Spoilers for Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #3 ahead!
In Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #3, it is revealed that Joker during the classic “Death of the Family” story arc from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s critically acclaimed New 52 Batman run. The two villains chose to cover their face for very different reasons, however.
One of the most unique books to spin out of DC’s Lex Luthor on the distant planet Lexor, where he rules as a “benevolent” overlord - actually taking advantage of a gullible population who belives Luthor is a god, thanks to his advanced technology. Lexor is applying for hip to the United Planets, and Superman and Lois Lane must leave Earth to investigate just what Luthor has up his sleeve.
Throughout the miniseries, readers can see Luthor is wearing a mask that resembles his own face. Readers are left guessing why, but in issue three, written by Mark Russell with art by Steve Pugh and colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr, they learn it is because of Luthor’s vanity; an assistant gives Luthor a new face, telling him it makes him look “younger” than he ever has.
While vanity and ego are the driving forces behind The Joker’s use of masks is to build terror and dread in the citizens of Gotham whereas Luthor’s is pure vanity. It speaks to both of their approaches—the Joker is simply insane and Luthor is motivated by ego.
Lex Luthor wears a mask that resembles his own face in Future State and while it shares some similarities with the Joker’s use of masks, they are motivated by very different reasons. Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #3 is available in stores now and digital.
