The Legion of Substitute Podcasters

The Subs talk a bit about 2024 in comics and get into Legionnaires 47!

The away team made up of Vi, Tasmia and Brin wrap up the sticky situation on Lallor. Kara, Garth and Imra head for the Gobi rainforest (?) where they encounter a mysterious floating figure.

As we head into 2025, let’s also head back to June of 2009 and hear of the Bizarro Legion and so much more. Have a drink at the ready! Also, Paul shares This Week In Legion History (thanks to Michael)!

The Subs watch The Sweater and Christmas in Tattertown Watch With Us:The Sweater Christmas in Tattertown

The last Geoff Johns JSA series is over! We read it all so that you don’t need to.

Atom Girl, Shadow Lass and Timber Wolf face off against E.R.G. 1 a former legion hopeful who has a rather explosive personality.

Saturn Girl has been attacked by Dr Psycho, and Cosmic Boy rallies the Legion to save her!

With the cult of Validus revealed, Star Boy, Sun Boy and Mekt Ranzz confront the electrifying citizens of Winath, including Mekt’s parents! UP prosecutor Tenzil Kem helps the away team get to the bottom of the mysterious behaviour of Luc and Perla Ranzz by literally eating his way through two things that get in his […]

M’onel is rescued by a familiar face, Chameleon and Sensor hang out, and someone pursues an ancient quest for power.

Tenzil Kem, officer from the adjudication bureau, investigates the disappearance of Cosmic Boy. Star Boy, Mekt Ranzz and Sun Boy visit the Ranzz family farm where something strange is going on …

Internal struggles hit the 20th Century Legionnaires and Ferro learns things are not what they seem!

The Subs take their time before digging in to the Claremontiness of Chapter 2. All this, plus This Week in Legion History!

A bold new direction as Tony Bedard takes over the writing duties. The Legionnaires have lost their longtime leader, Cosmic Boy – but was he captured by enemies or did he flee responsibility for his “war crime”? The Legion’s newly elected leader makes a hard decision on her first day on the job and sends […]

The Subs take a look at the first half of Sovereign 7 + Legion (it’s a Claremont book – You can’t do that in one episode!). All this plus This Week in Legion History and segues that just kinda write themselves.

We have a look at the anniversary issue, Action Comics 850 which guest stars Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes. Using a chronviewer, the team have a look back at the life of one, Kal-El.

Brent and Derek from Tomorrow’s Heroes Today join the Subs to look at Superman Plus The Legion as the Legion tries to find equipment to help them get home. All this, plus This Week in Legion History, Legion Trivia and more!

We have a look (from a fan’s perspective) at what was happening with the Legion in 2007. While Supergirl and the Threeboot Legion were busy fighting robots and Dominators…. strange things were happening in the 21st Century. A Legionnaire joins the JSA. A woman in a silver suit is chained up in Arkham Asylum. A […]

The Subs look at what happens when the Legion travels to the home planet of Gates!

We spend some time with the Legionnaires trapped in the 20th century. Membership doesn’t look likely for Impulse, but maybe Koko will fare better!

All good things must come to an end. Waid and Kitson’s final issue together on the Legion. The Dominator story comes to a dramatic conclusion and a Legionnaire (or is that a Wanderer?) is lost. Your podcasters from the future discuss the contributions Waid and Kitson made to the Legion, Waid’s thoughts on making his […]

Paul’s solo from just outside the campground, when access to the Internet Archive isn’t working. Ingenuity kicks in when he realizes he has all of the New Adventures of Superboy on his laptop! So here’s a Superboy Thanksgiving issue! (Listen for the other two parts in episode 544, when the Archive is back up).

The podcasters from the future are joined by a mystery guest who is very, very familiar. Is it Gim? Gym? Gym’ll? Jim-El? J’im-el? No! It’s Jim Purcell! Listen to find out as a thousand years from now, two teams of interstellar savages invade the glorious capital of the Dominator Empire. It is the latest in […]

The Subs hang out in the 90s with Impulse and the Legion. Impulse tries to help them get back to the… well, you know. All this, plus This Week in Legion History.

A thousand years from now, two teams of interstellar activists (the Legion and the Wanderers) have joined forces to save Earth from a galactic malevolence known as the Dominators. Fortune is not with them … or is it?

The Legion celebrates Lori’s birthday while the rookies get a solo mission!

The Ranzz boys (not twins @Derek) team up. The Dominators get hulked up. Ambassador Ardeen speaks. Plant Lad greens the city to help Brainiac 5 and his protege hideout. Cosmic Boy calls the retreat but forgets to follow his own orders. The issue is capped with a beautiful tribute to Legion costumer extraordinaire, Dave Cockrum. […]

The Legion tries to help Superman regain his powers after the events of the Final Night.

Something weird is happening to Apparition, and Boston Brand, aka Deadman, is here to help figure out what!

The Ranzz siblings get a threeboot backstory and Mekt’s disappearance is explained. Mon-el, Supergirl, Ultra Boy and Brainiac 5 smash lots of things including robots! The narrative is told by Ayla, Mekt and Garth in a clever style as Waid links together the story from the perspective of the twins and their older brother.

The Subs continue the Brainiac story in Showcase 96 12. Also, Legion news and This Week in Legion History.

So many names to keep track of as another group of 31st century characters make themselves known. The drinking game gets a workout as we meet Thoom, Supergirl and Mon-El crash through lots of walls, time is spent is Brainy’s shadowy lab, we get two reimagined Legion siblings and the credits page is invaded by […]

The Subs check out this in-continuity story in Showcase 96 11. They also look at Sovereign Seven Annual number 2. All this, plus This Week in Legion History and a Stump the Subs from Matthew Elmslie!

Your podcasters from the future bring you an episode with yet another hero from the past. To free him from the Phantom Zone, the legionnaires devise a plan involving the psychic merging of two legionnaires to create someone we’re calling Tymra.

The Legion holds tryouts for new members, and the Subs are here for all of it!

Waid and Kitson are back into their full writer and artist duties for issue 23. Supergirl wakes up on the planet Rokyn. A nice call back to Superman and Legion mythos, we’ve seen the planet Rokyn before. We learn some a bit more about Talok VIII, the homeworld of Shadow Lass and her brother (?) […]

The Subs get into the last chapter of The Final Night, as a classic hero of the Silver Age finds his redemption and a Legionnaire gets put on a new path!

Derek and Brent steer the time bubble back to the 31st century for yet another instalment. There seem to be a few surprise guests along for the ride. Supergirl’s electro-“magnetism” is affecting the Legion’s boys and upsetting the some of the girls as well. Invisible Kid’s infatuation with the girl of steel continues to grow. […]

The Subs are joined by Derek from the Future as Ferro figures out a possible solution to the Sun Eater problem.

The time bubble takes a little detour to 2009 as we meet Supergirl (formerly of the Legion of Super-heroes) as she tries to work out what is making Krypto and Streaky the Super-cat more mischievous than usual. Brent and Derek take a look at the hilarious Supergirl strip from Wednesday Comics by Jimmy Palmiotti and […]

Paul takes you on a trip in the Time Bubble, back to November 2012, but not before he gives you an all-new This Week in Legion History! The Subs talk about the upcoming Legion Leader Election, then it’s into Action Comics #384, Lament for a Legionnaire, as we meet Mon-El’s descendant, Eltro Gand. Then it’s […]

Colossal Boy meets two new faces with names we’ve heard before. Supergirl enjoys a soda with the girls. Brainiac 5’s plans come to fruition despite protests from Element Lad. Dream Girl is back … or is she?

We go all the way back to 2009 to hear about the first appearance of the Heroes of Lallor. But before we go there, a little bit of This Week in Legion History.

With Tony Bedard joining the writing team, the Legion discovers just how much Lightning Lad has sold them out to United Planets interests. Supergirl ingratiates herself on the Legion as giants from Big City go on a planet-wide scavenger hunt. Brainiac 5’s plan to revive Dream Girl picks up speed. Element Lad and Star Boy […]

All is almost lost! The heroes are stretched to their limits. Nothing can be done to reignite the sun. You know how these guys are, though. We also yada yada Parallax: Emerald Night #1, where hope and maybe redemption can be found.

Science Police Officer Reep Daggle is secretly undercover legionnaire, Chameleon. When a racketeer is killed in his cell, it’s up to officer Daggle (and your podcasters from the future) to solve his murder.

The Legion faces Mysa! How does that work out for Kinetix? Plus, the Legion gets a new leader!

The triptych covers are complete. Move over Brainiac 5 and Cosmic Boy as Supergirl comes out on top?! This week the focus is Legion of Super-heroes volume 5, issue 18. The podcasters from the future are joined by Adam Crouch from the Legion Outpost podcast. Adam discusses original art he purchased from this very issue. […]

The Subs hang out on day 2 of The Final Night. It’s The Antepenultimate Night! Bring on the Sun Eater Stoppers!

The Legion battle more robots as they work in a not at all effective partnership with the UP science police. A legionnaire infiltrates the SP and Supergirl is invited to join the Legion. Lightning Lass is unimpressed as Kara Zor-El is embraced by Invisible Kid and others in the team. Brainiac 5 comes up with […]

It’s time for a Final Night crossover, and this one brings back a short-lived Silver Age Legion character. Here’s our first look at the reboot version of Ferro Lad: Ferro!

Derek has been busy reading Infinite Crisis in preparation for this episode. Brent links in “52”. As Alexander Luthor’s multiversal petridish explodes it thrusts young Kara Zor-el 1001 years into the future. With a time jump and a new title, Supergirl and the Legion of Super-heroes burst onto the Metropolis scene. Only problem is while […]

The sun is going to be eaten by the improbably named Sun Eater. The heroes get together to stop it!

Special guest Mo Walker joins Derek and Brent as they and some Legion teens explore the notion of Crisis. A mysterious stranger lurks among the teens and has a very strong resemblance to a few past LSH characters. The teens recount a story of the silver age LSH meeting Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and Alan […]

The Subs take a look at some of the lead-in stories to Final Night. Showcase 96 #10, Preview to Final Night, and Sergio Aragones Destroys DC.

The kids grow up a bit as the UP invite them into a partnership. Atom Girl settles the score with Invisible Kid and invites him for a drink! Lightning Lad assumes the leadership of the Legion. Brainy, Cos and Sun Boy are all off the table. Reflecto makes an appearance, but perhaps not a Reflecto […]

Legionnaires get stuck in the past and meet Superman!

So the Earth is Dead, and there’s this new Captain Marvel who will eventually become a Legionnaire. How? Let’s all take the first step together!

Cosmic Boy, Brainiac 5 and … Sun Boy defeat the elusive Praetor Lemnos and his hoards of agents of Terra Firma. Parallels are drawn between these Otherspace grandchildren of criminals and Derek and Brent’s own convict history in Terra Australis. As the issue closes Brainiac 5, like Mr Freeze before him, visits his love in […]

It’s time for a Legends of the Dead Earth Annual. This one features Wildfire leading a Legion in the 75th century. The issue leads to a discussion of themed Annuals, how well they work and what they ultimately mean. We also get one of the more controversial Stump the Subs questions in a while (I […]

The Threeboot keeps getting wilder as total war against Terra Firma is about to break out. Lightning lad and Saturn Girl almost kiss. Projectra and Brin Londo do kiss. The public service becomes Legion Channel One. Karate Kid observes “You can lead a Rimborian to water, but you can’t make him think!” And look […]

The Legion is back after their time as the Emerald Legion, but some of their members are missing, and another is laid to rest.

Brent and Derek deal with the aftermath of Elysian’s attack on Legion headquarters. Saturn Girl has no thoughts on the matters at hand and Brainy’s are just not smart enough. Sno Cone, the colourist, breaks loose exploring the United Planets in this issue. Trippy Ttrxl is both a maths teacher’s and a surrealist’s dreamscape. Dormir […]

The Emerald Legion tries to make their mark on the world, and a bunch of Legionnaires grow soul patches. We can’t decide which is worse. Derek from the Future joins us to discuss the issue which proclaims No Future!

Emerald Vi takes over the Legion, and she’s got plans!

Derek is back. He and Brent discuss the Threeboot Legion’s appearance in JSA Classified #1 and #2 as part of Power Girl’s Power Trip storyline by Johns, Conner and Palmiotti. Was Power Girl once a Legionnaire? Is she Superman’s cousin? Why have the Legion founders come back to the 21st Century? Who is Andromeda? […]

The Legion continues their battle against Dr Regulus, with tragic results. Meanwhile, everyone seems to get their heart’s desire, which feels less tragic… at first!

Zoe’s looking for the Eye, Leviathan is looking for someone to listen to him, and everybody’s looking for Brainy, who wants to be left alone! Then there’s that weird body split from Triad. Also, the Legion faces Dr Regulus!

Brent is joined by Murray Fox this week. Brainy does something for a friend. Dream Girl’s powers have their limits. Invisible Kid is accused of being a traitor. All that is only the beginning of a really, really bad day for the Legion. You’ll definitely need to take a drink this episode as not only […]

The Legion is on Xanthu, where they’re all set to fight the Amazers for Star Boy. Meanwhile, what’s happening to Ultra Boy?

Your podcasters from the future are joined by author Matthew Elmslie this week as they discuss Generational Theory and the Waid Threeboot. Untitled Issue 9 gets a title. Invisible Kid interferes… again. Ultra Boy loses it… again. Brainiac 5 doesn’t make any friends… again.

The Subs dig into a couple of short stories this week. First, the Legion goes on a short mission in Showcase 96 issue 8 and then Wally West meets the Tornado Twins in Flash 114. All this, plus Legion News and This Week in Legion History.

In this issue, Brent and Derek explore a change in leadership. Despite Chameleon liking the idea of one, it’s hardly a reader ballot that elects the new Legion leader! Cosmic Boy insults half the Legion. One Legionnaire quits. Another leaves. Brainiac 5 updates Legion tech. Everyone chooses sides.

Somehow, it’s taken us to episode 807 of this show, which is and always has been a show about the Imperial Guard of the Shi’Ar Empire, to get to the first tale of the Imperial Guard. What HAVE we been doing? Here it is in all it’s glory! No Fooling!

With cover art that gives them a sense of deja vue, Derek and Brent explore the growing rift between Cosmic Boy and Brainiac 5 as the latter’s homeworld, Colu, is attacked by the mysterious Praetor Lemnos. Or… someone. Not sure who.

The Subs jump into the time bubble and go back to September 2012 to look at the end of the Adventure Comics run.

Tomorrow’s Heroes are visited by a hero from today as Murray joins Brent and Derek to discuss issue 6 of the Threeboot. We learn some of the inner workings of the Legion!

The founders head to Titan to watch a Magno Ball game. Also, the Legion gets a new leader!

Brent and Derek look at issue Five of the Threeboot. The Legion meets a new teammate: Timber Wolf.

The Subs are joined by the hosts of Tomorrow’s Heroes Today, Brent and Derek, to look at how the Legion is able to help out with Dirk Morgna. All this, plus Legion News and This Week in Legion History.

Eat it, Grandpa! Brent and Derek are here to talk about issue four of the Threeboot Legion.

Lar Gand gets a new costume and a newish name! Big changes are ahead for the Legion and it all starts here!

Brent and Derek return to discuss issue three of the Threeboot. It’s a Magical Number!

How will last week’s cliffhanger be resolved this week? Many surprises are to be found! All this and some feedback, plus This Week in Legion History!

Brent and Derek are back to talk about issue two of the Threeboot!

The Subs take a look at Legionnaires 36. The battle with the Fatal 5 continues, but there’s something even bigger going on!

Brent and Derek join us every Friday to talk about Legion of Super-Heroes Vol 5, better known as the Threeboot! Here’s issue 1.

It’s the 800th episode of Legion of Substitute Podcasters, so the Subs figure out the 800th issue of Legion of Super Heroes.

The battle with the Fatal Five continues, and what a fight it is! It’s the Legion vs the Fatal Five for the second or third first time! All this plus This Week in Legion History and Legion News.

The Subs get back to the Sun Eater story in Legionnaires 35, but that’s not all that’s going on. While the Legion is away, someone breaks into Legion HQ.

Legends of the Dead Earth! XS makes a last ditch attempt at returning to her home in the 30th Century!

The Subs look at Impulse 12. XS is still in the 20th century with her cousin Bart. In this one, they get to know each other better, and then they rock out!

Where has XS been for all this time? Let’s catch up on her adventures in the 20th Century!

Paul and Jim are joined by Alan from the past and Derek from the Future to discuss the Legion’s appearances in 2023, their favourite comics reads of 2023, and This Week in Legion History.

Paul takes you on a trip in the time bubble to listen to and discuss episode 167, the first Christmas episode of the show (and one that has been missing for several years). In it, Darren, Scott, Matt and Paul are joined by Murray to share their top 5 Christmas Specials/Movies/TV Shows. After that, Paul […]

The Subs start off with Legion News, and end with This Week in Legion History. In between, they provide audio commentary for Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. Follow this link to play along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4SZyeUGSM4

The finding of the Fatal Five may not be so difficult, given that each of the 5 are in custody. When we find them, what happens next?

Violet kicks some butt, we find out who the new Starfinger is, and we learn of a menace that’s heading the Legion’s way!

The spotlight shifts to Brainiac 5 as we learn his origin story.

The Legion fights a guy with some sort of Celestial Digits, Zoe sees an Eye and Violet gets ready to kick an ass.

The Legionnaires are falling apart, and that’s just going to lead to trouble. Perhaps this kid Chuck Taine can help them bounce back. The Subs look at the issue, and then get into some Legion History!

The Subs look at part two of the Underworld Unleashed crossover. Timestream shenanigans, trivia, Murray’s favourite Legion issues, and This Week in Legion History!

The Subs look at the first part of the Underworld Unleashed crossover. Also, Matthew Elmslie shares a list of Ten Favourite Legion Stories!

Earlier this month, we lost Keith Giffen. In this episode, the Subs are joined by Al Sedano as they reflect on their enjoyment of Keith’s work.

A look back at a 2013 episode where Darren, Scott and Paul look at Superboy 201, where Wildfire joins the Legion! Cary Bates, Dave Cockrum, and Porcupine Pete! This one’s got it all!

Paul takes you through the show’s early days, with the first promo, the first episode, and some commentary on both. Thanks for being with us for the past 15 years. There’s still more to come, so stick with us!

The race to free Valor continues. First, the Legion has to get past Scavenger!

Part 2 of Future Tense! Superboy and the Legion make their way back to the 30th century, where they’re going to try and bring back Valor!

The Legion goes back in time for Superboy’s help in freeing Valor, and the Subs are right there with them. Just watch out for Knockout and the Comics Code Authority.

Garth’s battle with Mekt is …disarming… Brainy takes a crew to figure out how to free Valor, but where and WHEN will that take them? Also, some Legion Trivia and This Week in Legion History.

Live Wire finds his brother Live Lord… er, Lightning Lord. Sounds like Mekt is up to no good!