This week’s brief column brings in 3 Luthors, 3 Supermen (mostly) and 3 earths for a planet hopping 
adventure that is plenty of fun.
The Alex Luthor/Ultraman 2 pack from DC has had scorn heaped on it. Sometimes I feel like the sole defender. There are others who dig it, but it was such an unexpectedly awesome surprise when it was announced that my enthusiasm for its existence it’s unshakeable. Yeah, Ultraman could have been handled way better, and if he were made now probably would be. I do give them points for the concept, and Alex is a perfect rendition, lacking only his jetpack.
Published in 1982, written by Marv Wolfman and pencilled by Richard Buckler, the first DC Comics presents Annual teamed the Superman of Earth 1 and the Superman of Earth 2 against the Luthors of their respective worlds. Once again in this pre-crisis continuity, Earth 1 Lex escapes from jail with super-science, with a new plot to bring down Superman: like Strangers on a different plane of existence, he decides to criss-cross foes, with him attacking an unfamiliar-with-his-approach older Superman 2 and with the Lex of that world attacking the Earth 1 Supes.
Wow that sounds confusing.
But soon the Luthors–Luthii–whatever–Find themselves on Earth 3, where up is down, black is white, cats and dogs live in harmony, and the Superman of that world is one bad muddahumper named Ultraman. And the Luthor of this world is good and decent, and has a nice romance going with this worlds Lois Lane. Hawt.
So with the players in place, Supermen chase down Luthii and Ultraman smacks around Superdudes while the good Luthor of Earth 3 has an origin, putting on a funky spacesuit and becoming *trumpets* the first superhero of Earth 3!
It’s a fun, fast paced story, plenty of action, plenty of super people doing super things, and is the reason that the two pack was met with something like a giddy squeal when announced.
So, if you want to see what the hell the appeal of these figures are, at least for me, track down a copy of this comic and dig the bronze age fun. You may or may not be disappointed. How’s that for a guarantee!