Superman Adventures: Lex Luthor, Man of Metropolis

by Mark Millar, Aluir Amancio (Illustrator)

Ever since Superman’s arrival in Metropolis, Lex Luthor has been living in the Man of Steel’s shadow!

No matter what brilliant scientific discovery or phenomenal business deal he produces, Superman’s unflinching morals and feats of superhuman strength always win over Lex’s beloved city. But no more! Lex Luthor is out to prove on his own that he is the true Superman of Metropolis!
 

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

136 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2021

About the author

Mark Millar is the New York Times best-selling writer of Wanted, the Kick-Ass series, The Secret Service, Jupiter’s Legacy, Jupiter’s Circle, Nemesis, Superior, Super Crooks, American Jesus, MPH, Starlight, and Chrononauts. Wanted, Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2, and The Secret Service (as Kingsman: The Secret Service) have been adapted into feature films, and Nemesis, Superior, Starlight, War Heroes, Jupiter’s Legacy and Chrononauts are in development at major studios.

His DC Comics work includes the seminal Superman: Red Son, and at Marvel Comics he created The Ultimates – selected by Time magazine as the comic book of the decade, Wolverine: Old Man Logan, and Civil War – the industry’s biggest-selling superhero series in almost two decades.

Mark has been an Executive Producer on all his movie adaptations and is currently creative consultant to Fox Studios on their Marvel slate of movies.

Reviews

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collects five issues from the criminally underrated Superman Adventures, a spinoff series from the Superman animated show that went on for 66 issues. DC began collecting the series in trades twice, but has yet to complete the run. Why? This whole series is great. It contains possibly the best comics Mark Millar has ever written, and in an era when weird (or god forbid, grim) stuff is happening to Superman, it serves as a balm. Please, DC, finish collecting Superman Adventures.

Anyway, these issues all highlight Lex Luthor to some degree. The first story by Millar is the best, where Luthor hatches a plan to replace Superman. The last two pages flashing back to Luthor's childhood were a beautiful touch. The other two are two-parters that go on a bit long and rely on too much text, but they're still fun. I liked the one with Livewire, a character I've never cared for but warmed up to here.

I must reiterate: Superman Adventures contains some of the best Superman comics out there. Don't let the all-ages tag fool you; these comics are fun, exciting, intelligent, and perfectly capture Superman as a character, much like the animated show.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid set of stories from the classic Superman Adventures comic series. Mark Millar's take on Luthor - "after that patronizing rant" - is pitch perfect. I'm not sure we needed a reworking of the classic O'Neil/Adams "Kryptonite No More" story, but Dean Motter and Aluir Amancio gave it their own spin and it's solid enough, maybe even better if I weren't comparing it to a previous version. Finally, Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer get to showcase the always fun Live Wire in a stupendously twisted story involved evil alliances, double crosses, and everything in between - a fantastic fun send-off to the sadly missed comic series.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The animated characters are some of my favorites and this small book doesn't disappoint. It also has a Livewire story which was one of my favorite characters in the animated series.

[Tue Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent collection of stories featuring artworks in the style of the DC Animated Universe of the 1990s and 200s suitable for readers of all ages.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like stories that tie to the DCAU. Lex Luthor is a great villain for Superman, but Livewaire really shined. I never cared for Livewire, but I like that a little of Superman rubbed off on her in the final two issues.