Lex Luthor

[fajrdrako]

I've been greatly enjoying the Lex Luthor comic book, not surprising, since I like Brian Azzarello's writing and goodness knows I like the characters.

Since the slash element of Smallville has faded from a pervasive golden light to the occasional sparkle, it's a treat to find the comic slashier than the TV show. This comic featured a meeting between Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne (very much in playboy mode, which I love and never get enough of) in a restaurant. The meeting is fraught with innuendo, as when Bruce orders his salad: "Dress it with extra virgin - like there is such a thing!" And the exchange when Bruce says he'll order:

Lex: It's your town.
Bruce: It is, isn't it?

But it gets better. The next page, Luthor is in his jet thinking about the meeting:

Lex: I want to like Bruce Wayne. And it's not just because he may go out of his way to try to make certain that I don't... Or that he relishes a part of life I'm uncomfortable with. He conveys animal magnetism. Maybe I'm jealous of that. Or maybe, like so may, I'm drawn to it. I don't know. I'm not even sure it's real, or part of his 'millionaire playboy' facade. But one thing's clear about Bruce. Beyond the mask he wears...

Is his passion. [This with a visual of Batman squatting on a gargoyle.]

A palpable thing, that's almost greater than the man himself. And if there's passion...

There's desire. [With a picture of Superman.]

And more. What fun this comic is.

Comments

[goth-clark.livejournal.com]

I love this comic so much. It's so amazing. Some have called it the best Superman comic in years. I agree. It's so great and I can't wait for the next two issues.

So gay. The box and Bruce about to say I had no idea you were going to propose. GUh! I need some Brex now.

And Superman is Lex's desire. Guh!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes - I'e always loved the Bruce/Lex/Clark love triangle and here it's being played up for all its edgy, dramatic, best possibilities. Azzarello is amazing - I've always liked his characterization of Bruce and Batman but it just seems to be getting better than ever. Bruce was positively teasing Lex, and Lex knew it.

Desire - ! Yes!

[widget-alley.livejournal.com]

::jaw hits floor:: Could that be any more blatant, kthnxbai?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how it could be. Which is just fine with me!

Loved the phrase "animal magnetism".

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

Mmm, I adore this.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Uh-huh, so did I. Just lapping it up. Why aren't all comics this much fun?

[judymoe.livejournal.com]

Oh, great! Now I have to read this series, don't I? Grrr.

I was just looking at it the other day, and thought about it, but didn't get it. Now I will.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm enjoying it even more than I expected to - and I knew Brian Azzarello was good on Batman.

Other good moments: In the restaurant, Lex hands Clark a little box, like one might carry a ring in. Bruce says, "What's this, Lex? You aren't going to pop -"

Lex says, "It's kryptonite."

I love a comic with sharp dialogue, so that men like Lex and Bruce actually sound intelligent and realistic. For instance:

Lex: (Who is asking Bruce for something his father invented) It's worth the world, because that's what it's for.

Bruce: Could you make it a bit more opaque for me?

Lex: I'v being very clear here.

Bruce: Oh. My mistake. I thought we were talking business.... Not tilting at windmills.

(Have I quoted the whole thing yet? No, not quite!)