Legion of Super Heroes TV Series

The fan-favorite animated TV series "Legion of Super Heroes" had a short two-year run from 2006 to 2008 but it made an unforgettable impact. These days, there are a number of options fans have to see the 26 episodes of the series. These options include subscription streaming services like DC Universe, Amazon Prime video, and Hulu as well as physical DVDs. I like getting DVDs from my local public library.

Recently a promotional tweet from DC Universe got my attention as it alludes to both seasons as the last scene transforms Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad and Cosmic Boy from Season One versions into their older Season Two counterparts.

Pledge to the Legion of Super Heroes! pic.twitter.com/Rf0s3xtHIR

— DC Universe (@TheDCUniverse) November 7, 2019

I noticed, as well, that the scene gives tribute to members that might not appear in the episodes but call back to the comic book story roster of the team.

Delving into the production history of the series, to me, is as interesting as the TV show itself.
There are great samples of concept art for the series online for any Web Search Detectives eager to see them. I've posted a few below to whet your appetite.

 

 

You can see that the style in all four of these pre-production drawings have not yet been standardized as they became for the animation process.

Innovative Concepts

The character designs for the Legion of Super Heroes series were creative and unique. Brainiac is a prime example. He's got some Inspector Gadget features going on. And for all his "brainy-ness" he serves as something like the "heart" of the legion.

 

Lightning Lad's "Harry Potter" scar over his eye is a nice touch as well. And, of course, he's a hot headed scamp.

 

But the story also sets itself on a different path than the comic in how it casts the character whose Silver Age book "Superboy" introduced the Legion. He's called "Superman" in the series even though he's obviously a teen-aged version of the Man of Steel.

 

The stories and animation on the TV series are worthy of fan devotion as they are solid. Here is an review of the series sums it up well.

 “[The Legion of Super Heroes TV show] doesn't try to reinvent the wheel and break new ground in terms of storytelling but in a way I'm sort of fine with that the show wants to expand on the mythos of Superman and the Legion …[in] 30-minute episodes that are character focused, progressing the hero's journeys from conflict, episode to episode. Legion of super-heroes is a fun show its interpretation of Superman is a little more bestfriend rather than father figure…”

 

In the meantime, here's a link to a decent site that lists all the episodes.