It’s the Return of the Reticulants in Future State: Superman Vs. Imperious Lex #3! Written by Mark Russell, drawn by Steve Pugh, colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr., and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual, this part 3 of 3 closes the book(s) on Future State. Lexor’s economy is still in freefall and Lex Luthor intends to ride the wave until it crashes. Even if that comes at the cost of his planet’s citizens. Can Superman and Lois Lane save them while fighting a torrent of homicidal robots, fake news, and the rays of a red sun? Gee, I hope so!
A possible new cult favorite comes to an end in Future State: Superman Vs. Imperious Lex #3.
Rounding out the Future State publishing initiative, writer Mark Russell provides us a cheeky, but slightly rushed closing chapter. Still reeling from two visits from Superman and Lois Lane, Lexor and its “benevolent” ruler prepares for a third and for the worst. With its robotic resource rangers disabled and it’s crystal based economy now tanked, Lex scrambles to keep his power, naturally leading him to another fated scrap with Superman and his ace reporter-turned-diplomat wife.
But the real charm of this series, and this issue in particular, still lies in the easy, almost flippantly deployed comedy. As Big Blue and his mortal enemy inch ever closer to another conflict, Russell keeps the wry commentary on fake news, the despotic power plays of fascists and the ineffectiveness of institutions flowing. This adds a real novelty to the fairly rote action of this issue and keeps it well in line with the previous two installments, both of which also made sure to go for the joke before it went for the real “bigger” moment.
Obviously, your mileage will vary with Russell’s very droll and pithy sense of humor, but for me, this series has maybe been the best use of it yet. While not nearly as clearly intentioned as The Flintstones or as acerbic as Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, I think Superman Vs. Imperious Lex provides the right balance of the two, scaffolded by wonderfully in-character takes on Lex, Supes and Lois.
I mean, I know it isn’t for everybody, but you can’t help but root for a book that features an inner-monologue from a robot about how much Luthor values and cherishes him only for Lex to then literally throw him to an angry mob, while his still-charred from a robot attack news team details why it’s the robot’s fault. Or a book in which Hawkman tells Superman and Lois that if they die on their mission, the council will only put up a plaque in their honor and won’t try to recover their bodies (as the Council rules prohibit their interference).
That’s super weird and fussy, but it’s MY KINDA super weird and fussy.
Yet Superman Vs. Imperious Lex #3 is not without its problems. Problems like it’s slightly truncated pacing. Though we have a pretty simple set up, Russell’s script really moves here, never really allowing us any real time to take in any of the solid worldbuilding details he’s peppered through Lexor and the Council worlds.
There is also the slightly hemmed in feeling to Steve Pugh and Romula Fajardo, Jr’s artwork this issue. While the opening two were a little less focused on exposition, this issue is basically ALL exposition, sapping away some of the scope of this series and leaving us looking at a lot of characters just talking for much of the issue’s page count.
However, even with those slight pitfalls, Future State: Superman Vs. Imperious Lex #3 gives this possible sleeper hit a solid end point. One that stays true to the feeling and tone of the opening issues while also providing us more great Superman/Lex Luthor (and Lois) hijinks. Though it may have not been perfect, Future State: Superman Vs. Imperious Lex #3 threads strong characterization through some actually funny comic book comedy.
Justin Partridge has loved comics all his life. He hasn't quite gotten them to love him back just yet. But that hasn't stopped him from trying as he has been writing about them now for a little over a decade. With bylines at Newsarama, Shelfdust, PanelXPanel, and more, Justin has been doing the work and putting in the time! Comics have yet to return his calls. Usually he can be found on Twitter screaming about Doctor Who.
