Future's End: Ultimate Legion Discussion

[C_Miller]

Hello all,

My first issue of Legion is up. It was originally going to be up several a month or so ago (pretty much when I first claimed the title) however, due to a review from our very own MRP, I decided to not only do a re-write but a total retool of the title. That is what this issue represents.

I've also included an author's note that explains some of my take on the title. I tried to cover any problems people could potentially have with the title. Not that I think I'm beyond criticism, but being a fan of Sci-Fi for so long, I know that a lot of fans of speculative fiction have their own ideas of how the future would be and they hold them dearly.

Well, I hope you enjoy!

[elite147]

The issue was extremely enjoyable. I like how you left the ending, it makes me anticipate the next issue so much more. Your interpretation of the future is very interesting and I can't wait to see more of it. Good job and keep writing.

-Elite

[buck]

That is what I'm talking about. One of the few iterations of the Legion that didn't bore me to death. The characters all have distinct voices that most takes lack. Most of the time that lack of a voice comes from an overpopulated Legion something I hope you will avoid.

[C_Miller]

Thanks. I don't want to give too much away, but when Erin Shvaughn and Roon Dvron were discussing the Legion, I gave a hint as to the direction I'm taking. But seeing what you're looking for, I think you'll be pleased with my take.

[Stardrifter]

I liked it. Seemed like you dropped some words here and there. But otherwise a nicey crafted opener. I too hope you keep the cast size manageable. Keep em coming.

[liquidsword34]

I liked it. I wouldn't worry too much about the issue of future technology, it's the future, nobody can say "well I don't think it would be like that" or anything. And with the references to the past, I just took that the way I take stuff like that in comics (If you don't see something happen, it didn't happen, and even then it might not have happened).

[Deleted]

Now I have never been a huge fan of the Legion, but I have read a few stories lately ( a couple of the DC Comics Presents 100 pagers I picked up on the cheap) and am starting to dig the Legion a bit. I am also digging Abnett & Lanning's new future super-hero team The Hypernaturals that seems to be a Legionesque riff. So I have been kind of grooving on the future super-hero team thing a bit the last few weeks, and was looking forward to seeing what you were going to do with the Legion. Having read your initial take, I had some inkling where you were going, but since you told me you were revamping/redoing it and you lost one of your leads from that iteration, I wasn't really sure what to expect.

With all that said, I really dug the first issue. It is kind of synchronicity that the last song I listened to on the CD player on the ride home form work tonight was DMB covering Watchtower at one of their Chicago shows back in '98, so the lyrics kind of popped off the page and drew me in right away.

We got a good glimpse of Rokk, less so of Imra and Garth though, they still feel a bit generic but it's only the first issue. Based on the B and the 555 in the screen name of Rokk's contact, I am going on a very short limb to guess it is Braniac 5. I liked the glimpse of the Science Police and the juxtaposition of rookie with callous veteran was well done, but that particular dynamic and set up was a bit by the numbers, so be careful that does not fall into the cliche rut (the sympathetic and idealistic rookie rebelling against the organization he/she was a wide-eyed recruit in after seeing the level of corruption and/or apathy first hand can be a tired and true trope, or it can be cliched and hackneyed if done poorly or fails to offer offer something new to the mix).

So all in all, well done, me likey a lot, and I look forward to seeing where you go, but beware some of the pitfalls a book like this brings with it.

-M

[C_Miller]

Wow. Thanks for all the kind reviews. I was worried about this one (hence the Author's Note) because I was actually really proud of it. I've wanted to do a story where pieces and groups have to come together for a while now and this one kind of worked out like that without me really trying.

Glad the quote enhanced your reading experience. When I did Harry Potter fanfics (my first trip into fanfiction), I used to start every chapter off with a quote or lyric that related to the rest of the content. Dylan seemed to fit this particular one like a glove. And I do find Watchtower to be one of his most evocative anti-establishment style songs.

I'm glad you felt like you got a good glimpse at Rokk. As far as this arc goes, he's the main character. I'm sorry you felt Imra and Garth were generic, but you're right, it was just the first issue. They will be more than just Rokk's anchors and moral compass later on.

As for the Science Police thing, you have me a little worried about my direction. I'm not going to say it's going to be a complete cliché, but it won't be the most unique thing in the title. Although I will say that there is more to Roon Dvron than meets the eye. But, I will definitely try to keep my focus on not letting this fall into a cliche.

But again, glad you liked it. And I hope that continues next issue.

[The Wonderful Wachter]

I'm a bit indifferent towards it but after all, it's only been one issue. I will say that the issue's title is very fitting.

[Ultimate Silentking]

At first this seemed boring and just couldn't get into it. But after eating dinner, (And proofreading the first issue of my Ultimate Suicide Squad) I gave this another shot and immediatly got hooked in. Maybe I was just running low on fuel the first time around. But I am really excited for the next story. But there is one problem with this. Why the hell did Rokk not delete the backlog like the guy he was chatting with told him to?! I had the impression that Rokk was smarter than that and it seemed that he had enough time to do that before he went to have his last meal before registration with Garth and Irma. Or at least made some excuse before disappearing to get back to his room and delete it like he was suppose to.

But that is the only problem I have with this and will be waiting for the second issue. Oh, and I have no problem with the way you handle the future although I wonder how much of this Meta War will come true. Especially since I am working on Ultimate Action Comics with Buck which, of course, stars Superman.

[jackalope]

After reading a Legion trade today, I thought I'd check out what your take on it was like. I enjoyed it, as with all future storylines its hard to get the utopia/dystopia balance right, but I think you do a good job. I hope it gets a little darker in tone- though that's just my preference for the latter. As a first issue you set up some nice threads to expand from. The hardest thing for this series will be making it so we remember who's who and what's what. I was always tempted to attempt the Legion title myself but it seemed a little overwhelming. Between the huge cast of characters/aliens/planets/future stuff that you have to work with you've got your hands full, though I'm more than sure you'll be able to handle it. Look forward to what comes next.

[unchartedfan1]

You have an interesting start...

Just a few negatives I have to get out before I go to the positives:

1) I would like to learn more about the society seieng as that's m,y favorite part of sci-fi/fantasy novels.

2) Rokk has to be the worst revolutionist EVER. He should've deleted his chat log, why didn't he?

3) The title is a little uninviting "nothing important happened today".

That said, things I liked!

1) Writing was excellent,

2) You've made me care about the fact that Rokk's best friends don't approve of Rokk's new profession,

3) It was an enjoyable read.

First issue: 6.67/10

Keep up the good work.