I've always thought that the Legion of Super-Heroes was perfect for a TV series. One day, I hope it can become a live action series, when the SFX become more affordable. Till then, we'll have to make do with this cartoon.
As I got into the first episode I thought it looked pretty good. It started with a nice set-up, clearly inspired by the original comic book in which the Legion first picked up the young Superboy.
Only... in this version of the DC Universe, Clark was never Superboy. In fact, for some undisclosed reason the Legion picked him up in the past even before he knew he would be called Superman, and before he had his costume. So he sees his future name and costume for the first time in the future! Which has seen them in the past! So where did they originate?! Of course, this problem can be solved by having Clark forget his adventures in the future every time he returns to the past. But where's the point in that? Why not just take the mature Superman and have him help the Legion in the future? Yeah, well... I know it's a teen series, but I would like some better explanations for why they do as they do.
The nice set-up is soon replaced by reckless nonstop action. It's a 22 minute episode, so there isn't really time for any real story. First the Fatal Five wipes the floor with the Legionnaires, and they, partly with the help of "Superman" (should have been Superboy, but, ah well), then triumph over them using abilities that they could just as well have used in the opening of the battle. And the villains just teleport away. This was not a very well-structured or sensible conflict, and its solution was not exactly satisfying, either. I wasn't impressed with the writing, but I'll give it one more episode before deciding if I'm going to toss the show to the wind.
Episode 1 gets a 4 out of 10 rating from me. It really ought to have been better. The writer hasn't read enough comics, I think! :-)
As I got into the first episode I thought it looked pretty good. It started with a nice set-up, clearly inspired by the original comic book in which the Legion first picked up the young Superboy.
Only... in this version of the DC Universe, Clark was never Superboy. In fact, for some undisclosed reason the Legion picked him up in the past even before he knew he would be called Superman, and before he had his costume. So he sees his future name and costume for the first time in the future! Which has seen them in the past! So where did they originate?! Of course, this problem can be solved by having Clark forget his adventures in the future every time he returns to the past. But where's the point in that? Why not just take the mature Superman and have him help the Legion in the future? Yeah, well... I know it's a teen series, but I would like some better explanations for why they do as they do.
The nice set-up is soon replaced by reckless nonstop action. It's a 22 minute episode, so there isn't really time for any real story. First the Fatal Five wipes the floor with the Legionnaires, and they, partly with the help of "Superman" (should have been Superboy, but, ah well), then triumph over them using abilities that they could just as well have used in the opening of the battle. And the villains just teleport away. This was not a very well-structured or sensible conflict, and its solution was not exactly satisfying, either. I wasn't impressed with the writing, but I'll give it one more episode before deciding if I'm going to toss the show to the wind.
Episode 1 gets a 4 out of 10 rating from me. It really ought to have been better. The writer hasn't read enough comics, I think! :-)
