Crisis on Infinite Earths was an enormous success both commercially and critically. Huge!
So, of course, being a money making business, DC decided to have another humungous universe wide crossover event.
Unfortunately, while Crisis absolutely reaks of long term planning and high caliber talent, Legends doesn't.
It isn't that Legends is horrible, because it isn't. It just is completely unnecessary.
Alright, I will just stick to issue #4 for the rest of this review:
First of, the John Byrne art is pretty excellent. While, I feel, much later (circa 1999 or so) Byrne's work gets kinda lazy and suffers as a result....he is at his peak here. Legends is gorgeous to look at. The characters contained within look as good as ever. His renditions of the Joker and Captain Boomerang, in particular are just great.
But, the story, while not nonsensical, just seems so unnecessary, as I said before.
The president (actual Ronald Reagan) has banned Super Heroes for some reason. But, in this issue he takes back his ban and instead issues an arrest warrant for G. Gordon Godfrey, who is responsible for the anti-hero sentiment.
Of course every single hero ignores the original ban. In this issue, Black Canary and Batman are seen in action against the order. Predictable. Blah.
Also, it isn't explained why Godfrey is able to have such easy success convincing the majority of the world population that their previously revered heroes are actually bad. I am sure this is going to be explained, but it seems so tacked on.
Also, Darkseid and the Phantom Stranger are just kind of hanging out watching everything all the time. The original plan is Darkseids, so it kinda makes sense. However, at one point they are literally hangin out in an alley on Earth watching a policeman shoot another one over an argument around the Black Canary. It is out of place and out of character.
Also, the Suicide Squad is formed. That is cool. In action in issue #3 they were cool too. In this ish, Flagg sets them all free. Predictably they all decide to stay....except Boomerang. And what does he do? He goes to the next closest city and starts a brazen crime spree, thus ensuring him being back in the Squad. Just totally stupid, unexplainable behavior. Bad Writing.
The fight scenes are good, with well drawn and written action. The art is great. The story itself is kind of a guilty pleasure because you see all kinds of heroes....but it's all so uneccessary.
2 out of 5 stars. Not horrible, but not good. Definitely need it if you're a huge DC fan, or a big Suicide Squad fan...or just like big super fights.