While we do get a Legion team dealing in the present day with Legion Lost, it’s not the “real” Legion unless it takes place in the 31st Century, and Paul Levitz is continuing on with what he’s been doing there for the last year with the book Legion of Super-Heroes when it relaunches (sadly, again) come September. He’s the latest to do the Q&A piece on The Source blog, this time with series artist Francis Portela, and sadly he has no mention about the digital aspect at all which is curious considering his previous position as, you know, the publisher.
THE SOURCE: What about DC’s new 52 titles excited you the most?
PAUL LEVITZ: The sheer scale of the project… larger than any launch I can recall in comics.
FRANCIS PORTELA: Day and date digital, by far and large!
How and why are you shaking up the series’ status quo?
PL: The Legion’s membership mix changes a lot–between the characters departing for LOST, and incorporating some from the Academy, and a few changes that we won’t reveal for a few issues. Hopefully the new mix will create new dramatic opportunities, and also let us emphasize some of the younger members.
FP: I think this is probably one of the books where the status quo is going to stay more or less the same, but my goal is to do the best possible job and let’s see how things evolve from here!
What new characters will debut in the series?
PL: In the first issue you’ll see Glorith, Chemical Kid and Dragonwing move over from the Legion academy, all only about a year old as characters…
FP: No new characters yet, but some Legion Academy members will graduate and become full members of the Legion. We’ll also meet a new villain by the end of issue 1!
Will we see new character designs?
PL: Absolutely.
FP: Sure, some characters will have a new suit, but not all of them, some will keep their current look.
What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had working on this character/book?
PL: How the lost got lost.
FP: Nothing in particular. Now, wait, there was one – being offered the gig!
What secret has been the hardest to keep?
FP: Nothing more, nothing less than not being able to tell my friends and colleagues what book I was working on.
What’s the unofficial tagline for this series, in your own words?
PL: “Welcome to the future.”
FP: “New blood for the Legion!”
What were your thoughts about the day-and-date digital announcement?
FP: As you can imagine reading my first answer, I thought that was the most important part of the relaunch announcement. It’s big, it’s a game changer, and I hope it benefits creators as much as it benefits DC!
