Review: Superman #33

Superman #33 came out this week starting the Imperious Lex story arc and I have to say I was somewhat tickled pink by this opening issue. There were a bunch of small little nods and mentions and interactions that really grabbed me a bit as a reader, especially an older reader. As usual, writers Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason also bring a nice look at the Kent family while weaving in some high adventure.

There are definitely a couple of things which I still am getting used to. The idea that Lex is a hero and working side by side with Superman is still odd to me. And this issue and this story has that in spades. I wonder if this story might be the tipping point to bring Lex back into the villainous fold. There also are some nods that maybe Lex is a bit starstruck by hanging out with Superman. And maybe Superman is the obnoxious popular high school kid who hangs with a 'loser'. The dynamic subtly permeates their interactions.

I also have to get used to the fact that Darkseid is a kid in Wonder Woman and not on the throne of Apokolips. As a result, there is a power vacuum on that world. You would think that now would be the time for New Genesis to attack! That said, between the 'Darkseid Is'-ness of Mister Miracle and the wackiness of Bug!, I realize that I need to put the continuity nerd inside my head away.

I will continue to compliment Doug Mahnke for his tremendous work. His work seems so effortlessly fantastic. His work just flows. And I am always impressed when an artist brings the same elan to quiet character moments and the action sequences.

On to the book.

The book opens with rebel forces storming Darkseid's castle on Apokolips. They are intent on putting their leader on the throne. And they will stop at nothing to accomplish that. We see Darkseid's lieutenants like Granny Goodness and Kalibak in battle as the rebels hope to put someone with iron will in charge again.

I hope we get more backstory here. We know this leader is going to be Lex. We saw those visions in the God Killer arc. But why do these folks want Lex? Or even know Lex? And how did this rebellion overwhelm to court of Apokolips? I need more.

But let's face it. The big thing here is that the woman's name is Ardora!!! Old school readers remember this as the name of Lex Luthor's wife on Lexor, a planet which revered Lex as a hero. Is this a reimagining??

 We shift to Metropolis where Lex and Superman are teaming up to stop a bank robbery. It is strange to see the two working together so seamlessly, so innocently. We see how in synch they are, portrayed  wonderfully in the second panel above.

And that line by Lex ... 'can you read my mind?' It has to be some nod to Margot Kidder's romance song when she flies with Superman in the Donner movie. Does this hint that Lex has something of a man-crush on Superman. He does seem almost giddy to be hanging out with the Man of Steel.

And then we hear Lex drop a Brave and Bold reference. Excellent! After all, that could be the ultimate team-up book for DC. So it brings an air of camaraderie to these two.

Even the cops call them 'Super-Guys' and there is a splash of Lex striking a pose next to his buddy Superman for pictures. It is just weird to see these guys be so chummy with each other. And I get the feeling that Lex is into it way more than Superman.

 We do get a smidgen of Lex's internal monologue.

He talks about how time has made people trust him again. And slowly he is becoming the hero of the people, a human who has achieved. Not an alien. That seems like 'old school' Lex. But he isn't wringing his hands in evil glee. He isn't snarling 'the fools will accept me as their hero! Hahahahahahah!' He seems to have changed.

While in mid-thought, the Prophet and Ardora from the opening scene arrive via Boom Tube, capture Lex, and zip away. They say Lex has his destiny to fulfill.

When  this happens, a hypersonic message from Lex gets broadcast telling Superman to rush to Lexcorp, a message only Clark and Jon can hear. But Clark isn't going to stop a family night from happening to  check in on Lex.

He even takes a jab at Lex saying that the last time the message was sent it was so Lex could show off his new chest shield. Doesn't that sound like the desperate unpopular kid trying to be cool and impress the big man on campus? And isn't Clark's rebuff sort of a bully putdown, ignoring his nerdy pal? He even looks smug. Maybe I am reading to into this.

But the fact that Superman didn't respond and Lex is kidnapped could come back to haunt our hero.

The family night included a viewing of 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly' on the big screen. Take from that what you will. Is Lex the Lee van Cleef of this book?

The stroll home is interrupted by massive Lexbots who have honed in on Superman's 'Kryptonian Signal'. They aren't AI. They have a mission to bring Superman to Lex, a default mode should Superman not respond to Lex's coded messages.

This is the one thing I have a major problem with. If Lex could hone in on Superman somehow, wouldn't he have done it by now?? Superman does have a line explaining why Lex can't know because these things can't send information. But still ... wouldn't Lex have flooded the sky with these things to discover who Superman is??

Once again, Clark refuses to be brought to Lex and ignores the robots. He and Jon even get to team up a bit to fight these things. But in the end, the mecha transform into a Boom Tube Cube, designed to bring Superman to Lex's location.

One problem though. Lois and Jon were in the cube too. And the teleportation separated the family.

Very very nice cliffhanger.

This just what an opening chapter should do. We get a foundation for the characters and their motivations. The Lex/Superman lovefest was a very fresh sort of take on things. And this ending makes me want to read the next chapter now. But throw in a new Ardora and you have me! Fascinating.

Great stuff this issue.

Overall grade: A