The Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga - Atop the Fourth Wall

[@VintageRubyFilms]

"When you get to Hell, tell the Anti-Monitor I said hi!". DAMN Linkara. Probably one of your best lines ever. So appropriate too.

[@thewoollyviking5928]

"I am many things Kal-El, but here, I am God." I frigging love Darkseid.

[@codysonic1]

Serious question here...Is Darkseid on the same situation as Doom where he is evil, yes but he has his standards?

[@thewoollyviking5928]

@@codysonic1 Darkseid is basically the personification of "Lawful Evil". Right up there with Dr. Doom and Darth Vader.

[@AzraelSoulHunter]

I also love the line "There was a war in Heaven mr. Turpin and I won." It's such a chilling line.

[@thewoollyviking5928]

@@painvillegaming4119 yeah, enslavement would mean establishing a tight, oppressive hierarchy where he places himself on top. that's like textbook Lawful Evil lol.

[@Spikex1]

Darkseid does indeed have telepathy. His powers are enhanced in The Great Darkness Saga from draining Mordru and the Time Trapper to be able to enslave all of Daxam, but even in the modern day DCU, the Martian Manhunter has said before that Darkseid is one of the few beings who surpass him in telepathic strength. A lot of writers have simply ignored it/forgotten about it sooo much over the years (not helped by the fact that it was never used very often or consistently) that the general consensus has become that it's just not one of his powers, and rare instances of him showing psychic abilities are treated as not fitting the character. So you have inconsistencies between stuff like TGDS and moments like in the Superman/Batman book years ago, when Batman stole the codes for Darkseid's warheads and threatened to detonate them all in their silos if Darkseid didn't back down. Everyone thought it was a badass moment for Batman, while I was just wishing Darkseid would read Bruce's mind for the disarming codes. Consistency in the abilities of the New Gods has always been dependent on what's convenient for the story being told, and Darkseid has probably suffered more than the rest of his pantheon over the years for that, to the point where the norm for him is basically just being a strong rock guy who shoots lasers from his eyes, when he's really a lot more, as TGDS showed.

[@CButtonshaw]

I'd say go with the "Darkseid thinks he's got everything planned out and is powerful enough to overcome everything so doesn't bother with the telepathy" idea.

[@Spikex1]

Yup. Best explanation we'll probably ever get.

[@asdrubalvect6328]

Honestly not surprised at Darkseid having huge amounts of telepathic clout. After all, he is the New God of Tyranny and Oppression, he IS the steel toed boot pressing down on the back of your head and grinding your face into the floor with each wiggle of his ankle. He IS the insurmountable proof that you are, and will always be, NOTHING! He IS the enforced idea that you should...nay you WILL, grovel in your own filth, never raising your eyes because you know that to do so will be met with DEATH! He IS all these things and more because HE is DARKSEID! and DARKSEID IS!

[@thebigztco]

Yea this guys dumb smh

[@johnnygyro2295]

Plus, you have to remember, this is the future. There's a good chance Darkseid finally solved the anti-life equation before his mysterious coma. That could enhance any psychic powers he has to point of enslaving entire planets by himself.

[@smjaiteh]

What!?! You’re telling me “the twist was the villain was Granny Goodness” was actually almost true this time!?!

[@takeru3159]

I honestly feel like not using the 'GRANNY GOODNESS' joke was a wasted opportunity. With how he was presenting it I think most people watching would have figured out it was Darkseid so it isn't like he would lose dramatic effect.

[@thomasstorey110]

LSambou Jaiteh

[@mattwo7]

Conrado Javier, even Mother Mae-Eye?

[@bloodstoneore4630]

holy shit... you're right!

[@davidresnick]

esp Mother Mae-Eye :)

[@jessewilley531]

To make it more brilliant is that at that time, The New Gods had been in limbo since the mid 70s, almost a decade. He wasn't the heavy hitter he is now. In fact this story was part of WHY he became a heavy hitter again.

[@matthewdunham1689]

Well said. A fitting resurrection.

[@thomasdempsey721]

As a current comic junkie of the time, reading month to month....Darkseid wasn't even on the map. The head reveal WAS a surprise, and in retrospect....it all fell together perfectly. Plus, you had Levitz weaving all the ongoing subplots, and Giffen at his peak. A lot of the art 'effects' and colours were unique. Giffen's world-building was Kirby-esque++! Only X-Men and Titans were competition.

[@matthewdunham1689]

@@thomasdempsey721 well said!!!!!

[@matthewdunham1689]

@@thomasdempsey721 the Great Darkness Saga helped put Darkseid on the map.

[@jessewilley531]

A lot of my early comic in the 90s came from cheap boxes... so Levitz Legion, Wolfman on Titans, and Claremont's X-Men were 80s comics for me.

[@eugenideddis]

“A reverse clone of me? No one in my time has the ability to create that” Yes, there’s no bizarre version of you, certainly not cloned by Luther.

[@Conner3030]

The Bizarro of pre crisis was not a Lex creation

[@zvonimirtomac7896]

True, but he was created by a duplicator ray so saying they didn't have technology to make one is incorrect.

[@eugenideddis]

Bill DeBarr There were so many at one point, that I assumed one must’ve had something to do with Luther.

[@dngillikin]

Actually, the Pre-Crisis version of Bizarro introduced in Action Comics #254 WAS a Luthor creation.

[@stevediament1448]

I thinks this is a Clark from before he met Bizarro.

[@carlrood4457]

Just to clarify something. The 20th/21st century organization, L.E.G.I.O.N. had not debuted at the time of The Great Darkness Saga, nor would it until 1989, so the mention of Shadow Lass' ancestor and the "clone" are original here. L.E.G.I.O.N. was created in the aftermath of the Invasion! crossover (one of DC's better ones), and was one of many attempts to detangle the Legion's post-Crisis, Superboy-free, history.

[@Jfireprime]

The baby Highfather thing is pretty funny now, considering how Darkseid spent the last couple years as a baby. I wonder if that was an intentional throwback or a coincidence.

[@TevyaSmolka]

lol indeed

[@arcadiaberger9204]

Tsk, completely didn't think of that, but I like it.

[@alexthebat9012]

10:37 A magnificent combination of "there, sure glad I don't look stupid in this" and "Too much pink energy is dangerous"

[@daelen.cclark]

AlexTheBat 901 “I sure am glad I don’t look stupid with this dangerous pink energy!”

[@plantainsame2049]

And if you really want to Stretch it I know have a refreshing bubble gum flavor

[@Malidictus]

Using Darkseid as the mysterious and seemingly all-powerful evil is... Actually quite ingenious. It gives extra credibility to an old character while making for a legitimately good twist.

[@justanotheranimeprofilepic]

I really wish this wasn't the top comment

[@wk3820]

Fun fact: much of the Legion's 30th-Century mythos was created by writer Edmond Hamilton, who in the 1930s was the co-creator of the space opera sub-genre of science fiction. He gave the series a legit sci-fi pedegree.

[@Solitaire001]

The nightmares that Darkseid projects into their minds at around 30:00 are based on their personal nightmares (based on their histories). This included Dream Girl losing her beauty and becoming hideous, Duo Damsel losing another body, Timber Wolf being transformed into an android, and Lightning Lad losing his arm again.

[@DavidTSmith-jn5bs]

35:40 The warning makes its presence known in the "Second Epilog" of this story that Linkara didn't read, possibly because it wasn't in the version of TGDS that he has, but I have it: Saturn Girl is pregnant with her and Lightning Lad's baby but we find out that she would have given birth to TWINS if Darkseid didn't show up and used one of his devices to remove the other baby and caused him to travel back in time and become...a member of The Fatal Five! I won't explain further due to SPOILERS, but I thought it was a clever buried message.

[@LaNoLaCola]

Saying it now, I'm gonna miss the 10 year anniversary title sequence once the year ends

[@amytanner4931]

AnonJl1 I know how you feel

[@jeremycline9542]

I really like the Legion. It's hard to put into words what their appeal is, but I think it's the combination of all the different power sets and how they use them to solve problems. Also, the different races, worlds to explore, etc. What I like about the early eighties' Legion is how well it holds up compared to some of the other stuff of the time.

[@fyraltari1889]

30:41 DARKSEID IS a fan of classical paintings.

[@jean-francoislabelle6489]

Darkseid is ''diving in the pool'' like God in the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. Quite clever coming from the artist actually.

[@merricksilverwolf5366]

"DARKSEID IS having a bad day" so I guess this means you are reading Mister Miracle?

[@Galvatronover]

Surprisingly it’s written by Tom king

[@nebolevar3583]

Fun story: I've yet to read Great Darkness Saga but I do own a copy signed by Paul Levitz himself. He was my comic book writing teacher last semester at school. Great writer and amazing guy!

[@daelen.cclark]

That must’ve been an amazing class.

[@glowstickofdestiny1290]

A "White Witch" is mentioned and you reference Lord of the Rings? I mean, I'm not complaining, but the Narnia joke was right there.

[@autobotstarscream765]

GlowstickOfDestiny Isn't 17:20 a Narnia reference to the White Witch?

[@glowstickofdestiny1290]

No, it's a quote from Galadriel.

[@redrasegarden]

I saw a almagum comics joke there

[@d-brothers3112]

He does have a point

[@petercap6568]

To be fair, the same actress who played Galadriel also played the White Witch in Narnia. ( Cate Blanchett)

[@jimkol8799]

Darkseid: (returns to apokolips after being beaten by Superman) I'm going for a nap. I'm tired. (wakes up years later and gets beaten by young Superman and Supergirl) Darkseid: well. At least... It can't get any worse. (army of Daxamites attacks) Darkseid: o for the love of!!!!!

[@shmee123ful]

Linkara joke about super girl sending darkside to hell and telling him to say hi to the anti monata for her was pure epic. Super girl the God breaker

[@ianr.navahuber2195]

too bad, that even though she had fought and endured battles against them, with Darkseid, he run away before she dealt the finish blow, and the antimonitor ended up killing her. even is she was distracted, he still survived AND was either resurrected incompletely or fully resurrected (Infinite Crisis, siniestro corps war) while Kara was retgonned for YEARS (i think her original self wasn't seen from 1985 to all way up to 2012). However still, Supergirl is still probably one of the few beings who can say that thing (specailly to the antimonitor and darkseid, you know, CRISIS level villains) a totally get away with it

[@shmee123ful]

indeed perhaps god kill was a bit hyperbolic. or an exaggeration. though and mind this just came to me. bat man's line from batman vs superman 'do you bleed? you will!" might actually work for super girl.

[@johnnygyro2295]

Looks like Wonder Woman isn't the only God-Killer! XD

[@arcadiaberger9204]

I like the idea of Supergirl learning her future life when she's visiting the Legion and then suppressing it when she goes into the past. I know, it supposedly doesn't work that way, but that's how I always picture it. I also always wonder what other time-travelling members the Legion might have: Parsifal, for instance, or Hercules, or the Monkey King...?

[@alexthebat9012]

This comic is just full of "Your costume is ridiculous" moments.

[@camerongrow6426]

To think that he left out commenting on Cosmic Boy's first costume with in the trade.

[@wdcain1]

Honestly I like spandex costumes like these and miss them. Super-hero outfits used now have poor color balance and really don't stand out in an effort for "realism."

[@johnnygyro2295]

@@wdcain1 Really? I mean, yeah, spandex, is *the classic* when it comes to costumes. But, don't forget latex and leather are just as viable. Plus, armor's now in style thanks to Iron Man. If I was making a superhero costume, I'd personally go for leather or armor.

[@sarafontanini7051]

Fashion got a bit WEIRD in the 30th century

[@KertaDrake]

@@johnnygyro2295 Could be worse... Could just be dozens of straps and shoulder pads like back in the 90s.

[@solumanblevins8009]

31:01 "You can't kill me more than one" she tells the guy who literally has the power to do that via Omega Beams and Omega Sanction. This is why you don't skip History Class in a Comic Book universe kids.

[@grkpektis]

I love this comic but I just realized I've been calling it "The great Darkseid Saga" this whole time

[@DCUOMultiverse]

It happens. ;) ;)

[@dngillikin]

It's an accurate description.

[@daelen.cclark]

Dan didio: the real-life darksied.

[@smoldream2908]

captain Rockatron Dan DiDio IS not at DC anymore

[@brucecoulson3757]

And in a later Legion annual, Darkseid will create one of the most fearsome, unstoppable foes the Legion has ever faced; the 'darkness' that he refers to in this comic.

[@EnsignRicky011]

Number of comments while I watch this? 52. AT4W reboot imminent.

[@amytanner4931]

Bret Sheeley Linkara vs anti-nimue

[@indy6s]

11:54 Kind of a dick thing to say Clark, considering what happened to the last "Invisible Kid"

[@dngillikin]

Killed by Validus.* * In SUPERBOY STARRING THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #203 (1974).

[@CasaiAgicap]

9:33 I was going to make a snarky comment about how Excalibur wasn't the sword that made Arthur the King of England, that was the Sword in the Stone ...BUT in my attempts at finding the name of the Sword in the Stone, I found there are totally some versions of the King Arthur legend where Excalibur WAS the Sword in the Stone, and it was a slightly later version that introduced the idea of Excalibur being the replacement sword granted by the Lady in the Lake, even though that's totally the only version of the story I ever remember reading as a kid. SO I GUESS I'LL CONCEDE THIS ONE THEN

[@keithbrown6887]

I had never considered that there were two different swords. I only recall Sword in the Stone as a Disney movie. Thanks for the mythological history lesson, dude.

[@doujinloverXD]

Imagine if the Legion cartoon lasted long enough to do the Great Darkness saga!

[@jackwells8107]

I love that you called them out for that one scene of the 'surprise villain' with white skin. At the time this came out, I thought it might be Darkseid, but decided it couldn't be because of that one seen. A reader at the comic shop where I worked at that time (in Fort Worth, TX) had a letter printed (I think in 294) was the first reader to write in guessing that it was Darkseid.

[@DrPluton]

I have always hated when comics put the secret reveal on the cover. I get that it can bring in casual readers of other comics, but I read comics for the story. If the villain/guest shows up on the last page or in issue 6/12 or something, don't spoil that by putting the villain or guest on the cover. It would be like if The Empire Strikes Back movie poster had a "Like father, like son" caption on it.

[@wdcain1]

Coming from the future and it's actually worse now. DC will give away huge reveals months in advance in comic synopsis' online. Just recently they did a huge murder mystery xover in the Wonder Woman books and DC actually revealed whodunnit online a month before the story told us.

[@patrickmorris1167]

I think they actually made a reference to the Great Darkness Saga in the 'Supergirl' TV series when Mon-El mentioned a 'Great Darkness' spreading in the future.

[@andrebrynkus2055]

... I figured it was coming as soon as they let us know that the Legion was a thing.

[@TF2Fan101]

Sounds cool, but I gave up on Supergirl after season 2.

[@johnnygyro2295]

Is Supergirl a good show? I've never seen it, but its apparently on Netflix.

[@chip5838]

Well that Musk joke ended up being prophetic

[@dabunnyman9133]

Always loved this story even though I was never a big Legion fan. It did lead to one of the all time great retcon bits. Darkseid later secretly kidnaps the child of telepath Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad and changes him into the monster Validus who was a long time Legion villain and had never had any kind of origin. But his main power is hurling mental lightning bolts.

[@bobbymak6964]

One of the greatest stories of the 1980's that I read. It got me hooked on the Legion of Superheros for years. Unfortunately, the same type of art and stories that I was hoping to return never did. Thank-you for retelling it. I had a great time reminiscing.

[@Rexaura888]

10:30 Not just the 80s. Even today’s comic book stories (or at least adaptations) have done this. Just look at Fitz and Simmons from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. They had a bit of a romance moment at the end of season 1 in a dire situation and were super awkward about where they were in their relationship for a good amount of season 2...and they’re more or less adults. ‘Twas just a short rough patch though.

[@CaptainHillyan]

I still find it funny to see how scrawny Linkara looked in that coat at the start.

[@noir-214]

25:24 as so, as I saw the shape of the planet I Immediately went "I know that head shape, only one villain has that head shape"

[@Maswartz226]

19:16 Oh THAT aged well!

[@louisduarte8763]

2:54 Glad we're not in THAT fut- [looks around] oh. FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

[@jonathancampbell5231]

30:40 Linkara, you uncultured Phillistine, you don't even recognise a reference to Michaelangelos Sistine Chapel when you see it? And I do find it a bit funny that you complain about the trade cover spoiling the villain but your own video pic kind of does that as well. Also, yes, Darkseid does have telepathic powers, though they are quite a bit stronger here than normal (which, as others suggested, is probably due to all the power he had drained from other villains). But yeah, other than that- great story, great review.

[@AT4W]

Nah, the title card is meant to be a reference to the movie Zardoz.

[@jonathancampbell5231]

.... Now I'm realising that TGDS might have actually ripped off Zardoz for Darkseids big head...I'm tripping out...

[@FuugaNatsu]

The Comfy Couch is Good. Free Will is Evil.

[@johnnygyro2295]

@@FuugaNatsu Maybe Darkseid should use that to take over Earth. Make and sell furniture to humanity that brainwashes them to be obedient couch potatoes...

[@LupineShadowOmega]

@@johnnygyro2295 no matter what, Darkseid does love a good couch. He's probably succeed and get his heart's desire besides. And yeah I mean the couch and not enslaving humanity. XD

[@zvonimirtomac7896]

From what I've found out telepathy IS one of Darkseid's powers it's just not one that's shown that often so many people just see him as a huge dude with super strenght and eye beams. Though a few of his other powers are flight, manipulating size and bringing people back from the dead just to name a few.

[@timothybrackin9429]

Oh, you do this old soul a service by touching upon the Legion and this most legendary of tales from their era. Thank ye, good sir, and I shall endeavor to follow you upon this 10th year of your show.

[@ThanksHermione]

If ever I'm about to be murdered, I'll give my attacker or attackers the zinger that though I'll die, they can only kill me once. They'll totally be blown away by my badassery.

[@andrebrynkus2055]

That's up there with the response in some movie I saw. "How many more times do I need to kill you?" "One more."

[@TheNickcone]

I love the Legion from the Levitt era to the zero hour reboot to the threeboot . Its such a fun concept and much can be done since its the future being mostly disconnected. Wildfire is awesome.

[@Martynde]

I want a "coins, robots, amazons and trucks" month from Linkara.

[@nathanthompson4613]

Martyn de Weert What would that even mean?

[@Martynde]

Each week would be a different comic focusing on the theme in order of "coins, robots, amazons and trucks".

[@nathanthompson4613]

Martyn de Weert If there is enough material to sustain the idea indefinitely, that could be amazing

[@stevediament1448]

so a comic about Two Face?

[@johnnygyro2295]

@@Martynde I could see Power Rangers, Transformers and Wonder Woman working for that. Hell, one of them could be the recent Justice League/Power Rangers crossover!

[@lorddrayvon1426]

If you're wondering, there are two explanations for any the Legion Clone Saga never happened. According to Paul Levitz, the head editor of the comic line, it was because the writer, Steve Lightlie ran out of time to write it due to other hi specified commitments. The unofficial reason is believed to be two fold. 1. The Clone Saga was tanking in sales by the time they decided to rip it off and nearly caused the cancellation of Amazing Spiderman all together. 2. the sales for it were so low that Levitz shot it down as, if the original comic is losing readers, then a blatant rip-off would as well.

[@daelen.cclark]

A wise decision, either way.

[@AlecDraven]

I suspect that the reason the villain's outfit looks so ridiculous when we first see him is simply because if we saw what he normally wears from the neck down (even with the face obscured by smoke) we'd recognize it as "Darkseid" immediately.

[@undisclosedidiot9898]

Speaking of Excalibur, when was the last time Shining Knight appeared in the DC universe? Or Vigilante for that matter. I get that Jonah Hex kinda fulfills both their roles but I kinda miss seeing them after Justice League Unlimited ended.

[@AT4W]

The Grant Morrison version of Shining Knight appeared in the Demon Knights series back in the first two years of the New 52, but nothing after that IIRC (especially since that took place in medieval times).

[@koyinproductions9053]

Shining knight appeared in identity crisis

[@challicedarkon]

definitely one of my favorite arcs

[@TheLowBrassDude]

Check out the Legion of Superheroes cartoon, it actually does the Superman clone made to be a weapon thing much better than Young justice.

[@Caernath]

Linkara's 19:10 comment of "Elon Musk, what are you doing here?!" has aged phenomenally!

[@michaelk8860]

I truly do appreciate the Zardoz reference in the end credits. One of the weirdest movies I've ever seen, and a clear indication of Connery fully embracing his post-bond career.

[@MrGreatwolves]

I just got into the Legion a year ago and came across this story, good times. I'm glad to see you do a video on it.

[@SBaby]

2:53 - Yeah, we're getting there.

[@DCMarvel2009]

And suddenly Steppenwolf’s declaration of “I shall enlighten you to THE GREAT DARKNESS” in the Snyder Cut has some foundation.

[@daelen.cclark]

Even still; it’s not established very well for any viewers that didn’t know that.

[@ToylandChairman666]

Forgot Linkara even reviewed this. I bought a hardcover compilation a year or two ago. Not as familiar with the Legion outside the old cartoon and recent animated movie.

[@najhoant]

Good timing on this one since the Legion will appear in the Supergirl TV show in a week

[@najhoant]

They appeared sort of, yes, but according to the episode promo, we will now actually see them as The Legion, rings and all

[@7Seraphem7]

And even before Mon-El, you saw a brief glimpse of a Legion Ring during Barry's trip through time in the first season of The Flash.

[@kkhohoho1]

How the hell are they gonna have the budget?

[@DimitrisGenn]

kkhohoho1 have you seen how brainiac 5 looks? Hahaha...

[@andrebrynkus2055]

It's almost like he planned it that way.

[@Drakespawn85]

31:05 You know, that card was actually played by a captured villain in a Warhammer 40k novel, who upon being confronted with several death sentences for his actions mockingly asks whether they were going to kill him multiple times. This being 40k... The retort was basically "Funny you'd mention that, we've got this psyker on hand that can actually bring you back from death..."

[@leonardomaranhao2861]

the anti monitor answer is pure gold

[@richmcgee434]

Huh. Never read the Threeboot era stuff, that was past my time. Didn't realize part of the future setting involved a "no physical contact" trope. Interesting concept, I wonder if it had an influence on the Love Not Found webcomic ? That strip explores the same idea (in a vaguely NSFW manner) and is a fairly decent read if you like some romance with your speculative scifi.

[@HBHaga]

Yeah that was very much a "Legion as teen rebellion" book. Anyone could join but only those with super-powers could be in the core group.

[@TheTerrance1]

Well, Linkara, although sparingly used, Darkseid has shown off telepathy in the past. For example, in Return of the New Gods 15, he drains a man's mind. In Super Powers Collection 15, he hypnotizes Superman and Martian Manhunter. In Action Comics 586, he mind controls Superman. The issue is, Darkseid knows telepathy can be broken, but the ALE can not.

[@DAsrada]

That scene with Validus gets even worse if you do the research on who exactly Validus actually is.

[@CalciumChief]

26:00 The Y.M.C.A. part is fine, but should've gone with "KNEEL before Darkseid!". 30:44 What pool? He just wants to create some Adam, that's all.

[@HBHaga]

Great review! The Great Darkness Saga has been my gold standard for epic comic stories. In a sense it holds a place for me similar to what the Technis Imperative does for you.

[@thomaspalazzolo5902]

Looking back on this it's wild that Arm-Fall-Off Boy aka The Detachable Kid is now in a major motion picture and played by Nathan Fillion.

[@carlrood4457]

Regarding the Chameleon Boy stuff, that, like the soap opera bits, was a sign of the time. Most prevalent with X-Men: B-stories, side plots, future storylines, etc would all be interlaced with whatever the A plot was about. If you want the complete story, "The Dark Phoenix Saga" is spread out over about 40 issues, if you want to include everything from Jean getting the power, until the finale. It's a bit different than what we think of as "decompressed" or "writing for the trades" storytelling. It wasn't the main plot for much of that. It's just that it was getting away from the idea of one story ending and another beginning. It was part of that soap opera mentality with multiple plotlines running simultaneously, each at a different point in story arc. It's why a lot of trades of those stories have non-sequiturs. They were meant to be read as a continous, on-going story and not as a series of separate adventures.

[@Bloodymecha]

2:48 Hey they weren't far off on that one!

[@SirAsdf]

Fun Fact: Validus is actually the child of Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl. At the end of this story, Darkseid says he'll fulfill a curse on the Legion and that day comes when Saturn Girl is giving birth, she gives birth to one child when she could've sworn she heard two with her powers (apparently ultrasounds stop existing sometime before the 31st century). Darkseid kidnapped one of their children without them knowing, deformed it with his power and sent it back in time so that it could become Validus.

[@allyssaswain2394]

Can you not give major spoilers in the first sentence of your comment ,please?

[@stefanopirrello6057]

One of the best DC stories of all time

[@elrick44]

I'd love to see you do for the Legion of Superheroes that you've done for the Teen Titans, and Blue Beetle and cover their entire history

[@stephenthelesser9297]

More Legion stuff please! Maybe the death of ferro lad? I grew up reading my dad's silver age stuff and the legion always had the most advanced stories(pun intended)

[@jotacatalan]

James Orville so the death of ferro in the animated serie is canon in the comics?

[@kkhohoho1]

Yup. Well, sorta. It depends on the continuity. In the original continuity, he kicks the bucket, but he survives in the second reboot. That said, the original continuity is back in full force, so Ferro has again gone to the fishes. Comics are weird.

[@jbleichman]

James Orville Another Legion story for this show? I have two words for you: Doctor Mayavale!

[@JaelinBezel]

Hey James, was your dad a cool guy?

[@B3nKen0bi]

3 years later, and only NOW do I realize the Zardoz reference in the title card!

[@TheHeroOfTomorrow]

Damn you, Mac-Tonight-Cenobite!

[@Merit2397]

I admit, while I tend to be more of a Marvel than DC guy, it's nice to see that DC was trying to add more drama into their stories. While Linkara points out that most team books in the 1980s were "soap operas", frankly, you could apply that to most comics from any publisher these days. And that's not entirely bad. There needs to be some kind of conflict to keep the reader invested into what's going on. As such, "The Great Darkness Saga" accomplishes that in spades!!!♠♠♠♠♠

[@boopagm8275]

I remember the cartoon

[@daltonwilliams1723]

Im only familiar with the legion through their great animated series, which i think is highly underrated.

[@DigiRangerScott]

It was also aired on late Kids WB, possibly post-Pokemon

[@louisduarte8763]

Only episode I remember from that is the one where Braniac-5 meets the first one, voiced by the same guy as on Superman:TAS, and Justice League.

[@jadenbryant9283]

​@@louisduarte8763 which was fucking awesome and when I was younger it made me think it was connected to the superman animated series /wider DCAU when it wasn't

[@Inlelendri]

...I have to admit, sad as it might be to wait for running gags, that I was waiting for that couch-mention. Thank you for not forgetting it :D

[@natsmith303]

When I first saw the "Too much pink energy is dangerous," clip, I had no idea how often it would come up.

[@camdavidson5400]

I guess Joshua Williams liked this story as we see in dark criss

[@johnnygyro2295]

Awesome story and video. Okay, here are my thoughts: 1. The Daxamites are a race of Supermen vulnerable to bullets?! That definitely deserves the "Ironic" song! 2. My money's on Element Lad lying about Chameleon Boy's dad getting him lawyers. Like you said, it seemed like he *really* wanted to get the election going... 3. Speaking of election, Dreamer Girl actually seemed to be a great leader during all of this. 4. Superboy's comment on clones and Luthor is especially hilarious given that a lot retellings have Lex being the one to create Bizarro. 5. Darkseid having psychic powers is weird? I have a simple explanation: *The Anti-Life Equation.* Its possible that Darkseid finally solved it, and used its power to destroy New Genesis. He was then defeated by the Justice League and any surviving New Gods, and imprisoned/knocked into a coma. Mon-El and Shadow Lass might've accidentally awoke him when they explored Apokolips' ruins. 6. Man, between her fight with Anti-Monitor (who only won thanks to a cheap shot) and this, maybe we should start calling her "God-Slayer." 7. I wonder how Brainiac 1 would feel about one of his descendants dating one of Superman's realitives? That'd make holidays awkward...

[@Ale_LSH]

1. Mon-El has to drink a special serum to prevent him from gettin lead poisoning, in fact he spent 1000 years in the phantom Zone until someone found a cure. So that makes it a bit less lame. 2. Poor Element Lad had gotten second place at like 4 prior elections (including this one), poor guy wanted to win so badly. In fact he was only temporary leader since the past leader had quit. 3. In the comic they mention she did some rookie mistakes but overall a good job for her first leader mission, funnily enough she only postulated bcuz she had a vision she was gonna win. 7. Superman *almost* dated Lex Luthor’s descendant in the LSH show, that would def make holidays even worse.

[@frankspick7544]

5. darksied always had those powers it just the writers never use that part also if he did get the anti life equation then every one would be dead

[@Slayerthecrow]

30:44 you have to love "The creation of Adam" references

[@HellNutcase]

Holy shit!!! Is that a motherfucking bible reference?

[@MrSafior]

Well they are Gods and Higs Father is a Moose expy.

[@samnewman7383]

Glad I'm not the only one who noticed that.

[@danynes4710]

HellNutcase it’s actually a reference to the Michelangelo painting on the ceiling of Sistine chapel. Admittedly that particular section is an interpretation of a bible reference.

[@BS-nw1qr]

Dem gloves, beard, cape and what looks like Eye of Agamoto on his chest. The museum curator is definately ment to be a Dr Strange homage.

[@HBHaga]

And his name was Stephanacci.

[@L1701]

Yeah, the creative team liked to sneak in cameos of slightly-altered Marvel characters in the book at the time.

[@johnnygyro2295]

I wish we could have more DC and Marvel crossovers...

[@rorylumley4727]

The best legion of superheors leader is bouncing boy. In the legion of superheors cartoon at the end of season 1 he was voted leader.

[@requiem4ameme2]

Rory Lumley Bouncing Boy’s origin in the comics is *amazing*. A scientist gave him a bottle of “super plastic fluid” to deliver, but he got distracted and went to watch robot fights. He ordered a soda from the concession stand, then accidentally mixed up the two bottles and drank the plastic fluid instead.

[@jamcalx]

And his wife can multiply herself.

[@SpriteTheWolf]

I wish they actually showed more of what he did as leader instead of just skipping a couple of years ahead for season 2.

[@gracekim1998]

Damn that’s such a good theme song🤩

[@Djinsin]

I first heard about this story in a featurette on a particular blu-ray that I won't say what it is because it would give clues as to what the big spoiler is. So, as of that point, the big reveal was the ONLY thing I knew about the story, besides the reasoning behind why the writer had [SPOILER] in it. Then again, it made me want to track it down, but nevertheless, without that first time reveal, I can never obtain that "first time" feel with the story.

[@tannerprice2018]

Absolutely LOVE the new AT4W logo! Absolutely fantastic!

[@Jon_the_Wizard]

I only wish Darkseid flew his head-ship up to Earth and declared, "SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!"

[@mickeyd343]

So this gonna be the opener for this whole year. I like it.

[@firefoe2duffell453]

Thanks for uploading on my birthday

[@paulbutkovich6103]

Fun fact, the kid Daxamite that attacks the prison planet stays brainwashed after the whole thing ends and becomes a recurring villain.

[@jamiekyrin]

Yep, good ol' whackadoodle Ol-Vir.

[@Ale_LSH]

How did he survive being on a cell with Validus? That dude could only be taken out by 2-3 kryptonian power level people, even then the guys who would take him out where teenagers, the kid hadn’t even developed his full powers yet. He should have been killed.

[@Bobsheaux]

So the Legion was never worried about mucking up the spacetime continuum as they casually invite Silver Age Superboy to join their ranks? 12:31 - That's a funny image. We have things like wormholes, boom tubes, portals, and other such holes that act as doorways or shortcuts through time and space, but THAT looks like the universe is wearing pink lipstick, and it just coughed that guy up. lol "Few times has it been more appropriate to say..." Pants to be darkened? "...pants to be darkened." YES!!!! "Why do I feel this compulsion to go to a Sluberland Furniture and buy a comfy couch?" 10+ years and still going strong, as is the running gag of Darkseid sitting on Mr. Miracle's couch. lmao

[@Cdr2002]

Wasted a Granny Godness joke with the reveal. Put that in the next missed opportunities video if you want.

[@MrGBH]

"You thought it was Granny Goodness, but it was me, Darkseid."

[@BlueJaguarRanger]

A longer episode and its out on time? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS?

[@KMmouse20]

Linkara as Zardos in the title card? XD

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

Looks more like Star Trek V to me?

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

Drat, I missed the comment in the credits the first time I watched this video! 😁

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I got the Hardcover version of this and reading it continuously really made me appreciate the story.

[@Azazreal]

Pretty sure that Darkseid moment is actually a reference to The Creation of Adam, the famous painting

[@spartanhawk7637]

"ELON MUSK WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" is now my favorite joke on AT4W

[@pixelbomb97]

You know this episode is very topical because the supergirl TV show is encountering the legion of superheroes right now