Leigh, Margaret :: Published Art - L.E.G.I.O.N.

L.E.G.I.O.N. '91 #23 pg 38

Artists: Jim Fern (Penciller) , Kim DeMulder (Inker)

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Artwork Details

Title:	L.E.G.I.O.N. '91 #23 pg 38
Artist:	Jim Fern (Penciller)
Artist:	Kim DeMulder (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	40
Likes on CAF:	4 5
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	8/26/2025
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Jim Fern was L.E.G.I.O.N.'s penciller for about half a dozen issues (and one annual), taking over from Barry Kitson's run on the title, and eventually passing the torch back to Barry again. His artstyle has grown on me as I've re-read the series over and over again, but in all my years of collecting, I had never, ever seen a page of his original L.E.G.I.O.N. art anywhere - not on CAF, not for sale, not in any other corner of the internet.

You'll imagine my delight, then, when this piece turned up at ComicLink! It's from L.E.G.I.O.N. #23, which was a special double-length issue, with only the framing sequence pencilled by Fern. For a bit of context, the framing sequence of this issue focuses on the funeral of L.E.G.I.O.N. co-founder and Deputy Commander Lyrissa Mallor, who was tragically murdered at the hands of her own brainwashed daughter. The issue gives the other team members time to mourn in their own ways, but what surely shocked some readers was the reaction of Vril Dox, L.E.G.I.O.N.'s commander. He's known for being cold and heartless, but he spends most of the issue standing over Lyrissa's grave, grieving her. Whether he was in love with her or just cared for and respected her as his second-in-command, her death has left him absolutely despondent, and wondering if the price his L.E.G.I.O.N. demands is even worth paying. Enter Lady Quark, a new member of the team (who lost her world and family in Crisis on Infinite Earths, and joined the team largely because she sees in Vril the chance to rebuild her lost empire). She gives him some much-needed perspective and words of encouragement (in her own way), and leaves him to decide L.E.G.I.O.N.'s fate.

I love how the conversation between Vril and Quark is framed, with the "camera" largely staying focused on him, even though he isn't saying anything or outwardly reacting to her words. Fern and DeMulder also do some fantastic work on the all the plant life and foliage we see here, and there's some great detail work in the few buildings visible in panel 4. There's also some good juxtaposition in the last panel, with Lobo's unbothered attitude contrasting very starkly with the table full of L.E.G.I.O.N. core teamers, who are silent and sombre. I also have to give Fern props for carrying on Barry Kitson's tradition of giving all the background L.E.G.I.O.N. officers their own unique uniform designs!

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	Margaret Leigh ( 6 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	May 2021
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	CANADA
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Kavi H
Member Since 2018

1 - Posted on 8/26/2025

I think all of us could use honest no nonsense advice from a friend during tough times like Lady Quark gives Vril here! Congrats on the CL find/win after patiently searching for a Jim Fern example and it not ever turning up until then!

Margaret Leigh
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 8/28/2025

Kavi H wrote:

Thank you, Kavi! I love a page with great character beats, so I'm super thankful this one comes from a time when the speech bubbles were still inked onto the page.

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 8/26/2025

That's right Lady Quark, I'm taking a break from mourning and staring at them haunches all the way down the hill. Maybe she sets herself up as second in command now to give Brainy a much needed challenge.

Margaret Leigh
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 8/28/2025

Marcus Wai wrote:

That's right Lady Quark, I'm taking a break from mourning and staring at them haunches all the way down the hill.� Maybe she sets herself up as second in command now to give Brainy�a much needed challenge.

Ha, it sort of does come off like he's staring at her, if you look at it with a certain mindset! Lady Quark absolutely had her sights set on Vril (not Brainy, have I taught you nothing??), but he would ultimately choose Phase as his second in command (and believe you me, there would be all kinds of tension, there!).

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