DC; January 1983
Cover by Keith Giffen and Larry Mahlstedt

Title: “The Origin of the Universe File”
Synopsis: With a big decision to make, Timber Wolf turns to teammate Blok and the Legion archives for answers.

Writers (plot): Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen
Writer: Levitz
Penciler: Giffen and Howard Bender
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt

Review: Following their epic “Great Darkness Saga,” it’s not surprising to see the creative team offer a low key outing. But this issue – part Timber Wolf introspection, part Silver Age throwback – feels like filler. Writer Paul Levitz’s story isn’t bad; it offers fine character work and a clever back story. But readers were surely eager to debrief from the Legion’s cataclysmic battle with Darkseid. As for the art, Howard Bender does a nice job emulating the Legion’s Silver Age style, but it looks disjointed paired with Keith Giffen’s slick futurism. Collectively, this issue is a bit of a misstep.

Grade: B

Cool factor: We learn why there can no longer be Green Lanterns on Earth in the Legion’s era.
Not-so-cool factor: We don’t learn how the Legion is fairing in the aftermath of Darkseid.

Notable: “The Roll Call” wraps up on this issue’s “The Legion Outpost” letters page, with short bios on Legionnaires from Shadow Lass to the team’s honorary members.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue.

Character quotable: “Now I’m not alone – I have friends, I have work that’s important – and most of all, I’m part of a team – a family.” – Timber Wolf, the Legionnaire formerly known as Lone Wolf

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