Action Comics v1 267

Action Comics #267 Preboot » Pre-Crisis Cover by Curt Swan, Stan Kaye and Ira Schnapp Story title The Three Super-Heroes Previous story Superboy v1 #147:The Origin of the Legion Next story Action Comics #276:Supergirl's Three Super-Girlfriends Publication date June 30, 1960 Cover date August 1960 Creators Writer(s) Jerry Siegel Penciller(s) Jim Mooney Inker(s) Jim Mooney Letterer(s) Joe Letterese Colourist(s) Unknown Editor(s) Mort Weisinger Cover artist(s) Curt Swan, Stan Kaye, Ira Schnapp

The Three Super-Heroes

(13 pages/69 panels)

In events paralleling (and from the Legion's point-of-view, preceding) the initiation of Superboy, the Legion of Super-Heroes approaches Supergirl for membership, and brings her to the 30th century. There, she proves her worthiness by creating a Trans-Earth Tunnel that will lighten air traffic. Unfortunately, in doing so she encounters a piece of Red Kryptonite that temporarily transforms her into an adult. She is refused membership on the grounds that she now exceeds their 18-year old age limit.

Heartbroken, Supergirl is forced to return home and wait for the transformation to end, and to wonder if she'll have another chance at Legion membership.

Roll Call

Legionnaires

In order of appearance:

• Cosmic Boy (22 panels)
• Saturn Girl (24 panels)
• Lightning Lad (19 panels)
• Chameleon Boy (3 panels - 1 as a tree)
• Colossal Boy (3 panels)
• Invisible Kid (3 panels)

Legion Applicants

• Supergirl (62 panels - REJECTED)

Supporting Characters

• Superman (2 panels)

Other Characters

• Unnamed children of Midvale Orphanage (4 panels)
• An unnnamed bus driver (3 panels)
• Unnamed citizens at Superman Fair (7 panels)

Planets and Settings

• 20th century Earth, including:
  • Metropolis
  • The Superman Fair
  • Midvale Orphange
• 30th century Earth, including:
  • Metropolis
  • Nine Planets Ice Cream Shoppe
  • Legion Clubhouse
• Mars (mentioned only)

Technology, Gadgets and Other Neat Stuff

• Legion Time Bubble (5 panels)
• A Linda Lee Robot (4 panels)
• Legion Jet Packs (8 panels)
• Legion Clubhouse (3 panels)
• Trans-Earth Tunnel (1 panel)
• Red Kryptonite (1 panel)

First appearances

This issue marks the first appearance of the following characters and recurring key Legion story elements:

• Chameleon Boy
• Colossal Boy
• Invisible Kid
• Age limit for membership (18 years)
• The Trans-Earth Tunnel

Notes of Interest

Errors and Oddities

Here, the Legionnaires explain that they are actually the children of the original Legion members who inducted Superboy into their group. Why this was done cannot be known, but the concept was soon discarded with Superboy & Supergirl both serving on the same team.

It is said that the Legionnaires have super-powers because all their parents come from different worlds. Two of the Legionnaires introduced in this issue are later revealed to be from Earth.

Retcon Alert

It is mentioned that someone else was admitted in Supergirl's place. Secrets of the LSH erroneously stated that it was Chameleon Boy, who was already a member. For a time fans chose Star Boy by process of elimination. Finally, in LSH v.4 Tom & Mary Bierbaum introduced Kid Quantum, retconning him into the Legion's past in this role.

Other stories in this issue

There is an additional story that does not feature the Legion, "One Hour to Doom".

Reprints

This Legion story has been reprinted in the following:

• 

  Action Comics #334

• 

  Adventure Comics #492

• 

  Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 1

• 

  Showcase Presents Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 1 (2007)

See also

• Legion Publication History - Other issues published 1950-1964
• Legion Publication History - Other issues of Action Comics
• Pre-Crisis Chronology
• Quick index of links to other Action Comics issues

« Previous    Next »Action Comics v1 #267
Superboy v1 #147  By continuity Action Comics #276
Action Comics #252  By series Action Comics #276
Adventure Comics #267  By publication Superboy v1 #86