Newsarama , in the form of Vaneta Rogers, has an interview today with Tony Bedard who is scheduled to replace Mark Waid on Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes for the next six months. Sounds like he has some interesting things planned and I'm not saying that because we have the same first issue in common (Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #210) or that he promises to spotlight certain under-used characters during his tenure, including Lightning Lad. Below are some snippets from the interview.

NRAMA: What was your first exposure to the Legion?

TB: My first Legion issue was a Paul Levitz tale in which a futuristic soldier from the mid-2000s was reanimated and went around shooting invisible weapons. He'd just hold his hands like there was a laser rifle in them, and the laser beams would come out! It just sort of freaked me out and captured my imagination for years. Later, I picked up The Great Darkness

NRAMA: Who are your favorite characters in the Waid run so far?

TB: Probably Brainiac 5. I love his impatient, imperious attitude coupled with a genuine interest in the greater good ... no matter who he has to use or step on to achieve that good. I also think Mark has succeeded in making Cosmic Boy more interesting and bad-ass than he's ever been in Legion history.

NRAMA: So does that mean we'll see more of Brainiac 5 in your issues?

TB: I have some plans for Brainy in my storyline, but I'm actually more interested in focusing on a few relatively neglected Legionnaires. With a cast this big, you have to keep the spotlight moving around, y'know.

NRAMA: So the book itself isn't changing focus when you take over?

TB: The only change is to shift from the global saga of the Dominator War to a few stories focusing on small groups of Legionnaires on specific missions.

NRAMA: Such as?

TB: Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad and Sun Boy will be among those who get some serious stage time. We'll also see a few familiar faces that haven't shown up in a while.

NRAMA: OK, OK. Point taken. Let's just talk about your story. What can Legion fans expect with issue #31 and beyond?

TB: Following the grand finale of the Dominator War (you won't believe how that one turns out), we will deal with the aftermath of the election of a new Legion Leader and the fact that we have competing super-groups with the Legion and the Wanderers (led by Lightning Lad's brother, Mekt Ranzz). Finally, there's the whole matter of Supergirl's place in the 31st Century and how can she be in the present and the future at the same time? But all of it will revolve around a major change in the Legion brought about by the explosive finale of the current Dominator storyline.

NRAMA: Any final words to tell Legion fans about what you're going to be doing with the series?

TB: Timber Wolf, Shrinking Violet and Shadow Lass, three of the Legion's fiercest fighters, run into one badass killing machine that will shock and delight you. Seriously, it's the return of an old favorite that you're going to love...and it is brutal! Plus, you'll see a fate for the Wanderers' ruthless leader, Mekt Ranzz, that no one sees coming! But mostly you'll get a lot of small, personal, funny, scary, sexy, memorable moments between Legionnaires to remind you why Legion of Super-Heroes is such an enduring fan favorite. saga, got sucked in, and kept reading through the Giffen run. I've loved the Legion ever since.