Foreword by MATT FRACTION. Afterword by BARRY LYGA. For 50 years, the Legion of Super-Heroes has occupied its own, vital corner of the DC Universe - and comics fandom. The Legion's expansive cast, bizarre characters, futuristic setting, extended storylines, and elaborate continuity all set it apart from other superhero comics. This essay collection, from fans and scholars alike, is as diverse as Legion history. Essays examine significant runs (by Jim Shooter, Paul Levitz, & Keith Giffen); the Legion's science, architecture, & fashion; the role of women, homosexuality, & race; the early Legion's classical adaptations, teenage cruelty, relation to the early Justice League, & resurrection of Lightning Lad; whether the Legion should be allowed to age; the Amethyst saga; the themes of the reboot Legion; and the so-called Threeboot's relationship to adult adolescence & generational theory. No Legion fan or comics scholar should go without this critical celebration of the Legion.
After graduating magna cum laude from Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisconsin), Julian Darius obtained his M.A. in English, authoring a thesis on John Milton and utopianism. In 2002, he moved to Waikiki, teaching college while obtaining an M.A. in French (high honors) and a Ph.D. in English. He currently lives in Illinois.
In 1996, while still an undergraduate, Dr. Julian Darius founded what would become Sequart Research & Literacy Organization, which publishes non-fiction and documentary films on comic books and promotes the medium as a legitimate form of art.
In 2011, he founded Martian Lit, which publishes odd and aggressive literature, non-fiction, art, poetry, and other material.
