During the battle of the House of Brainiac, Lex Luthor’s memories were wiped clean…but now, after the events of DC All-In Special #1, the world needs Lex to remember his past. There is a key piece of information in Lex’s lost memories that could unlock an epic mystery that plagues Superman and the Justice League! But what if Lex doesn’t want to remember? Would Superman sacrifice Lex’s newfound peace to solve a secret, even if it means the return of Superman’s fiercest rival? Superman: Lex Luthor Special delivers something interesting, actual sympathy for Lex Luthor.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Superman: Lex Luthor Special is a piece of the bigger puzzle that’s going on. The DC world has been thrown into chaos a bit with character’s powers being mixed up and many questions being raised about what’s out there. Mr. Terrific needs help solving one of those problems and the answer might be in Lex Luthor’s head. The problem is, Lex Luthor can’t remember much of anything. And thus Williamson has raised an interesting question and makes readers ponder. Is the DC Universe better off with Lex not remembering?

Williamson does an excellent job of presenting a Lex you feel a little sorry for. He feels like a man lost and broken and you really get a sense of his struggle. The comic is more philosophical struggle than action adventure but it gives us an important update as to Lex’s spot in the new “All In” world. And it can be a key one as one of the smartest people in the world has been sidelined.

The comic works partially due to the art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira. Other than some minor issues with coffee splashed in Lex’s face disappearing for a panel or two, the art is solid and you get a real sense of Lex’s struggles through his facial expressions. The art is key here showing a man struggling and with just a look at his eyes, readers can really connect with him more. The art adds to that sympathy. Barrows and Ferreira are helped by Adriano Lucas on color and Dave Sharpe’s lettering. The comic looks solid overall.

Superman: Lex Luthor Special could have been a few pages over some issues but it’s so well done, it deserves to be a one-shot comic. But, it makes us want more than that. It shows the complicated man that is Luthor and he’s a man who can, and now does, struggle with his past and future. In a real world of tech bro oligarchs manipulating us all, this comic makes me want to see Williamson focus on Luthor in his own series.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira
Color: Adriano Lucas Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 8.4 Art: 7.95 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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