Comic Review: Legion Of Superheroes: Millennium #1

Legion Of Superheroes: Millennium #1

DC Comics

Writer: Brian Micheal Bendis

Artists: Jim Lee, Dustin Nguyen, Andrea Sorrentino, André Lima Araújo

Legion of Superheroes: Millennium #1 is the first of a two-part story meant to serve as an introduction to the upcoming Legion of Superheroes relaunch. My expectations were pretty high going into a new Legion relaunch, but it really isn’t that. This is an issue that’s not specifically about the legion. It takes place in the future but that’s as far as the similarities go, as the Legion themselves don’t even appear in the issue. It’s decently fun on its own, but given the name of the book, it’s not exactly what I want.

So, this isn’t a Legion book. It’s a Rose/Thorn book. Remember Rose and Thorn? Probably not, but Bendis has been using her recently in Action Comics. So, her inclusion does give the universe a feeling of connection. Considering her role here, she actually plays her part pretty well. Her struggle serves as a framing device for the many different times we visit throughout the issue, and her conflict is believable. The Rose half of her was likable enough while the Thorn half was appropriately unlikable. The book has a fun approach to the not-so-unfamiliar Jekyll/Hyde dynamic. Although we don’t see much from any other characters (certainly not any Legionnaires), there is a lot of fun and surprising cameos throughout time. Considering how few real characters there are in the book, it’s good that Bendis makes Rose and Thorn compelling.

As mentioned before, the issue hops between different points in the time leading up to the future that houses the Legion. This is where the book falls short, as the reader has a very little context for each new setting. When you jump to a new time, there’s not enough to ground the reader and make them feel invested. It’s jarring every time. It doesn’t leave you with the sense of wondering and excitement that it most likely it intends to and instead leaves you with frustration. I want to get it because the characters are so fun and the art is so great, but it has you constantly reaching for something to latch onto. It leaves you feeling like you missed the point when you likely didn’t.

With that said, the artistic talent in this book is absurdly good. Dustin Nguyen, Andrea Sorrentino, and Andre Lima Arujo all produce some stunning pages. Jim Lee draws the first scene, and while the guy is clearly talented, he’s never had a style that I respond to. I find it pretty rote and uninteresting. However, the rest of the team is everything but that. Nguyen draws the best bit and had me checking the credits to see if Jock was drawing. Which is very high praise, I might add. His style is very different than I remember from his older work, but the change is more than welcome.

André Lima Araújo’s art was the biggest surprise, as I’m totally unfamiliar with him. His style is so fresh and clean, and the action is on-point. I see a bit of Allred and Quitely in his work, but honestly, I see inspiration from so many great artists that it doesn’t feel like an imitation of anyone. It’s totally unique, it just pulls from all the right places.

Legion of Superheroes: Millennium #1 is a book with great artists that unfortunately doesn’t deliver what it needs to. The character of Rose/Thorn serves as a fairly strong focal point of a story that is devoid of much excitement. It’s fun,  and it’s not unworthy of your time. However, if you’re a fan of the Legion then you’re probably looking for Legion of Superheroes #1 instead of this.

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