dad. You see, Hamilton knew Cage's dad, and It has annoyed Cage a bit. Cage's dad died thinking Cage was a criminal...until this series would reveal his father was actually still alive.

Micky and Cage argue a bit about his dad, but MC Large butts in. Large feels that Cage is a sellout. Cage warns him that he's becoming no different from the racist white armored kid. Cage crushes Large's baton, saying that even though  he's his own side, he is not Large's enemy.

In a hidden compound, it's revealed the kid was from a group of men which is called The Hammer, originally formed from Cameron Hodge's anti-mutant organization called The Right. I love this little detail right here, showing subtle connections to the rest of the Marvel Universe. The Hammer have decided to some expanding. This group is not just going after mutants, but anyone else they consider "subversive". Which basically means anyone who isn't straight and white. Yup, I'm gonna enjoy seeing Cage beat these guys down.

It's time for the big show! MC Large is performing, and Cage isn't a fan. I've always imagined him to be a rhythm and blues head myself. Lockley hints that Large isn't as bad as his public persona makes people think. Troop states the same, saying that Large helped him out and got him off the streets.

And...dang it, Cage! How long have you been doing this?! Why did you not take the kid out of that armor?! The kid easily breaks his handcuffs, because Cage decided to be stupid. As the little racist does this, Troop explains that MC Large had grown up alone on the streets, and was a former criminal. However, he met Mr. Lockley, and the manager was able to help Large find a less destructive channel for his anger through hip-hop.

The armored kid then grabs Troop and holds him hostage. Nice work, Cage. You had to let the kid stay in the suit, didn't you? However, despite the fact that he's in metal armor, Troop is able to break free and hit him with a judo throw that would make James T. Kirk proud. The kid runs his big racist mouth, screaming that Hammer is not some super-villain codename, it's the name of a group. And that's their cue.

Yes, their armor suits have cartoony angry faces on them. I know, it makes me laugh, too. Cage leaps into action, and does what he does best: Kick some bad guy butt. MC Large grabs another black bat (I'm betting he has a bunch of them in case of things like this), and has plans of his own in mind. Cage struggles with the flying Hammer members, turning the stadium into a warzone.

The armored kid calls out for one of the Hammers, but the commotion makes him hard to hear. The lead Hammer blasts at Cage with his armor's weapons, and chokes him like he's Homer choking out Bart. The lead hammer, named Ralphie, thinks Cage killed his brother, the armored kid. They spot the kid, and MC Large is about to smash his head like a melon with his bat. Both Cage and Ralphie are horrified by this. Ralphie's armor is still blasting, and it makes a big boom.

Cage and Ralphie end up working together to save the kid (named Donny), and MC Large. They get to the ground, and thankfully, they'll be alright. However, despite Ralphie being grateful to Cage for saving his and Donny's lives, he still sees Cage as an enemy. Thus, he still tries to kill him.  Donny is not a very intelligent man. Troop tries to whack Ralphie with the bat, but it does no good. This kid was able to judo flip Donny in his armor earlier, but not do any good against this guy now? I'm guessing he hasn't gotten his special meter filled back up yet.

Cage grabs Ralphie's fist and sends him to Dreamland with a Mighty Punch. The chaos does result in the concert getting cancelled, but Lockley is optimistic. It's a setback, not the end. He also comes to the realization that maybe he and MC Large are not the best people to keep an eye on young Troop. How did he end up with them, anyway? Troop refuses, saying he can handle himself. Cage reminds him of something Troop himself said earlier: "Only so much one can take alone".  He then heads up to take Troop back to Chicago to find some family.

Three figures head up towards the Spectator's lobby. They meet a security guard who checks the three out.

Three bad dudes here. Tombstone, superhuman mob enforcer and sparring partner of Spider-Man. Nitro, explosive maniac who helped bring about the death of the first Captain Marvel: the Kree warrior Mar-Vell. And...I'm calling him Shemp, I have no idea who he is. Hang on one second. *reads ahead in the trade* Okay, he's called Kickback, and he has big feet. Which he can kick really hard with. The guard pulls a gun on them, but the bulletproof Tombstone gives the guard a blast to the face from his shotgun in response.

He reveals the three are a new team: The Untouchables. Somewhere, Eliot Ness is facepalming really hard. Kickback kicks down a window, even though they could have just used a door. Nitro stays behind. Ana Medina sees this from a hall, just as Nitro lives up to his codename.

Kaboom. The story ends with a literal bang.

This story is...alright. It's not terrible. We get to see Luke Cage kick some racist butts, so that's a plus. This issue is certainly an interesting one because in a way, it's a bit of a snapshot of its time. MC Large to me, makes me think of gangsta rap artists like N.W.A. (who were gaining popularity at the time), and I can imagine his music was talking about his own life in the hood, like theirs did. His music is regarded as highly controversial, much like real-life gangsta rap was. The story is trying to deliver a message that I think is important: When you fight hate, you can't let that make you into a monster yourself. So kudos for that. As I said, it's not a terrible story, and it is cool to see Luke Cage beating up racists.

The art is decent. There certainly would be worse art becoming prominent in comics. One aspect that does make me chuckle is the way that Turner drew lower jaws when some characters' mouths were open. It's almost...cartoony for a lack of better words. It's kind of funny.

See what I mean? It's funny stuff. Next time, we return to the DC Universe, as the Crisis on Infinite Earths rages on...

Dragon Quest Builders Launch Trailer, My Thoughts

I love video games. I love RPGs. One of my favorite series of RPGs is Dragon Quest. I am not kidding. Final Fantasy may be the big RPG series here in America, but there is a growing fanbase here for Dragon Quest. That makes me happy, as this series brought RPGs to consoles, whereas beforehand, they originally were played on computers. I own six of the games for my DS and 3DS: IV, V, VI, IX, and the 3DS remakes of VII and VIII. And I can't wait for XI to come to the states. :)

I also have played a little bit of Minecraft, and I remember enjoying it. But what if I told you there was a game that essentially combined Dragon Quest and Minecraft? Well, there is. The game is called Dragon Quest Builders. Originally released for the PS4 in 2016, it's now come to the Switch. Here's the launch trailer!

I love the announcer's voice. He sounds so enthusiastic.

The game does look really good. I love the idea of playing this on the go. I do hope this game lets you go nuts with building stuff.

So, we're playing in a version of Alefgard. which was the setting of the very first Dragon Quest game. The Dragonlord, the villain of that game, has won here and devastated the land. And it's up to you, the Builder, to restore the land back to its former glory.

I love how the Builder is introduced, and the look on his face is awesome. It's like, "I'm going to build the HELL out of this place." I hope there's a degree of customization for the Builder. Such a feature would really help with immersion, as the player could imagine they are the Builder.

Hey, Builder got a hovercar. I bet that will be handy.

Naturally, in Alefgard, you gotta beat up some monsters.

WOW, YOU CAN WALK AROUND ON AN AREA THAT OOKS LIKE THE NES ALEFGARD! THAT IS SO COOL!

Aww, the Builder riding a Sabercat. And Sabercats look adorable in the game's art style.

Looks like you can choose the gender of the Builder and customize their appearance. That's a great feature.

Carve an emoji into a mountainside. Heh heh.

I gotta get the demo for my Switch. This game looks like it will be fun. I can't wait to get it!

Venom Teaser, My Thoughts

Something new is coming to the comic book film world. Something dangerous. Something lethal. Something poisonous. The comic book movie world is getting itself a taste...of Venom.

Since 2007, there has been attempts to get the sinister symbiote his own solo film, after the character appeared in Spider-Man 3. And now, after 11 years, it looks like it may actually happen. Let's take a look at the teaser trailer.

The teaser begins with...a view of a lake? No, it's a painting in a hospital. Some guy is getting an MRI. Take care of your brain, kids. It's the only one you got.

So, we get a view of San Francisco next. Which makes sense. You see, in the comics, Venom spent some time in San Francisco as a "Lethal Protector" of the homeless there.

Get a glimpse of a woman. I think that's Ann Weying. She was the first female Venom. She's dead now.

So I'm assuming something happens and Eddie Brock ends up in a hospital.

And there's a tease of a black bubbling thing that I am assuming is the Venom symbiote. That has to be.

I think Tom Hardy had some LSD before taking his MRI, and he's now having a bad trip.

Yeah, I'm not sure what to think of this film. It's...kind of weird to me that they are trying to do a film focusing on Venom that doesn't have any connection to Spider-Man. It feels wrong to me. I have heard that this film is "adjunct" to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Basically, Sony considers it part of the MCU, but Marvel Studios does not. This trailer does feel a bit generic. We don't even get any teasing of Venom itself.

Legion of Super-Heroes #290 (August 1982)

In the 30th Century, Earth has become a world at peace. A technologically-advanced paradise where science and reason reign, and things such as poverty and prejudice have become a thing of the past. Despite this, a world like this still needs heroes to protect it. And that is where the Legion of Super-Heroes come in.

First appearing in Adventure Comics #247 (April 1958), the Legion were a team of heroes set in the future of the DC Universe, closely associated with the Superman mythos, particularly Superboy and Supergirl.

In 1977, Paul Levitz, a fan of the Legion, became the chronicler of their adventures. His 1977-1979 and 1981-1989 runs with the futuristic heroes became regarded as classics that brought the group a new level of quality and popularity to the group.

Over the years, the group would be rebooted several times. In The Lightning Saga, a 2007 crossover between the Justice Society and the Justice League in their books, a version of the Legion based on the classic version was reintroduced to DC continuity, which also restored Superman's time as Superboy to DC continuity. Yeah, DC's been constantly rewriting their continuity since 1985. People complain about Marvel's relaunches, but MARVEL HAS NEVER REBOOTED THEIR WHOLE UNIVERSE EVERY FEW YEARS AND THEN DID A HALF-ASSED JOB KEEPING EVERYTHING STRAIGHT.

In recent years, the Legion has sadly become dormant. Last appearing in Justice League United in 2015, the Legion in any form has not been seen since...well, in the comics anyway. The Legion has appeared in other media. Members of the group have appeared in Superman: The Animated Series, Smallville, the Supergirl television series, alluded to in The Flash's TV series, and even had their own cartoon in 2006. Considering these have helped keep the Legion in the public eye, it may only be a matter of time before the Legion make a comic book comeback. After all, Phantom Girl is going to be a member of DC's Fantastic Four, I mean, The Terrifics. This might be a sign.

But for now, let's look at the beginning of one of the Legion's greatest stories, The Great Darkness Saga. Let's dig into Legion of Super-Heroes #290!

The cover is a Keith Giffen and Frank Giacoia piece, and it's pretty cool. It depicts one of the Servants of Darkness (Who doesn't resemble any of the Servants in the actual comic) marching over the title of the story in the rubble. Nice touch there. One question, though. Is his body reflecting the Legion floating in space, or is his body a void which the Legion are trapped in. It has to be the latter, as the background is solid white.

"Great Darkness Saga, Chapter One: And the Servant Shall be a Sign..."
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciler: Keith Giffen
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Letterer: John Constanza
Editor: Laurie Sutton
Executive Editor: Joe Orlando

The story begins with members of the Legion (Superboy, Wildfire, Cosmic Boy, Phantom Girl, and the Jacques Foccart Invisible Kid), floating down towards a fire.

Poor Jacques. Yeah, he's rather new to the Legion life, and the flight ring still gets his stomach going.

The fire has hit a place in "Mega-California" called the Museum of the Mystic Arts. You can probably guess what they show off. Interestingly, this comic reveals that a thousand years in the past, it was known as "The Magic Castle". Yeah, you'd think a place that has many magical artifacts all lumped together would be a big-time target for supervillains looking to get some power quick.

The group arrive, but the Science Police and the Pyro-Nullifier Team (Firefighters) have got it handled. Jacques gushes over getting to hang out with the legendary Superboy, but Superboy is also honored to be working with Jacques. Wildfire thinks this was an attack by Validus, but Superboy notes the wreckage is too thorough and systematic to be Validus. Not to mention there's no traces of ozone, which his mental lightning leaves behind.

The Science Policeman explains that nothing was taken and nobody was attacked. The policeman theorizes the culprit was looking for something here, but couldn't find it. However, the curator, one Antonio Stefanacci, explains he knows exactly what the perpetrators of this attack were here for.

Yeah, magic really does a great job at keeping you youthful. Just ask Doctor Strange here. And evidently Stephen also decided to try out the Wolverine hairstyle. Ehhhhh, I don't think it fits him. Anyway, the Strange cosplayer explains to the Legion the wand is made of "Mentachem", a powerful material with mastery of the natural elements. It's the most powerful item in the museum. He then notes that it's getting darker. And the reason shows itself: A man-monster in a gray cape and a triangular chest symbol.

Jacques tells the Science Policeman that he and his men must evacuate in French. You know, according to Star Trek: The Next Generation, French had become an obscure language in the 24th century. Nice to see it made a comeback in the 30th. Superboy and Wildfire charge the monster, but it's able to swat the Boy of Steel away like a bug. Cosmic Boy attacks, but gets a dose of freeze breath for his trouble.

The creature then tries to attack Phantom Girl, but she passes through him. However, she ends up feeling very cold, making her pass out. Wildfire keeps trying to fight the monster, but he's not having much effect. Superboy is able to get the curator and Invisible Kid away, but the curator drops the wand, allowing the creature to catch it. The creature cries out to a mysterious master, and this "master" summons a portal, allowing the creature to escape.

The scene then shifts to Legion HQ. A flying tour bus is outside the HQ, observing the damage to the building thanks to a battle with a villain called Computo. Blok, a Legionnaire who is a essentially a living rock, asks Brainiac 5 if he should be concerned about it. Brainiac 5 reassures him that they're just tourists. He then leaves to check on another Legionnaire, Matter Eater Lad. Matter Eater Lad had recently saved the universe by eating a powerful device called the Miracle Machine, but it cost him his sanity.

Elsewhere, Timber Wolf is talking to Chameleon Boy. Wolf is furious with him, because Chameleon Boy dragged a group of Legionnaires into some espionage activities against an alien race called the Khunds. As a result, there is now the threat of war between them and the United Planets. Chameleon Boy realizes his mistake, and asks that it be enough, as nobody got hurt. Wolf's like, "Nah, get outta here and never come back." He then awkwardly runs into Saturn Girl.

Back to our first group of Legionnaires, they're headed to London. In the 30th century, London has become essentially a suburb of the massive city called Europolis. So much for Brexit, huh? Cosmic Boy explains that the curator of the magic museum told him there was a crime wave of magical artifacts that had been stolen. One object that hadn't been taken yet was Excalibur, the legendary sword. And it's at the Tower of London. The group arrive, landing near some tourists.

Yeah, and you thought people getting a celebrity's hair was weird. Wildfire and Cosmic Boy head inside, only for the door to explode into little pieces. Cosmic Boy is sent flying, but tries to use his powers to keep the rubble away from the civilians. A furious Wildfire flies back into the building, wanting to throw some hands. Phantom Girl and Superboy deal with the civilians, while Invisble Kid joins Wildfire. He sneaks inside, and finds the culprit.

Big-Head here is able to protect himself from Wildfire's blasts. Invisible Kid tries to sneak the sword away, but Big-Head is able to expose him with a powerful flash of light. He then blasts Invisible Kid, and gets the sword. Wildfire hits him with an energy-charged punch, and it's able to hurt the creature. Wildfire looks at the yellow energy around his fist and wonders why that worked on the monster. Big-Head taunts Wildfire as he flees through a portal, saying that the darkness is coming.

Back to Legion Headquarters! In their medical facility, Doctor Gym'll, the Legion's doctor, is examining Lightning Lad. I like Gym'll, he reminds me a lot of Dr. McCoy from the original Star Trek series. He had been acting strangely these last few weeks, which led to him collapsing that morning. Gym'll diagnoses the problem as severe electrical dysfunction of his brain. The cause is unknown as this time. Element Lad heads out to get Saturn Girl.

Timber Wolf and Saturn Girl do some talking about their relationship troubles. They had been recently found on an asteroid embracing, which led to some problems with their significant others, respectively Light Lass and Lightning Lad...who are twin siblings. Yeah, the Legion was a soap opera with superpowers. Element Lad comes in and tells Saturn Girl that Lightning Lad needs her. she heads to him. Timber Wolf wonders if Element Lad will get the job of leading the Legion in the next election. Element Lad is unsure, but at least he's going after something Lightning Lad gave up voluntarily. Uh, E-Lad? Lightning Lad clearly has some brain issues right now, maybe "Voluntary" is not the best word.

In an unknown region of space, Big-Head presents Excalibur to his mysterious master.

The master, in that outfit, absorbs the power of the sword and the mentachem wand, presumably to increase his own. Back in London, Cosmic Boy's Legion group, well...regroup. Invisible Kid suggests that they follow the monsters back to where they came from...and he volunteers to do so. Superboy is warning that it would be a rough first mission for him, but Invisible Kid counters by reminding that his power allows him to disappear and follow the monsters. Wildfire decides to go tell Brainiac 5 to look for any other powerful magical artifacts that have gone missing.

Later, the group head to the planet Talok VIII, particularly the Institute of Parapsychological Phenomenon. The group also brought another Legionnaire with them: Shadow Lass, who is native to the planet. She remarks that the last time she visited this place, it was on a class trip. She is also surprised that Brainiac 5 had heard of the object they are protecting, a big green sphere called the Orb of Orthanax. I'm guessing it was some big secret on Talok VIII.

The room gets engulfed in darkness...and Shadow Lass isn't causing it. A new monster, this one clearly a female, goes for the Orb.

The She-Creature blasts Wildfire and goes for the Orb, but Cosmic Boy is able to use his magnetic powers to keep it away from her. Superboy gives the She-Creature a blast of freeze breath, and the orb lands in the hands of Phantom Girl. Wildfire and Superboy blast the tar out of the She-Creature, but she has some backup.

This new monster flies in on what looks like some strange harness thing with handlebars. The new monster blasts Phantom Girl with some "Astro-Force" and grabs the orb. He flees to a portal, but Cosmic Boy tries to block it with some debris. He fails. The She-Creature tries to flee towards the portal, but Invisible Kid shoulder-tackles her away from the portal as it closes up. She then is knocked senseless by Superboy. The Legion lost the Orb, but they got a prisoner. Hopefully, she'll come with some answers.

Later at Legion HQ, Element Lad has called some other Legionnaires together. He wants to schedule the election of Legion leader...and put his name in the running. Blok wonders why he wants to do this, and Element Lad explains that he's served three terms as deputy leader, and filled in for Lightning Lad. He likes the leadership job, but wants to earn it. The Legion is his home, mainly because his homeworld was destroyed, and this group is the only family he has left. However, Element Lad is going to have some competition.

Yup, Dream Girl and Ultra Boy are also throwing their names into the hat. Sorry about the panel getting all stretched. My tablet scanner hates me sometimes. Anyway, the conversation is interrupted by Superboy and his Legion team arriving with the She-Creature in dreamland. The group gets a call from President of Earth Marte Allon. She's the mother of the Legionnaire Gim Allon, aka Colossal Boy. She tells them that Chameleon Boy's treason trial is tomorrow if they'd like to attend it.

Superboy and Shadow Lass take the She-Creature to get locked up. Shadow Lass admits that seeing the creature gives her goosebumps, like she should know the monster. Superboy admits he had the same feeling when he fought the creature with the cape and chest symbol. Nearby, a young girl lies in stasis. This is Danielle Foccart, the younger sister of the Invisible Kid. She was the host body of the malevolent AI known as Computo, and she's in stasis until Brainiac 5 can find a cure for her. The readouts that monitor her are going wild. The servant's presence is causing her to have nightmares, much to the shock of Superboy and Shadow Lass.

In an unknown area of space, the harness-riding monster presents the master with the Orb of Orthanax. The master eagerly absorbs its power. The master now feels it is time. He has gotten all the power he needs, and now it's time to meet his destiny: A destiny of darkness ruling the universe. A destiny of all life being his slaves, a destiny of never ending pain and suffering. The story ends with him saying has had enough of this world, and vanishes.

This opening chapter was pretty good. It set up an interesting mystery. One of the things that the Legion is known for is massive cast, and you get the idea of that here. With such a big cast, there would be multiple storylines going on, and this comic really touches on them. Blok's struggles with certain phrasing, the fallout of Chameleon Boy's rogue actions, even on Danielle Foccart's being kept in stasis from Computo. The only storyline that got me confused was the whole Timber Wolf/Saturn Girl thing. I didn't quite get what was going on. Otherwise that, I can't complain. Keith Giffen also turns in some good artwork. His art style had not quite evolved into the style that he is more famous for yet, so it is neat to see where he started from.

Next time, in honor of Black History Month, we'll take a look at an issue of Luke Cage...