Legion of Super-Heroes Archives, Vol. 6 (DC Archive Editions)

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Summary: The Legion's Golden Age Begins
Review: Although the Legion of Super-Heroes had several years of continuty at this point (enough for five "Archives" volumes, in fact) and many, many years lying ahead of it, this is where the real golden age for these characters began. Jim Shooter, still the whiz-kid writer he was before he became a legendary editor, led the Legion down paths of intelligence and daring that were only beginning to be touched on over at Marvel Comics at the time (the early 1960s). This volume introduces the Fatal Five, villains that still plague the Legion to this day, and featured the death of a Legionnaire that became truly iconic. This was the first time I had read these stories, and while I knew the story of the Legionnaire and how he died (it's referenced so often in the years afterwards) I never realized how briefly, relatively speaking, he was a member of the Legion before his death. It's startling that a character who was around for such a short period of time became such a martyr among the Legionnaires. And it's a remarkable story. Halfway through the Legion Archives (so far -- there are 12 volumes in print as of this writing), this is by far the best of the series yet.

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Summary: Their Most Important Stories Of All!
Review: The Legion's most pivotal stories laying the groundwork for continuity of the next three decades. With this volume, you get the Fatal Five, Sun Eater, and Adult Legion stories. Great Jim Shooter writing and beautiful Curt Swan artwork, the definitive Legion of Super-Heroes. If you have to get just one volume out of the series, this is the one.

Rating:
Summary: Volume Six Is The Best Of Them All
Review: This volume is the most important and pivotal of all of the Legion Archives books. Amazon.com has mixed up the reviews since this title has gone in and out of print. Nonetheless, volume 6 DOES contain the great booklength Jim Shooter stories. The Fatal Five and Sun Eater are introduced, Ferro Lad perishes heroically, and the Adult Legion stories (which upset continuity for decades) were published. Shooter gives the Legion great characterization and makes the heroes much more than just powers and costumes. Curt Swan's art is beautiful. The art is so wonderful that I feel that his artwork gaves us the definitive Legion. This is the highwater mark of the series and Volume 6 is the most essential of all of the Legion Archives.