Story: "The Why" (6 Pages)

Credits:

Greg Rucka (plot, script)
Matthew Clark (pencils)
Ray Snyder (inks)
Comicraft (letters)
Tom McCraw (colors)
Digital Chameleon (color seperations)
Eddie Berganza (edits)

Feature Character:

Lex Luthor

Comment: This story takes place at least before Adventures of Superman #574

Synopsis:

Everywhere he goes, Luthor sees evidence of the American people's love for his archenemy Superman: news reports, merchandise, menu items, even tattoos. When he sees a newspaper article in which Superman is quoted as saying 'I'm American...If the president needs me, I'll be there' Lex sees a way he can gain some power over him at last, and makes the decision to run for president.

Second Story: "Most Suitable Person" (16 Pages)

Credits:

Greg Rucka (plot, script)
Dale Eaglesham (pencils)
Ray Kryssing (inks)
Comicraft (letters)
Tom McCraw (colors)
Digital Chameleon (color seperations)
Eddie Berganza (edits)

Feature Character:

Talia Head

Other Characters:

Lex Luthor
Hope
Mercy

Synopsis:

Luthor pays a visit to Talia, daughter of multinational criminal Ra's al Ghul, to offer her both a job as head of his business, and to offer her his protection from his father. He explains that he needs someone with her unique experience to be able to properly head up LexCorp, and that he knows that her father will not leave her alone if she remains hidden.

Shortly later, after she rejects his offer, she comes under attack from her father's men, the League of Assassins, who want to be able to take her back unharmed, but if she will not come, are instructed to kill her for her betrayal. As she fights her way to escape, Lex Luthor's bodyguard Hope comes to her rescue. The next morning, Lex once again meets Talia, when she expresses her suspicions at the coincidental timing of the recent events. However, she agrees to at least listen to Lex's offer.

Third Story: "The Great Debate" (4 Pages)

Credits:

Peter David (plot, script)
Stuart Immonen (pencils)
Wade Von Grawbadger (inks)
Chris Eliopoulos (letters)
Tom McCraw (colors)
Digital Chameleon (color seperations)
Eddie Berganza (edits)

Feature Character:

Lex Luthor

Synopsis:

Lex Luthor takes part in a debate, but finds that his opponent is a rather unusual one, who suggests blowing up Bialya and handing all guns over to the criminal fraternity. What's more, the chair of the debate (not to mention the audience) seems to approve of his opponent and will barely allow Luthor to get a word in edgeways. It eventually becomes clear that his oppponent is the Joker, the chair is Two-Face and the audience consists of a variety of criminals. As Lex wakes up, he vows never to eat strange food before bed again...

Fourth Story: "Rockets' Red Glare" (3 Pages)

Credits:

Karl Kesel (plot, script)
Paul Pelletier (pencils)
Cam Smith (inks)
Comicraft (letters)
Tom McCraw (colors)
Digital Chameleon (color seperations)
Eddie Berganza (edits)

Feature Character:

Lex Luthor

Supporting Characters:

Mercy
Hope

Villain:

The Contessa (dies)

Other Character:

Senator Compton

Synopsis:

Luthor has been sworn in as president and is holding a party to celebrate. A senator mentions that he is now surely the most eligible bachelor around, or would be if everyone could be sure that his former wife, the Contessa, was really dead. Far away, the Contessa's headquarters come under fire from several missiles. As one of Luthor's employees who arrives on site some time later reports, there is a positive ID on one of the bodies, and another loose end has been tied up for the new president.

Fifth Story: "Power Couple" (4 Pages)

Credits:

Phil Jimenez (plot, script)
Yvel Guichet (pencils)
Wayne Faucher (inks)
Comicraft (letters)
Tom McCraw (colors)
Digital Chameleon (color seperations)
Eddie Berganza (edits)

Feature Character:

Lex Luthor

Supporting Characters:

Mercy
Hope

Villains:

Circe
Sebastian Armbruster (both next in Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #171)

Synopsis:

A woman pushing a pram approaches the president's office, turning his bodyguards into white mice as she enters. It turns out that she is the sorceress Circe, who makes Luthor an offer she feels he cannot refuse: herself as first lady. Luthor, in case anyone is listening, pretends not to know who she is, but sotto voce tells her that not only does he reject the offer, but that she can do nothing about it, as the entire superhuman community of the USA would be after her immediately if she killed the president. She leaves, enraged, and is met outside by a man who promises that if she joins up with him, they can rule the world together.

Sixth Story: "He's Coming, Mr Lew-Thor!" (2 Pages)

Credits:

Jeph Loeb (plot, script)
Mike Wieringo (pencils)
Marlo Alquiza (inks)
Comicraft (letters)
Tom McCraw (colors)
Digital Chameleon (color seperations)
Eddie Berganza (edits)

Feature Character:

Nathaniel Mackelvaney (Martian Manhunter in an alternate identity)

Supporting Characters:

Mercy
Lex Luthor

Synopsis:

The bumbling Nathaniel Mackelvaney reports for duty as the president's personal assistant, much to Mercy's amazement and frustration: why on earth has Luthor chosen this man as his aide?

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Profile Pages

Credits:

Frank Pittarese (text)
Jackson Guice (pencils, inks - Talia Head)
Lee Bermejo (pencils, inks - President Lex Luthor)
Louis Small Jr. (pencils - Pete Ross and Lana Lang)
José Marzan Jr. (inks - Pete Ross and Lana Lang)
Paul Pelletier (pencils - Luthor's Cabinet)
Cam Smith (inks - Luthor's Cabinet)
Tom McCraw (colors)
Digital Chameleon (separations)
Eddie Berganza (edits)

Comment: Profile pages on Talia Head (the new head of Lexcorp); President Luthor; Pete Ross (the Vice President) and his wife Lana Lang; and Luthor's cabinet (Sam Lane, Frank Rock, Amanda Waller, Jefferson Pierce and Cat Grant). These take the form of Luthor's personal notes and a press release about each.