Legion of Super-Heroes #2 Review – Hunting a Killer in the 31st-Century

Legion of Super-Heroes #2 (DC Comics, 10/14/26): Writer Joshua Williamson & artist Hayden Sherman find Mekt recruiting Garth and Ayla to become superheroes, while Brainy and Matter-Eater Lad evade the Persuaders. Williamson’s script builds mystery and tension with plenty of personality for a relatively enjoyable read. Verdict: A solid sophomore issue.

• Writer: Joshua Williamson
• Artist: Hayden Sherman
• Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
• Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
• Cover Artist: Hayden Sherman (cover A)
• Publisher: DC Comics
• Release Date: October 14, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 24
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Legion of Super-Heroes #2:

First Impressions:

Of the recent batch of All-In titles, Legion of Super-Heroes was the most welcome and landed the best, so I was interested to see if issue #2 could keep up the good will. I’m happy to report that it did.

Recap:

In Legion of Super-Heroes #1, the issue begins with a disembodied narrator lamenting the fact that heroes are outlawed in the 31st century, as the story shifts between worlds to expand on those thoughts. Brainiac 5 and Matter-Eater Lad quietly investigate the murder of super-rich inventor R.J. Brande, while Lightning Lad risks trouble by stopping crooks on Winath, Cosmic Boy jeopardizes his family’s future by illegally interfering in a sports match, and Saturn Girl grapples with psychic voices and visions of people from the past, including someone named Kal-El. The issue ends with Brainy’s discovery of Brande’s killer, a person with a direct connection to Lightning Lad.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

The issue begins with issue #1’s cliffhanger. Brainiac-5 and Tenzil, aka Matter-Eater Lad, escape R.J. Brande’s apartment while under attack from the Persuaders. They escape handily. The Persuaders scrub all surveillance of the incident and use deadly force to eliminate all witnesses. The lead Persuader (a faceless character with wings, possibly Dawnstar) reports her findings to her commander.

Elsewhere, Alya reluctantly heals Garth after they crossed paths with their older brother, Mekt. He explains that he travelled the galaxy after leaving home, and that he eventually crossed paths with Superman, who was forming a group of superheroes called the Legion. Mekt offers his younger siblings to join him. Garth is immediately interested, but Ayla is not. When their parents arrive home, Mekt leaves to prevent conflict.

Elsewhere, Princess Imra is approached by the Green Lantern Corporation for a negotiation, presumably to have them take over Brande’s seat on the United Planets Council.

Later, Brainy and Tenzil disguise themselves as Persuaders during their travels to find Mekt, who they believe is Brande’s killer. They happen to be present when Alya presents herself to the Persuaders to turn her older brother in.

How is the story in Legion of Super-Heroes #2?

Twists, turns, and surprises. Joshua Williamson turns in a well-paced and meaty issue that gives you plenty of unpredictability to keep the readers on their toes. As a plus, the characters – through their dialogue and actions – have immediately established unique and interesting personalities.

In terms of plot, Williamson peppers in plenty of red herrings and misdirects to keep the reader guessing. Is Mekt a killer and all-around schemer? Probably, but maybe not. Did Mekt really meet Superman? Maybe or maybe not. Is something shady going on with the leader of the Persuaders? Probably, but maybe not. It’s these types of forward-thinking questions that make the difference between an intriguing mystery and a frustrating one.

How is the art in Legion of Super-Heroes #2?

Hayden Sherman’s artwork is coming into its own with this series. Sherman’s work, particularly in the first issues of Absolute Wonder Woman, presented a rough, indie style that didn’t play well with action and energy. Since then, Sherman has tightened up the linework considerably for a much cleaner visual presentation.

Sherman uses several unusual panel layouts that make less energetic scenes more interesting, and the method of telepathic communication employed by Princess Imra is quite clever. Sherman’s style is still obvious, but the precision is much improved.

Characters

No one character takes the spotlight as the focal point, but each character gets a few moments to shine, and Williamson uses those opportunities to grow and reinforce their personalities. Still, an ensemble piece should spotlight one character to keep the issue from feeling scattered, and in this issue, Garth and Ayla come closest to carrying the emotional weight through their philosophical split over Mekt.

Originality & Concept Execution

Give credit to Williamson for developing a proper and captivating (so far) murder mystery, where the motives, if not the perpetrator, are a complete unknown. You get breadcrumbs to lead you down the path, but Williamson smartly throws suspicion on what you think you know, which is exactly how a well-executed mystery should be crafted.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Tight, clean, clever art
• A well-crafted murder mystery
• Strong character work

Room for Improvement

• Ayla’s heel turn was predictable
• Brainy and Garth get away too easily
• Princess Imra’s presence feels disconnected

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 2/2

Final Thoughts:

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Legion of Super-Heroes #2 expands on the strong start from issue #1, when Mekt tries to recruit his siblings to the Legion, not realizing that he’s being hunted for murder. Joshua Williamson’s script pops with personality, and Hayden Sherman’s artwork is clean and clever.

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