Warning! Contains spoilers for Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1!
Summary
- "Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor" delivers a stunning and thoughtful examination of the dynamic between Superman and Lex Luthor.
- The miniseries, written by Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch, explores the deep feelings of isolation and longing for understanding shared by both characters.
- This issue showcases the vulnerability of Lex Luthor, demonstrating why Superman has patience with his greatest enemy.
The dynamic between Superman and Lex Luthor gets the story it deserves in a stunning new tale. Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor is a thoughtful examination of DC's greatest and most tragic rivalry.
Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor is a three-issue miniseries released under DC's mature Black Label imprint. The story comes from Mark Waid (JLA, Batman and Superman: World's Finest) and Bryan Hitch (Hawkman, Justice League). Set outside the main DC Universe continuity, it tells the story of Superman's longtime villain, Lex Luthor, who reveals to his enemy that he's dying. Amid a public outcry, the Man of Steel teams up with his nemesis to race against the clock and find a cure before Lex shuffles off the mortal coil. Solicitations and preview material for the miniseries promised an intriguing look into the curious relationship between the iconic enemies.
Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor is a Poignant Tragedy
Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 kicks off with Superman discovering the news: Lex Luthor is dying after an experiment with kryptonite causes rapid cellular decay. With time running out for Lex, he goads Clark into helping him as Lex broadcasts Superman agreeing to help in front of the entire world. As Superman begins his search for a cure, he reflects on his, or rather Clark Kent's past with Lex Luthor in Smallville. A flashback shows the tense not-quite friendship they shared, revealing the two both had deep feelings of isolation and longing for someone to understand them. In the present, Superman takes Lex to the bottled city of Kandor for assistance. When that fails, he tries the Phantom Zone. Nothing seems to work, and unfortunately for Lex, his illness is spreading more rapidly than he anticipated.
The first issue does an amazing job with the interactions between Superman and Lex Luthor. Waid's experience writing both characters and his knowledge of their history together leads to some tense and, at times, surprisingly funny dialogue. That's to say nothing of Hitch's art which really gets to shine in Lex's opening destruction of Metropolis, the futuristic design of Kandor, and the bitter emptiness of the Phantom Zone. Where the book truly shines is the extended flashback to Smallville. Waid and Hitch's exploration of Superman and Lex and their desperation for understanding highlights the true tragedy of DC's greatest rivalry.
Superman and Lex Luthor's Relationship is Brilliantly Summed Up
There have been plenty of comics that have commented on the unique dynamic between Superman and Lex. What sets Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor apart is that it treats both characters with respect. Though the issue is seen through Clark's POV, Waid and Hitch showcase Lex's more vulnerable side, demonstrating why someone like Superman has eternal patience with the man who wants Clark dead more than anything. The first issue is gorgeous and a phenomenal read, and it sets up what may wind up becoming the definitive Superman and Lex Luthor story. Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 is on sale now.