Legion of Super-Heroes publications are as follows, listed in approximate chronological order:
The Legion of Super-Heroes became a regular feature in Adventure Comics with issue #300,[1] but were relegated to back-up feature beginning with issues #381.[2] The Superboy comic book changed its title to Superboy starring the Legion of Super-Heroes with issue number #197.[3] The name later underwent a slight change to Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes.
In 1973, a four issue limited series titled Legion of Super-Heroes published reprints of stories that originally appeared in Adventure Comics and Action Comics. From a publishing standpoint, the limited series is Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 1.
Beginning with issue #259, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes changed its title, dropping the "Superboy" and becoming simply Legion of Super-Heroes.[4] This generally is considered Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 2.
In 1984, DC Comics began publishing first-run titles in a new, advanced printing format on heavier paper (with a concomitant price increase). The company launched a new title, Legion of Super-Heroes, in the high-resolution format, beginning with issue #1 in August 1984.[5] This became known as Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 3. The original comic book continued publication, however, changing its name to Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes with issue #314.[6] Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes is considered a continuation of Volume 2. It ceased publication in December 1989.[7] During the latter part of its run, Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 3 ran several story lines which retconned the team's history in order to deal with changes in the DC Comics universe wrought by the 1985–1986 crossover known as Crisis on Infinite Earths. These changes removed Superboy (as previously known) from DC Comics. Because the Legion's history was so interwoven with Superboy, a "pocket universe" Superboy was created by the Legion villain Time Trapper. The latter part of Volume 3 is thus known as the "pocket universe Legion". Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 3 ceased publication with issue #63.[8]
A new book, Legion of Super-Heroes, began publication in November 1989.[9] This is generally known as Volume 4. Set five years after the events of Volume 3, this publication covers what is known as the "Five Years Later" Legion. In 1994, the superhero team's continuity came to an end with Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 4, #61,[10] after the DC Comics crossover story Zero Hour: Crisis in Time. Beginning with issue #62, the publication covered stories regarding what is known as the "Reboot Legion". Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 4 ceased in March 2000.[11] Part of the superhero team's exploits were continued in the new comic book The Legion, which began publication in December 2001 and ceased in October 2004.[12] Another part of the team's adventures were covered in a limited series comic, Legion Lost, which began publication in May 2000 and ceased in April 2001.[13] Neither publication is considered to be part of Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 4 or Volume 5.
Yet another new publication, Legion of Super-Heroes, began in February 2005.[14] With the team's origins retconned yet again, this is known as the period of the "Threeboot Legion". Due to the events of the DC Comics crossover story Infinite Crisis in 2005, Supergirl travels to the 30th century for an extended period. Beginning with issue #16, the publication changed its title to Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes.[15] This is considered a continuation of Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 5. The publication returned to its original title with issue #37.[16] Volume 5 ceased publication with issue #50[17] during the events of yet another DC Comics universe-wide event, known as Final Crisis (published from July 2008 to March 2009).
A new comic book, Legion of Super-Heroes, began publication in July 2010.[18] This is generally known as Volume 6, and restores (mostly) the continuity of the 1958-to-1994 Legion team—generally called the "Retroboot Legion". This publication ceased in October 2011[19] after yet another DC Comics universe-wide reboot known as Flashpoint (published from May to September 2011).
A new publication to bear the title Legion of Super-Heroes was first issued in November 2011.[20] This is generally known as Volume 7, and was part of DC Comics' "soft reboot" known as "The New 52". It largely maintained the continuity of Volume 6. This publication ceased in October 2013.[21]
The most recent incarnation of the Legion of Superheroes began with a 2 issue special series titled "Legion of Superheroes Millennium Edition" which introduced a new run of "Legion of Superheroes" which started monthly in November 2019 and is expected to last for 12 months.[22]
Legion members appearing during "Absolute Power":
New 52 Adult Legion:[note 5]