Legends Vol 1 1

"Once Upon a Time...!"

Cover

Once Upon a Time...!

Letterers

Steve Haynie

Next Issue
Legends # 2

Perhaps the time has come to strike at the core of the problem - to destroy the very concept of such legends!

— Darkseid

Legends #1 is an issue of the series Legends (Volume 1) with a cover date of November, 1986.

Synopsis for "Once Upon a Time...!"

Darkseid plots his next great scheme against the heroes of Earth. Gathering his most trusted associates, DeSaad, Doctor Bedlam and Glorious Godfrey, he decides turn the populace of Earth against its chosen heroes, but destroying the qualities that have made them considered legends. He sends Glorious Godfrey to Earth to assume a human identity. He likewise sends two Techno-seeds to Earth to manifest themselves as the villains known as Brimstone and Macro-Man.

Brimstone, a massive being composed entirely out of plasma, begins rampaging throughout Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh's own Firestorm arrives and begins fighting him. He quickly realizes that he cannot stop Brimstone on his own and flies off to recruit some help.

Meanwhile, the 30th century super-hero known as Cosmic Boy is vacationing in New York of the 20th century. He discovers Brimstone tearing up the city and tries to use his magnetic powers against him. Brimstone smashes him through a wall, nearly killing him. As Cosmic Boy struggles to remains conscious, Firestorm returns with his new allies – the Justice League of America.

Meanwhile in Fawcett City, Glorious Godfrey has assumed the guise of G. Gordon Godfrey, a human rights advocate who has been promoting civilian self-reliance in an effort to destabilize support for the planet's super-powered community. He appears on a special broadcast of WHIZ-TV where Billy Batson conducts an extremely uncomfortable interview with the outspoken Godfrey.

After the interview, Billy races outside where he discovers a three-story tall being known as Macro-Man destroying the city streets. Billy speaks the magic word, "Shazam", and transforms into the hero known as Captain Marvel. Macro-Man grabs Captain Marvel within his fist and begins crushing him. Marvel is astonished to find that he is unable to break free of the giant's grip. Relying upon the wisdom of Solomon, Captain Marvel theorizes that if he were to transform back into Billy Batson, he might be able to slip through Macro-Man's fingers. Marvel shouts "Shazam", but the mystical lightning bolt strikes Macro-Man as well. The villain erupts into a pillar of flame and topples from the roof of a tall building to his death. Billy is devastated as he realizes that his powers have actually taken a life. He vows never to become Captain Marvel ever again.

Galaxies away, Darkseid laughs maniacally as he witnesses the first leg of his plan come to fruition.

Appearing in "Once Upon a Time...!"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Amanda Waller (First appearance)
Rick Flag

Villains:

Brimstone (First appearance)
Darkseid
Deadshot
DeSaad
Doctor Bedlam
Glorious Godfrey
Macro-Man (First appearance)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Apokolips

Armagetto

California

New York City

Pennsylvania

Virginia

Items:

Vehicles:

Notes

Darkseid's plot to destroy Earth's legends is called "Operation: Humiliation".

This is the first Post-Crisis appearance of Captain Marvel. DC Comics provided a Post-Crisis origin for Captain Marvel in the 1987 Shazam: The New Beginning four-issue limited series, although with its connection with the Legends mini-series, it seems to present conflicting information about Billy's whereabouts, stating that he is working for KWHZ in San Francisco. His retold origin remained as a part of the official DC canon until 1996 when the Power of Shazam graphic novel retroactively provided him with an entirely different history.

Flash originates at the end of the Crises. Post Crisis Wally shares adventures as a member of the New Teen Titans. In 1987, DC Comics published Wally's own ongoing Flash comic series.

The Justice League of America last appeared in Justice League of America (Volume 1) #257.

Death of Macro-Man (his body appears again next issue).

Trivia

Changeling mentions watching a "McLean Stevenson retrospective" as Wally West enters the rec room. For M*A*S*H fans, he is the actor who played Col. Henry Blake in the television series.

Links and References

Legends Crossover
The events from this issue or series are related to the Legends crossover event.
This template will categorize articles that include it into the Legends category.

Core Issues

Legends #1 • Legends #2 • Legends #3 • Legends #4 • Legends #5 • Legends #6

Legends Vol 1 1

Contents

Synopsis for "Once Upon a Time...!"

Appearing in "Once Upon a Time...!"

Notes

Trivia

See Also

Recommended Reading

Links and References

Fan Feed