658 – The Legion of Super-Heroes!

A panel from Adventure Comics #247, February 1958
A panel from Adventure Comics #247, February 1958

In February 1958, Adventure Comics #247 introduced a set of heroes from the future that come to taunt Superboy, the Legion of Super-Heroes. Cosmic Boy has super-magnetism, Saturn Girl has “super-thought casting”, and Lightning Lad has “super-lightning” (in this first story he has the name “Lightning Boy”).

For future super-pals, they are pretty cruel. First, they trick Superboy into thinking regular kids know his secret identity, then bring him to the future to admit him into their club if he passes their tests, but use their super-powers against him to make him fail their tests. Superboy ends up actually crying.

Another panel from Adventure Comics #247, February 1958
Another panel from Adventure Comics #247, February 1958

But they explain that it was all part of his “initiation” and to prove he is a “super-good sport”. Anyway, I’m really excited to see the Legion debut!