Thursday, January 30, 2025

Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 Review




  • Written by: Joshua Williamson

  • Art by: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira

  • Colors by: Adriano Lucas

  • Letters by: Dave Sharpe

  • Cover art by: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Adriano Lucas (cover A)

  • Cover price: $3.99

  • Release date: January 29, 2025


Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1, by DC Comics on 1/29/25, delves into the memories of Superman's greatest foe when the quest to contact Elseworld requires the genius of Old Lex.



Is Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 Good?


Recap


Lex Luthor is not himself. For all intents, the Lex Luthor of today is a kind, introspective, thoughtful man who hopes to live a peaceful life. However, the Lex Luthor of today is a very different version of the nefarious mastermind and criminal who made his life's mission the utter destruction of Superman. To find out how Lex Luthor lost his memory and what he may have been working on before his memory loss, check out the DC All-In Special #1 for background on Elseworld and the House of Brainiac mini-event for the reason behind Lex's memory loss.

Plot Synopsis


Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 begins with Mr. Terrific contacting Superman for an in-person conversation regarding a sensitive manner. Since the death of Darkseid created Elseworld, Mr. Terrific and the Totality uncovered a hidden piece of reality. The science to connect with that hidden reality involves delving into the darker aspects of science that Mr. Terrific is afraid to visit, and the only man on Earth who knows how to reach those dark places without losing his sanity is the Old Lex Luthor.

Elsewhere, New Lex and Mercy Graves enjoy an ice cream and a lovely afternoon walk in Centennial Park. Lex explains only brief flashes of memory have returned. His daughter, Lena, even went so far as to get Lex a piano in the hope that playing the music he learned as a child would somehow return what Lex lost, but the attempt at music therapy failed.

As the issue progresses, we see brief flashes to Lex's musical development as a child. His moments of early brilliance were met with pain from Lex's jealous and abusive father, Lionel.

Now, a crowd gathers around Lex in the park when people recognize who he is. The crowd quickly becomes hostile, but the risk of lynching is diffused when Superman arrives on the scene. Big Blue asks if Lex has made any progress on restoring his memory. In return, Lex explains his failure and also wonders aloud to Superman if the world is better off without Old Lex. Superman realizes pressing Lex to return to his old self may be an unfair ask.

The issue ends when young Lex tries to earn his father's love by making a musical invention. The gift is not received well, but the tune Lex's invention plays reaches grateful ears. The memory of that tune now sets things right (or is it wrong?).

First Impressions


Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 is a somewhat wholesome, thoughtful character piece about a damaged man given a second chance at life and the lose-lose choice he's given. If the goal was to add depth and dimension to Superman's greatest arch-nemesis, Williamson accomplished the mission.

How’s the Art?


Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira do a commendable job bringing Lex to life in an issue that leans on emotion, thinking, action, and reaction through facial acting. There's almost no action in this issue, so the visual impact comes through the strength of the artists to project dramatic moments, and it works.

What’s great about Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1?


If the title didn't tip you off, this issue is squarely focused on (re)building Lex's personality and backstory to present him as a man haunted by his past. Writer Joshua Williamson successfully paints a sympathetic picture of Lex within the context of the ongoing emergencies happening within the All-In and Absolute initiatives.

Does the updated picture convince you Lex was always just a misunderstood good guy? No, but it makes you appreciate that the traditional version of Lex Luthor is a complex guy.

What’s not great about Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1?


The lacking element in this issue is "the why." The journey from point A to point B plays out well enough, but there's a distinct lack of motivation and urgency which Lex would need to make his final decision.

Why is Mr. Terrific trying to contact a hidden slice of Reality? Why does Mr. Terrific believe the quest is important enough to urge Lex Luthor to get back to his old, villainous self? Why would Superman risk unleashing the world's greatest supervillain without a better explanation from Mr. Terrific beyond "I would have to think dangerous thoughts to solve this problem?"

Broadly, if this story is so closely tied to the events of the last year, why is nobody spending any time looking for Booster Gold? Is this related to the search for Booster? If not, why is nobody looking? If it is, why doesn't Mr. Terrific use that as the reasoning?

In other words, Williamson executes a perfectly good character piece, but the ties to current events are sloppy at best.



About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter



Final Thoughts


Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 is a reasonably well-done character study that explains the past that made old Lex a villain and gives new Lex a no-win choice for his future. Joshua Williamson's script does a commendable job of adding depth and complexity to Lex's character, and the art team's presentation looks great. That said, the big choice Lex is given lacks a clear rationale.

6.8/10



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Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Green Lantern #19 Review




  • Written by: Jeremy Adams

  • Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert, Jason Paz

  • Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.

  • Letters by: Dave Sharpe

  • Cover art by: Ariel Colón

  • Cover price: $4.99

  • Release date: January 29, 2025


Green Lantern #19, by DC Comics on 1/29/25, begins Hal Jordan's quest to stop the Sorrow Lantern from creating a Power Battery and permanently fracturing the spectrum, but he needs a team first.



Is Green Lantern #19 Good?


Recap


When we last left Hal Jordan and the newly reformed Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1, a new status quo on OA took shape. The new Power Battery plugged into OA's defense grid, Jessica Cruz gave a rousing speech as the new head of the Guardian's council, and Sorrow Lantern steals an early version of the Book of OA from Guy (???) to build his own Sorrow Battery. The issue ended with the new Green Lantern Corps setting out to stop Sorrow Lantern from spreading his depressing brand of fractured emotions across the galaxy.

Plot Synopsis


Green Lantern #19 begins with the Justice League fighting a tentacled beast who came ashore near Hub City. One of the newest members of the League, Star Sapphire, loves using her powers and getting into the fight to do good things. After a mighty blow from the beast, Star Sapphire locks the beast down with a construct net. Suddenly, Hal Jordan arrives from space to lift the beast back to the ocean depths. All Leaguers present think Carol and Hal's super romantic partnership is sweet, but Batman isn't so sure.


Later, Hal fills Carol in on the events of Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1. Hal has plans to collect a team and stop Sorrow Lantern from using the components to build a Power Lantern. Hal wants Carol to come with him, but she refuses because she feels she needs more training with the League.


On OA, a shadowy figure breaks into the Science Cell weapons storage to steal several weapons. The thief's mission is interrupted by Kyle Rayner, who traps the thief. The shadowy figure is a longtime inmate of the Science Cells named Odyssey the Time Bandit, who escaped during the recent Civil Corps War. Instead of returning Odyssey to prison, he offers her a job to clean her record.


On Earth, Kyle and Odyssey arrive in Australia to find Connor Kent digging a massive hole to tap into a water reserve for the surrounding drought-inflicted area. Connor is immediately smitten with Odyssey, and the three head off to meet Hal at the Watchtower to say their goodbyes before flying into space.


The issue ends with Sorrow Lantern kneeling at the feet of his mentor, Starbreaker, who unlocked the secrets of the Book of OA Sorrow Lantern stole for him.


First Impressions


Green Lantern #19 is okay. Writer Jeremy Adams needs a setup issue to gather the team, (re-)explain their mission, and establish the relationship connection between the players, so that's what you get. That said, the issue feels like a transition issue when it should be a power-packed start to a new adventure, so it lacks punch.

How’s the Art?


Odd. The art is odd. 

Green Lantern #19 has a whole team of artists on tap, so it's hard to know who is responsible for what. What strikes you almost immediately is the odd body postures, gestures, and faces of the characters in the opening scene with the Justice League. In some spots, those oddities carry through. In others, you get a perfectly standard DC comic. Overall, the art is fine.

What’s great about Green Lantern #19?


The two big pluses of Green Lantern #19 are, I think, what Jeremey Adams intended to do - introduce the new character known as Odyssey and gather the team for their big adventure. Plus, you get a spirit of high-flying adventure sorely lacking in most of DC's dour, depressing offerings across most of its titles.

What’s not great about Green Lantern #19?


Likely the main drawback to this issue is the lack of new information, barring the team members mentioned above. We know Hal is the de facto leader, we already knew what the team would need to do, we know who/what is standing in their way, and we know what's at stake. Barring the team composition, much of this issue reads as a rehash of Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1.



About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter



Final Thoughts


Green Lantern #19 is a perfectly good transition issue that assembles a team to stop Sorrow Lantern from permanently fracturing the Emotional Spectrum. Jeremy Adams's script does a fine job of introducing the players before they head out on their quest, and the art team's output, while odd in spots, is fine. That said, the issue lacks punch because most of the plot revolves around restating information we already know.

7/10



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Wonder Woman #17 Review




  • Written by: Tom King

  • Art by: Daniel Sampere

  • Colors by: Tomeu Morey

  • Letters by: Clayton Cowles

  • Cover art by: Daniel Sampere, Tomeu Morey (cover A)

  • Cover price: $4.99

  • Release date: January 22, 2025


Wonder Woman #17, by DC Comics on 1/22/25, continues the methodical destruction of Sovereign's power when the Wonder Girls are sent to destroy Sovereign's personal Legion of Doom.



Is Wonder Woman #17 Good?


Recap


When we last left Diana in Wonder Woman #16, Detective Chimp presented his best Columbo impersonation to uncover the truth behind Steve Trevor's shocking yet senseless murder. The investigation eventually led to exposing the Sovereign's secret dealings for control of the country. The issue ended with Clark Kent showing up on the Sovereign's doorstep for a surprise interview.

Plot Synopsis


In Wonder Woman #17, the next phase of the Sovereign's downfall commences. In yet another Wonder Girl-centric issue,  Diana's family attacks the Sovereign's safehouse near the Potomac River.

First, Donna Troy ambushes Giganta as the latter ends her shift in the Sovereign's round-the-clock protection detail. Giganta immediately grows large, destroying most of the mansion in one fell swoop.

Second, Yara Flor finds Silver Swan in the rubble. Yara gives her opponent a polite invitation to surrender, but Silver Swan refuses and launches into an attack.

Third, Cassie Sandsmark infiltrates what's left of the mansion to surprise Angle Man by punching him through a wall.

As each fight progresses, each Wonder Girl finds herself momentarily outmatched by the superior weapons and strength of their respective opponents. The tables turn when each Wonder Girl switches opponents to defeat the Sovereign's allies. Meanwhile, Grail escorts Sovereign through an underground escape tunnel to the last place he can hide - the White House.

Throughout the issue, Diana narrates her recollection of her first meeting with Steve Trevor as she carves a statue in his honor.

First Impressions


Well, it's nice to see the Wonder Girls given something to do besides stand in the background, which is the exact same praise I gave when Tom King delivered the almost identical story structure in Wonder Woman #15. In other words, more Wonder Girl action is cool, but this issue feels like a copy/paste.

How’s the Art?


Daniel Sampere's art is the only reason this series is still hanging on by its fingernails. Sampere's jaw-dropping mix of hyper-detailed characters with photo-realistic features can't be beat. If you like art that has a comic book feel but is as gorgeous as a painting, Wonder Woman #17 is a treat.

What’s great about Wonder Woman #17?


More Wonder Girls in action is a good thing. To be fair, Tom King doesn't do much with them other than use them as Diana's stick to exact her revenge against the Sovereign, but something is better than nothing.

What’s not great about Wonder Woman #17?


All previous criticisms still apply to this issue. Sovereign's narration is mind-numbingly tedious. The pace of the story is, to be generous, floundering. The setup for the story, Amelie's massacre of a bunch of men in a pool bar, is nowhere to be found. And the outcome of this story's destination is already set, so there's a complete lack of surprise.

When you know where you're headed, the writer has to rely on surprises and misdirects to hold the readers' attention. In this case, King isn't doing anything but going through the motions, so the plot fails to give the reader any reason to care.



About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter



Final Thoughts


Wonder Woman #17 delivers another Wonder Girl-centric issue as Diana exacts her revenge against the Sovereign for the death of Steve Trevor. Tom King's script structure, although a direct copy/paste from issue #15, does well to give the Wonder Girls a moment to shine. However, the pre-determined destination and the Sovereign's grating narration make this issue a slog.

5.5/10



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