Robb Ghag reviews Action Comics #23.3: Lex Luthor…
“Evil genius, sadistic businessman, sociopathic inmate—Lex Luthor is all this and more. Now released from prison, there is nothing to stop Luthor from getting his way…not even Superman!”
If you wanted a more in depth look into Villains month as well as the ongoing title Forever Evil, this is your book. Of all of the Villains Month comics I have read this one by far is the best.
It’s not too tough to make a Lex Luthor comic character great; he’s a genius with no equal. Considering all of Superman’s villains over the years, regardless of genre, it’s easy to see why Lex Luthor continues to be the one true arch-nemesis of the Man of Steel.
The book asks a lot of the questions I am sure many, if not all of us readers are asking: Where are the super-heroes?! Lex takes this one step further in this issue with surprising results.
I loved everything about this book, from Raymond Bermudez’s artwork, which while simple captured every evil grin of Luthor’s to the skyline of Metropolis. Charles Soule does an excellent job with the story, and outside of Brian Azzarello, I don’t think I have read a better Lex Luthor character.
Last but not least, the 3D cover is great. It shows Luthor in his entire splendor in his war suit, with a twisting image of Superman being shot at from the heavens. As you would image there is a ton of “green” on this issue cover, but I can say that it definitely works.
Of all the books so far in Villains month, this is the one to get.
Robb Ghag works for an Arts & Entertainment Brokerage in Toronto Canada. An Animation and Film school graduate, he specializes in Risk Management of Animation and VFX studios throughout North America.
Originally published September 22, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
