Customer Reviews

Lex Luthor: Man of Steel (Superman)

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Lex Luthor - Man of Steel is a great look inside the mind of Superman's greatest foe and one of the DC Universe's most intriguing and interesting villains. In fact, Brian Azzarello writes this story of Lex Luthor with the goal of showing the complexity of what makes Lex Luthor tick. Azzarello posits the idea of Lex Luthor not being the sociopathic villain whose quest to destroy Superman has become almost Ahab-like in its intensity. No, Luthor in this book is made out to be less a villain but a champion of humanity against what he sees as the stagnating and tyrannical effect of Superman on the human race.

He sees Superman as a super-powerful being of alien origin whose seeming similarity to looking like a human is just a disguise to hide what he suspects as something whose very presence will lead to humanity's downfall. Even the way Superman is drawn by Lee Bermejo as seen by Luthor looks like some sort of demonic being whose glowing red eyes make him more villain than superhero. Azzarello's book doesn't make Luthor into a hero for he still makes decisions which seem to be that of a sociopath than a hero for the people. His hiring of the pedophilic Toyman is one example of the true nature of Luthor showing through just enough beneath the image the man himself has deluded his own self into believing.

One could make the point that Lex Luthor - Man of Steel is a story of one man's delusions of heroic grandeur and a messianic complex. He sees everyone around him as less than his equal thus putting the onus of saving the world from the likes of Superman on his own shoulders. He even sees Bruce Wayne as less the philantrophic businessman but more as a rogue who only does things for his own selfish needs. No, in this book Lex Luthor sees himself as the only person who has the will and the mind to do what is best for humanity even if they don't appreciate him for it.

Azzarello really hits every note in making Lex Luthor both heroic and villainous in this story. He has written a tale of a man's obsession with the downfall of a superhero get to the point that reality has almost become warped in this man's mind. Lee Bermejo's beautiful near photorealistic artwork works very well with Azzarello's story. I also like the small details of how Luthor truly sees Superman. From the glowing red eyes and the use of bleached out colors of Superman's costume. Gone is the red, white and blue colors of the costume and in its place are colors closer to black and red.

Lex Luthor - Man of Steel is a great and intriguing graphic novel by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo delving into the complex and, ultimately, fracturing mind of Lex Luthor. I didn't think it was possible, but these two artists have made Luthor both sympathetic and reviled in the same book in equal amounts. I highly recommend this book to fans of the DC Universe and its characters.

There have been many versions of Lex Luthor throughout the years; scientist, businessman, over the top, genius. He has been adapted and changed throughout the ages, with various successes and failures peppered in between.

I think though, that the Lex Luthor of Lex Luthor: Man of Steel gives you one of the greatest, if not the best, ways to look at the character.

The Lex Luthor of this story is a beautifully complex man. He sees Superman, not a possible savior, but as a dangerous alien who might turn on humanity any day. However, the way this is presented is truly unique and striking.

Every Lex Luthor I have seen has hated Superman yes, loathed him, or was jealous of the world's adoration of him. The reason for his hate has been from his own ego, his own quest for power, or hatred based on past actions between the two. This is the first time I found the enmity based on feelings for the world, not himself. This Lex despises Superman because he shows man's limitations, stops the world from advancing and becoming greater. And what's chilling is, in a way, the reader feels he's right. I won't go completely into detail about how and why because I'm sure new readers don't want an adventure spoiled for them.

Something I've heard complaints about for this book is the lack of explanation. Certain things occur and happen without a full backstory or step by step analysis. To me, that is a strength here. The first time I read the story, I loved it, but I had questions. I read it again. Things popped out at me that I had never noticed the first time, words suddenly had double meanings and hit harder than before, enough to shock me. The parts of the book that I had been unsure of were no more, because I was able to understand and draw my own conclusions. It's a blessing when a book let's you think instead of hammering the answer into your skull on its own.

The unexplained scenarios of this tale do not hamper the story. Full explanations would have taken away from it.

Another thing that must be touched on is the art. It is, truly, stunning. The style is one of which I have never seen before this artist, and I found it many different things at once. Beautiful, somehow realistic, horrifying. It's a privilege to look at honestly. Superman is drawn in such a way that I found myself afraid to imagine such a creature, as Lex, with his mindset, must be when he sees him flying through Metropolis. It added so much to what would have been an already fabulous plot.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone, any place, comic readers or not. It shows us a version of Lex that we can come to fear for his paranoia, respect for his sacrifice, pity for his unseen ego, and ache for his passion. We see Superman through different eyes, a very different Man of Steel. The text strikes a chord, proposing lessons and ideas that apply to much more than only Superman.

I have read many comics, from those proclaimed to be the greatest, to those that are pushed to the back of the shelf. I can truthfully say this is the best comic I have ever read, one of the best books I have ever read in my life. I hope everyone who has the chance to pick it up will, because it would be a shame not to.

This is certainly not your typical Superhero comic. It takes a look at Superman's arch-nemesis and why he hates Superman so much. Lex Luthor comes across as being very intelligent man who is scared (or jealous, mayhaps?) of Superman and what he represents, and as a result takes actions that have a high cost. But do the ends truly justify the means?

If you're looking for a good old action-packed Superhero comic, this isn't it, but if you dig complex villains, this is a good choice

Lex Luthor has always been Superman's arch foe for 70 years. In this reimaging of Luthor, writer Brian (100 Bullets fane) Azzarello give the reader a new spin on a classic comic legend...a view point of a business magnus, ala Donald Trump style. This graphic novel is the five issue comic series of the same name.
The art of the deal and comic history will never be the same after you read this graphic tale.

What makes this book different is it's not Superhero-ish. It comes across of a character study of Luthor himself. As Gordon Gekko stated "Greed is good" and Ahab said "Revenge is a dish best served cold" both mantras that Lex totally believes in. This Luthor is all business with an underlining evil ideal to best Superman. He does it with back handed business deals and semi-legal plans with a partner you would not believe.

The amazing thing is the writing is crisp. There is a freshness to Luthor unscene before in comics. This is not a child's book. There is evil and its heart lays in the plans of the genuis of Lex Luthor Man of Steel.

If you seek an adult comic fare, this is the book to get
Bennet Pomerantz
AUDIOWORLD

Probably the best origin for Superman and Lex Luthor's relationship. In this GN you get to see Lex and what he beliefs Superman to be. The concept has been done many times in several different medias and this is by far the best for one reason. It makes Lex seem human and you get to hear his motives without Superman giving the truth, justice and the American Way speech. It breaks down Lex to his most basic of beliefs and shows he really beliefs he is doing the right thing. By far the best story showing thier relationship from Lex's perspective. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about Superman's mythos. And best part is it's a standalone graphic novel.

The first impression most people have of Lex Luthor is that of the stereotypical mad scientist, or more recently of the clown in a ridiculous purple space suit. Well forget all of that. Brian Azzarello has delivered one of the most complex comic characterizations in the history of the medium. What we see here is not your basic bad guy with evil intentions but a man with vision, fear, envy, insecurity, and passion. A multifaceted man who views himself as the last beacon of hope for mankind, whose megalomania is tempered by his concerns for the human race and its' future. And what is the challenge that is facing humanity and must be overcome in order for us to take control of our own destinies? Why the same obstacle that has haunted Lex for years, Superman. In his eyes, we cannot grow and strive for greatness if some superpowered alien is always there to guide and protect us. Lex's obsession with Superman is seen in a totally different light, that of a benefactor, and not the scourge, of the human race, a sympathetic character who is more concerned about the welfare of others than his own personal happiness, for which he is willing to sacrifice in order to achieve that goal. Except for his excellent portrayal in Superman The Animated Series, all of his previous personas have been too one dimensional and unremarkable. This is the definitive look at Lex Luthor, that of a cunning, devious, and dynamic businessman, not some parody from a bad B movie.

The structure of this comic, of seeing a typical Lex Luthor evil plan play out from inside Luthor's head, is a great choice. The art is gorgeous to behold. Unfortunately, the story fails to come together in the end, at least in terms of coherence. What Luthor intends is obscured through a lot of verbal gymnastics, though the verbal gymnastics are definitely worth reading.

A philosophical work that explores questions of good and evil, the nature of heroism, the influence of fear and hope on our personality, and overall a reflection on what it means to be a human being and to do your best for humanity.

While it makes no explicit reference to Nietzsche or other philosophical sources, writer Brian Azzarello is clearly aware of them.

This work takes Luthor's viewpoint and makes some very intriguing insights as a result.

It is also told in a very sophisticated manner, leaving out nonessential details and forcing the reader to play close attention and do lots of work; and that's not a bad thing.

The artwork is well suited to this non-comic-book philosophical investigation; it is as thought-provoking and stylized as the storytelling. For example, videos and/or reflections of Superman facing Luthor as he reflects on the nature of humanity heighten the philosophical and psychological drama.

This work is truly original; you don't feel like it is copying scenes from films or former stories, and it's not a version or retelling or adaptation, even if it explores familiar Superman/Luthor (and comic book) questions about heroism and humanity.

Overall, a deeply original and philosophical work.

"Lex Luthor" is a brilliant look into the psyche of Superman's #1 enemy. Unfortunately, Brian Azzarello's script is just as confusing as it is brilliant: There's a duel between Superman and Batman that takes place with little explanation, and Lex's creation of his own superhero is mostly unexplained. As other reviewers have noted, is his creation a cyborg? A robot? A genetically-modified human? There are many plot elements that aren't resolved over the course of the book's five issues. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter: The dialogue and characterization add up to the best rendition of Lex Luthor ever committed to paper.

I found this very confusing, disturbing, and unsatisfying - and yet brilliant. Confusing because events were taking place that had no explanation whatever. They were almost like dream sequences, as in the case of the duel between Batman and Superman. And yet it must have been real because at the end of the sequence when Bruce makes the call to Lex, Bruce is sitting in his cave, his face beaten and bloody. I didn't want to think it was real because, unless I missed something somewhere, Batman and Superman do not hate each other as much as they did here. It was unwarranted and unexplained. The same with the origin of Hope. Where did she come from? Was she an A.I., spawned from some stolen DNA from Superman? Again, no explanation. A few things disturbed me - Azzarello's depiction of Superman as just an "alien". Granted this is Lex's story, and we're seeing Superman through his eyes, and what a disturbing image he is. Teeth baring and eyes always glowing red. I have to highly praise the artwork though. Lee Bermejo is an awesome, awesome artist. You are so drawn into this book just by the artwork alone and the coloring is beautiful and sets the mood perfectly. Azzarello's prose is intriguing, intelligent, and witty. Too bad the story itself didn't make more sense. You do really get into the brain of Lex Luthor though and according to Azzarello, Lex is a very lonely, isolated, twisted man. And yet, the writing and the artwork combined make us almost feel sorry for him and admire him when he really does try to be a nice guy and, in his eyes, do good. There's good and bad in Lex Luthor just like there is in all of us. I would recommend this book and can guarantee that you will read it several times. It's impressive.