SUPERBOY & THE LSH Stories

With issue 231, the comic's title officially changed from Superboy to Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heores, acknowledging the reality of the Legion's takeover. (The change actually happened on the cover starting with issue 222, but the official title wasn't changed until 231.)

In this period writer Paul Levitz, who had begun with issue 225 and wrote just about all the stories up to issue 251, began to display the talents that would make him the acknowledged master storyteller of the Legion.

The period of 1977 through 1979 saw enormous changes in the Legion, as the characters finally matured and started on the path to adulthood. (One story, considered all but non-canonical by later fans, even attempted to explain why characters in their 20s and 30s were still referred to as "Boy," "Girl," "Lad," etc.) In this period, too, the creative teams deliberately began to use elements of the Legion's 20-year history in stories, delighting long-time fans and sending newcomers scurrying to the back-issue bins at comic shops. Continuity became important, as the Legion's background became more complex and more believable. Science fiction elements were used more carefully and to greater effect.

Storylines that stretched across more than two issues became accepted LSH in fact, the annual five-issue "big" story became an instant tradition. Founding members Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl got married, Earth was invaded, and Brainiac 5 went mad (setting a pattern that would recur repeatedly in the future).

Among the finest storylines of this era were #231's "A Day in the Death of a World," "The Millennium Massacre" in Collector's Edition C-55, "Murder Most Foul" in #239, the "Earthwar" saga in #241 - 245, and #247's "Once a Legionnaire."

Stories that are reprinted in graphic novels are indicated by appropriate cover images.

Info Issue Date Title Roll Call
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 231 1977/09 A Day in the Death of a World
Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Element Lad, Karate Kid (Val), Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Fatal Five: Emerald Empress, Emerald Eye, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
1977-9
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 232 1977/10 The Disease That Wouldn't Die
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Rogir Allon, R.J. Brande, Doctor Regulus, Immune
1977-10

LSH

JLA 147 1977/10 Crisis in the 30th Century
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Lightning Lad, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superman, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Mordru
1977-9b
LSH KARATE KID 10 1977/10 Death Duel on Orando
Cosmic Boy, Karate Kid (Val), Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Superboy (cover only), Airn, Sensei, King Voxv, Sadaharu
1977-9a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 233 1977/11 The Infinite Man Who Conquered Time The Legion
Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Dream Girl, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Rond Vidar, Star Boy, Superboy, Wildfire, High Seer Beren, Infinite Man, Sklarian Raiders
1977-11
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 233 1977/11 The Final Illusion
Chameleon Boy, Dream Girl, Karate Kid (Val), Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Universo
1977-11a
LSH DC SUPER-STARS 17 1977/11 Secret of the Quintile Crystal
Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Superboy, R.J. Brande, Unnamed S.P. Officer, Ambassador Lorval
1977-11b

LSH

JLA 148 1977/11 Crisis in Triplicate
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Lightning Lad, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superman, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Mordru
1977-11c
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 234 1977/12 The Composite Legionnaire
Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Duplicate Boy, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Superboy, Wildfire, President Kandru, Bounty
1977-12
LSH KARATE KID 11 1977/12 Disasters of Yesteryear
Karate Kid (Val), Iris Jacobs
1977-11d
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 235 1978/01 The Legion's Super-Secret
Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Light Lass, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Doctor B'Relden, Sklarian Raiders
1978-1
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 235 1978/01 Trial of the Legion Five
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Lightning Lad, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Wildfire, Marko Chang, Redvik Chang, Unnamed Judge
1978-1a
Obscure LSH-related Cameo STAR WARS 7 1978/01 New Planets, New Perils
Tharok look-a-like
1978-1b
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 236 1978/02 A World Born Anew
Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Element Lad, Night Girl, Princess Projectra, Superboy, Pol Krinn, Polla, Unnamed President of Braal, Worldsmith
1978-2
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 236 1978/02 Mon- El's One Man War
Mon-El, Garlak, Khunds
Chronicler's Error: Garlak is spelled "Charlak"
1978-2a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 236 1978/02 Words Never Spoken
Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Professor Vndaar
1978-2b
Cameo KARATE KID 12 1978/02 The Time of Your Death
Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Karate Kid (Val), Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy, Superboy, Iris Jacobs
1978-2c
LSH-related SUPERMAN FAMILY 187 1978/02 The Dealers of Death
Elastic Lad
1978-2d
Warring Galaxy COLLECTOR'S EDITION C-55 1978/03 The Millennium Massacre
Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Duplicate Boy, Element Lad, Ferro Lad, Fire Lad, Karate Kid (Val), Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, R. J. Brande, Mike Grell, Paul Levitz, Rond Vidar, Unidentified Red-Haired Figure, Controllers, Sun-Eater, Time Trapper (Controller)
Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl married
1978-2c
Reference COLLECTOR'S EDITION C-55 1978/02 The Origins and Powers of the Legionnaires
Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chemical King (memorial statue), Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Elastic Lad, Element Lad, Ferro Lad (memorial statue), Fire Lad, Insect Queen, Invisible Kid (Lyle) (memorial statue), Karate Kid (Val), Kid Psycho, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Pete Ross, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Rond Vidar, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Supergirl, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
1978-2d
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 237 1978/03 No Price Too High
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Light Lass, Lightning Lad (resigned), Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl (resigned), Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, R.J. Brande, Graxls, Arma Getten, Khunds
1978-3
LSH KARATE KID 13 1978/04 Tomorrow's Battle Today
Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Karate Kid (Val), Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy, Superboy, Diamondeth, Iris Jacobs
1978-3a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 239 1978/05 Murder Most Foul
Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Shadow Lass, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, An Ryd (died), Marla
1978-4
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 240 1978/06 Man Who Manacled the Legion
Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Phantom Girl, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, President Kandru, Zall Morgan, Charma (deceased), Grimbor
1978-5
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 240 1978/06 Dawnstar Rising
Dawnstar, Wildfire, Power Boy, Laurel Kent, R.J. Brande, Shadow Lad, Mist-Rider, Moonwalker
1978-5a
LSH KARATE KID 14 1978/06 Diamondeth is Forever
Karate Kid (Val), Diamondeth, Iris Jacobs
1978-5b
Cameo SUPERMAN FAMILY 189 1978/06 Memories of Menace
Brainiac 5, Mon-El, Superboy, Supergirl, Superman
1978-5c
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 241 1978/07 Prologue to Earthwar
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Dawnstar, Element Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Shvaughn Erin, Ontiir, Ambassador Relnic, Resource Raiders
1978-6
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 241 1978/07 My Brother's Keeper
Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Timber Wolf, Lightning Lord
1978-6a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 242 1978/08 Startarget: Earth
Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Element Lad, Mon-El, Sun Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Ontiir, Ambassador Relnic, Dark Circle, Garlak, Khunds, Resource Raiders
1978-7
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 242 1978/08 Girls' Night Out
Dream Girl, Light Lass, Princess Projectra, Shadow Lass
1978-7a
Earth-51 KARATE KID 15 1978/08 Bring Back My Future To Me
Chameleon Boy, Karate Kid (Val), Superboy, Diamondeth
1978-6b
Subs SUPERBOY & LEGION 243 1978/09 Earth's Last Stand
Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Shvaughn Erin, Ontiir, Ambassador Relnic, Dark Circle, Dominators, Khunds
1978-8
Earth-51 KAMANDI 58 1978/09 Enter the Legionnaire
Karate Kid (Val), Diamondeth
1978-7b
Subs SUPERBOY & LEGION 244 1978/10 Dark Circle That Crushed Earth
Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Karate Kid (Val), Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, , Star Boy, Stone Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Shvaughn Erin, Ontiir, Ambassador Relnic, Dark Circle, Dominators, Garlak, Khunds, Mordru
1978-9
Subs SUPERBOY & LEGION 245 1978/11 Mordru: Master of Earth
Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Karate Kid (Val), Light Lass, Lightning Lad (rejoined), Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl (rejoined), Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Stone Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Galactic Coordinator, Ontiir, Ambassador Relnic, Dark Circle, Dominators, Khunds, Mordru, Resource Raiders
1978-10
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 246 1978/12 Will The Last One to Leave Mercury Please Close the Planet?
Chameleon Boy, Cosmic Boy, Karate Kid (Val), Lightning Lad, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Diamondeth, Iris Jacobs, Doctor Zebx
1978-11
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 246 1978/12 A World For the Winning
Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Element Lad, Karate Kid (Val), Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Fatal Five: Emereald Empress, Emerald Eye, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus, Fatal 5
1978-11a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 247 1979/01 Savage Sanctuary
Colossal Boy, Element Lad, Superboy, Fatal Five: Emerald Empress, Emerald Eye, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, Validus
1979-1
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 247 1979/01 Celebration
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Ferro Lad (memorial statue), Karate Kid (Val), Light Lass, Lightning Lad (becomes Leader), Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Wildfire
1979-1a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 248 1979/02 Beneath the Streets Lurks Death
Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, R.J. Brande
1979-2
LSH-related SUPER FRIENDS 17 1979/02 Trapped in Two Times
Superman, Time Trapper
1979-2a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 249 1979/03 Capital Crimes of the Chemical Conqueror
Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, R.J. Brande (mentioned), Chemoids, Mantis Morlo
1979-3
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 249 1979/03 The Actoraan Jewel Case
Chameleon Boy, S.P. Commander Hagbard, Ambassador Jeryl, Giy Delor
1979-3a
LSH-related SUPER FRIENDS 18 1979/03 Manhunt in Time
Superman, Time Trapper
1979-3b
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 250 1979/04 This is Day the Universe Dies
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Karate Kid (Val), Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Tyroc, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, An Ryd (image), Omega
1979-4
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 251 1979/05 The Man Who Destroyed the Universe
Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Karate Kid (Val), Matter-Eater Lad, Princess Projectra, Star Boy, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Omega
Headquarters destroyed, Matter-Eater Lad eats Miracle Machine
1979-5
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 252 1979/06 Postscript to Holocaust
Brainiac 5, Dream Girl, Lightning Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Superboy, Wildfire, R.J. Brande, Starburst Bandits
1979-6
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 253 1979/07 Night of the Super-Assassins
Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Unnamed Earth President, Blok, Lazon, Mist Master, Neutrax, Silver Slasher, Titania
1979-7
Subs SUPERBOY & LEGION 254 1979/08 A Madman Shall Lead Them
Brainiac 5, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Fire Lad, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass (cover & splash page only), Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, R.J. Brande, Blok, Dark Man (mentioned), Lazon, Mist Master, Neutrax, Silver Slasher, Titania
1979-8
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 255 1979/09 The Super Spectacles Swap
Cosmic Boy, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Superboy, Wildfire, President Kandru, Gorgli
Chronicler's Error: President Kandru has somehow become a grey-haired Caucasian man
1979-9
LSH DC COMICS PRESENTS 13 1979/09 To Live in Peace Nevermore
Dawnstar, Lightning Lad, Pete Ross, Saturn Girl, Sun Boy, Superman
1979-9a
Cameo WORLD OF KRYPTON 3 1979/09 The Last Days of Krypton
Mon-El
1979-9b
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 256 1979/10 This is Your Life and Death Brainiac 5
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, R.J. Brande, Cosmic World Manager, Kajx Dox, Mother Dox, Unnamed S.P. Captain
1979-10
Cameo ACTION 500 1979/10 Life Story of Superman
Statues: Chameleon Boy, Element Lad, Light Lass, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Tyroc, Ultra Boy
1979-10a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 257 1979/11 Who Stole the Legion?
Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Cosmic Boy, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Superboy, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, Espionage Squad, R.J. Brande, Cosmic World Manager, President Kandru, Unnamed S.P. Captain
1979-11
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 257 1979/11 Once a Legionnaire
Bouncing Boy, Duo Damsel, Norsk
1979-11a
LSH SUPERBOY & LEGION 258 1979/12 Mind Attack of Psycho Warrior
Chameleon Boy, Karate Kid (Val), Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Superboy, Wildfire, R.J. Brande, President Kandru, Psycho-Warrior
1979-12

Updated: 5 Aug 2010


Mini-FAQs

Who's Listed? I try to list all appearances of Legionnaires and major characters. This includes images, visions, flashbacks, statues and statuettes, disembodied heads, and any other visual represenations of the characters.

Who's a Major Character? Ultimately, it's a judgement call. I try to include all continuing characters: Legionnaires, friends, family members, professional associates, villains, and assorted others. For one-shot characters, I try to include those whose names are given, or who otherwise play a major role in a story.

What About Non-Legion Stories? When Legionnaires make appearances in other comics, I only list the characters with a direct Legion connection. For example, if the Legion guest-stars with the Justice League, I don't list all the Justice Leaguers.

In What Order Do You List Characters? First, Legionnaires in alphabetical order. (This includes Subs, Honorary Legionnaires, Legion Reserve, and some special cases like Duplicate Boy). Seconds, friendly (or neutral) characters in alphabetical order. Third, bad guys in alphabetical order. Finally, statuettes go on their own line to preserve the aesthetics. Occasionally I will list all the members of a groups together, like the Fatal Five or the Heroes of Lallor.

In What Order Do You List Comics? Yeah, I know it doesn't always seem right. Chronological by month, then alphabetical by title -- but mainstream Legion titles always get listed first in the month. Aren't you glad you asked?


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