By: Bryan Q. Miller (story), Pere Perez (art), Chris Beckett (colors)
The Story: In which the 1% find that you can’t occupy a building if it’s in space.
The Review: I feel very safe in saying that Smallville (the TV series) disappointed nearly every one of its devoted fans when it ended without a single, concrete image of Tom Welling in the cape and tights. After all the time invested in the show, the only appropriate reward would’ve been seeing Clark take on the heroic guise he was destined to take. No wonder this title sported a big, splashy cover with a photo-realistic Welling in complete blue get-up on its debut.
In the same way, while Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor had some strong storylines—and make no mistake, he was consistently one of the best things to come out of that show—he never got the chance to engage in those grandiose plots his incarnation in the comics became famous for. Here, Miller cleverly uses the show’s continuity to bring Luthor to that next level of ambition, where he becomes, in his father’s words, “extraordinary.”
With all his brain functions going at a significantly higher level than before he died, Superman’s greatest enemy sets his sights on the world. Miller draws on classic Luthor characterization when he portrays the shiny-headed tycoon’s goals as motivated to protect the planet against foreign threats. To his manipulative credit, Lex avoids pinning the blame on Superman (though obviously, that’s his ultimate objective), but the solutions he propose will affect every space-farer, and with Clark out in orbit so often these days, he’ll inevitably become a target.
You also have to admire Lex’s gift for side-stepping uncomfortable confrontations, whether it be Lois’ pointed questions regarding Tess’ “suicide,” or Oliver decrying corporate-funded war stations beyond the atmosphere. On that later point, amidst all the tension you should make note of Luthor’s remark about Oliver’s “clubhouse for our super friends” built on “the far side of the moon.” That has to mean more DC heroes are going to get the Smallville treatment, right? (In fact, I know it does, since the geek sites are abuzz with—spoiler alert—Batman’s upcoming appearance in this series).
More than anything else, you have to enjoy Miller’s playful tone on this title. While nothing about the arc so far is particularly groundbreaking, its good humor is something DC’s a bit short in supply of these days. Where else can you get silly, self-referential exchanges like Chloe’s surprise that Emil keeps research logs, and his matter-of-fact response, “What kind of scientific establishment would we be if we didn’t have logs?” And Smallville’s Lois has to be the perfect voicebox for Miller’s sauciness: “Where were you, Mr. Luthor? …Allow me to clarify. Some time before dinner, but after your sister declared you dead. Yet also before the coroner declared her dead.” It’s not Stephanie Brown, but it’ll do in a pinch.
Perez is only just now starting to get a handle on how to balance his naturally loose, comical style with the realism this series demands. Although the characters’ resemblances to their live-action counterparts still seems forced in places and absent in others, for any devotee, it must be a thrill to recognize the familiar expressions and mannerisms you’ve grown to love from ten seasons of fervent viewing: the perk of Lois’ chin when she gets sassy, the particular angle Oliver’s eyebrows furrow in upset, the total blankness in Lex’s face at his most deceptive. Otherwise, Perez’s art can stand for a little tightness; its inconsistency has always been his biggest weakness, even way back on the Miller-penned Batgirl.
Conclusion: Interesting in spots, and its sense of humor is much appreciated, but the title still hasn’t quite made the case for popular appeal just yet.
Grade: B
– Minhquan Nguyen
Some Musings: – Belt buckle as communicator. I guess the options are limited, given the outfit, but that seems rather unproductive way to get in contact with someone. I know Bluetooths make you look like an ass, but doesn’t that seem like the most practical option in this case?