Superman/Luthor in Scott Snyder's Justice League

[Dispenser Of Truth]

In one of his several interviews yesterday on Justice League, Scott Snyder described the structure of the book as 5-issue arcs with each primarily centering around two members of the team (with Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and I get the impression Batman being the center of much of the ongoing subplot as I understand it): Flash and Green Lantern are the focus of the first arc, Wonder Woman and Aquaman the second, and Superman is the lead for the third arc along with J'onn. Snyder already said in another one of the interviews that the Aquaman/Wonder Woman arc will deal with the Omega Titans from No Justice, and he implied his big "The (he's keeping the noun secret for now) Of Hypertime" story will be further down the line as a huge thing, so those both seem out for Superman's arc. I'm thinking that'll be where the war with the Legion of Doom will come to a head, since J'onn's the new Justice League leader and it makes sense for his arc to be where they face their opposite number, and with Lex as the leader it makes sense for this to be Superman's arc. In any case, given the double-shipping schedule the Superman story should kick off at the tail end of his 80th, so that's nice.

Speaking of Lex, he's put together the Legion of Doom due to something in No Justice, with him deciding that justice - as in, an attempt to reign in our baser natures through the imposition of a higher, kinder order - is anathema to the true baseness of human nature, taking the name Doom in accordance with its original meaning of inevitable fate, as he wishes humankind to follow its 'natural' state and instincts. This is why he's made the odd choice of recruiting Joker, as he sees him as an embodiment of this ideal. I suspect many will find this characterization for Lex rubs them the wrong way; for me it fits perfectly in terms of justifying his backslide into villainy, since it's the sort of pseudo-moralistic excuse for doing the terrible things he wants to do anyway that have long been his stock in trade. Joker as a 'role model' still seems odd even in that context - given he's never been shy at using Morrison's concepts, perhaps Snyder might dip into the "21st century multiplex man" take for Joker to justify Lex viewing him as a potential new model human?

So what do people expect out of the Superman arc, and what do people think of what we know so far regarding Lex's new outlook and aims?

[DragonPiece]

I think what Snyder is doing with Lex is to best way to justify him becoming a villain again since forever evil. Without just suddenly making him a villain again, like I thought was the plan after the apokolips arc in Superman, I'm glad they are doing a long term storyline with him believing he is the good guy in his own thoughts. Really looking forward to the issues where he gets focus in Justice League.

Also his hypertime story he is teasing has me really excited, since Cyborg got some big upgrades and is able to travel through hypertime thanks to events in metal, I'd be surprised if he didn't get a big focus in that arc.

[RepHope]

Luthor being “evil” again due to his desire to shape humanity’s future as he sees fit is almost exactly how I hoped they would handle his return to super villain status. I only wish we got an arc where Lex gets fed up with holding back and the upholding of the status quo which is a mandate of being a hero, and tries to meddle in countries politics (toppling dictators, etc) only to be stopped by Supes. But I really like how Snyder’s focusing on Lex embracing the darker aspects of humanity as a path to greater power for humanity.

[Superlad93]

I can get down with this. I've never really had too much of an issue when Lex's personal outlook is colored or informed by some big outside force even outside of Superman's existence. The idea that Lex is openly acknowledging the idea that he's a bad person is surprisingly refreshing given how long we've been on this whole gray area kick.

Read Tom King's comments on the first issue, and it sounds like it'll all be my kind of comic. King said "I’ve read the 1st issue, and it’s incredible. It combines the fun and passion of the Justice League Unlimited cartoon with the addictive depth and mystery @Ssnyder1835 and Jim Cheung always bring to their work." That's big ups from me given how much I liked the story structure and feel of JLU. It felt definitive and grand, yet surprisingly grounded, and no Justice League comic since has been able to replicate that feel aside from Priest's run to an extent. Loving the idea of character specific arcs, and putting dual focus on the budding Legion of Doom. Very JLU and also very fresh and good for the longevity of Snyder's run.

As a little aside for everyone who read No Justice, did you feel like you were kind of watching a pitch for a really cool JL cartoon? It has all the hallmarks of a highly marketable cartoon down to the story specific looks, fan favorite characters, and new an uncomfortable dynamics for established characters. If we were more along in the DCEU, this would've been a pretty sick movie or set of movies (Justice League: Mystery, Entropy, and Wonder). Snyder might just be better at this whole revamping stuff to make more marketable and digestible for wide audiences than Johns. Challengers will likely be the third half of his proving ground along side Metal and JL.

[Frontier]

As a little aside for everyone who read No Justice, did you feel like you were kind of watching a pitch for a really cool JL cartoon? It has all the hallmarks of a highly marketable cartoon down to the story specific looks, fan favorite characters, and new an uncomfortable dynamics for established characters. If we were more along in the DCEU, this would've been a pretty sick movie or set of movies (Justice League: Mystery, Entropy, and Wonder). Snyder might just be better at this whole revamping stuff to make more marketable and digestible for wide audiences than Johns. Challengers will likely be the third half of his proving ground along side Metal and JL.

I could've seen it as a Justice League Action mini-arc....while that show was still a thing .

[Dispenser Of Truth]

Another Superman-related aspect: Snyder hinted in today's Justice League AMA that the shattering of the Source Wall could very well lead to the return of your favorite fanboy and mine, Superboy Prime. Given he also suggested The Batman Who Laughs is going to factor in, I'd straight-up LOVE those two showing up as an evil World's Finest to battle the entire team, or putting together their own Injustice League with Thawne and Sinestro and whoever else.

Edit: I remember now there's a competing villain team against the Legion of Doom; they could easily be that.

[Kuwagaton]

It felt definitive and grand, yet surprisingly grounded, and no Justice League comic since has been able to replicate that feel

I'd recommend the runs from Meltzer and Mcduffie if you're looking for that cartoon feel. Mcduffie of course, was a writer and producer for JLU and just a generally cool guy.

But indeed I'm on the verge of a nosebleed from the Mahnke Cheung Jimenez combo and Snyder sounds pretty tuned in to making the Filmation stuff mix in as well.

[Superlad93]

[Superlad93]

[Miles To Go]

I've been waiting for the Mxy Supes rematch since Reborn.

Though I really miss the little guy being a frenemy.

[Kuwagaton]

I have to catch up still, since I actually dropped right before Drowned Earth. But this looks like a cool entry point with Superman finally getting attention and Jimenez as the one doing it. I guess I can get behind an evil Mxy, sure.

[Miles To Go]

I do hope Mxy gets to interact with grown up Jon later down the road, or maybe Jon met him during his seven year odyssey to get back home. Would'nt it be a kick of Mxy had gotten him and Jor El back home?

I think they really missed a trick not getting more milage out of Jon and Mxy's interactions after Reborn