Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1
- WRITER
- Mark Russell
- Artist
- Steve Pugh
- Letterer
- Carlos M. Mangual
- Cover Artist
- Simone di Meo, Yanick Paquette
- Publisher
- DC Comics
- Price
- 3.99
- Release Date
- 2021-01-26
- Colorist
- Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Of all the rivalries in the DC Universe, few are as iconic and long-running as the feud between the Man of Steel and his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. And as part of DC's Future State event, the two take on an interesting dynamic in one of the timelines seen in Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex, putting the supervillain in a reimagined, cosmic role. While the creative team of Mark Russell and Steve Pugh bring together the interstellar side of the DCU to offer a fresh, more sci-fi take on their classic rivalry, it does feel like one of the more out of place stories within the larger Future State canon and a particularly talky tale starring the Man of Action.
Decades into the future, Luthor has gone off into deep space and now presides over the advanced world of Lexor, bringing the planet into a state of paradise. With the United Planets, the organization linked the various worlds across the cosmos founded by Jon Kent before becoming a major part of the Legion of Super-Heroes mythos, looking to add to their ranks, Superman goes to investigate Lexor's bid to join the intergalactic organization. Distrustful of Luthor's true motives as ever, Superman and Lois Lane decide to pay a closer look at Lexor's activities and reunite with their old foe leading to a reignition of the lifelong rivalry, taking it to new, futuristic heights.
As someone that's gotten the opportunity to write a lot of the DCU's biggest, most iconic characters, writer Mark Russell certainly has a confident, strong grasp on his protagonists and is able to weave in elements of the wider DCU seamlessly into his story. Superman, Lois and Lex may all be visibly older and have taken on radically different roles in this alternate future, but their voices remain just as recognizable and resonant as ever. And for a narrative that revolves around interplanetary politics, the sheer amount of exposition is to be expected on some level, but there is definitely a bit of an overabundance of it in a deliberately paced story that's perhaps too deliberate.
Pugh, working with colorist Romulo Fajardo, Jr., delivers a lush, vibrant look at the future, full of gleaming cities and an extensive lineup of extraterrestrial races; some familiar to the DCU, some not. This is a gorgeous book that keeps the visuals engaging, even if the art team hasn't yet had the chance to really stretch out and cut loose. The quieter moments between an older Clark Kent and Lois Lane being among the best artwork in this opening issue. And when the team does shift to the darker sequences in the story, these transitions have a nice, kinetic flow to them as the idyllic worlds shift to a more ominous look at the future.
There is the overriding sense that this first issue is really just setting the stage for what's sure to be a bombastic, explosive showdown between lifelong enemies, but Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1 spends perhaps a bit too much time establishing its vision of the United Planets in the future and less on the eponymous feud that's set to boil over again. Russell certainly understands what makes his characters tick and provides an expansive look at the future that's stunningly rendered by Pugh and Fajardo, Jr., but it stands as one of the more off-kilter titles in the Future State line as the publishing initiative closes out its first month.