DC’s Legion of Substitute Heroes Officially Return, with the Most Unique Powers in Comics

Warning: Spoilers for Justice Society of America #10

Summary

• The Legion of Substitute Heroes may save the DC Universe in
  Justice Society of America
  #10.
• The Legion of Substitute Heroes have unusual powers and are considered rejects from the Legion of Super-Heroes.
• Their return offers a refreshing change in the DC Universe, providing a unique perspective and support for stronger heroes like the Justice Society of America.

The heroes of the 31st century are back – but they’re not the famous ones. As Geoff Johns’ and Mikel Janín’s Justice Society of America barrels towards a climax, the whole DC Universe is at stake, and it’s possible the Legion of Substitute Heroes will be the ones to save the day.

In a preview for Justice Society of America #10 by Johns and Janín, the much anticipated return of some less-than-heroic heroes is glimpsed. The Golden Age Legionnaire has just been revealed as none other than a young Mordru, the long-time villain of the Legion of Super-Heroes, and his message is simple: both the 31st century and the present are in grave danger. And so the Legion of Substitute Heroes stumble back into the DCU, as scattered as ever, as they argue among themselves regarding the ensuing time war.

In his trademark (but off-brand) Superman-esque suit, Animal Lad, whose superpower is the ability to turn humans into animals, pleads with his fellow hero-subs to not get involved in such a large-scale event. After all, the fate of the universe isn’t a job for those who have been deemed “useless.”

Who Are the Legion of Substitute Heroes?

Are They Connected to the Legion of Super-Heroes?

The Legion of Substitute Heroes made their first appearance in Adventure Comics #306 by Edmond Hamilton, John Forte, and Joe Letterese, where the strange team are seen as the rejects of the 31st century. They are the super bench-warmers, the ones called when the all-star gets a knee injury. With powers not mainstream enough to grant them entry into the more popular Legion of Super-Heroes, they banded together to create a B-List roster, though their reputation is just as sub-par.

In the current Dawn of DC continuity, the leaders of this team are a rag-tag Wizard of Oz crew: a cowardly lion, a stone man, an empty-headed nature-lover, and a woman on a witch-hunt — not to mention a hero who can breathe fire, like a circus performer. Though Fire Lad is not alone in his seemingly random superpower.

These Legionnaire Rejects Have Some Strange Superpowers

Cover of DC Comics Presents #59 by Keith Giffen and Mike DeCarlo

Compared to heroes like the Flash, the other leaders of this “Sub-Legion” have some unfortunately (and sometimes disgusting) powers. Rainbow Girl, for instance, by being tuned into the emotional spectrum, also tends to run her own gambit of emotions at varying times. Chlorophyll Kid very simply has a green thumb and claims a telepathic connection to all plant life, much like Poison Ivy, though nobody really believes him. And finally, Stone Boy’s claim to fame is that he can transform his body into stone — which means if an immobile statue is needed in a fight, he’ll get called first.

The Legion of Super-Heroes is far from being the world’s finest either, since they claim the notoriously useless Bouncing Boy.

Yet, the very oddness of this secondary Legion’s superpowers is what makes them so endearing, and their return is welcome in this brighter, ever-stranger DCU. There are only so many stories of too-strong heroes before it gets repetitive. What the Justice Society of America needs now, being too-strong heroes themselves, is a little support to save the universe. The Legion of Substitute Heroes aren’t the best of the best, but they are next in line and ready for action.

Justice Society of America #10 is available July 3rd from DC Comics.