Alien Legion (1984), Omnibus Volume 1

February 12, 2010
Since it follows a ragtag group of pseudomilitary corps in a futuristic space setting, it might be easy to think of this as an oracle of things to come. But Zelenetz's cultish comic book series from the 1980s offers a better glimpse of the past than the future. Collecting the first 11 issues, this omnibus shows how Zelenetz rationalized and translated the fears and topics of that decade via the prism of a futuristic fantasy. Told through the flawed characters of the Legion, this volume explores the ideas of nuclear annihilation, drug abuse on the job, an increasingly homogenized culture, and, of course, the unflinching specter of war as Armageddon. Like the best pulp of the decade, antiheroes save the day but cause more problems in the process. The Legion is a rogue's gallery in complex story lines with thoughtful subplots. Dark Horse has said it will reintroduce the series this year, and there's Internet chatter that Hollywood is developing a movie. Verdict Adult comic book fans who search for more depth in the story than the artwork will love this collection and probably pine for Vol. 2.-Robert Morast, Fargo, ND

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