Chapter 6: Publicity Stunts
“You have my highest gratitude.” Lex Luthor surveyed a broken Metropolis, but a Metropolis still standing nonetheless. His guest stood behind him, laying a full deck of 52 playing cards on Lex’s office desk. Nice try, Joker. Didn’t count on that ace up my sleeve, though. Lex grimaced. Better not use any card metaphors—somehow he’d … Read more
Chapter 5: For Wonder Woman
Lex sized the Joker up. His armor’s sensors told him that the Joker was radiating kryptonite fiercely. “So it’s Metropolis now, is it? What—Gotham’s too easy to spoil nowadays?” “Lex, Lex. Gotham’s a still-born city, it’s done nothing but fester in its own refuse since the beginning. I never spoiled it; I just kept people … Read more
Chapter 4: This Is Getting Expensive
Lex liked Billy Batson. He’s smart enough to ask the questions on people’s hearts, but too naïve to ask the questions on their minds. Their interview had run long, much longer than Lex had scheduled it to last. He’d just sent his secretary an order for some hot soup and sandwiches from the local deli. … Read more
Chapter 3: It’s Simple—We Kill the Superman
“Shazam!” Billy Batson landed in the Metropolis alleyway and looked around. No thugs? Oh, duh. Metropolis Works! Billy didn’t mind the new Metropolis. He had given himself ample time to walk to the LuthorCorp building for his exclusive interview with Lex Luthor, and he couldn’t have picked a nicer morning to do so. Sun shone. … Read more
Chapter 2: Just a Man
“Call him.” Commissioner Gordon threw the switch, and the Bat-signal lit up the sky. Gotham city exuded a spiritual chill—Gotham goose-bumps, tourists called them—but tonight was especially nippy for September. “He doesn’t like being manipulated.” “He’d prefer me to X-ray the city and pick him up myself?” Two weeks had passed since the incident at … Read more
Chapter 1: Gotham’s Lovely This Time of Year
“Do you believe in God, Mr. Luthor?” Lex stoically gazed across the press room at the reporter. The nation’s leading networks have 30 minutes to ask anything of the man who saved Metropolis, and someone wants to blow their time on faith? OK, then; hedge with conviction. “I believe that we all answer to a … Read more
