For Lex Luthor, his childhood forced him to face life’s hardships head on.
The result has crafted the dangerous man who strives to be much more to a world who treated him and his family so badly.
After escaping a broken home with his mother, Lex finds out what true survival is all about.
ACTION COMICS #1104 by Mark Waid, Patricio Delpeche & Steve Wands (DC Comics) continues LEX LUTHOR: YEAR ONE!
Let’s take a closer look at what unfolds now.
ACTION COMICS #1104 by Mark Waid, Patricio Delpeche & Steve Wands (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Waid paints a very disturbing tale of adolescent loss with this chapter. The beginning sees Luthor and his mother arrive in Gotham. In an attempt to win a science fair prize, Lex builds a strikingly detailed human model. This draws the attention of a well known Gotham family. The interaction between Thomas Wayne and Lex moves in waves, with Luthor’s growing over-confidence bulking up at each line. When another attendee disrupts the display, it invokes a harsh reaction towards Luthor. This spins him into a very clear path, but not without risk involved.
It serves as a major contrast to another boy in Smallville. The writing shows Clark Kent’s wish for a sibling take hold. His conversation with the Kents harbors deep feelings but sidestep a wanted solution. This leaves events with some pause for thought. The break provides an opening to head back to Luthor’s reflections. One of the largest surprises is the affect his sister Lena had on him. Waid shows this bringing him joy in the darkness of his family. Once life forces change, Lex’s response is back to a defensive mode. This pushes events into an intense backdrop as old wounds never heal. The actions lead into an unsettling close. Readers see the corruption of Lex begins to shine through as an act commences. It drives home his true nature as the closing act moves him into familiar waters. How he opts to swim is completely up in the air.
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Delpeche begins with a unique full page visual. Seeing the traffic signs of everywhere Lex and his mother have ran to leaves a strong impression. This carries into his time in the Gotham Youth Science Fair. His reactions to Thomas Wayne shows his brash demeaner as the evasion of Wayne’s questions spill into an explosive result. Watching a young Bruce Wayne become scared is a major statement while moving the story int a small break in Kansas.
Readers see Clarks hope put to the test with his holiday wish. The Kents discussion covers much ground as their reactions weight out possibilities. This leads into more options looked at while Clark sways on his acceptance of matters. Once the story heads back to Lex, his face lights up at the thought of his sister. Panels mirror this enjoyment as they show the pair dabbling in science. The good times change fast as life strikes. This unlocks pent-up responses as the Luthors address their struggles. Readers see this point explode as Lex takes matters into his own hands. A bold full page shot examines this point while moving into a fast fallout. The brooding of Lex can’t be ignored as he works his schemes. This pushes events into a surprising final full page with nothing nice in store for where he goes. Very solid work here.
FINAL GRADE: 9
Lex Luthor’s evil nature starts cracking from its’ shell in a very intense issue. Waid unloads on the emotional conflicts with precise accuracy. Delpeche’s sensational art orchestrates a boy’s defiance in his own misfortunes. A haunting vision of the evolution of evil.
Let me know your thoughts on ACTION COMICS #1104 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
