Leadership in the Legion by Jo & Terri-Anne Sanning (Thanks to Silver Age maven, Adam Benson, who suggested this topic.)
Every club needs a leader, and the Legion of Super-Heroes is no exception. A leader provides focus and direction for the other members, and is also the spokesperson and representative of the team to the world - or universe - at large. The Legion started out as a small "super-hero club" in the team's debut in Adventure Comics No. 247 (April 1958). Although it was never explicitly stated until later (after the Legion became a regular feature in Adventure), Cosmic Boy appeared to be the team's main spokesperson in that story, chairing the meeting and presiding over the initiation "test" for Superboy. He was also the one who stood at the head of the meeting table and organized the tests for the Boy of Steel. It was he, too, who had the authority to "reject" Superboy -- and then welcome him into the team. Cosmic Boy's position as first "leader" was also physically symbolized by the fact that he was the only member shown wearing an official badge of any kind - reading "Super Hero Club" on his sleeve - that looked much like a sheriff's badge or one that denotes authority over the others. Thus, Cosmic Boy was a fairly natural choice, when the team was "officially" given a leader. In "The Origin of Cosmic Boy" text feature of Adventure Comics No. 352 - the first time an origin was given to the team, by the way - Cosmic Boy is mentioned by the writer (E. Nelson Bridwell) as having been the "first leader of the Legion". Below are several quotes from the Legion's constitution that concern leadership in the team:
There have been seven different Legion leaders in over seven years chronicled Silver Age stories: Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl (who served two consecutive terms), Brainiac 5, Invisible Kid, Ultra Boy,Karate Kid, and Mon-El (took we saw only briefly as he took over for the start of the 8th term). Let's take a look at each leader's time in office and, one by one, analyse their leadership styles and list their contributions to the team, as well as assess their strengths and their weaknesses. Term Year: 2962-63 Deputy: None Issues: Adventure Comics No. 247- 304 Election Method: Decided by clubhouse computer based on personality profile. Candidates: Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad.
Leadership Style: Cosmic Boy's practical and levelheaded nature, combined with his quiet but serious demeanor, gave the Legion a respectable reputation. Thus, his main strength in leading was by inspiring others to take pride in themselves. They were, after all, representatives of the galaxy's greatest crime-fighting organization. All he had to do was describe the mission given to them by Science Police Commisioner Wilson and the members, eager to do their team right, would volunteer and follow any plan Cosmic Boy would come up with. His natural sense of order allowed the Legion to grow but not uncontrollably so. It also prompted him to give names to several members (Triplicate Girl, Mystery Lad, Element Lad). During the team's popularity explosion, his serious mind kept the team focused whether it was deluged by hopeful applicants or autograph-seeking admirers.
His overt practicality did get in the way of seeing potential in applicants, notably Bouncing Boy, whom he rejected for not having a "practical" power. Later, after Chuck proved himself by saving Saturn Girl's life, Cosmic Boy had to eat his words. To his credit, Rokk did it openly and without resentment, welcoming Bouncing Boy into the Legion with genuine warmth. Cosmic Boy had zero-tolerance for deceitful applicants but his good nature made the application process a fun and pleasant one for honest would-be heroes. Because of his upbringing on Braal, where it is a "supreme crime" to mis-use one's power, Cosmic Boy's term of leadership was filled with a strong sense of honor. Under Cosmic Boy's Leadership:
Reader Opinions:
Assessment: Cosmic Boy elevates the team's respectability and level of organization. He promotes confidence, optimism and honor. He is perhaps a bit too straight-laced and by-the-book at times and needs to learn to be more flexible and to be able to think on his feet. Cosmic Boy probably would have been re-elected for the 2963-64 term, but as it turned out, circumstances brought another Legionnaire into the leadership limelight... Term Years: 2963-64 & 2964-65 Deputy: None Issues: Adventure Comics No. 304-323 & Adventure Comics No. 323-336 Election Method (1st term): Member vote on the Vote-O-Matic machine (hypnotically controlled). (2nd term): Solving the "Great Proty Puzzle". Candidates (1st term): Sun Boy, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Chameleon Boy and Bouncing Boy. (2nd term): All members, both regular and honorary (21 members total).
It is interesting to note that at the election, Colossal Boy said: "She won... unanimously! (Thinking) Which means she voted for herself! I'm shocked! That's against Legion tradition!" By this he means that it is contrary to Legionnaire character. Although this is the first member-involved election of a leader (the clubhouse computer decided the first leader), the Legionnaires have voted members into other positions in the team, such as treasurer, which is what Colossal Boy's current role was. Because of Imra's self-sacrificing nature, and out of respect for their fallen comrade, the Legionnaires didn't have the heart to take leadership from Saturn Girl even though, technically, she had rigged the election. To help Saturn Girl cope with her mourning, other members pitched in to help her readjust back to Legion life - most noticeably previous leader Cosmic Boy and the responsible, hardworking and slightly showy Sun Boy (who chaired membership drives, rejecting applicants Polar Boy and Rainbow Girl). After Lightning Lad returned from the "dead", Saturn Girl asserted herself as leader. In Adventure Comics No. 314's "Super-Villains of All Ages", she's right in there rejecting applicants, delegating tasks and foiling the plots of Alaktor. Saturn Girl's "re-election" truly was a surprise twist, given that her first term was manipulated (albeit, with just cause) and that she was "ahead of her time" in regards to feminism. Ironically, it was the female readership that was less thrilled with the idea of a woman being in charge of men.
Despite Brainiac 5's insistence that they not use the computer to choose the cleverest to be leader (since he thought it would be him by a landslide), Saturn Girl was re-elected in a way that proved she was, in fact, the cleverest Legionnaire: She solved the "Great Proty Puzzle", invented by that "protoplasmic genius", Proty II. Leadership Style: Saturn Girl's brave, noble and self-sacrificing nature made her a leader who always thought of those under her command first and foremost. She planned and prepared to sacrifice her own life a second time - to restore Lightning Lad, but Proty sensed her plan and substituted himself. Saturn Girl believes in action, and will make decisions quickly and decisively. She was a strict and intelligent leader, who insisted on further learning from all members - whether studying new languages, the constitution or attending classes. Her insight into her comrades' personalities and motivations gave her an intuitive edge when delegating. At the same time, her deep belief in upholding the law kept her from sensing the truth behind those members that appeared to be guilty of criminal acts but were only feigning such behavior. When Ultra Boy (Adventure Comics No. 316), Lightning Lad (321) and Star Boy (342) were accused of character unbecoming a Legionnaire, each time Saturn Girl reacted with an uncharacteristic lack of sympathy, siding with the law. It is no surprise that Imra originally came to Earth in order to join the Science Police Academy (Superboy No. 147). This attitude is instilled in Saturnians at a young age, knowing that the presence of the Great Ring in the sky prevented one from doing evil (Superman No. 147). Taught by the scientists of Titan to use telepathy, she took a vow not to pry into another's mind and affairs out of curiosity (Adventure Comics No. 316, 371). This has also proven to be problematic in the cases of villains joining the Legion under false pretenses (328, 330). Under Saturn Girl's Leadership:
Readership Opinions:
Assessment: Saturn Girl is a dynamic leader who consistantly puts the lives of her teammates above her own safety. Unfortunately, she is not much of a team player, often preferring to "go it alone", especially if the situation is dangerous. She is a good leader but a great leader needs to be able to trust others to do the right thing. She also lacks a certain amount of confidence in herself, which leads to a division of loyalties on the team (Adventure Comics No. 333). Term Year: 2965-66 Deputies: Saturn Girl & Superboy Issues: Adventure Comics No. 337-348 Election Method: Not revealed in the chronicles Candidates: Unknown
Leadership Style: Brainy's interest in leadership affairs quickly dropped off as his intellectual pursuits took hold in the form of a top-secret U.P. project handed exclusively to him. During his work on Computo, Brainiac 5 shut himself off from the rest of the team, refusing to communicate his actions, and neglecting his duties as Legion representative and leader. This called for the inception of a new Legion officer... the deputy leader. To pick up the slack of his discarded responsibilities, Brainiac 5 appointed Saturn Girl to handle this post for the first half of his term.
Brainiac 5 did little in the way of leading, mostly opting to rely on tinkering and playing it safe. In Nardo's stalag of space, for example, he prevented Cosmic Boy from taking out the villain quickly and efficiently. By doing so, Nardo was able to call his guards (who only responded to his voice) into action. Many heroes from other worlds died during their incarceration and, frustratingly, the super-powerful Legionnaires spent most of their time smashing rocks instead of escaping as easily as they should have been able to. Having lost faith in Brainiac's ability to properly plan and lead, the Legionnaires began to take initiative individually. Each time they failed because their strength as a team had been lost due to the lack of a leader to coordinate them. In the girls' camp, Saturn Girl was handling it differently. Brainiac's orders to her were: "Don't try to help us! If we've been stymied, you don't stand a chance!" Saturn Girl countered his arrogance like a true leader by telling him: "You and your masculine ego! Just be ready for a break... tonight!" Thanks to her leadership skills, the boys were freed. After creating Computo and generally treating his teammates like "members of the Legion of Super-Villains", Brainiac soon went on to put Star Boy on trial of killing a murderer in self-defense. He vehemently prosecuted the Legionnaire using his own computer mind as the yardstick to measure all Legion split-second decision-making standards. Believing the Brainiac 5 couldn't be wrong, more than half the Legionnaires voted against Star Boy. Brainiac demanded the "extreme penalty" and the Legionnaire was expelled. As a form of compensation against the flood of letters from angry readers against this hypocritical injustice, the editor had Braniac 5 receive a concussion in the following issue (which also featured an appearance of Star Boy), and then undergo abduction, incarceration and mental torture in a space-stalag in the following stories. Still not enough for outraged fans, Brainiac 5 was dropped completely from appearing in the last two stories of his term. His sudden removal from the limelight at this point was a deliberate attempt by the editor to diffuse some of the obvious tension he caused. Superboy was appointed deputy leader in his absence. Under Brainiac 5's leadership:
Readership Opinions:
Assessment: Brainiac 5 lacks intuition and creativity so, like Star Trek's Mr. Spock, serves best as an order-taker and not a decision-maker. He over-analyses to the point of fearful inaction. He is too absorbed in his own technical pursuits to really care about the team's function. He does not inspire confidence in his teammates. He causes fracturing and incites a lack of teamwork on the part of members. Leadership brings out the worst in his personality, which is childish and immature. Term Year: 2966-67 Deputy: Superboy Issues: Adventure Comics No. 348-370 Election Method: Member vote on tally board. Candidates: Mon-El, Invisible Kid, Superboy, Cosmic Boy, Colossal Boy, Chameleon Boy, Shrinking Violet, Duo Damsel and Light Lass Invisible Kid was elected to the position of leader by member vote. The breakdown of ballots was as follows -
It is interesting to note that there were 23 votes in total. There were 21 regular members at this time, which means that 2 honorary members (Jimmy Olsen and Peter Ross) took part in the vote (Adventure Comics No. 355 "The Legion Outpost"). Honorary members are allowed to vote but reservists are not.
As Adam Benson says: "Until that point, Legion leaders had always been fairly popular members and very prominent in the stories as Legionnaires. They had been tapped as leaders mostly because of convenience. [Invisible Kid] was infrequently seen (no pun intended) and had even less dialogue." This point was brought up by the readership at the time, too. In "The Legion Outpost" of Adventure Comics No. 346:
It is interesting to note that of the other two members mentioned by Trudy Jones, Duo Damsel was a candidate in that election and Matter-Eater Lad would soon be revealed, in a future story, as having been elected President of his home world. Adam Benson continues to say: "Invisible Kid developed a personality--a strident, disciplined one. Even though his power was one of the lesser ones possessed by Legionnaires, he took the forefront of most of the stories during his term, by sheer force of personality. In less than a year, Invisible Kid had gone from being... well... invisible to the most prominent Legionnaire. "Moreover, Mort and his writers began to explore the responsibilities and details, which accompanied the position of Legion leader. Between adding this dimension to the leadership role and the change in Invisible Kid's personality, for the first time, the position of Legion leader acquired weight and substance. "It was an improvement to the writing which proved to be very popular; Invisible Kid served the longest single term of any Legion leader - 23 issues." Leadership Style: After becoming leader, Lyle sought about bettering his physique by working out in the family gym ("A fine thing it would be if the Legion's leader weren't in shape"). A better, healthier body meant a more confident leader; one that would set an example for the other members and garner their respect. A no-nonsense leader, Invisible Kid dismissed the notion of an acceptance speech and got right down to business. The Legionnaires turned to him for guidance even in the thick of battle. An excellent tactician, he knew how to formulate plans, direct members, and look for weakness. An excellent commander, he knew when it was better to retreat and when there is no alternative but to attack. During his term, Invisible Kid was wise enough to treat even rejectees with due respect and kindness. He was always striving to better himself and the Legion ("This is tough without my invisibility... But I must prove the Legion's leader is worth his salt!"). Lyle was a strict leader, understanding that the leader was the official representative of the Legion, and he was more than willing to back up his authority with physical action ("I'll have no insubordination! When a leader makes a promise for the Legion... every member keeps it!"). Under Invisible Kid's Leadership:
Readership Opinions:
Assessment: Invisible Kid is generally considered to be the best leader the Legion has had. Like Star Trek's Captain Kirk, Invisible Kid cares about his team, trusts in their capabilities, but knows when to go with his own instincts, fulfilling the role to which he was elected. Leadership qualities don't come easy to him but his determination to constantly better himself generates admiration in his teammates, who follow him loyally. When forced to go solo, Invisible Kid's skills, ingenuity and sheer willpower has won the day and saved the team (Adventure Comics No. 358). Due to exhaustion after an incredibly trying term-year, it was decided that a leader may not run for a second term. Term Year: 2967-68 Deputy: Mon-El Issues: Adventure Comics No. 371-380 - Action Comics No. 377- 381 Election Method: First readership decided election (see below). Other Candidates: See below. This was the first-ever readership-decided vote for leader. Previous to this, a "popularity poll" was held for the most liked male and female member (Mon-El and Phantom Girl won). The overwhelming amount of ballots no doubt led to the decision to have the readers take part in leadership elections. (The fact that writer Jim Shooter was only in his early teens at the time must have indicated to editor Mort Weisinger that children were, in fact, very capable of contributing soundly to the creative process). The election received a total of 7,889 ballots (though this figure was erroneously printed as 7,810), some even for past leaders (supposed to be excluded from the vote) and a member who had not yet officially joined the team (Timber Wolf). The breakdown was as follows -
If one was to "translate" these results into comic book terms, the fact that there were 27 members eligible to vote at this time (24 regular plus 3 honorary), produces the following in-team breakdown of ballots -
According to Adam Benson: "In dealing with Ultra Boy's leadership, you would have to address the fact that he was the first leader chosen by the readership, and the implications that held. [Elections would now be] primarily popularity contests, and the chance for a lesser-used Legionnaire to shine as leader, à la invisible Kid, would be highly unlikely. There is also the fact that by having Ultra Boy as leader, it gave him a chance to emerge from the shadows of Superboy and Mon-El. All three possessed the same powers, but since he could only use one power at a time, Ultra Boy always looked slightly lesser than the 'Big Two'." Leadership Style: The mantle of responsibility will turn any Legionnaire into a more serious person. For Ultra Boy, who was always a bit of a rebel in the team, the change was a fairly dramatic one. Once the person who disobeyed orders, Ultra Boy was now looked upon to call the shots. Though headstrong and impetuous, Ultra Boy learned to accept the suggestions of his teammates, relying on their own knowledge and abilities to get the job done. He fully understood the benefits of preparation and took this "dangerous business" very seriously. He knew that the Legion can't afford to make mistakes and fully believed in training. He had to learn that, as a Legionnaire, his duty comes first, and he must put aside personal feelings in order to get the job done. His desire to protect his girlfriend, Phantom Girl, is a strong one but he had to realize that she, too, knows the risks and responsibilities of being a Legionnaire and, as such, is more than capable of taking care of herself. Under Ultra Boy's Leadership:
Readership Opinions:
Assessment: Ultra Boy's stint as leader has made him grow as an individual. He learned to discipline his rebellious nature, realizing that his actions can impact the lives of others and not just himself. As well, he came to understand the balance between his personal feelings and his duties as a Legionnaire. Term Year: 2968-69 Deputy: Mon-El Issues: Action Comics No. 382-392 Election Method: Readership decided election. Other Candidates: See below. The election received a total of 8,048 ballots, some even for past leaders (supposed to be excluded from the vote). The breakdown was as follows -
If one was to "translate" these results into comic book terms, the fact that there were 29 members eligible to vote at this time (26 regular plus 3 honorary), produces the following in-team breakdown of ballots -
Under Karate Kid's Leadership:
Readership Opinions:
Assessment: Unlike Invisible Kid or Ultra Boy, who grew as individuals from their experiences in the leadership role, Karate Kid remained unchanged. The experience only showed him that he was not suited to the responsibility. He is an excellent member, but as a leader he left much to be desired. Term Year: 2969-70 Deputy: Element Lad Issues: Action Comics No. 392-present Election Method: Readership decided election. Other Candidates: See below. The election received a total of 4,062 ballots, some even for past leaders (supposed to be excluded from the vote) and a member of the Super-Pets (Proty II). The breakdown was as follows -
If one was to "translate" these results into comic book terms, the fact that there were 28 members eligible to vote at this time (25 regular plus 3 honorary), produces the following in-team breakdown of ballots -
Under Mon-El's Leadership:
Readership Opinions:
Assessment: Mon-El was an extremely popular member before becoming leader, and this may have brought about his over-anxiousness to do a good job and prove himself worthy of that adulation. Unfortunately, it only resulted in him coming off as overbearing and authoritarian. As Deputy Leader, he has accused members of being "loafers" and of making excuses, proving that no matter how heroic and respected a person may be, leadership is not something to which everyone is suited. One can only hope that he toned down his attitude over his stint as the actual leader. Deputy Leaders: Saturn Girl, Superboy, Mon-El, and Element Lad were the only deputies in the Silver Age chronicles. Espionage Squad Leader: Chameleon Boy, based on his intelligence and shape-shifting powers, was made the permanent leader of this covert and undercover sub-group of the Legion. Whenever a situation called for stealth, a good leader knew when to let Chameleon Boy take over and plan the mission. Emergency Leaders: According to the Legion constitution, "In an emergency, whichever Legionnaire bests understands the danger, shall command (Adventure Comics No. 332)." As such, Lightning Lad and Supergirl have both served as leader in this capacity, the former during the threat of the "Super-Moby Dick of Space" (332) and the latter during the Satan Girl emergency (313). Based on the facts presented here, and in your own reading experience as a "Legion Lore Lover", you are invited to vote for your favorite Legion leader. Based on character, ability and achievement, who do YOU think was the BEST leader the Legion ever had?
Click HERE or on the panel above to vote now! Don't forget to leave your comments in the box that appears at the bottom of the "results" panel after your vote has been recorded. |
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Logically, Rokk Krinn was the
best choice to become the team's first leader. On Braal,
a relatively hostile world where the inhabitants evolved
magnetic power to combat the metallic predators there,
children mature faster than on Earth and most other
worlds in the United Planets. By age 14, teens are
considered "adults", able to fend for
themselves, live on their own and get a job. When R.J.
Brande offered the three teens a "job" as
super-heroes, Garth Ranzz had said "But we're only
teenagers!". Rokk Krinn, however, was more than
ready to help form the Legion and assume all the
responsibilities inherent to the task. 
One would think that winning an
election by hypnotically forcing members to vote for you
would be deemed in poor character. However, the reasons
behind Saturn Girl's wresting of command were strictly
honorable. When she received a prediction that a
Legionnaire would die battling Zaryan the Conqueror, the
bold and self-sacrificing Imra Ardeen set about making
sure that she would be the only possible choice in the
matter. By telepathically "rigging" the
election, then duplicating the powers of various members
of the team and suspending them from active duty one by
one, she hoped it would be her that made the prophecy
come true. Fate had other plans, however, and Lightning
Lad, discovering her noble plans from Mon-El who was
watching from the Phantom Zone, ended up dying in her
stead.
Brainy had been "champing
at the bit" during Saturn Girl's second term,
exercising his own desire to be in charge, as exemplified
by his disregard of leadership authority and effectively
"splitting" the team into two separate factions
during the war between Krypton and Atlantis. It is
possible that he was elected leader after coming up with
Plan-R in order to flush out and capture the spies of
Murra.
From a production standpoint,
Invisible Kid becoming leader was a conscious effort on
the part of new writer, Jim Shooter, who wanted to focus
on a member without the usual "point-and-pose"
type of power. It was an effort to bring more physical
action to the series, and it was also a chance to bring
greater characterization to a character with little
previous development. 
Leadership
Style: Karate Kid appears to have had
leadership thrust upon him and he did not wear the mantle
of responsibility well during his term. No doubt he was
nominated and elected by his peers who were impressed
with his abilities when he tracked down and fought the
Fatal Five single-handedly, even foiling their plans, but
this feat - while inspiring - was not any indication of
his ability to lead, rather it was more indicative of his
ability to strike out on his own away from the team.
Decision-making seemed to come hard for him; he often
wished someone else would take over the chores of
leadership. Rather than make a firm decision that could
hurt someone or make himself look like the "bad
guy", he would rather leave things to chance.
Disorder usually surrounded him, which would cause him to
lose his temper. Furthermore, he disliked having to place
his friends in danger or lie to them as part of some
elaborate test. He was relieved when his term ended and
Mon-El stepped in as new leader.
Leadership
Style: We haven't seen Mon-El
perform his duties as the Legion's leader in the
chronicles but we have seen him in the role of deputy
leader on previous years. We do know that he was
extremely anxious to begin his role as leader, taking
over immediately after midnight on his first day of
office. He seems to take his added workload seriously,
perhaps too seriously, as he was a fairly serious person
to begin with. He can be quite short, almost rude, when
giving orders to Legionnaires, displaying little in the
way of empathy toward those whose respect and loyalty a
good leader must earn.