ACTION COMICS #1103 (DC COMICS)
Mad Genius. Egotistical Savior. Criminally Gifted. Perfect imperfection.
All can be used to describe Superman’s greatest enemy. Seeing how a young boy from Kansas became the world’s most dangerous villain is a journey onto itself.
ACTION COMICS #1103 by Mark Waid, Patricio Delpeche & Steve Wands (DC Comics) welcomes readers to: LEX LUTHOR: YEAR ONE!
Let’s see what secrets are unlocked now.
ACTION COMICS #1103 by Mark Waid, Patricio Delpeche & Steve Wands (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Waid brings forth a troubling yet unapologetic look at Luthor’s early years with this opening round. The starting point centers around his dysfunctional relationship with Lionel Luther. Their interactions are anything but loving. The writing exposes the abuse given to Lex at an early age. It also gifts readers into a more candid look at the relationship with his mother, Letica. Readers get a loving bond between mother and Son through years of abusive behavior from its’ matriarch.
This continues to impact the child prodigy as life advances. Waid stages a tragic fall with an intended neighborhood party. The writing stages Letica’s proudest moments quickly swayed by her guests cold reaction to Lex’s talented personality. This stages a more shocking twists before switching gears to the early days of Clark Kent. Events play into the more classic Kent family moments before inspiring hope. The feeling is dashed away fast with the closing events. For anyone convince at how Lex forges his own path, the finish shatteres expectations while locking in readers for the long haul.
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Delpeche opens the art with a sad full shot of Young Lex playing chess. Wands’ lettering drives home the despair in hos voice as he defeats his father. The art switches gears for a modern look with near full shots of Superman and Supergirl flying to a chilling private win. It shakes events up enough before heading back to the past. Lex’s energetic smile fades quickly to his father’s brash reactions. Only when his mother appears does panels appear to find something to cling to as the world crashes around them.
Once the party sequence begins, the art reflects the wide range of responses given to Lex’s winning moment. This transfers to Clark in the Fortress of Solitude echoing similar thoughts. The near full page images usher in Kent’s personal thoughts. Readers watch as the picture of a happy household navigates more troubles arising. There’s never a doubt events will turn out fine in these panels. As events go to the close, Delpeche aims for the strong responses to the years of abuse. Panels never break under the pressure of the story. It thrives in its chaotic pace right to the shocking close. A full page image leaves a lasting impact as Lex’s truths are only just coming to light. Brace for Impact.
FINAL GRADE: 9
A tortured soul begins his dark path in a haunting opening salvo. Waid crafts a fearless start to this story. Delpeche constructs closer looks at both leads’ younger days with flawless delivery. Welcome to an unsettling journey for acceptance and power.
Let me know your thoughts on ACTION COMICS #1103 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
