Review: Superman #36

Superman #36 was the final part of the Imperius Lex storyline and was a definitely entertaining and interesting ending to this arc. For me, seeing the turmoil on Apokolips in the context of Darkseid being gone has drawn me in. As a Fourth World fan, seeing the members of the court in-fight for power is a new wrinkle to those characters.

I also love seeing the three members of the Lane/Kent family each have moments to shine, showing their strength and character in these harsh environments.

But the big thing for me was the denouement of the Lex Luthor arc. The title of this issue is 'Liberation' and that works for both the Apokolips arc as well as Lex's character. For the longest time I have questioned Lex's motives, wondering if the old evil Lex was just under the surface. Finally, at the beginning of this arc, I had come to realize that maybe Lex had indeed turned the corner and become a true hero. And then, like the best of stories, the ending threw me for a loop and made perfect sense. It is a great ending and brings a new sort of Rebirth to the Luthor name.

So story-tellers Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason really clicked on this arc. And Doug Mahnke shines here. I love his take on the Kirby characters. This whole thing crackles. The cover by Patrick Gleason is the first with the new print dress and DC symbol. Gone is the Rebirth banner. And Superman on the throne of Apokolips is a stark image.

On to the book.

The factions for ultimate power on Apokolips all finally collide. It is a battle of four armies - Granny and her Furies, Jon and the Hunger Dogs, Kalibak and his troops, and eventually Ardora and the rebel army. Added into the mix are Superman and an unconscious Super-Lex.

This is about as nasty a civil war as there can be. And Mahnke really shows us that on this fabulous two page spread, showing us the tooth and claw of the proceedings. This is one of those splashes where I paused and just looked at all the corners of this thing, drinking it in.

Again, I'm a Fourth World fan so this was right up my alley.

And I had to laugh at seeing Granny Goodness wade into combat herself. I guess that armor isn't just for show. I don't know if I have actually ever seen her in a true fight!

But isn't there something slyly humorous about her grabbing Kalibak's ear ... like a grandmother might do to get the attention of a misbehaving grandchild? I love how she still is menacing despite being dwarfed by the massive Kalibak.

With the members on the same battlefield, the Kents come together as a family.

The Furies mock Lois for going to her man and wonder if all she does is serve food. Lois won't have any of that, bashing her way through the Furies. Her love of her family isn't a weakness. No one has the right to judge her.

Since Rebirth, the Clark/Lois dynamic has been one of a team. She's been the reporter at the Planet. She's been the one who earned her place on this Fury team through guts and combat. Caring for Clark and Jon isn't a weakness.

We have seen Superman barbecuing and baking pineapple-upside-down cake since Rebirth too. If Kalibak said he was weak for caring about Lois and Jon and for cooking for them, I would expect a similar response. If someone told Jon that his respect for his parents was a weakness, I'd expect him to fight too. This is the dynamic of this family, shared responsibility and respect and love.

Throughout the beginning part of the issue, we are hearing the conversation between Ardora and the Prophet. Remember, it was their kidnapping of Lex that brought everyone here to begin with. They are looking for their messiah. Initially they thought Lex. Now they think it's Superman.

And they realize that they can't force Superman into being their leader. But maybe if they follow his lead they can convince him to be their force of good, their liberator.

And so their army, the fourth army, arrives (all we need are the eagles and we'll have the Battle of the Five Armies!).

And they seem to suddenly get control of the whole situation. All the other factions are subdued and captured. Maybe a little too fast??

They ask Superman for guidance and he tells them that execution isn't the right answer. Lex deserves to live. Granny deserves to live. Mercy is for those who need it.

If anyone deserves mercy, if anyone needs to learn the role of love and compassion, it is the elite of Darkseid's court.

Once again, Ardora asks Superman to ascend to the throne and rule. And with some support from Lois and Jon, he accepts ... sort of.

At the 'coronation', Superman gives the sort of inspirational speech you would expect him to give.

He talks of his humble beginnings, of how hope and love were the guiding principles he was raised to honor. He talks of early Americans shaking off the yoke of tyranny. He literally lights a torch to represent hope. Each person then lights a torch and lights the torch of the person next to them. Symbolically, the light of freedom and hope stretches out to the darkest corners of the planet.

I grew up with a Superman who wasn't ashamed to say 'the American Way'. As this Superman says, America is a symbol of hope, not perfect but growing.

I'm all about an inspirational Superman. He usually isn't this verbose; he usually leads by example and eschews speeches. But this is different. I thought it worked well.

There were a lot of good moments in this book. But I loved this one.

Superman won't stay and Apokolips and lead. But he will be available as a leader of sorts.

In his absence, Superman asks Ardora to head up a senate of sorts. She humbly says she is just a soldier but he reminds her that many excellent leaders started that way.

There is something about him choosing her, and her recognizing the horror that she has seen, that makes me think she will do a great job.

He is inspiring her to be more.

But remember the title of this is 'Liberation'.

Back on Earth, Lex confronts Superman about the Man of Steel not rushing to Apokolips to aid him. This is where I honestly felt like Lex truly thought he had become a hero and a friend. He can't believe after all he has done that Superman still didn't trust him. And, as if to rub salt in the wound, Superman says that he doesn't trust Lex.

With those feelings known, and probably feeling somewhat betrayed by Superman, and probably angry at himself for trying to become someone worthy of the S-shield, Lex frees himself of the mantle. He rips off the El family crest and destroys it. Frankly, part of me agrees a bit with Lex.

He is now free to scrawl whatever pattern he wants on a morally ambiguous world. He is free to be Lex again ... a villain.

I worry that this might make Lex an even more formidable enemy. And I love that too.

Imperius Lex has been a great arc.

Overall grade: A

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