Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1

Writer: Mark Russell Artist: Steve Pugh Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: January 27, 2021 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 16 User Reviews: 30
8.5Critic Rating
6.3User Rating

Welcome to Lexor, home of the greatest businessman in the Multiverse: Lex Luthor! After years of prosperity, Lex’s utopia is at last ready to join the ranks of the United Planets and promote peace among worlds. However, Lex has never done anything unless he had something to gain from it. What could he be up to this time? Sounds like a job for Superman and his wife Lois Lane, the Earth representative to the U.P.! It’s time the Man of Steel shut down this former Metropolis magnate once and for all!

  • 10
    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison Jan 28, 2021

    It's always worth the investment when Mark Russell and Steve Pugh work together and this book is no exception. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz Jan 27, 2021

    Nobody writes like Mark Russell. This book is both compelling and hilarious. There are some lines of dialogue that made me laugh out loud. The art by Steve Pugh is suitably perfect and awesome as well. This is a great start to this miniseries! Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Comics Bookcase - Zack Quaintance Jan 26, 2021

    You 100 percent want to make sure you get in on Future State - Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1 , with an even greater emphasis for anyone who loves Superman, satire, or the past works of Russell and Pugh. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Robert Reed Jan 26, 2021

    The allegory here is obvious, but never preachy. Russell and Pugh instead highlight the strongest aspects of two iconic characters and end the book in a way that lets readers know there's still work to be done. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Jan 27, 2021

    Nuts and bolts here is that this is well-done and thought-provoking title that avoids being preachy but stays true to its message in a way more comics should. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    COMICON - Olly MacNamee Feb 1, 2021

    Luthor cons a whole planet into believing he is their saviour and now he wants in on the United Planets. But, Lois Lane isn't convinced he wants in on the council for the right reasons. Superman confronts Luthor, as he has done so many time before, but this time with a statical streak running though the whole plot that will have you smile at Luthor's pomposity and pimp-inspired wardrobe. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Jan 26, 2021

    Russell sets up an interesting future dynamic with his take on the Superman/Luthor rivalry. This is another Future State title that has potential for a longer stretch than this two month format that DC may want to explore further. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jan 26, 2021

    Less overtly funny or absurd than many of his DC works and less overtly angry and topical than many of his indie works, this might be the closest Russell has come to fitting into the DCU. Not that we'd actually want him to"his unique style is what makes his work great. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    But Why Tho? - William Tucker Jan 26, 2021

    Future State: Superman vs Imperious Lex #1 is an enjoyable first issue. The comedy within the dialogue allows the reader to skim the book first before going back to look for potential details they missed. This increased connectivity between Earth and the rest of the universe is a great concept to use within a DC story as there are so many possibilities. The art adds to the fun of the issue as there are fantastic fights and beautifully drawn planets. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Multiversity Comics - Alexander Jones Feb 1, 2021

    Mark Russell and Steve Pugh draw satire out of modern politics to show off Superman's compassion in "Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex" #1. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jan 26, 2021

    Steve Pugh delivers some great imagery in the issue. The story is character focused so the art does a great job of bringing emotion to the characters as well as a cold ominous blankness to Lex. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Supergirl Comic Box Commentary - Anj Feb 5, 2021

    Writer Mark Russell is known for his progressive stories and I worried that Superman would be an afterthought. Luckily, this was a solid story but as a clear modern political parable to America these last few years. But rather than castigate, Russell actually sounds pretty even handed. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Crusaders - M.R. Jafri Jan 27, 2021

    Here the audience gets exactly what they expect from a Mark Russell book which makes it a bit less outrageous. But that being said the larger question which remains at the end of this issue is if Superman is correct and appeasing these blind followers and Lex can teach them a better path, or if compromise will simply lead to Lex finding a path to greater victory. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    DC Comics News - Carl Bryan Jan 31, 2021

    Imperious Lex " I get it and I can see it. But I am a traditionalist in that this series is reaching a bit"it's trying to be a little too much like Black Adam in that Lex breaks out his traditional Green and Purple super suit to do battle with Supes in front of people. However, as I have indicated, it borders on some heavy philosophy so deep readers will enjoy it! Read Full Review

  • 6.8
    Weird Science - Eric Shea Jan 26, 2021

    While the idea of Lexor is something that I like and am happy to see return, there are aspects to this story that feel forced to come to the conclusions that need to happen here and some of the characterizations felt off too. That being said, there are some interesting ideas that didn't feel too overly topical like a lot of Mark Russell stories become instead of them actually telling interesting stories featuring the characters involved. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    AIPT - Keigen Rea Jan 26, 2021

    This is an average comic. I like some of what it does with Superman, but it ain't new by any means. Hopefully it uses its extra issue well by the end. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Big Brother Jan 26, 2021

    Part Star Trek, part Trump administration. Russell never disappoints.

  • 9.0
    Kreniigh Feb 2, 2021

    STOP PICKING ON THE REAL LIFE PERSON WHO ACTS LIKE THE CHARACTER IN THIS! THEY ARE NOTHING ALIKE!

  • 9.0
    WhistleBlower Jan 27, 2021

    It's a good comic, which means that pedophile-supporter Ethan Van Sciver is blubbering into a webcam somewhere.

  • 8.0
    mrDovydas Feb 21, 2021

    Smart and very well-writen. One of the better Future State books so far.

  • 7.5
    TheKize Jan 28, 2021

    With Mark Russell, you know you're going to get a heavy dose of satire coming from the left side of the political spectrum. But nothing here is incongruent with the core of Superman's character and his ongoing rivalry with Lex Luthor. This comic is a really fun read with a great callback to the Silver Age, when Luthor ruled his own planet called Lexor.

  • 7.0
    C.V.R. The Bard Jan 31, 2021

    Much as I love Superman it was fun to see him get trash thrown in his face and retreat from Luthor , outmatched and outgunned. From the start of the issue Supes just bit off more than he could chew , and the proposition of A.I. rights made more sense from Superman in a few panels than Dan Slott did in his entire Iron Man run.
    This is a slow read, but when the shit hits the fan for the Kents, the look on their faces is priceless.
    And it's great to see Clark and Lois still getting it on in a broom closet at their ripe old age, true love never dies - as does the never -ending beef between Supes and Lex , exemplifies in these very pages.
    -
    Audiomack.com/cvrthebard

  • 7.0
    Nihilist Jan 26, 2021

    I like me some good political drama. The idea of United Planets has tons of potential and if used right, it could expose some real life problems not many people actually pays attention to, blinded by authority of United Nations, like the organization's selective ignorance of imperialistic wars and human rights violations, not even mentioning the infamous right to veto practically anything that few dominant countries (including the US, Russia and China) don't like. Mark Russell tries to show us the moral ambiguity and internal conflicts of such institution, and in a way he accomplishes that, but truth be told, I have no clue if that's intentional or just purely incidental. All the members of the United Planets are simply repulsive due to the more

    + LikeComments (27)
  • 5.5
    Onomatopoeia Jan 27, 2021

    I actually like the political message of this comic, that said, it's far too heavy-handed and feels way too forced. Superman is objectively in the right when he calls out Lex, but imposing his will on Luthor's planet does nothing but destabilize the lives of its inhabitants, that's literal terrorism... not a good look on the Man of Steel.

    Also, it's odd that United Planets is not a democracy. One person objects and states Luthor should be allowed to join, thus undermining the rest of the representatives. Like the rest of Future State, the future looks bleaker and bleaker.

  • 5.0
    Psycamorean Jan 30, 2021

    I'm a bit late to the party this week. The reason is simply that I am just about over Future State as a whole, and my burnout hit its peak this past Tuesday. But I'm finally getting through all these comics and let me tell you, it sure is a mixed bag to say the least. This is the last Future State book of the week for me, and I was not looking forward to it. But then, I saw the user reviews. Lots of mad reactionaries. Trump invoked. Socialism?? I should've known better.

    Mark Russell has a history of being a mildly critical liberal, something I've criticized him for many times before. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm no conservative. I'm an evil, socialist, anarcho-syndicalist pansexual. Much worse, I voted for Biden!

    Wh more

    + LikeComments (21)
  • 5.0
    REYNARD Jan 26, 2021

    Fun little story with some great art and some hopeful yet unrealistic themes.

    I think its offensive that THE Lex Luthor, one of the smartest people in the universe, who has the potential to bring Earth into endless prosperity but is held back by his obsessive hatred of Superman, would resort to creating drones to strip other planets of resources to elevate his own in a not so subtle parallel of the United States.

    However, its easy to shit on humanity and Earth while promoting utopian idealism in a world of infallible sun gods and super powered guardians always there to catch humanity when they fall.

    One must remember that these themes are great dreams, certainly possible in a world with Superman, but we don' more

  • 3.0
    pizzamain Feb 10, 2021

    too old

  • 1.0
    RKS Jan 26, 2021

    Hey kids!

    Do you want to read a book that preaches at you with thinly disguised messages about the virtues of socialism while at the same time telling you how bad people who disagree with the authors political view points are? Well then this is the book for you! Honestly this book became stomach turning around page 4 and was a difficult read to finish. If you want to know what is killing sales then look no further than this book. Honestly Mark Russell is a one trick pony in terms of writing. Turn the page already man, move on.

    + LikeComments (12)
  • 1.0
    Sup3rsa1yan1990 Jan 26, 2021

    Mark Russell is a political ideologue with TDS. EVERYTHING he writes is political propoganda. Get out of comics already, you suck

    + LikeComments (9)
  • 10
    Batmanman Feb 17, 2021

  • 10
    Bruno Mael Jan 28, 2021

  • 10
    BitchWitcher Jan 26, 2021

  • 9.5
    Justin Ray Feb 2, 2021

  • 9.0
    sebastianorellana95 Jan 26, 2021

  • 8.5
    KittyNone Feb 17, 2021

  • 8.5
    tonpas1989 Jan 27, 2021

  • 8.0
    Jason The Dude Aug 24, 2021

  • 8.0
    Swift Planet May 14, 2021

  • 8.0
    Bananaknight Jan 27, 2021

  • 7.5
    Watchtower022 Jan 31, 2021

  • 6.5
    Silver Rocket Jan 28, 2021

  • 4.5
    Adsun22 Nov 1, 2022

  • 1.0
    KnM Aug 4, 2024

  • 1.0
    TheBest Jan 28, 2021

  • 1.0
    Kaseladen Jan 26, 2021

  • 1.0
    Merlyn Jan 26, 2021

    + LikeComments (1)

Reviews for the Week of...

November

6th

October

More