Legion Publication History/Precursors

This page is written from the Real World point of view

During the Legion's early years, there were quite a few issues published that, while not strictly Legion stories, can be linked to the Legion's development or featured appearances by characters who would later be closely associate with the Legion. While not strictly a part of the Legion canon, and thus the Legion's publication history, they are included here because they hold interest to fans of the Legion's earliest tales.

1950
	Superman v1 #66 (published July 7, 1950; cover date September/October, 1950) The Last Days of Superman W: William Woolfolk; P: Al Plastino; I: Stan Kaye; E: Whitney Ellsworth Notes: Twice-Told Tale - Later rewritten to become The Last Days of Superman! in Superman v1 #156, October, 1962
1952
	Superman v1 #80 (published November 5, 1952, cover date February 1953) Superman's Big Brother! W: Edmond Hamilton; P&I: Al Plastino; E: Whitney Ellsworth Story: Superman mistakes an amnesiac space traveler for his long-lost older brother. First appearances: Halk Kar (Earth-2 Mon-El) Notes: Twice-Told Tale - later rewritten to become Superboy's Big Brother! in Superboy v1 #89, June, 1961.
1953
	Adventure Comics #191 (published June 4, 1953, cover date August 1953) The Two Clark Kents! P: Curt Swan; I: Sy Barry; E: Whitney Ellsowrth Story: A juvenile delinquent tries to take over the life of his look alike, Clark Kent. Notes: Twice-Told Tale - later rewritten to become The Secret of the Seventh Super-Hero! in Adventure Comics #290.
	Adventure Comics #195 (published October 28, 1953, cover date December 1953) Lana Lang's Romance on Mars! P: Curt Swan; I: Stan Kaye; E: Whitney Ellsworth Story: Lana Lang tries to make Superboy jealous by dating the new hero, Mars Boy. Notes: Twice-Told Tale - later rewritten to become Lana Lang and the Legion of Super-Heroes! in Adventure Comics #282.
	Adventure Comics #250 (published May 29, 1959, cover date July 1958) The Imposter From the Year 2958! W: Bill Finger; P&I: John Sikela; E: Whitney Ellsworth, Jack Schiff (managing editor), Mort Weisinger (story editor), George Kashdan (story editor) Story: Superboy must figure out which citizen of Smallville has been kidnapped and impersonated by a criminal from the 30th century. Notes: No Legion content, but story is set in Legion’s timeframe after its debut.
	Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #31 (published July 17, 1958, cover date September 1958) The E-l-a-s-t-i-c Lad! W: Otto Binder; P: Curt Swan; I: Ray Burnley; E: Whitney Ellsworth Notes: First appearance of Jimmy Olsen in his Elastic Lad identity
1959
	Wonder Woman v1 #101 (published August 14, 1959, cover date October 1959) Fun House of Time! W&E: Robert Kanigher; P: Ross Andru; I: Mike Esposito Notes: Villain later revealed to have been the Time Trapper, in his retroactive first appearance.
1961
	Action Comics #277 (published April 27, 1961, cover date June 1961) The Battle of the Super-Pets! W: Jerry Seigel; P&I: Jim Mooney; E: Mort Weisinger Notes: 1st meeting of Krypto, Streaky & Beppo
	Adventure Comics #287 (published June 29, 1961, cover date August 1961) War of the Superboys! W: Otto Binder; P&I: George Papp; E: Mort Weisinger Story: A Kryptonian juvenile delinquent arrives to make trouble for Superboy on Earth.. First appearances: Dev-Em
	Adventure Comics #288 (published July 27, 1961, cover date September 1961) The Knave from Krypton! W: Jerry Seigel; P&I: George Papp; E: Mort Weisinger Story: Dev-Em continues to wreak havoc, disguised as Superboy, before getting flung into the far future.
	Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #28 (published August 8, 1961, cover date October 1961) The Lois Lane of the Future! P&I: John Forte; E: Mort Weisinger Story: Superman meets Lois 4xR in a future world where everybody has super-powers. Notes: Set in 30th century, no Legion appearance.
1962
	Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #33 (published March 27, 1962, cover date May 1962) The Phantom Lois Lane! P: Curt Swan; I: George Klein; E: Mort Weisinger Story: Lana Lang forces both Lois Lane and Lori Lemaris into the Phantom Zone to eliminate her competition in marrying Superman. While in the Zone, Lois meets Mon-El.
	Action Comics #288 (published March 29, 1962, cover date May 1962) The Man Who Made Supergirl Cry! W: Leo Dorfman; P&I: Jim Mooney; E: Mort Weisinger Story: In a bid to escape from the Phantom Zone, Kryptonian criminals force Supergirl's adoptive father to make her cry and collect her tears. Notes: Mon-El appears.
	Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #62 (published May 24, 1962, cover date July 1962) Superman's Phantom Pal! W: Leo Dorfman; P: Curt Swan; I: George Klein; E: Mort Weisinger Story: As Elastic Lad, Jimmy slips through a tiny hole into the Phantom Zone, where he has a chance to learn Superman's secret identity. Notes: Jimmy Olsen appears as Elastic Lad, Mon-El cameo
	Superboy v1 #101 (published October 4, 1962, cover date December 1962) The Valhalla of the Super-Companions! P&I: George Papp; E: Mort Weisinger Story: An alien forces heroes from several worlds to live on his, only to send them packing when they outstay their welcome. Notes: Twice-Told Tale - story later reused with new title and art changes as When Superboy Walked Out on the Legion! in Adventure Comics #371, August, 1968.
1963
	Action Comics #301 (published April 25, 1963, cover date June 1963) The Secret Identity of Super-Horse! W: Leo Dorfman; P&I: Jim Mooney; E: Mort Weisinger Story: Comet the Super-Horse gains the ability to turn into a normal man when in the presence of a comet.. First appearances: planet Zerox.
1965
	Superboy v1 #124 (published August 19, 1965, cover date October 1965) The Insect Queen of Smallville! W: Otto Binder; P&I: George Papp; L: Vivian Berg; E: Mort Weisinger Story: Lana Lang rescues a trapped alien and is rewarded with a ring that allows her to transform into various insects and arachnids. First appearances: Lana Lang in her Insect Queen identity
	Superman v1 #181 (published September 16, 1965, cover date November 1965) The Superman of 2965! W: Edmond Hamilton; P: Curt Swan; I: George Klein; E: Mort Weisinger First appearances: Klar Ken T5477. Notes: Story set in 30th century
	Action Comics #330 (published September 30, 1965, cover date November 1965) Supergirl's Duel With Dr. Supernatural! W: Leo Dorfman, Mort Weisinger; P&I: Jim Mooney; E: Mort Weisinger Story: Supergirl is forced to travel to an alien world where she meets captive heroines. (1st part of a story that will have Legion content)
	Action Comics #338 (published April 28, 1966, cover date June 1966) Muto – Monarch of Menace! W: Edmond Hamilton, Mort Weisinger; P: Curt Swan; I: George Klein; E: Mort Weisinger Notes: Klar Ken, 30th century descendant of Superman, appears