Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Review

    Lex Luthor: Year of the Villain #1 Review

    Christopher RondeauBy Christopher RondeauSeptember 19, 20194 Mins Read

    Apex Lex hasn’t gotten what he truly desires even after giving out super powers to villains. Can traveling the multiverse show Lex Luthor what he truly wants? Find out in Lex Luthor: Year of the Villain #1 by DC Comics!

    LEX LUTHOR: YEAR OF THE VILLAIN #1

    Writer: Jason LatourLEX LUTHOR YEAR OF THE VILLAIN #1
    Artist: Bryan Hitch and Andrew Currie
    Colorist: Tomeu Morey
    Letterer: Tom Napolitano
    Editor: Paul Kaminski
    Publisher: DC
    Cover Price: $4.99
    Release Date: September 18, 2019

    Previous in Year of the Villain: Lex Luthor has been reborn as a Martian/human hybrid known as Apex Lex. Apex Lex has given the offer of superpowers to many villains for Perpetua’s cause but why is he going through the multiverse to visit other versions of himself?

    A LOOK AT ONE’S SELF

    Earth-38: Apex Lex finds a younger version of himself and a drunk Lionel Luther. Apex Lex shows the younger lex parts of the multiverse and murders Lionel. Apex then decides to take Younger Lex along while he travels the multiverse. Earth-32: The superman in this reality is actually a Martian taking on the form of a kryptonian and Lex Luthor is batman with a butler known as Fred. Batman Lex engages with Apex Lex but not before hearing a distress call from Superman. Apex Lex has brought Doomthor from Earth-45 and has sent him to fight Superman. Apex Lex leaves and allows Batman Lex to go help his friend and presumably die to Doomthor.

    Earth-1: The world is still recovering from Lex Luthor using the Black Mercy on Superman and Lex is in a hospital bed. Apex Lex and Young Lex look upon the unconscious Lex Luthor and questions his obsession with Superman. Earth-50: Apex Lex and Young Lex visit a destroyed statue of Lex Luthor. Earth-44: Here we see an older Lex Luthor who works as a shoemaker and Young Lex kills him. Earth-13: Lex Luthor here seems to be a spell caster before he is killed by the evil Luthor duo. Earth-47: Lex Luthor here is a botanist who has created his own forest. This Lex Luthor seems to be a good person who put aside his ambition and regained his humanity.Young Lex takes his weapon and destroys Botanist Lex as Young Lex is beginning to believe that ambition is the only Luthor way. Apex Lex gifts young Lex with a suit and they fly into the sunset but ultimately Apex Lex puts him in a cryo-tube as human DNA backup.

    THIS BOOK IS ALL OVER THE PLACE

    In literature, short stories are extremely difficult to write because it doesn’t have the space and time to really develop ideas and scenes. You have to be very precise with your word choice because you don’t have the full novel to expand on ideas. I think this applies to this one-shot comic book. There is so much you have to say and very little space and time to do so in this story and I think here lies the problem. The pacing feels rough and it is difficult to really keep up with the plot and trying to figure out what is actually going on here. However, I think at the core there are some really good ideas.

    Ambition is always a great theme and Lex Luthor has always taken his own ambition into hyperdrive. However, there was an interesting moment here when Apex Lex compares Earth-1 Lex Luther’s ambition to obsession. This is an interesting theme. When does ambition becomes obsession and rather when does ambition become *dangerous*. Certainly we as humans don’t have the same ability to do harm as Lex but we can certainly cause harm to other people in the name of ambition. Jason Latour works hard to present this theme and some of the ideas but could have really used another ten pages to flesh it out.

    BOTTOM LINE: I WOULD PASS

    Unless you are trying to read the complete the Villain of the Year crossover event, I think this is a pass. The art is well drawn and colored but I do not think it justifies the price cost. The biggest overarching consequence here is that Apex Lex took a human version of himself as DNA backup but beyond that you are not missing much in the narrative.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    Lex Luthor: Villain of the Year

    50%
    50%
    Pass

    Unless you are trying to read the complete the Villain of the Year crossover event, I think this is a pass.

    • Writing
      4
    • Art
      6
    • Coloring
      5
    • User Ratings (1 Votes)
      5
    Andrew Currie Bryan Hitch DC Jason Latour Lex Luthor paul kaminski tom Napolitano Tomeu Morey Year of the Villain
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleFlash Forward #1 (of 6) Review
    Next Article Once & Future #2 Review
    Christopher Rondeau
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Christopher Rondeau is a storyteller based in Tulsa, OK. Finding himself with little work, he ended up creating a job as a Game Master full time on the internet. Chris spends most of his days reading everything he can, writing bad fiction, and watching old Digimon cartoons with his daughter. Sometimes you can find him Dungeon Mastering a podcast or streaming on twitch. Recently, he has completed his Master's degree with a focus on collaborative storytelling. Find out more at https://rondeaucreator.com

    Related Posts

    Critical Hit #790 – Graduation Day (MWS01-E01)

    Read More

    Legion Clubhouse #190: The Validus Plague

    Read More

    Dune: Messiah Casts Paul Atreides’ Children – week of Friday, June 19th, 2025

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    8.0
    June 20, 2025

    Jeff the Land Shark #1 Review

    4.0
    June 20, 2025

    Toxie Team-Up #1 Review

    8.3
    June 17, 2025

    Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 Review

    7.7
    June 17, 2025

    Supergirl #2 Review

    6.0
    June 16, 2025

    Runaways #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT