I have to say, that framing sequence looking back at this scene, one which mirrors a classic scene but is probably newish, just hit me right where I like to be hit as a reader. I immediately wanted more. I feel like DC has hidden this book under a bushel basket instead of letting its light shine. So I'll do that here. Buy this book. Read Full Review

Doing a mature themed Superman story is never easy. in one debut issue, Waid, Hitch and the team lay the foundation with a captivating story filled with vibrant imagery. The endless battle takes things to another level with a can't miss issue for New Comic Book Day! Read Full Review

Mark Waid has written some of Superman's most iconic stories, but he's never had an extended run on the main book. Instead, he's focused on flashbacks and stand-alone tales that break the character of Superman down to his bare essentials. He may be on the verge of another classic with this Elseworlds that focuses in on the complex rivalry between Superman and Lex Luthor, combining moments in the present and the past. Read Full Review

While some might be reluctant to give this Black Label series a shot given the line's reputation for shock humor and bloody business, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor is the kind of comic aimed firmly at adults that doesn't feature any adult content beyond a complex story about life and death. It is highly recommended to everyone who ever believed that a man could fly and those who ever wondered how he might fall. Read Full Review

Despite its alternate reality, The Last Days of Lex Luthor explores the very hearts of its characters and their relationship. Read Full Review

Hitch delivers some beautifully detailed art throughout the issue. The visual tone of the story is great and I love the details of the fortress as well as Kandor. Read Full Review

A truly great debut issue, and a promise for what this series can be. Read Full Review

His purpose, even though it lacked action, was to build on characteristics between Clark and Lex in a way that helps not only cultivated the relationship between the characters but also with the fans too. Sure, the nature of Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 was s bit slow-moving, however, I foresee this story gaining traction as the issues progress. I recommend giving this series a shot, especially if youre a huge fan of Superman. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless! Read Full Review

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 is a rich, mature, thoughtful story that puts the Man of Steel's convictions to the test. Mark Waid's ideas are thought-provoking, and Bryan Hitch's art is immaculate, but it becomes apparent very quickly that this story is under-served in this format. Read Full Review

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 is an intriguing start to a comic. It's more about Clark and Lex's relationship over the years than finding a cure. It's a comic about how our past can impact us decades later and shapes who we are and what we do. Mixed with a nice look overall, it's an interesting take on a relationship we've seen explored many times before. Read Full Review

Clearly, Waid is going somewhere with this. And it probably is a lot more interesting than it seems by the end of the issue. The problem is that with technology being what it is in the DC Universe, it feels kind of unlikely that things would go off the way they do at the end of this issue. It just doesnt feel all that believable. That being said, so much of the basic dynamics of the dramatics that are being delivered to the page actually work quite well. Its just really hard to look at it with fresh eyes without knowing all the history thats gone down with these two people. Read Full Review

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 reaffirms Hitch's place in comics and is worth reading, if only to see his depiction of grandiose Superman adventures. Yet the underlying premise proves far weaker than it appears on the cover. Read Full Review

Epic

Place your bets now if this will become a classic in time. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but something about this first issue, gives me 'evergreen' vibes. If Waid can pull this off I would love it. Such a strong start, and I enjoy anything that deals with the little bottle city! Also laughed at Lex and Zods interactions.

Mark Waid just gets DC. You can tell he really loves this universe and it shines through more strongly than the Marvel work he does IMO. Supes and Lex each have a specific voice and act in character which is refreshing since some modern comics sometimes steer away from that so the author can have their specific voice heard in the book. Editors anyone? lol.

Lex causes major destruction and kills several technicians in his effort to contact Superman and it's for a reason. I won't spoil it as it was a great moment but it was very Luthor. The arrogant prick may be the best villain in the DC universe. Clark of course is typical Superman and it always reminds me of why I love Superman and what a great set of parents the Kents were when I see him being the kind of human so many of us fail to be. God I love superheroes. Lex only has a few days before death so he has to go with Superman as the specimen which is perfect to bring them together for this harrowing adventure. Polar opposite ends of humanity in a thrilling race against the reaper.

All in all I think this is going to be one of Waids best supes stories and will be looked back upon with fondness for years. more

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Max88 - Jul 27, 2023

I think we haven't seen the real meat of the story yet which is probably going to be issues 2 and 3. I need to see some implications of what Superman is doing adressed. But yeah I'm confident this could be a new classic Superman story.

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This book feels like pre-Crisis continuity, and I love it. Lex lives in Smallville as a young teen, hates everyone but Clark, etc. I wish Mark Waid could write Superman full time.

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davepete - Jul 26, 2023

BTW, the low review score from comicbook.com is nuts! If you follow the links and read the full review, it makes zero sense. Was the review written by AI?

Hailey - Feb 29, 2024

Yeah, Comicbook.com reviews are weird af. Sometimes they are good, sometimes they don't make any sense. I guess is a thing of different reviewers

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A really strong 9 out of 10, this one. I wasn't sure about splashing out 7 bucks for it, but now that I've read it I think it's worth every cent. Mark Waid writes a great Superman and Lex, and Bryan Hitch delivers the goods with some truly stunning art. When he's firing on all cylinders, it's a joy to behold. I also want to shout out Kevin Nowlan who does a great job inking Hitch's pencils.

This story may cover familiar ground for long-term Superman fans, but I loved it. It's Waid exploring the fascinating relationship between Kal-El and Lex. And I'm in for the ride!

A great premise built upon the characteristics that make Superman the greatest super hero of all time. Mark Waid has such a strong grasp on the fundamentals of both Superman and Lex Luthor, and presents them here with a rich and complex relationship. I guess Mark Waid is just the ultimate DC writer now. I was less impressed by the art. It’s good, but I don’t think it matches the quality of the script. He draws great environments and set pieces, but sometimes I’m not crazy about the way he draws people. That’s personal preference, though, and shouldn’t stop anyone from picking this up.

Very well done, excellent characterization of Lex. Also, great art. My main problem - not a small one - is buying the premise. Lex got himself into this situation while trying to concoct a new way to kill Supes, and he put hundreds of thousands of lives in danger to get his attention. Even though no one died (unlikely) he caused massive property damage that will destroy countless lives. And Supes agrees to help him just because he "asked?" What about the thousands of bedridden children in hospitals who have terminal illnesses but don't have the ability to reach Supes by causing massive destruction? He can't prioritize? Or - here's an idea. How about turning Luther over the local authorities to arrest him for the damage he caused, while he goes looking for a cure. At the very LEAST, Supes could've extracted some vows from Luther to reform his ways, work on cures to help others, etc, ect, before agreeing to come to his rescue. There's a hint at the end that Clark feels guilty for "turning" Luther evil, but that's not enough justification, in my book. more

https://youtu.be/Q0k7KqbvT9M

Full Week reviews in link!

Waid and Hitch craft a powerful tale that may easily become a new Superman all-time classic. Mark is the guy that gave us two of the greatest Superman stories ever in Kingdom Come (also one of the greatest comics ever in general) and Birthright and seems like he might just repeat the feat here with what could be the definitive Superman-Lex story. This is a passion project for both parties involved and it shows as both are at the top of their game here. Waid writing a script that not only is fast-paced, compelling and emotional but that also allows to explore the breadth of the Super-mythos in all his sense of wonder. It's so great to see a veteran writer at this point of his career producing work that it's easily on par with anything he's ever done. He's an absolute legend. Hitch (aided by Kevin Nowlan's inks) hasn't looked this good since The Ultimates, proving once again he still is that artist who gave us the unparalleled sense of cinematic scope and immensity. The world of Superman as rendered by him looks nothing short of awe-inspiring. The script raises incredibly interesting questions and dilemmas about what Superman is trying to achieve in this story and his resolve to protect all life in a really mature way while exploring the fascinating dynamic between Superman and Lex. Waid's forte has always been strong characterization and there's an excellent flashback scene with teenage Clark that cristalizes just how good Waid is at writing Superman. As a writer of superheroes, one of the things he excels at is showing us how the world looks like through the eyes of these super beings. Just like he did with Matt Murdock on his Daredevil run and so many others. Waid writes about the superhuman condition. No one can understand how the world looks like when you're Superman (well, at least until Supergirl comes) so there's a certain loneliness that comes with Superman that's been a part of the classic incarnation of the character that makes him extremely compelling and interesting but that the bulk of the Post-Crisis writers have downplayed. And this is what I'm talking about when I say no one writes it like Waid. When you're a teenager you feel like you don't fit and nobody can really understand you, so this is extremely relatable. Superman lives thorugh the same stuff as us just on a super scale, as Grant Morrison likes to say. It's the pathos I think the character tends to lack in the main book. It feels great having a Superman story of this caliber of quality, it just has everything I could ask in a book about this character. This is top tier writing the likes of which I wish we had more often nowadays and the kind of stuff that reminds me of why I love comics in general and these characters in particular. Superman comics don't get much better than this.

I LOVED THIS BOOK so apologies for the hyperbole if I came off as a rabid Waid fanboy because I am. Mark, if by any chance you are reading this PLEASE KEEP WRITING SUPERMAN. The world needs more Waid Superman! more

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YBWonder - Jul 26, 2023

So what would you rate it?

Max88 - Jul 27, 2023

Shit, I forgot to rate it and now I don't know how to edit it.

Dan - Jul 27, 2023

On the issue page, when you've reviewed the issue, the 'Rate / Write a Review' link turns into an 'Edit Your Review' link. Click on that and you can change your rating.

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