Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #2
Scheduled to arrive in stores: March 19, 2025
Cover date: May 2025
“Book Two”
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Brian Hitch
Cover: Brian Hitch
Variant Cover: Chris Samnee
Variant 1:25: Francis Manapul
Reviewed by: JP Rocha
Lois and Jimmy contemplate the ethics behind Superman’s decision to help Lex Luthor in spite of all that he has done, and worse, can do if a cure is found. Superman has failed at this point to find a cure or a means to slow Lex’s degenerative condition. In the last issue, the Last Son of Krypton tried the Kryptonian methods at his disposal. He took Lex to the Fortress of Solitude and from there to the bottled city of Kandor. When the Kandorians could not find any means to stop or slow Luthor’s condition, they tried to place Lex in the Phantom Zone as a temporary solution until Superman could find a cure. Zod and the other zoners force Lex out of the Phantom Zone by collectively rejecting Lex and mentally willing him back to Kandor.
Back at the Fortress, the Man of Tomorrow’s next attempt was to use his Legion ring to take him to Brainiac 5. Unfortunately for Lex, Querl Dox was also unable to find a cure. Superman continues to try different methods to find a cure, from purple rays to undersea magic, and all across the galaxy and even different worlds. Again and again, the result is the same: no cure. However, for Lex, each time he finds Superman held in high regard, the Kandorians and everyone see Luthor as the man he is, pure evil. Ultimately, they help him only because of their respect for Superman.
Story – 5: While the first issue was good, this issue was great! It gives us all the tastes Superman fans want to see from the Man of Steel’s Silver Age. The first issue focused on something that is lost in today’s Batman-centric DC Universe. It is often overlooked that Kal-El comes from an advanced civilization, one where his father was a top scientist. Although Superman is brilliant, he is not Lex Luthor smart. This book shows in the flashback scenes that Clark has earned respect from Lex. Clark is the only one who gets Lex, and that is because of not only shared interests but also an intellectual connection.
A fundamental misunderstanding between the young Lex and Clark causes a falling out. Lex builds a machine and tries to use a piece of Kryptonite to confirm and contact alien life. Before Clark can explain, Lex causes an accident where he almost kills himself, and the result is he does not return to Smallville. Clark Kent seems to have held the guilt from this accident since then, thinking how different the future would have been if he had just told Lex that he was an alien that day or even before.
Art – 4: It took a while to get this second issue, but the quality of the art makes the wait worth it. The diversity of places that Superman and Luthor visit looking for a cure really gives Brian Hitch a chance to shine as he takes on characters all across the DC Universe. Just wait until you see the Legion of Superheroes splash page!Cover Art – 4: While the first issue had a theme of Superman as a Messiah figure, this issue is much more grounded as Superman flies just over the heads of the people of Metropolis. Brian Hitch is really channeling the book’s theme of the respect Superman has for everyone, and that respect is returned in kind.
There are two variant covers: A Chris Samnee and a 1:25 variant Francis Manapul cover. Samnee has an inspiring Superman that pops out of the more neutrally colored background and foreground. It is a cover that captures how Lex sees the world and Superman. The Manapul cover is a more static image with what looks like a reluctant Superman shaking Lex’s hand. It would be a great cover to have in the larger Black Label format.
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