Superboy # 214 Starring the Legion of Super-Heroes "Stay small or Die!"

Superboy # 214 "Stay Small or Die!" Story: Cary Bates, Art: Mike Grell and Bill Draut.
Salu Digby; Shrinking violet is hooked up to the video dream scanner and it shows her dreaming of being squashed by a giant monster. Brainiac-5 and Saturn girl are monitoring the scanner. Violet is convinced a monster will trample her if she shrinks her self down again. This all began with an accident in the gym when she was almost crushed by Sun Boy's boot when she was three inches tall. Saturn Girl tells Brainiac not to underestimate the power of the human mind. In Violet's condition, Saturn girl warns that finding herself reduced might be a shock she may never regain her normal size.
Violet gets unplugged from the machine and asks how the examine went, Brainiac side steps the question and sends her off to get something to eat. When Salu is gone Brainiac asks what would happen if he hypnotized her with his beamer. Saturn Girl tells him that she was telepathically linked with her during the mind session and she sensed her sanity is hanging on by thread that could break under the slightest stress. Brainiac-5 tells her that is a problem and if she does not snap out off it soon Shrinking Violet might have to quit the Legion.
Disregarding Saturn Girl's suggestion Brainiac lets him self into Shrinking Violet's quarters while she is sleeping and uses his Hypno-Beamer to have her do and say as he commands. Brainiac leads her to the Landing Deck atop the headquarters and gets her inside a cruiser. Knowing that the others would not approve of what he plans he leaves discretely. Ultra Boy and Colossal Boy are on monitor duty and note that Brainiac is authorized to take the ship. Brainiac-5 heads the ship to the planet Klorra a perfect spot for Violet's recovery he thinks to himself. Brainiac's plan is to have her come out of the trance and make himself scarce and monitor how she reacts to an Imaginary giant menace that he will project with his Illusion Meter. A little later Violet wakes up not sure where she is and finds herself three feet tall on a giant table shrunk against her will. A panic stricken Violet hears an awful sound followed by a robot creature more frightful than her worst nightmare. The creature is ejecting some sort of glob onto her, she tries to evade but loses her balance and starts to fall, she tries to use her flight ring but it is too late and she is covered in the glob. Brainiac-5 who is also covered in glop is remorse full that his plan to help violet got them in this situation. He picked Klorra because it was a planet once inhabited by giants who were wiped out years ago after a terrible plague. He thinks he should of listened to Saturn Girl and not tamper with Violet's mind. But he figured it would help if she mad her think she was small by putting her among these huge pieces. What he did not figure on was an automated "Pet" left behind by a Klorran. He got trapped before he could use is illusion Meter. The robot was programmed to collect and dispose of refuse and it mistook Violet and himself as scraps. All of a sudden the robot short circuits disabling it self. Violet appears crawling out of its computerized brain after crossing the circuits. She explained when the Robot forced her off the travel the air currents did not slow up her fall like they should have if she were only a few inches tall which made her realize she was still normal sized. So she quickly shrank down and slip from the glodpand disable the robot. Brainiac thanks her for saving his life and Violet thanks her for teaching her no matter how small you are, if you have confidence in yourself, you're 10 feet tall.

Bits of Legionnaire business:
Roll Call:

• Shrinking Violet (Salu Digby)
• Brainiac-5
• Saturn Girl
• Colossal Boy
• Ultra Boy

Places in the Headquarters

• Medical Lab
• Monitor Room
• Shrinking Violet's Quarters
• Landing Deck

Equipment used.

• Video Dream Scanner
• Hypno Beamer
• Cruiser Lx-4
• Flight Ring
• Illusion Meter

Planets Visited

• Klorra

Robots Killed: 1

Notes:
Page 1:

• Violet is hooked up to a dream scanner, would this not come in handy for dream girl when she has a dream and is trying to figure out what it means, but no I do not think this equipment is ever used again.

Page 2:

• Brainiac does not answer Violets question and just sends her off for food.
• Grell draws a hot looking Saturn Girl.

Page 3:

• Stalker B-5 breaks into Shrinking Violet's bedroom

Page 5:

• Probably not the first time Shrinking Violet has had goo ejected on her.
• Well Brainy this is another fine mess you have gotten us into.

Page 6:

• Dead Robot

This is an okay story not as good as the first in this issue, but it has one of my favorite troupes of Legion Comics, For being such a Smart Man Brainiac-5 does some really stupid things.

I know I usually do Member Profiles in separate posts but I thought I would do a quick one here on this stories spot light Character:
Member Profile: Shrinking Violet

Real Name: Salu Digby

Home Planet: Imsk
Known Relatives: Arn Digby (Father)
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 105 lbs
Hair: Black
Eyes: Blue
Boy friend: Duplicate Boy
1st App: Action Comics 276
Created By: Jerry Seigel and Jim Mooney
Powers: To shrink down to subatomic level

Notes:
Shrinking Violet like all members of her race has the power to alter her size to as small as an atom. Violet is a long time member of the team but has been used sparingly over the years, at this point in Legion History she is known for being Duplicate boy's girl Friend and for being the object of a Crush from Colossal Boy. Like most members of team she is fleshed out more in latter runs, Like being and expect in hand to hand combat and changing her sexual orientation, but that is a ways away.
Currently She is a member of the Espionage Squad.

Next time:
Superboy # 215 where we visit a members home world and meet a Legion Sibling.

 

Member Profice Ultra Boy

ULTRA BOY
Real Name: Jo Nah
Home Planet: Rimbor
Parents: Cray and Mytra Nah
Height: 6'
Weight: 190 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Powers: similar powers of Superboy, and Mon-El (strength, speed, vision, invulnerability, flight) but can only use one at a time.
1st app: Superboy 98
Created by: Jerry Siegel and Curt Swan

As a young teenager Jo Nah was joyriding in a space cruiser when it was swallowed by a radioactive Energy beast. He was saved when a Science Police cruiser saw what happened and blast him out. But not before the radiation he absorb from being inside the beast gave him Ultra energy. Energy that he could channel into one of several amazing powers at a time. His powers were on the same level as Superboy and Mon-El but he could only use one at a time. Joining the Legion he met Phantom Girl and the two has shared a long term relationship. Jo is a former 2 time Legion Leader and is considered one of the Big 3 on the team.

Next time: Adventure comics 369

Member Profile: Matter Eater Lad

Matter Eater Lad
Real Name: Tenzil Kem
Home Planet: Bismoll
Known Relatives: Rall Kem, Nits Kem (parents) Renkil Kem (brother)
Height: 5' 10'
Weight: 150 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair : Black
1st app: Adventure comics 301
Powers: Consume any form of Matter with out harm.
Created by: Jerry Seigel and John Forte

History
Matter-Eater Lad is one of the sillier members of the team,(he ranks up there with Bouncing Boy, but at least Chuck married a hot chick.) with the power to eat anything, thankfully he was not used very often. His most notable time in the team was when a villains weapon blast bounced off Superboy and hit him charging his molecules and mad him Fat. This was later reversed in another story. His parents have been portrayed as poor white trash and his brother once tried to discredit him so he could take his place on the team.

Next time: The 2nd story of Superboy 212, Featuring 2 ladies of the night.

Member profile: Element Lad

ELEMENT LAD
Real Name: Jan Arrah
Home Planet: Trom
Known Relatives, Parents (deceased) Arn and Valla Arrah
Height: 5'11"
Weight 170 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
1st App: Adventure Comics 307
Created by Ed Hamliton and John Forte
Powers: Alter elements, changing one into another, matter transformation.

History
Jan Arrah is the sole surviving member of his race. The peaceful Trommites possessed the power to transform elements due to the radioactive nature of their world. The pirate Roxxas wanted them to use the power for him but they refused and he wiped out the entire race except for the young teen who would become Element Lad. Element Lad joined the Legion and helped them capture Roxxas. Jan spent his time in the Legion in the background it was not until later adventures that he took more of a leader ship role. As one of the Legion Orphans he does not have much of a life outside the team, he does not even have a romantic relationship. At the time of when we are covering Legion history Element Lad is deputy Leader.
  His powers make him one of the more powerful members of the team but at times he can be under used. Writer Paul Levitz will make him (and most of the other members) a more fleshed out Character.

Next Time: The 2nd Story of Superboy 211 "The Legion's Lost Home"

Member Profile: Karate Kid

Karate Kid
Real Name: Val Armorr
Home Planet: Earth
Known Relatives: Kirau Nezumi (father) Valentina Armorr (mother)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 185 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
1st App: Adventure Comics 346
Created By: Jim Shooter
Main Foe: Nemesis Kid
Powers: Super Karate

History
Val Armorr was an orphan born in Japan. His Father was the villain Black Dragon and his mother was Valentina Armorr. He was raised by Sensei a former Japanese Hero who unknownst to Val killed his father. Sensei taught Val martial arts and help Val develop the skills that make him a living weapon. Val as Karate Kid, joined the Legion along side of Princess Projectra, Ferro Lad and Nemesis Kid. During his first mission Karate Kid was deemed a traitor, but it turned out Nemesis Kid was the real traitor. During his time in the Legion he fell in love with Princess Projectra.
   Despite having no real superpowers Karate Kid is one of the greatest fighters in the Universe and is considered one of the tougher members of the team. Val served one term as Legion Leader, and takes time to help train his fellow heroes in self defense.

Next time: The first story in Superboy # 211

Member Profile: Lightning Lad

Real Name: Garth RanzzHome Planet: Winath
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190 lbs
Known Relatives: Ayla Ranzz, (Twin Sister), Mekt Ranzz (Brother)
Hair: Red
Eyes: Blue
1st App: Adventure comics 247
Created by:
Arch Foe: Lightning Lord
Powers: Lightning Powers

History
Garth Ranzz, got his powers when along with his Brother Mekt and Sister Ayla space ship got stranded on the planet Korbal. Attempting to recharge the ships battery using the native Lightning beasts, the 3 siblings got blasted by the beasts instead, and each had the power to generate electrical charges.
 Later when searching for his Brother who left home he met Rokk Krin and Imra Ardeen on a space flight and together they stopped RJ Brande from being kidnapped. Brande was impressed with the teenagers and decided to sponsor them and start the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Out of all of the members of the team Garth is known as the unluckiest Legionnaire. He has died once and lost and arm, both of those conditions got reversed, and he has a long term relationship with Saturn Girl so maybe he is not that unlucky. At the point in Legion History that we are covering with this blog Garth is the only founder to not be elected Legion Leader. Garth is one of the more stable members of the team and is well liked by his fellow members, Garth has a close relationship with Cosmic Boy, Phantom Girl and other members.
I have always like this version of Lightning Lads costume It is a great Dave Cockrum design that I think nobody drew better than Mike Grell, see the two pictures the top is by Grell the bottom is Cockrum.

Next time the 2nd Story of Superboy 210 featuring Ralph Macchio, oops no I mean the Karate Kid the real one.

Member Profile: Sun Boy

Real Name: Dirk Morgna
Home Planet: Earth
Known Relatives: Derek Morgna (Father)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180 Lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
Powers: Generate Heat and light
1st App: Action Comics 276
Created By: Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney

Notes:
Dirk Morgan was locked into a reactor at his father's power plant by Dr Regulus and gained the power of the Sun. Dirk then joined the Legion of Super-heroes and was a mainstay of the group. Sun Boy is one of the few members that has his own arch villain. At the time of the Stories we are covering Dirk does not have a girl friend and not much is known about his personal life.

Next time: Superboy # 209

Member Profile: Light Lass

Real Name: Ayla Ranzz
Home Planet: Winath
Also known as: Lightning Lass, Lightning Lad
Known Relatives: Garth Ranzz (Lightning Lad, Brother) Mekt Ranzz (Lightning Lord)
Height: 6'0
Weight: 130
Eyes: blue
Hair: Red (Dyed Blonde)
First app. Adventure comics 308
Created By: Edmond Hamilton, and John Forte
Powers: make objects super light weight
Notes:
Light Lass was the first cross dressing member of the Legion. She joined the team disguised as her recently deceased brother Lightning Lad (he got better.) Ayla got her original powers along with her brothers by being attack by lightning beasts. Her powers changed when Dream Girl used her science abilities to give her the powers of super light weight, allowing her to stay with the team. Over the years she has been romantically involved with Timber Wolf.

Next time: Superboy #208

Member Profile: Ferro Lad

Real Name: Andrew Nolan
Home Planet: Earth
Known Relatives: Douglas Nolan (twin brother)
Height: 5'7"
Weight 155 lbs
Eyes: Unknown
Hair Unknown
1st appearance: Adventure comics 346
Created By: Jim Shooter

Andrew Nolan and his brother Douglas were born mutants with hideous facial features, so hideous they had to hide there faces in masks. They also had the power to turn there bodies as hard as Iron. Andrew Joined the Legion as Ferro Lad, the same time as Karate Kid and Princess Projectra. He had a short and distinguished career, ending when he sacrificed himself to stop the sun eater. Ferro Lad is the first Legionnaire to die and stay dead.

Next time the 2nd story of Superboy # 206 starring my favorite half naked Legionnarie, Princess Projectra.

Member profile: Superboy

Real Name: Kal-El
Alias: Clark Kent
Home Planet: Krypton
Hair: Black
Eyes: Blue
Height: not sure
Weight: Don't Know
Know Relatives: Jor-El and Lara Parents. Jonathan and Martha Kent adoptive parents. Kara Zor-El.
Powers: Super Strength, Super Speed, Vision Powers, Invundable Super Hearing, Super Breath.
Created by: Siegel and Schuster

This will be a quick and easy one. Wanted to put up a post today and figured I would have to do no research on this one, besides I am saving Ultra Boy for a post down the road,
Kal-El, rocketed from the exploding planet Krypton, landed on earth, adopted by a Kansas farm couple, grew up to become Superman.

Next Time: Superboy #206 Starring the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Member Profile: Brainiac-5

Real Name: Querl Dox
Home Planet: Colu
Known Relatives: Vril Dox (20th century ancestor)
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 160 pounds
Eyes: Green
Hair: Blonde
Powers: Super Intelligence
1st appearance: Action comics 276
Created By: Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney
Notes:
  Easily the smartest member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, and the one of the most troubled. He is descended from one of the most vile villains in history Brainiac. He himself created the Monster Computo, who is responsible for the death of hundreds, and the Maiming of one of his own teammates. Heart broken over failed romance with Supergirl, created a Supergirl android in his sleep. But he is also responsible for the most used piece of Legion equipment, the Legion Flight Ring. He perfected the serum that allows Mon-El to be an active member of the team. Has used his abilities to save his teammates lives countless number of times. He is one of the creators of the Time bubble, a device that when used correctly can help in obtaining knowledge that is lost to the centuries. For the time period that we are covering this is one of the more fleshed out members of the Legion. And on the the horizon there is more triumphs and tragedy to come. As Kermit the frog once said "it is not easy being green."
Next Time: Superboy # 205 Starring the Legion of Super-Heroes

Member Profile: Invisible Kid

Invisible Kid



• Real Name: Lyle Norg
• Home Planet: Earth
• Height: 5'7"
• Weight: 140 lbs
• Eyes: Brown
• Hair: Brown
• Known Relatives: Mother and Father unnamed.
• Powers: The ability to turn invisible.
• 1st app: Action comics 267
• Created by: Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney

Notes
Lyle Norg was a child prodigy, sometime in his early teens he develop a formula that changed his body's chemistry and allowed him to turn invisible at will. Lyle was an Honored member of the team, He severed one term as Leader, most notably during the first Khund invasion, the devil's dozen caper and the time the Legion was outlawed by Universo. For most of his time with the Legion he did not have a steady girl friend but, the last few weeks of his life he was involved with Myla the ghost girl. Who after Lyle died said that she would take care of him. Lyle was killed by Validus under the control of Tharok's electronic brain.

Next time: The first story of Superboy # 204, or "Great another time travel story"

Member Profile: Colossal Boy

Real Name: Gim Allon
Home Planet: Earth
Height: 6' 2"
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Weight: 200 lbs
Known Relatives: Marte Allon (Mother) Wynn Allon (Father)
1st app: Act 267
Created by: Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney
Powers: Size increase.

Notes: Gim Allon of earth gained his powers while on a family vacation when he was struck by a meteorite. Gim has the powers to increase his size and strength proportionately. Gim has been a member in good standing for many years the only black mark on his record came when he was caught giving Legion secrets to the Legion of Super-villains who where holding his parents hostage. Gim and the Legion foiled the plot and rescued his parents. Gim is one of the few Legion Members with out a girl friend, and with powers like his it is a surprise that women are not falling all over him.

Next time issue 203

Member Profile: Dream Girl

Real name: Nura Nal

Home Planet: Naltor

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 1251 lbs

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Platinum

Powers: to see into the Future 

Known relatives: Mysa Nal (sister) Kiwa Nal (Mother)

1st appearance: Adventure comics 317

created by: Edmond Hamilton and artist John Forte

Notes:

Nura Nal was born on Naltor and like all members of her race she has the ability to see into the future, with her powers being stronger than most Naltorians. Her sister is Mysa Nal the White Witch. Her vision is open to interpretation, sometimes the outcome of her vision is not what she expects since most times she is seeing only a small portion of what is to come.
Nura joined the Legion on false pretenses; she saw members being killed and joined to save them but what she really saw were androids being destroyed. She left the Team and joined the Legion of Substitute Heroes. She rejoined the Team with her Long time boyfriend Starboy, during a time when Superboy and Supergirl had leave the team for a short time. She has a birth mark on her face the shape of a star, not sure if this is real or something she had down in honor of her lover Starboy.

Next Time: Superboy 202 Starring the Legion of Super-Heroes

Member Profile: Duo Damsel

Real Name: Luornu Durgo
Home Planet: Cargg
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 120 pounds
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Powers: The ability to separate into two identical beings.
Former Identity: Triplicate Girl
Relation Ship: Chuck Taine (Bouncing Boy) Married

History
Luornu was born on the planet Cargg to Humre and Silvou Durgo. All natives of Cragg have the ability to split into three identical beings, this might have something to due with the triple suns of that world, not sure if this was ever explained. As a Teen Luornu traveled to earth and Joined the Legion of super-heroes, it was not explained at the time why she joined but that was common at the time. According to revised Legion history she is considered the first non founder to join the team. There is not much to tell about her early adventures with the team nothing stands out to my memory, until one of her selves were killed by the villainous Computo (created by brainiac-5) and she renamed herself Duo Damsel. She was a part of one of my favorite stories of the Adventure comics run which introduced Mordru. It was in that story I noticed her crush on Superboy, (it might of been shown earlier but I have not read those stories in a long time.) Later when she realized that she did not have a chance with Superboy she started dating Bouncing Boy, and Later married him. This relationship gave me hope that a dorky loser could land a Hot babe like her.  Luornu is a member of the Legion's espionage Squad, usually using her powers to appear as two different people to gain information. At this point in my coverage of the Legion she has Married Bouncing boy and resigned from the Legion. She will appear in future stories.

Next time the first story of Superboy 201

Member Proflie: Bouncing Boy

• Real name: Chuck Taine
• Home Planet: Earth
• Height: 5'8"
• Weight: 231 lbs
• Eyes: Blue
• Hair: Black
• Powers: Super Bouncing
• 1st appearance: Action 276
• created by: Jerry Seigal and Jim Mooney

History
  Chuck Taine had a delivery job, on the way to his next delivery he stopped at a sporting event, and with out thinking he drank the super plastic serum instead of the soda he bought. This granted him the ability to inflate his body and bounce. Joined the team in the early days of the Legion. Lost powers twice. Left the legion when he married Duo Damsel.

Next time Superboy 200.

Member Profile Chameleon Boy

• Real Name: Reep Daggle
• Home Planet: Durla
• Known relatives: Ji Daggle (foster Mother) *.*. ****** (Father)
• Powers: Shape Changing.
• Created By Mort Weisinger and Jim Mooney
• First appearance: Action Comics 267

     Like all natives of his planet Durla, Reep has the ability to change his shape. As a young teenager Reep journeyed to earth to join the Legion of Super-Heroes. Reep became the permanent head of the Legion Espionage squad and is an expert investigator. Reep's true appearance is unknown, his "normal" form was assigned to him when he immigrated from Durla.
    Reep has dated both Janice Warren and Cosmic Boy, the latter was susposely just for a mission or so they both said. He has had now long term love interest.  Reep's Father is ***************Spoliers************** (this will be revealed later, but most long term Legion followers know who it is.)

Next time Superboy # 199's first story.

Member Profie: TIMBER WOLF

• Real Name : Brin Londo
• Home Planet: Zoon
• Height: 6'0"
• Weight: 190 lbs
• Eyes: Brown
• Hair: Brown
• First Appearance: Adventure Comics 327 December 1964
• Created By: Edmond Hamilton and John Forte
• Known Relatives: Mar Londo (Father)
• Powers & Skills: Augmented strength, speed, and agilty.

                           History
     Brin's father Mar Londo experimented on him with zuunium, a mineral found only on Zoon. This gave Brin Augmented speed, strength and agilty. After his fathers death Brin was given amnesia by Karth Arn, his father's android assistant, and was he was the android and that Arn was the son of Mar Londo. Brin left Zoon and took the name Lone Wolf, preforming heroic deeds across the galaxy. After encountering the Legion and Karth Arn he discovered his true idenity. Durning that time he met and fell in love with Light Lass. After therapy and a stint in the Legion academy, he joined the Legion as Timber Wolf, along with Chemical King. He was in a long term relationship with Light Lass, until they had a following out over his alleged relationship with Saturn Girl, and Light Lass's desire to leave the Legion. When Light Lass returned to the Legion as Lightning Lass, Brin tried to resume there relationship, but she wanted nothing to do with him and eventualy she began dating Shrinking Violet.
         Notable Foes:

• Black Mace
• Gimbor the chainmaster.

Long time friend of Karate Kid.
My Notes
  Timber Wolf is not one of my favorite characters, not sure why that is. As a kid I was confused by his sudden change in appearnce from normal looking to a more animalistic, wolf like face. Writer Paul Levitz would later change his face back to normal using 30th century plastic surgery. I can not recall any standout story with the character either, but as I am re-reading my seventies and eighties Legion books I might come across one and will update this post.

Next Time Superboy 198