Superman: Lex 2000: A GNN News Special Report

Spoilers for Superman: Lex 2000... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Superman: Lex 2000

Writers: Jeph Loeb and Greg Rucka Artists: Tony Harris (p) and Ray Snyder (i); Dwayne Turner (p/i) and Danny Miki (i); Doug Mahnke (p) and Walden Wong (i); Ed McGuinness (p) and Cam Smith (i); Todd Nauck (p) and Klaus Janson (i); Stuart Immonen (p) and Kevin Nowlan (i); Butch Guice (p/i); Rob Schwager and Tanya & Richard Horie (c), Comicraft (l), Glen Orbik with Laurel Blechman (cover) Editors: Tom Palmer Jr. and Eddie Berganza Publisher: DC Comics Price: $3.50 U.S. / $5.50 CAN

Plot: Who is the next president of the United States?

You are watching special live coverage of the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election on GNN. And now, from our studio in downtown Gotham, here is Loren Di Iorio.

Loren: Good evening, and welcome to the eve of a new era in the history of America. As the polls come to a close, and the votes are counted, the citizens of this nation collectively hold their breaths. Will candidate Alexander Joseph Luthor, with strong support throughout the eastern seaboard, become the next president of the United States? Stay with GNN Headline News tonight, for live updates of election results as they come in. I understand we have field reporter Summer Gleeson standing by in the Cauldron, one of the more dangerous areas of Gotham, with some local voter response. Summer, what can you tell us?

Summer: Well, Loren, the turnout in Gotham is remarkable to say the least! I think Luthor's financial aid here at the end of No Man's Land last year dramatically increased his chances of getting several more electoral votes than he might've normally had.

Loren: But what about all the anti-Luthor sentiment that's been in town?

Summer: You're right - in a large part, that's indirectly from WayneCorp and its owner, billionaire Bruce Wayne. He's been an

I have no idea what you thought of the book from this 'review,' Loren.

I thought Snyder made the perfect inker over Harris. The art on the first story was exquisite.

- Elayne

Oh! And I forgot one more very important thing:

Spoilers for Lex 2000... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

You'd think that with a book that contains the answer to the question of who won the election would have some kind of buildup to the release of the identity of the president-elect.

But all that happens is, Perry walks out of his office and says it. Nothing in the panel before suggests any hint of suspense, nor are the panels split up to provide moments of the same, as the winner is stated. Poor execution.

...Loren

Loren! Reviews! Comics! http://www.comicbookgalaxy.com Batman just loves http://www.weld18.demon.co.uk/Default.htm

Yeah, I realize that now, looking back through it. I intended to review the book in that manner, but it evolved into something else. Witness the brainwashing effect that the mass media has on me!

So with that, here are some comments and questions:

Spoilers for Lex 2000... . . . . . . . . . . . .

How much of the early part of the Luthor bio was made up by Loeb? Did he take snippets of what's happened before, and just put them together? I'm aware of some of the more recent stuff, but not the past.

I loved the NML movie ad. It seems several creators' offspring star or are involved in the production team of the movie. I mean, I dunno if those are indeed the names of their kids, spouses, or whoever, but that was a neat addition.

As far as the Batman story went, nothing was really followed up on with Mercy. She just thought she heard something, and then she's never heard from again.

Are those real soundbytes from Margot Kidder and the rest, at the end of the book?

...Loren

Loren! Reviews! Comics! http://www.comicbookgalaxy.com Batman just loves http://www.weld18.demon.co.uk/Default.htm

What I think is going to be interesting noe is how long DC stick with this. As has already been said this is a major, major development in the DCU affecting everybody from Supes and the JLA down to Gordon and the police force.

So how do DC play it? Does Luthor continue to be the coniving person on the inside plotting against Supes, whilst seeing out his term in office? Or does the whole thing be found out for a vote rigging scam and Luthor is booted from office into jail? If the latter were to happen, I just bet Luthor manages to walk away with his rep. intact.

On a side note it's this story which has brought me back to Superman since the whole Doomsday/Death of/Return of storyline.

Lets see how long I can stick it out this time

Paul, ...just realising what he's typed, and awaiting a barrage of innuendo

You cited the third story in the book when the first one (Cat Grant chronicling Luthor's history) ended with the revelation.

Spoilers for Lex 2000... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

: : > How much of the early part of the Luthor bio was made up by Loeb? : > Did he take snippets of what's happened before, and just put them : > together? I'm aware of some of the more recent stuff, but not the : > past. : : Just wondering: did they refer to his adopted (dead) sister and his : abusive step-dad (which goes back to the Jurgens/Frenz issue of : Superman where Lena was born and Mayor Berkowitz was assassinated)?

Not from what I saw. His mom's past, his friendship with Perry when they were kids, the death of...umm...his parents, I think it was, which caused him to travel the world a la Bruce Wayne to learn stuff. He came back with the Lex Wing, set a world record, started building more things, and made lots of money.

He saved the world during Final Night, and helped Superman stop Brainiac 13. Or so Lex says.

...Loren

Loren! Reviews! Comics! http://www.comicbookgalaxy.com Batman just loves http://www.weld18.demon.co.uk/Default.htm

Spoilers for Lex 2000... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

: : > You'd think that with a book that contains the answer to the question : > of who won the election would have some kind of buildup to the release : > of the identity of the president-elect. : : You cited the third story in the book when the first one (Cat Grant : chronicling Luthor's history) ended with the revelation.

As far as that first story, I just took it as Cat and Lex making favourable speculation, or being overconfident, or whatever. It doesn't seem like there ever was a big announcement at any point in the whole issue, and that's kinda disappointing.

...Loren

Loren! Reviews! Comics! http://www.comicbookgalaxy.com Batman just loves http://www.weld18.demon.co.uk/Default.htm