REVIEW: Future State: Superman Vs Imperious Lex #3

Superman Vs Imperious Lex #3 is finally here, and I have to say it has been a very long wait! This issue must be one of the last in the Future State event as the usual titles within the DC Universe have resumed. With that said, I have really enjoyed this story-line, so I’m glad to be reading the final issue at long last!

But before we get into the issue itself, let’s take a look at the covers. The standard cover is by Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn and I love it! Superman looks incredibly confident and dangerous in this stance, as he takes on a serpent-like robot. I cannot express to you how much I love the suit he dons in this series and Paquette & Fairbain tackle it perfectly.

The variant cover is by David Nakayama and it is absolutely gorgeous! First of all I adore the lighting on this piece, it instantly highlights Superman on the cover. Though the body shapes feel rather robotic and bulky, the detail is incredible, from the crinkles on Lex Luthor’s hands and neck, to Superman’s cape billowing in the wind. Like I said this is a gorgeous piece, which is full of symbolism.

Superman Vs Imperious Lex #3 sees Lois Lane and Superman risk their lives to save the people of Lexor from their dictator, Lex Luthor. Upon arrival it seems the planet has succumb to chaos as machines programmed and built by Lex Luthor take attack on the planet, but can Lois and Superman get there in time?

I really enjoyed this final issue, writer Mark Russell has provided us with a lot to think about and some stellar Superman and Lois Lane moments. Firstly I adore the concept of not punishing and resenting everyone for one individuals actions, this is something we face everyday so it is great to see Lois and Superman stand up to that. I love that they risked their lives and fought for people whom they have no connection to and no reason to save, simply because it’s the right thing to do. That is what Superman is all about, and it’s great to see that Lois shares that same mindset.

I really love seeing Lois Lane in such a powerful role, it’s what she deserves and she is clearly a perfect fit. It has been teased and played around with several times in comic books, specifically in the future or on Elseworld planets and I always love to see that. I feel like she plays a bigger ‘hero’ role in this issue and series than Superman himself, which is actually great to see and rather refreshing!

This issue really tackles the goings on and dangers of a dictatorship, and shows how easily the people under that rule can be fed lies and manipulated. It’s a really sad truth, so I’m glad the light has been shone on such themes, but this can also act as a metaphor with regards to a government and media led place. We can be incredibly naive when it comes to believing what we read and what we are told by those in power, the government, media and so on, so this is something that is incredibly relevant.

The portrayal of Lex Luthor in this issue and series as a whole has been fantastic. There are some comedic moments in there, but when it comes to it he is as cold, twisted, manipulative and power hungry as you’d expect. He is incredibly unpredictable. Lex has always been dangerous as the owner of such a large company, but to see him in the power of so many innocent lives as a dictator of a brainwashed world is terrifying.

I have to say my favourite moment within this issue was X-99’s pep talk at the end of the issue, “It doesn’t matter how big your world is, so long as you have a place in it”, and that is very the idea of this story-line. Writer Mark Russell did an excellent job of creating this robotic character and turning him into an adorable yet wise being that has a great grasp on the world. Not only that but Steve Pugh did an excellent job of bringing him to life, though he is a robot we feel so much emotion from him just from seeing his optical expressions. It’s very clever and very effective.

The artwork in this issue is great! The issue is full of other-worldly atmospheres, fantastic action and excellent detail. The colours by Romulo Fajardo Jr are incredibly vibrant, which considering the actual plot of the issue is rather refreshing and adds a much lighter tone to the issue and series as a whole. The facial expressions on the characters and also on their designs are stellar. I’ve really enjoyed seeing this creative team work so perfectly together, and I hope we get to see more of them in the future.

I do have one question with regards to character design though, it still isn’t clear as to why Lex Luthor wears a ‘different’ face, is it to hide his aging skin or something more sinister? Though I will say there are several moments where he looked a little bit like Jared Leto.

Superman Vs Imperious Lex #3 is a satisfying finale to a very intriguing series. With excellent character portrayals, fantastically vibrant artwork and an adorable yet wise little robot, I have really enjoyed exploring the world of Lexor in this series.

Haven’t picked up Superman Vs Imperious Lex #3 yet? You can get the standard cover by Yanick Paquette here (UK), or here (US). Or if you prefer the variant cover by David Nakayama, you can get that here.

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