Moreover, we get the unusual experience of watching Bruce be outmaneuvered, with Lex realizing that the draft and stale air pouring into Bruce's study likely comes from the Batcave. Johns reminds you that we're dealing with Lex Luthor here, so it's not as far-fetched as it would be if it was a random Joe chatting with Bruce in his study. It's like Tim Drake said in "A Lonely Place of Dying:" once you go into it knowing that Bruce is Batman, the clues are a lot more obvious. In fact, the scene makes you realize that Bruce has become overly confident, a theme of the DCnU, where Batman has frequently failed due to his arrogance. After all, the "Court of Owls" was all about Bruce being so wrong about being so sure that he knew about everything happening in Gotham. Inviting Lex Luthor into the study that hides the access to the Batcave falls into this category.
Meanwhile, Johns is playing his cards close to his chest when it comes to why Luthor really wants to join the Justice League. It makes sense that Lex would want to prevent the world from being destroyed, since it's not like he wants to rule over a graveyard. But, again, Johns reminds us that we're dealing with Lex Luthor here; it's pretty clear that he has something else up his sleeve. After all, his offer to Captain Cold to join Lexcorp is more complicated than rewarding him for helping to save the world, with Lex's staff wanting his blood for something called Project: Wannabe. Trickery!
Finally, I'm really enjoying Doug Mahnke's work. He's particularly impressive when it comes to drawing faces, and it's a perfect match for this issue, where the intensity of Bruce and Lex's conversation coming in no small part through the small touches that Manhke puts on their facial expressions. A raise eye here, a firm lip there: it definitely conveys the gravity of the discussion.
*** (three of five stars)
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