Lex Luthor is dying, and he wants the Man of Steel to help him find the cure for whatever is causing his rapid decline. While the world would rather see Lex die, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 highlight’s Superman’s greatest strength, his compassion.

Written by Mark Waid, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 is an interesting debut with a nice setup and taking us through the first steps to trying to find someone who’s sick a treatment. There’s something methodical about it all. But, that aspect is driven by humanity and compassion as Waid also flashes back to the childhood of Clark and Lex and their experiences together. What we find is a guilt from Clark that has stayed with him all of these years.

It’s an interesting comic that is a tour of Clark/Superman and Lex’s relationship through the years. It hints at what drives some of how Superman treats the villain, a feeling of guilt. Juxtaposed to the world’s reaction of Lex’s condition, it’s an overall interesting concept and start to things and is far more than it’s tour for a cure that it feels like at times. Add in a reoccurring messianic concept, the comic delivers a lot to chew on.

The art by Bryan Hitch is good. Overall Hitch’s art for me is hit and miss but here there’s some really nice spreads and panels and there’s a subtle emotional aspect to it all that captures what Waid is going for. Hitch is joined by Kevin Nowlan on ink and David Baron on color. Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith handle the lettering. The visuals are interesting overall, with a muted, almost dialed back aspect to it that matches the borderline dirge of a story. Grand visuals would belie the basic concept of the comic.

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 is an intriguing start to a comic. It’s more about Clark and Lex’s relationship over the years than finding a cure. It’s a comic about how our past can impact us decades later and shapes who we are and what we do. Mixed with a nice look overall, it’s an interesting take on a relationship we’ve seen explored many times before.

Story: Mark Waid Art: Bryan Hitch
Ink: Kevin Nowlan Color: David Baron Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.15 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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