Beards in Space: Legion of Super-Heroes #306

No, that isn't the head of a sixties GI Joe action figure floating in space, it's Star Boy in his newish costume. He always knew he'd be one of the glitterati.

In case you were wondering what Star Boy did with his old costume, the splash page of "Born Under A Lucky Star" shows us that he cut off the sleeves and turned it into a casual T-shirt, thus anticipating the "Casual Age" of comics we are currently still in.

Well, this issue gets off to an interesting start as Star Boy, aka Thom Kallor, sits around complaining about his "bad luck" to Wildfire. Kind of insensitive of him, since Wildfire is a former human, now just energy contained in a suit, whereas Star Boy's current "huge problem" is that his gorgeous, always scantily clad girlfriend Dream Girl is a bit distracted by her duties as Legion leader and not paying enough attention to him. So Thom's hoping that the new election, which we now join in progress, sees her opponent Ultra Boy win so Thom can go back to his grueling schedule of cuddling, which may or may not necessitate shaving.

By the way, I do like the beard, I'm just chafing. Even if it means a 19 year old can grown more facial hair than me. Not that I mind, I hate shaving what I do have. And there's the rub. I don't really have enough to grow a proper looking beard, so that option isn't open to me.

But enough about me, even if it is in keeping with this issue's theme of self-absorption. Fortunately for LoSH fans, in comics self-absorption means flashbacks, and this story's chock full of doozies in that they are drawn by none other than Silver Age Legion artist Curt Swan. Swan, in between the framing narrative illustrated by then current LoSH artist Keith Giffen, gets a chance to retell and expand upon some Silver Age classics: Thom's origin, his first meeting and falling in puppy love with DG; his accidental killing of an assailant that led to his expulsion from the Legion and his subsequent joining of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. There's a wonderful splash page of the Subs, including a bouffant-adorned Night Girl kayoing an opponent. Finally, the thrilling tale of Star Boy and Dream Girl going undercover as Sir Prize and Miss Terious, perhaps not the best-chosen code names for an incognito assignment, but hey; the 2960's were a crazy time for everybody. And the scheme led to Thom getting back into the real Legion. So long, losers! I kid, the Subs rock.

In the end, good fortune visits Star Boy as Dream Girl is not re-elected, with surprise write-in candidate Element Lad winning. So it's no doubt back to the cuddling. Yes, politics makes strange beardfellows.

That ish came out in 1983, the next year Madonna released this song. Coincidence or conspiracy?