So I'd like to review this issue for a number of reasons. I picked this up at a local comic store for 50 cents for one reason: Adam Hughes! One of my favorite comic artists, Hughes' art is very recognizable and I had to pick this up. I'd never read a Legionnaires issue before but this is #7, still pretty early in the game. Not only was this issue GREAT, but it's one of the best illustrated comics I've ever seen. Adam Hughes' pencils with Mark Farmer's thick black outlines really makes some phenomenal artwork. Attempting to be something of an artist myself, I find this issue to be very inspirational. Since this adventure takes place underwater and everyone is in very little clothing, this issue is a great study of the human figure. Hughes' facial expressions are very well done and really bring all the characters to life.
Plot Summary
So the Earth has been destroyed (I'm not completely sure how or when) and our heroes are visiting Atlantis, which is very big in tourism. This is basically their vacation getaway and in the Legionnaires are big celebrities to the public. Inferno takes a liking to a local mermaid and hey follow her to her family's Inn and decide to stay there. Meanwhile, local Atlanteans are being randomly slaughtered by some MYSTERY BEASTS. All the Legionnaires start splitting up throughout Atlantis and doing their own thing. Matter-Eater Lad (great name) keeps trying to hit on Shrinking Violet but she keeps shutting him down. Inferno is spending time with the hot mermaid chick when some blaster fire interrupts their good time! A local starts attacking one of the "devil-fish" that's been killing people. Inferno destroys his gun and goes on a mission to figure out what's been happening in Atlantis to cause this. Later the other half of the gang is off having fun when more locals and devil-fish start fighting. The Legionnaires are caught up in the crossfire and Brainiac suddenly interrupts the quarrel speaking the devil-fish language. He explains that he's ordered them to cease their attacks on people and that they're actually intelligent creatures. He explains their history and how the rivalries started and basically patches things up between the two parties. When the Legionnaires are leaving the next day they assume that they don't have to pay anything and the inn owners didn't want to shame themselves by asking for money. Shrinking Violet realizes this was RUDE of them, they talk about it and send Matter-Eater Lad and Inferno back to ask about paying. They find the mermaid girl crying and saying her family's inn has been closed down because they were way behind on payments. The team decides to all chip in for the payments and the issue ends with Shrinking Violet commenting that Tenz (matter-eater lad) is KINDA CUTE. hee hee!
There was one panel where Triad (who is split into three different people) is commenting to herself on a previous "encounter" with Inferno. "Last time we listened to Inferno, we couldn't sit down for a month." "D-Don't bring that up again!" "Hey, the skin grew back, didn't it?"
Disturbing to say the least.
There's not a whole lot going on in the story for this issue but the art makes it a damn good read. The character relationships are pretty interesting on the team and I'd definitely like to read more in the future. It was fun to see how their hair is constantly moving underwater, usually standing straight up. I can't say enough about how great Adam Hughes is, and this issue is a great example!
Legionnaires #7 - 8.4/10
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