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Title: How Much Can One Man Hate?
Writer: Mark Millar
Penciller: Aluir Almancio
Inker: Terry Austin
Colorist: Marie Severin
Letter: Lois Buhalis
Cover Art: Rick Burchett & Terry Austin
Summary:
A
new hero appears in Metropolis who outshines even Superman, but has mysterious
ties to Luthor.
Description:
There's
a new hero in town, and he's out to replace Superman! The story begins with
Superman making short work of some robots sent by Luthor to dispatch of our Man
Of Steel. Superman dispatches the remains in front of Luthor and asks him how
far this obsession will continue and then flies off. Mercy and Luthor tally up
how much this little venture cost them, and it's quite a bit. Luthor is so
obsessed with Superman that he has a budget built right into Lexcorp's budget
and it's quite a bit.
Later, the Daily Planet staffs learns that The
Parasite is on the loose again, and before Supes can do anything, The Parasite
has already been defeated by -- Superior Man? Soon this new hero makes
Metropolis completely crime free and announces he plans to join forces with
Luthor to keep it that way. Superman knows there is something more here then
meets the eye. Superman is now left with little to do -- and Superior Man taunts
him because of it. Then Superior Man begins to pummel Superman because Superman
refuses to leave Metropolis. Superior Man then blasts Superman with Kryptonite
eye beams -- wait, eye beams? Sounds like Metallo...It is! Luthor has
brainwashed Metallo!
Metallo goes after Luthor, but Luthor is saved by
Superman, who says to Luthor: " You were blessed with a brilliant mind. You
could make the world such a wonderful place. Stop wasting your life trying to
destroy it." As he leaves, Luthor begins ranting about how he's thought of
an even more devilish scheme and will enlarge the budget for next year, so he
can finally destroy Superman. He rants on while he remembers his
childhood, and his alcoholic father. It turns out that Luthor has had his entire
life planned so everyone will look up to him and he would have to look down on
them. He'll stop at nothing to have it, his lifelong dream. With Superman in
Metropolis, people look up to him now, instead of Luthor, hence his obsession.
Review:
I
thought this was a great issue! We get to see the reason behind Luthor's outlook
on Metropolis and obsession with Superman. His idea about making a 'Superior
Man' was brilliant! The flashbacks to his past really made this issue! Aluir
Almancio continues to shine on this title. His art is perfect and they way he
drew the expression on Metallo's face (when he found out he was duped) was
priceless! The story was first rate all the way through. This is the first time,
in mainstream or animated continuity, that we see the motivation behind Luthor,
and it doesn't disappoint.
Rating: 
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