‘dc’s Lex And The City’ #1 Delivers Love, Laughter, And Lost Chances In A Valentine’s Day Anthology

Anthology issues can be a mixed bag, but DC’s Lex and the City #1 delivers an enjoyable Valentine’s Day special that balances heartfelt moments, humor, and action. With eight unique stories, each brought to life by different creative teams, the issue showcases a variety of tones, art styles, and perspectives on love in the DC Universe. Though not every story centers on romance, they collectively explore connection, vulnerability, and the challenges of relationships, even for superheroes and villains.

The titular story, “Lex and the City” by Sina Grace, sets a playful and stylish tone. Lex Luthor’s attempt to manipulate a gossip columnist backfires spectacularly when the savvy reporter turns the tables with a scathing exposé. Grace’s sharp writing pairs beautifully with the pop-art-inspired visuals, complete with Lex’s Saturday Night Fever white suit and retro fashion nods reminiscent of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It’s a vibrant and cheeky opener that shows Lex can even appreciate an intellectual equal, begrudgingly, of course.

In stark contrast, “Beautiful Lies” by Jonathan Rivera and Michael Avon Oeming is a standout for its emotional depth. A young couple unknowingly caught on either side of a Mr. Freeze heist brings the theme of redemption to the forefront. The story cleverly parallels Victor and Nora’s doomed romance with the couple’s budding relationship, all tied together by Freeze’s rare moment of mercy. Oeming’s stylized art evokes the noir aesthetic of Batman: The Animated Series, with dynamic ice effects and striking red accents adding visual drama. This was a close contender for the best story in the issue.

The anthology shines brightest with “Heartbreak Lake” by Dave Wielgosz and Howard Porter, an introspective Hawkman tale steeped in melancholy. While not explicitly a Valentine’s Day story, it captures the heartache of lost love through Hawkman’s search for a memory device containing echoes of a romance he may never get back. Porter’s dreamy, almost fragmented panel work reinforces the wistful tone, making this story the emotional core of the collection. The addition of an Nth Metal dragon adds some exhilarating action without overshadowing the poignancy.

On the lighter side, “To Live and Date in Gotham” by Brendan Hay and Stephen Byrne embraces humor as Damian Wayne seeks dating advice from Tim Drake. Damian and Tim’s trek through the city in order to construct the perfect date for Flatline provides plenty of laughs, with fun Bat-Family cameos and a glowing palette of reds and pinks that bring Gotham to life. It’s a charming, low-stakes story that emphasizes camaraderie and a rare moment of vulnerability from Damian.

Other stories in the anthology vary in tone and execution. “A Valentine’s Day Gift for Poison Ivy” leans heavily into whimsy, with Harley Quinn rewriting the narrator’s captions and a fairytale-style approach that feels fresh and fun. Meanwhile, “Together Again” is a nostalgic trip with the Titans that’s enjoyable but only tangentially tied to the Valentine’s theme. The story succeeds as a slice-of-life piece about male friendship, with excellent art that captures both the classic and modern Titans looks.

“Riddle Me Kiss” follows the Riddler as he realizes that while many of Gotham’s villains have pursued love, he has never found a true romantic connection. The highlight of the story is an impressive full-page sequence of Riddler and Magpie fighting their way through multiple floors of Arkham Asylum. “Roses Are Red…Blood Is Too” leans into supernatural humor as Raven tries to create the perfect Valentine’s Day for Beast Boy. The story plays with classic holiday tropes by turning romantic gestures into magical mishaps, including people melting into giant chocolate statues and exploding candy hearts. The cartoony art style enhances the lighthearted chaos, especially with Beast Boy’s transformations into various animals like a tiger, an alligator, and even a T-Rex.

Whether you’re here for love, laughs, or just a good story, this anthology has something for everyone. With highlights like “Beautiful Lies” and “Heartbreak Lake,” it offers a strong mix of heartfelt storytelling and creative artistry that make it a worthwhile Valentine’s Day read. The best stories take full advantage of the holiday theme, exploring love in its many forms—romantic, platonic, and even tragic—while others succeed by using the holiday as a backdrop for humor, action, or introspection.