SUPERMAN/LUTHOR: THE ROOTS OF ALL EVIL
This is a bit long so bear with me. If no one wants to read the whole thing I can post a plot summary later on.
Issue 1
Rocketed from the planet Krypton to the planet Earth decades ago, the baby Kal El was directed towards a small farm in Kansas. Due to an asteroid knocking the rocket off course the rocket in fact landed in the Suicide Slums of Metropolis. The rocket is found by Lionel Luthor, a cruel man with a wife and son, the young Alexander Luthor. Finding an infant in the rocket, Lionel almost kills the baby thinking it a Russian space baby. Before he can exterminate it his wife stops him, telling him that the baby was a sign. Lionel would agree and go on to name the child Leonardo, after Leonardo da Vinchi. The years pass as both Lex and Leo become teenagers. Due to his inherent physical aptitude Leo is loved most by his father due to the potential career in sports he would have. Jealous of his brother, Lex puts out a large insurance policy on his parents. Days later, as the parents and Leo are riding in their car; it spins out of control and crashes into a ravine, killing his parents. Leo, however, is unharmed as his powers activate during the crash. Discovering that his brother has powers, Lex decides to exploit him for his own needs. Using the money gained from the insurance, both Lex and Leo set off across the world in order to take over the world.
Issue 2
After years of traveling abroad, Lex has gained a reputation as the world’s foremost up and coming scientist. He has built several new weapons for the United States military and has earned a reputation as the smartest man in the world. Luthor has finally finished construction of Luthor Towers in Metropolis, the largest buildings in the world. Lex is a media darling, and is even engaged to the beautiful reporter Lois Lane of the Daily Planet, of which he owns. During a hostile takeover of the conglomerate Wayne Enterprises, Wayne outbids Luthor and keeps him from taking over his company. Infuriated by his loss to Wayne, Luthor orders a strike against the CEO. Later on his plane ride home, Wayne’s plane is taken down by a missile-like object. Wayne is reported dead and Luthor proceeds to take over Wayne Enterprises. Later, a state of the art plane, which Lois Lane is reporting from, begins to crash. Just when the ship is about to crash, a red streak flies past the plane and catches it in mid-air. The plane is set down gently on the ground as Lois and the other reporters leave the plane confused. Floating in front of them is Leo, dressed in a red and black uniform and an ‘S’ displayed on his chest.
Issue 3
With the media buzzing over the new hero, attention towards Luthor’s controversial takeover of Wayne Enterprises is almost all but died down. As no one had seen Lex’s brother before, the identity of the new “Super-Man” *** Luthor is calling him is still unknown. Back at the Luthor mansion, Lex reveals to Leo that he was going to reveal him sooner or later and with the media attention towards him for the Wayne takeover the timing was perfect. Leo then asks him what he plans to do and Luthor plans to use him as a media distraction for some of Luthor’s seedier business operations. Luthor tells him to continue on saving people and helping the “little man.” Luthor then goes to meet with Lois at dinner while Leo continues his patrol of Metropolis. During dinner, Luthor and Lois talk about his brother taking on the Super-Man identity. Lois had known Leo before the incident and knew that he was Super-Man and was asking Lex what he was planning. Luthor told her that he felt that Super-Man was needed to protect the citizens of Metropolis. Lois is skeptical, but decides that her fiancée is really telling the truth. On the beaches outside of Metropolis, a figure comes out from the water, broken and bleeding. It’s revealed to be Bruce Wayne, who calls Alfred to come pick him up. He also reveals that Luthor is finally going to get what’s coming to him.
Issue 4
In the middle of Metropolis the terrorist cell known as Intergang is attempting to attack Luthor’s high-tech weapons stock. Super-Man flies in and stops the men, sending them to prison. Later, in a press conference, Bruno Mannheim, a Metropolis businessman, denies reports that he is in charge of Intergang and gets off free due to lack of evidence. Furious at this, Luthor orders tells Leo that something needs to be done about Mannheim. That night in his office, Mannheim reads over some documents when he notices Super-Man standing behind him. Mannheim attempts to escape but is pinned against the wall by Super-Man. Super-Man looks at him and incinerates him with his heat-vision. He drops Mannheim’s lifeless body to the ground and then starts a fire in his office, burning down the building. News reports show the death of Mannheim and think that the fire was accidental. Lois begins to question Lex’s innocence to Perry White, but he shoots her down stating that Lex controls the paper and won’t stand for it. Lois continues searching the situation without Perry knowing. Back in Gotham City, Bruce sits in the Batcave watching footage of the fire and asks Alfred to bring him the files. Out from the shadows steps a large man in an overcoat who asks him about the plan. Another man holding a mace walks out and puts his helmet on, revealing himself to be Hawkman. Bruce tells them the plan is simple as the man changes into his real form of the Martian Manhunter.
Issue 5
As Bruce, Hawkman and Martian Manhunter discuss in the Batcave what to do about the Super-Man; they bring up candidates for a new League of super heroes. Bruce tells him they’ll begin their search in Star City. Back in Metropolis, Lex and Leo talk as Leo questions him about his attack on Mannheim. Lex tells him that some men need to be silenced in order to maintain the peace in the world. Leo is still skeptical but Luthor reminds him that it’s what their father would have wanted. Leo agrees and he leaves the room. After he leaves Luthor pulls a piece of shrapnel from his desk that has a distinctive insignia on it (Brainiac’s). As Super-Man observes the earth from the atmosphere he notices a large explosion in California. He flies past the speed of sound towards the light and sees a battle between Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and Evil Star. As the two battle it out, flying between buildings and causing great destruction, Super-Man kills Evil Star with his heat vision. Green Lantern flies up to him kind of shocked but thanks him for helping him out. Super-Man punches him and sends him flying through a building, toppling it. He then tells him that Earth only needs one superhero and flies off.
Issue 6
At the Daily Planet Lois Lane researches her fiancée Luthor’s past works. While she’s looking up old news reports of him in Africa Leo shows up with glasses on to talk to her. She asks him if he killed those people and he tells her that Lex is doing everything for the good of everyone else. Lois isn’t sure but tells Leo to be very careful with what he’s doing. Super-Man hears a large bang and takes off at the speed of sound to investigate. In New York City Wonder Woman is having her first battle with the mad god Ares. Diana seems to be beating him back but Leo grabs her and flings her out of the way; he then turns on Ares and begins to fight with him. Super-Man fights with Ares and he ends up killing the god on live television. Wonder Woman goes to thank him for his help but he turns out of aggression and slams her into the Statue of Liberty, knocking it down. She breaks free from the rubble ready to fight but he is already gone. Super-Man is flying off worried about the repercussions of his actions. He flies by Lois’ apartment and decides to stop by and see her. The two begin to talk and Lois asks Leo what he’s going to do with his situation. Super-Man tells her that he never wanted to hurt anyone but he’s never wanted to disappoint Lex. Lois tries to talk down but he begins to start crying in front of her not sure of what to do. The two continue talking and begin to kiss. Unbeknownst to them Lex is watching security footage of this from his own office; he then tells Mercy to get his jet prepped for him.
Continued in Part Two:
