Lex Luthor: Year of the Villain # 1 2019 NM-

Lex Luthor: Year of the Villain #1 (September 2019) is a pivotal, mind-bending one-shot comic book published by DC Comics. Tying directly into Scott Snyder's Justice League run and the massive "Year of the Villain" crossover event, this issue follows Lex Luthor at the absolute peak of his power as he travels across the Multiverse to eliminate his own alternate selves.

Core Plot & Synopsis

The story takes place after Lex Luthor sheds his human body to become "Apex Lex"—a god-like, pale-skinned human/Martian hybrid empowered by the cosmic creator entity Perpetua. As Perpetua's chosen herald, Apex Lex travels Earth-0 handing out dark "gifts" (power upgrades, advanced technology, and forbidden knowledge) to various super-villains to recruit them to the cause of Doom.

However, despite having god-like abilities, Lex is plagued by a core philosophical doubt: Is he truly the apex version of Lex Luthor, or is there a version of him elsewhere in existence that achieved something greater?

To find out, he builds a multiversal transport system and embarks on a dark, reality-hopping odyssey to meet his counterparts:

• The Interrogations: Lex encounters various versions of himself, including an ancient, withered wizard Luthor, a completely weaponized cybernetic tyrant Luthor, and a humble shoemaker Luthor who chose a peaceful, simple life. Lex analyzes each one, viewing their choices with utter disgust.
• The Ultimate Counterpart: The narrative reaches its emotional core when he arrives on an Earth where a noble, heroic version of Lex successfully cured all major global diseases and saved his world.

Rather than finding inspiration, Apex Lex sees his counterparts' alternate paths as ultimate weakness. Realizing that total multiversal supremacy means ensuring no other Luthor can ever challenge his philosophy, the meeting of the minds turns into a ruthless bloodbath. Lex begins systematically executing his alternate selves across reality, cementing his status as the true predator of the Multiverse.

Key Comic Information

• Release Date: September 18, 2019
• Format: One-Shot Special Event Tie-In
• Creative Team: Written by Jason Latour, with interior pencils by Bryan Hitch, inks by Andrew Currie, and a striking main cover by Francis Manapul.
• Timeline Impact: This issue serves as a major psychological bridge leading directly into the Justice League: Justice/Doom War storyline and the subsequent Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen crossover, where Lex confronts the Dark Multiverse's Batman Who Laughs.