SUPERMAN 33: Lex Luthor VS. The Demon!

Round 7 of Fight Month is here, as Lex Luthor takes on The Demon, which plunges The Demon into the twisted mind of Luthor. This is a big test for Lex as he puts his brains and suit up against something much more than Superman and his usual fights. As things come to a head, there is betrayal in the air for our villains.

Creative Team: Joshua Williamson (WRITER), Hayden Sherman (ART and COVER), Alejandro Sanchez (COLORS), Ariana Maher (LETTERS), and Mike Spicer (COVER).

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Story:

Joshua pits Lex’s brains up against Jason Blood and The Demon, which on paper should be a loss for Lex instantly; however, there is something clever as it forces ex tothink outside of the box and matches his opponent in unsuspecting ways. I appreciate the nod Williamson makes as Lex dons the heroic S on his chest, and it is called out instantly by The Demon. Meanwhile, Darkseid is becoming more and more powerful, which is forcing robot Supermen and a powerful Lois to go help defend the Watchtower. The story within the story is just as intriguing as we see Booster Gold overtaken by Darkseid, as it has been a clever game all along, as Grodd points out. As the fights move along and the story unravels, it continues highlighting how genius Williamson is at building this massive arena and event.

The Art and Letters:

Hayden and Alejandro help craft these various arenas where we see settings such as Camelot, The Fortress of Solitude, The Watchtower, and Metropolis. They pack heavy and powerful punches into every panel as Lex is surprisingly clever in his methods. There are simple details and fun ways of coloring, such as the final battle as the fires glow off of each competitor that stand out to me, combined with the jagged lettering boxes that Ariana weaves into the splash pages and panels. This fight is much like a chess match, but with heavy hitting between two opponents with no love lost, and it is captured excellently.

Final Thoughts:

Superman 33 brings Lex Luthor and The Demon face-to-face as round 7 kicks off, bringing surprising victories and stellar storytelling to this intense tournament. This is a hidden gem and underrated fight you must check out!!

Overall Grade: 9.7/10

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