This is what I've been waiting for
This story is a reminder of how good the Legion of Super-Heroes can be. That it coincides with the return of Keith Giffen is no coincidence. The story is intense and the action moves. The book has had some good single issue stories, even recently, but this has the promise to be a whole good arc.The energy level in this story is the highest it's been in years on any Legion title.
The story bounces back and forth between two inter-connecting stories. In one, Ultra Boy, Chameleon and Glorith are on Rimbor, (Ultra Boys home world) searching for Tharok as it's believed the Fatal Five are reforming. Their disguises fail (even Chameleon Boy's) which leads us to learn if you're not really alive, don't mess with Glorith.
The more compelling story, however, takes place on an unknown planet with Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Invisible Kid, and Sun Boy. The Legion cruiser crashes, and all the tech goes with it. They are unable to contact anyone, or understand the locals (who look weird, kind of like big mushroom stems with mouths.) Polar Boy later learns this odd village is resting on the arm of a Promethean Giant, which confuses him, as they are thought to be myths.
The thing I really liked is the tension. The stakes are higher now. So high, one Legionaire doesn't make it out alive. Some will find Phantom Girl's lack of confidence unbecoming. It feels at times, like she's questioning her whole existence. I personally like it. Yes, these are heroes, but they're also humans (Well, Phantom Girl is Bgtzlian..however that's pronounced..but is humanoid at least.) and I think it's okay to show vulnerability. Especially considering the events following their crash landing justify it.
Giffen's art isn't as good, IMHO, as his "Great Darkness Saga" Days, but is a step up from his work on the Legion in the early 90's. He still has a lot of unexplainable mouth expressions, but this story is still esthetically pleasing.
Next issue, we're promised "It gets worse" For the first time time in years, I'm excited about the next Legion story