Cover: Mike Grell

Superboy #225

Mar 1977 · DC · 0.30 USD

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★ 1st appearance — Ambassador Relnic

About this Issue

Superboy #225 (cover-dated March 1977) marks the debut of Paul Levitz as the writer of the Legion of Super-Heroes feature — the opening chapter of what would become the most celebrated creative run in the team's history, eventually producing milestones such as 'Earthwar' and 'The Great Darkness Saga.' The issue also introduces penciller James Sherman to the title, forging the Levitz–Sherman partnership that would define the book's visual identity through the late Bronze Age. Beyond its creative firsts, the story plants early seeds for Wildfire's tenure as Legion leader — a thread that would develop across Levitz's entire first run — while the backup introduces Ambassador Relnic, a supporting character who would recur in Legion stories for the next decade.

In "And Who Shall Lead Them?", Superboy and the Legion face a delicate mission on behalf of Ambassador Relnic, tasked with subduing the enigmatic Tseln of Thaun while keeping their true identities hidden. Written by Paul Levitz and brought to life by Mike Nasser’s art with Bob Wiacek’s inks, this 1977 adventure blends espionage and alien diplomacy. The cover by Mike Grell captures the tension with a striking, dynamic image.

Contains 2 stories

And Who Shall Lead Them?

11 pp · Superhero

Legion of Super-Heroes [SuperboyDream GirlLightning LadShadow LassUltra BoyWildfireMon-El]

In "And Who Shall Lead Them?", the Legion of Super-Heroes faces a crisis when their computer predicts that the leader of the next mission will be destroyed. Superboy, determined to protect his friends, finds himself challenged by Wildfire as both vie for command, testing their loyalty and resolve in the face of an uncertain future.

A Matter of Priorities

6 pp · Superhero

Legion of Super-Heroes [Princess ProjectraSun BoyTimber Wolf]Ambassador RelnicTseln of Thaun

When a secret diplomatic mission takes a dangerous turn, the Legion of Super-Heroes must protect Ambassador Relnic while quietly neutralizing the threat posed by Tseln of Thaun—without exposing their true identities. With tension rising and the stakes high, even the most trusted allies must prove their loyalty in the shadows.

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta

Raw (Fine) $2

CGC 9.8 · 2 in census $297*

CGC 9.6 · 4 in census $88*

CGC 9.4 · 3 in census $51*

CGC 9.2 · 4 in census $36*

CGC 9.0 none in existence

CGC 8.5 none in existence

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CGC 8.0 · 1 in census $22*

CGC 7.5 · 1 in census $20*

CGC 7.0 none in existence

CGC 6.5 none in existence

CGC 6.0 · 1 in census $20

* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade

Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

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FAIR $0.99 VG $2.25 VG $2.9 VG $2.95 FN $2.99 VF $3.59 VG $3.95 VG $4

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History

Denny O'Neil served as editor on this issue, overseeing the handoff of scripting duties from Cary Bates to the young Paul Levitz, already a devoted Legion fan who had edited his own comics news fanzine before joining DC's staff. The lead story, 'And Who Shall Lead Them?', replaced a fan-voted outcome — Superboy had reportedly received the most reader votes for Legion Leader — with Wildfire, a decision Levitz wove directly into the narrative by having Dream Girl explain the constitutional rule barring part-time members from leading. Sherman's pencils, inked by Bob Wiacek, replaced the departing Mike Grell on interiors (though Grell continued to provide covers), and collector commentary has noted that the Levitz–Sherman pairing immediately gave the title a cleaner, more character-focused look.

Trivia · 8 facts

Cover date: March 1977; on-sale date sourced from Comic Reader #138, placing it on newsstands around early 1977.
First Superboy/Legion issue written by Paul Levitz, who would go on to write the title from #225 through #251 in his first run (1977–1979) and again from #284 onward in his celebrated 1980s run.
First Legion issue pencilled by James Sherman (inked by Bob Wiacek), who would become the primary artist of the Levitz era through the landmark 'Earthwar' storyline (#241–245).
Lead story 'And Who Shall Lead Them?' (11 pages, editor Denny O'Neil) depicts Wildfire being sworn in as the Legion's 12th leader for the team's 10th year, over Superboy's objection that he should hold the role.
The story establishes that part-time members such as Superboy and Karate Kid are constitutionally ineligible to serve as Legion Leader — a continuity point Dream Girl cites directly from the Legion Constitution.
Backup story 'A Matter of Priorities' (6 pages, pencils by Mike Nasser, inks by Bob Wiacek) introduces Ambassador Relnic, a United Planets diplomatic figure who would recur as a supporting character in Legion stories for approximately the next ten years, including a prominent role in the 'Earthwar' arc.
The backup's villain, Tseln of Thaun, wields a 'mithril dagger' — a deliberate in-story reference to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, noted by the DC Database.
The issue was reprinted in The Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 13 (DC, 2012), as well as in international editions including a Swedish Semic printing (#10/1977), a Brazilian EBAL edition (#4), and a German Egmont Ehapa Superman Superband (#10, 1978).