Legion of Substitute Heroes

{{Short description|Superhero team in DC Comics}} {{Infobox comics organization  |image = |imagesize = 250 |publisher = [[DC Comics]] |debut = ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #306 (March 1963) |creators = [[Edmond Hamilton]] (script) [[John Forte (comics)|John Forte]] (art) |organization = |base = [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] (31st century) |owners = |employees = |members = Antennae Lad Chlorophyll Kid Color Kid Double Header [[Nura Nal|Dream Girl]] Fire Lad Infectious Lass [[Night Girl]] [[Polar Boy]] Porcupine Pete [[Rainbow Girl]] [[Thom Kallor|Star Boy]] Stone Boy |fullroster = |cat = teams |subcat = DC Comics |altcat = |hero = y |sortkey = Legion of Substitute Heroes }} The '''Legion of Substitute Heroes''' are a group of [[fictional]] [[character (arts)|characters]] in the future of the [[DC Comics]] [[DC Universe|universe]]. The "Subs", as they are often called, are rejected [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] applicants who band together to prove that their powers are not as useless as they claim.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fleisher |first1=Michael L. |title=The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman |date=2007 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-1389-3 |page=121}}</ref> They first appeared in ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #306 (March 1963), and were created by [[Edmond Hamilton]] and [[John Forte (comics)|John Forte]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=177}}</ref>

The group were depicted as reasonably effective superheroes until [[Keith Giffen]], during his tenure as ''Legion'' writer, began depicting the team as something of a joke. The Subs regain some respect when founding member [[Polar Boy]] joins the main Legion and a new Legion of Substitute Heroes is formed.

==Fictional team biography== The Legion of Substitute Heroes is founded by Polar Boy, [[Night Girl]], Stone Boy, Fire Lad, and Chlorophyll Kid, five young heroes whose powers are not sufficient to earn them membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes — Stone Boy, for example, can transform into stone, but is completely immobile when using his power.<ref name="back65">{{cite journal|last=Callahan|first=Timothy |title=The Substitute Heroes in the Spotlight |journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=#65|pages=69–72 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]| date=July 2013|location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> After receiving a Legion flight belt as a consolation prize, the five disconsolate teenagers decide to form a group that can [[pinch hit]] for the Legion.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |author-link=Robert Greenberger |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |author-link2=Martin Pasko |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |page=198}}</ref> After several failures as a team, the Subs save the Earth from an invasion by Plant Men while the Legion is off planet fighting a decoy armada of robot spaceships.<ref name="Adventure Comics #306">{{cite comic |date=March 1963 |title=[[Adventure Comics]] |story=The Legion of Substitute Heroes! |issue=306 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Edmond Hamilton|Hamilton, Edmond]] |artist= |penciller=[[John Forte (comics)|Forte, John]] |inker=Forte, John |colorist= |id=}}</ref>

At first operating in secrecy, the Legion of Substitute Heroes is gradually recognized as a valuable asset, most notably after the assault on the Citadel of Throon when the regular Legionnaires are all defeated and Polar Boy and Night Girl are left to end the siege.<ref>{{cite comic |date=April 1964 |title=[[Adventure Comics]] |story=The Legion's Suicide Squad! |issue=319 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Edmond Hamilton|Hamilton, Edmond]] |artist= |penciller=[[John Forte (comics)|Forte, John]] |inker=Forte, John |colorist= |id=}}</ref> Later recruits to the Legion of Substitute Heroes include Antennae Lad, Color Kid, Double-Header, Infectious Lass, Porcupine Pete, [[Nura Nal|Dream Girl]], and [[Thom Kallor|Star Boy]].{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} The team fell into disuse during the [[Bronze Age of Comic Books]] since their simple, young-readers-oriented concept left them out-of-place in the dark, socially relevant stories of the era.<ref name="back65"/>

The Legion of Substitute Heroes were first presented as a starring feature in ''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' #59 (July 1983). Writer/artist [[Keith Giffen]] had been asked to do a story featuring the villain [[Ambush Bug]], and decided that the Legion of Substitute Heroes would be appropriate heroes for him to battle since they were "goofy" and obscure enough that he could do what he wanted with them without fear of arousing controversy.<ref name="back65"/> Exceptionally good sales on the humor-driven issue led to DC publishing a ''Legion of Substitute Heroes Special'' on [[April Fool's Day]], 1985.<ref name="back65"/> Again written and drawn by Giffen, the ''Legion of Substitute Heroes Special'' became regarded as a seminal work, and Giffen was emboldened to employ the issue's boundary-pushing, often [[metafictional]] comedy in his later works.<ref name="back65"/>

After a colorful, if unimpressive, career, Polar Boy disbanded the Legion of Substitute Heroes and went on to attain full Legion membership. Many of the remaining members eventually join the Legion as well during the "Five Year Gap". Shortly before the "Five Year Gap", a new Legion of Substitute Heroes is formed, consisting of former Legion of Super-Heroes members [[Cosmic Boy]], [[Bouncing Boy]], and [[Luornu Durgo|Duo Damsel]], as well as Night Girl, a new [[Myg (character)|Karate Kid]] (Myg), and [[Comet Queen]].<ref>{{cite comic |date=October 1987 |title=[[Legion of Super-Heroes]] Annual |story=There's No Substitute for the Real Thing |issue=3 |volume=3 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Levitz, Paul]] |artist= |penciller=[[Greg LaRocque|LaRocque, Greg]] |inker=[[DeCarlo, Mike]] |colorist=[[Carl Gafford|Gafford, Carl]] |id=}}</ref>

During the events of ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' (vol. 4), the "Subs" come into their own as an insurgent group that aids a resistance to the [[Dominators (DC Comics)|Dominators]]. Old Subs Fire Lad, Stone Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, and Porcupine Pete are joined by new allies such as [[Ron-Karr]] and Grinn.<ref>{{cite comic |date=February 1992 |title=[[Legion of Super-Heroes]] |story=The Terra Mosaic |issue=26 |volume=4 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Giffen, Keith]]; [[Tom and Mary Bierbaum|Bierbaum, Tom]]; [[Tom and Mary Bierbaum|Bierbaum, Mary]] |artist= |penciller=Giffen, Keith; Pearson, Jason |inker=[[Al Gordon|Gordon, Al]] |colorist=McCraw, Tom |id=}}</ref>

Following the ''[[Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!]]'' reboot, the Subs appear in ''Legionnaires'' #43 during Legion tryouts. Infectious Lass, Fire Lad, and Color Kid are on the cover, while Stone Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Night Girl, and Polar Boy all try out.<ref>{{cite comic |date=December 1996 |title=Legionnaires |story=New Blood |issue=43 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Stern, Roger]]; McCraw, Tom |artist= |penciller=Moy, Jeffrey |inker=Carani, W.C.; Moy, Philip |colorist=McCraw, Tom |id=}}</ref>

In the ''Legion Worlds'' one-shot focusing on [[Braal (DC Comics)|Braal]], Cosmic Boy along with [[Invisible Kid]], [[Salu Digby|Leviathan]], and [[Bouncing Boy|Chuck Taine]] call themselves the "Legion of Subs"; the word 'Subs' is short for "subterfuge".<ref>{{cite comic |date=August 2001 |title=Legion Worlds |story=You Are Here: Braal |issue=3 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Abnett, Dan]]; [[Lanning, Andy]] |artist= |penciller=Rivoche, Paul |inker=[[Digital Chameleon]] |colorist=McCraw, Tom |id=}}</ref>

In the Legion series launched in [[Legion of Super-Heroes (2004 team)|2004]], Polar Boy and Chlorophyll Kid (renamed '''Plant Lad''') appear as a part of the [[Wanderers (comics)|Wanderers]] led by [[Lightning Lord|Mekt Ranzz]]. This version of Polar Boy can only slow molecular movement. Night Girl applies for membership in the Legion but is rejected and made a reserve member (as part of the "Legion Reserve"), along with Sizzle, an energy manipulator, and Turtle, a strong and durable alien.<ref>{{cite comic |date=January 2009 |title=[[Legion of Super-Heroes]] |story=Enemy Manifest (Part III) - The Edge of Doom |issue=48 |volume=5 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Shooter, Jim]] |artist= |penciller=[[Francis Manapul|Manapul, Francis]] |inker=Livesay, John |colorist=Smith, J.D. |id=}}</ref>

Versions of Infectious Lass, Polar Boy, Night Girl, Stone Boy, Fire Lad, and Chlorophyll Kid similar in appearance to their pre-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' counterparts appear in the limited series ''[[Tales of the Unexpected (comics)|Tales of the Unexpected]]'' and the story arc ''[[Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes]]''.

In part five of the ''Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes'' story arc in ''Action Comics'', Fire Lad, Stone Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, and Rainbow Girl are called in to help battle the [[Justice League of Earth]], a tyrannical, [[Xenophobia|xenophobic]] association.<ref>{{cite comic |date=April 2008 |title=[[Action Comics]] |story=Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes (Part V of VI) - Revenge of the Rejects |issue=862 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Johns, Geoff]] |artist= |penciller=[[Frank, Gary]] |inker=Sibal, Jon |colorist=[[Dave McCaig|McCaig, Dave]] |id=}}</ref> After the League is defeated, the Subs claim their satellite base as their own.<ref>{{cite comic |date=May 2008 |title=[[Action Comics]] |story=Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes (Part VI of VI) - Sun Rise |issue=863 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Johns, Geoff]] |artist= |penciller=[[Frank, Gary]] |inker=Sibal, Jon |colorist=[[Dave McCaig|McCaig, Dave]] |id=}}</ref>

In "[[The New Golden Age]]", Legion of Substitute Heroes members Rainbow Girl, Animal Lad, and Stone Boy arrive in the present to recruit [[Doctor Fate (Khalid Nassour)|Doctor Fate]] after his disastrous attempt to get [[Salem the Witch Girl]] into Limbo Town.<ref name="Justice Society of America #7">{{cite comic |date=January 2024 |title=[[Justice Society of America]] |story=Young Justice Society, Chapter Two: Enemies & Friends |issue=7 |volume=4 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Johns, Geoff]] |artist= |penciller=Santucci, Marco |inker=Santucci, Marco |colorist=Plascencia, Ivan |id=}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic |date=September 2024 |title=[[Justice Society of America]] |story=The Gentleman's Game |issue=10 |volume=4 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Johns, Geoff]] |artist= |penciller=Janín, Mikel; Santucci, Marco |inker=Janín, Mikel; Santucci, Marco |colorist=Bellaire, Jordie; Plascencia, Ivan; [[Kalisz, John]] |id=}}</ref>

==Roster== * '''Animal Lad''' ('''Ennis Janhson'''): A [[metahuman]] who can transform animals into humans and vice versa.<ref>{{cite comic |date=April 1965 |title=[[Adventure Comics]] |story=The Triumph of the Legion of Super-Villains! |issue=331 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Jerry Siegel|Siegel, Jerry]] |artist= |penciller=[[Jim Mooney|Mooney, Jim]] |inker=Mooney, Jim |colorist= |id=}}</ref> In "The New Golden Age", he was transformed into a humanoid lion under unspecified conditions.<ref name="Justice Society of America #7"/> * '''Antenna Lad''' ('''Khfeurb Chee Bez'''): A Grxyorian with large ears that enable him to pick up transmissions across space and time.<ref>{{cite comic |date=February 1963 |title=[[Adventure Comics]] |story=Secret of the Mystery Legionnaire! |issue=305 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Jerry Siegel|Siegel, Jerry]] |artist= |penciller=[[John Forte (comics)|Forte, John]] |inker=Forte, John |colorist= |id=}}</ref> * '''Chlorophyll Kid''' ('''Ral Benem'''): A native of the planet Mardru who gained the ability to accelerate plant growth after being exposed to a [[hydroponic]] serum. He is also an expert at botany and hand-to-hand combat.<ref name="Adventure Comics #306"/> * '''Color Kid''' ('''Ulu Vakk'''): A native of the planet Lupra who gained the ability to alter color after being exposed to an interdimensional rainbow beam.<ref>{{cite comic |date=March 1966 |title=[[Adventure Comics]] |story=The Legionnaire Who Killed! |issue=342 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Edmond Hamilton|Hamilton, Edmond]] |artist= |penciller=[[Curt Swan|Swan, Curt]] |inker=[[Sheldon Moldoff|Moldoff, Sheldon]]; [[George Klein (comics)|Klein, George]] |colorist= |id=}}</ref> * '''Double-Header''' ('''Frenk/Dyvud Retzun'''): A Janusian who is skilled at hand-to-hand combat. However, his two heads often clash with one another, preventing them from operating effectively.<ref>{{cite comic |date=August 1964 |title=[[Adventure Comics]] |story=The Eight Impossible Missions |issue=323 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Jerry Siegel|Siegel, Jerry]] |artist= |penciller=[[John Forte (comics)|Forte, John]] |inker=[[George Klein (comics)|Klein, George]] |colorist= |id=}}</ref> * '''[[Nura Nal|Dream Girl]]''' ('''Nura Nal'''): A [[Naltor]]ian who possesses dream-based precognition. * '''Fire Lad''' ('''Staq Mavlen'''): A Shwarian who can breathe fire and later developed other types of [[pyrokinesis]] over time.<ref name="Adventure Comics #306"/> * '''Infectious Lass''' ('''Drura Sehpt'''): A Somhaturian who houses various bacteria and viruses in her body. They are harmful to others, but not herself.<ref name="Superboy #201">{{cite comic |date=April 1974 |title=[[Superboy (comic book)|Superboy]] |story=Betrayer from Beyond |issue=201 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Cary Bates|Bates, Cary]] |penciller=[[Cockrum, Dave]] |inker=Cockrum, Dave}}</ref> * '''[[Night Girl]]''' ('''Lydda Jath'''): A native of the planet Kathoon who possesses superhuman strength, but only in darkness. * '''[[Polar Boy]]''' ('''Brek Bannin'''): A native of the planet Tharr who can generate intense cold. * '''Porcupine Pete''' ('''Peter Dursin'''): A metahuman who has porcupine-like quills across his body and can expel them as projectiles. However, he cannot emit quills individually and must do so all at once.<ref name="Superboy #201"/> * '''[[Rainbow Girl]]''' ('''Dori Aandraison'''): A native of the planet Xolnar who can harness all aspects of the emotional spectrum. * '''[[Thom Kallor|Star Boy]]''' ('''Thom Kallor'''): A native of the planet [[Xanthu]] who can manipulate density and gravity. * '''Stone Boy''' ('''Dag Wentim'''): A Zwenian who can transform into a stone-like form. Despite being immobile and inflexible, he does possess super-strength and enhanced durability.<ref name="Adventure Comics #306"/>

==In other media== * The Legion of Substitute Heroes appear in ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]'', consisting of Porcupine Pete (voiced by [[James Arnold Taylor]]), the unofficial leader and a responsible "mother's boy" who lacks control over his powers, but is determined to be a hero; Chlorophyll Kid (voiced by [[Alexander Polinsky]]), a protective and clever yet nebbish individual who is fond of creating [[Cactus|cacti]] with humanoid silhouettes to confuse his enemies; Stone Boy (voiced by [[Yuri Lowenthal]]), an intelligent yet stoic member who lacks a sense of humor and occasionally forgets to revert to normal; Color Kid (also voiced by Taylor), an energetic and enthusiastic member who appears oblivious to danger and unaware of his powers' limited uses; and Infectious Lass (voiced by [[Kari Wahlgren]]), a withdrawn member who can manifest slime capable of inducing mild colds, though she is not immune to her powers. This version of the team was inspired to become heroes by Bouncing Boy, who encouraged them to keep following their dreams. Additionally, Antennae Lad, [[Polar Boy]], Fire Lad, Double-Header, and Night Girl make non-speaking cameo appearances as Legion applicants. * Color Kid, Fire Lad, and Night Girl appear in the one-shot comic ''[[Batman '66]] Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Batman '66 Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #1 - Atomic Batteries To Power, Flight Rings To Speed (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/batman-66-meets-the-legion-of-super-heroes-1-atomi/4000-609276/ |access-date=August 18, 2023 |website=[[Comic Vine]] |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{comicbookdb|type=team|id=16|title=Legion of Substitute Heroes}} * [http://www.cosmicteams.com/legion/docs/legion-of-subs.htm Legion of Substitute Heroes at Cosmic Teams!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917071857/http://www.cosmicteams.com/legion/docs/legion-of-subs.htm |date=2014-09-17 }} * [http://members.shaw.ca/legion_roll_call/reserve/subs/ Legion of Substitute Heroes at the Legion of Super-Heroes Clubhouse] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090216020531/http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/7193.htm/ Hero History: The Legion of Substitute Heroes] * [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=legionofsubstituteheroesprezh The Unofficial Legion of Substitute Heroes Biography]

[[Category:Characters created by Edmond Hamilton]] [[Category:Characters created by John Forte]] [[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1963]] [[Category:DC Comics extraterrestrial superheroes]] [[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes]]