Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1
Cover Credits
Penciller: Adam T. Hughes
Inker: Alan Gordon

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  Story  

Title: "Charade"
Pages: 54

Feature(s):
Legion of Super-Heroes (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Tom Bierbaum
Writer: Mary Bierbaum
Penciller: Doug C. Braithwaite
Inker: Doug Hazlewood
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Tom J. McCraw

Reprinted In:
Legion of Super-Heroes:Five Years Later Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2020)

Feature Character(s)

Supporting Character(s)

Villain(s)

Other Character(s)

  • Twyler (a scientist at the Time Institute; no further appearances)
  • Jo's father and Mytra (in flashback; Jo's mother; no further appearances)
  • Si (in flashback; leader of a street gang; no further appearances)
  • Ap (in flashback; Jo's friend; dies in flashback; no further appearances)
  • The Black Borlats (in flashback; Fil named; a street gang; no further appearances)
  • An Ryd (in flashback; Jo's former girlfriend; no further appearances)
  • The Broncs (in flashback; a rival street gang; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

Cameo Appearance(s)

  • Sugyn (in flashback to Secret Origins #42)
  • Lightning Lad (in flashback to Ultra Boy's induction)
  • Cosmic Boy (in flashback to Ultra Boy's induction)
  • Colossal Boy (in flashback to Ultra Boy's induction)
  • Chameleon Boy (in flashback to Ultra Boy's induction)
  • Invisible Kid (in flashback to Ultra Boy's induction)
  • Reflecto (in flashback to Ultra Boy's induction)
  • Bouncing Boy (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • Lightning Lass (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • Superboy (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • Star Boy (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • Sun Boy (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • Shrinking Violet (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • Wildfire (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • Karate Kid (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • Omega (in flashback to previous Legion missions)
  • The Jaguar Court (in flashback to previous Legion missions)

Comments:
This story takes place in the reality created by Glorith beginning in Legion of Super-Heroes #6. As a result of these timeline manipulations some past events in the history of the Legion have been altered.

The framing sequence of this story recounts a different version of the Conspiracy storyline which occurred in the original post-Crisis reality in Legion of Super-Heroes #46 through Legion of Super-Heroes #50. In this reality Glorith has taken the role of the Time Trapper and Laurel Gand is present.

This story also presents the origin and history of Ultra Boy which includes several previously unrevealed details and motivations brought about due to changes in the timeline.

Synopsis:
Before the Great Collapse, Glorith slaughters the inhabitants of Daxam. A small group of Legionnaires construct a plot to get even. The group includes Lar Gand, Laurel Gand, Brainiac 5, Duo Damsel, and Saturn Girl. Ultra Boy approaches Saturn Girl claiming to know about the conspiracy. He allows her to read his mind to get the whole story. The conspirators then face off with Glorith who kills Lar Gand and one of Duo Damsel's bodies. Glorith then pulls out Saturn Girl's thoughts including the revelations which Ultra Boy shared.

Ultra Boy was born Jo Nah on the planet Rimbor. He grew up as a member of a gang where he learned the rules of the street. He fell for the girlfriend of the gang leader which led him to a confrontation with a space dragon. After being swallowed alive, Jo gained amazing powers. When Phantom Girl fought Sugyn on Rimbor, Jo was inspired to join the Legion.

As part of his tryout Ultra Boy was paired with advisor Marla Latham. They travelled into the past to discover what happened to the legendary hero Valor. Ultra Boy and Latham arrive in the midst of a Dominator fleet. Jo and Valor team up to stop the Dominators. One of the Dominators then reveals a plan to invade Earth again.

Jo returns to the 30th Century believing that he failed his test. Instead, he is admitted into the Legion. However, he believes that he and Valor were being manipulated. Further investigation reveals time anomolies which lead him to discover that R.J. Brande was from the 20th Century. Eventually, he concludes that Glorith is behind the manipulations, but she is unreachable due to the Iron Curtain in time which prevents the Legion from reaching their future.

Jo continues pursuing his theory and determines that events were manipulated to create the Legion as a foil for Mordru, the one person capable of defeating Glorith. Using acting skills he learned on Rimbor, Ultra Boy manipulates Mordru into confronting Glorith directly before either of them is ready. When Brainiac 5 learns of Glorith's schemes, she causes him to go mad, so Jo keeps his own manipulations a secret.

Back in her battle with the Legion, Glorith pulls this secret from Saturn Girl's mind. The revelation distracts her long enough for Laurel Gand to strike her down. Glorith uses her remaining power to direct the Iron Curtain toward a target to get revenge on Ultra Boy. She strikes Phantom Girl, whom Jo was planning to marry. Tinya is believed dead.

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