The second volume in the first Injustice: Gods Among Us series finds a lone survivor among the ruins of Metropolis. Unsurprisingly, it's Lex Luthor, who always finds a way to survive, even as everyone around him -- including the Scarlet Speedster who saved his life (no, not Barry Allen's Flash) died in the cataclysm.

In this parallel universe, however, Lex and Superman are friends, and of course Lex quickly throws in with Superman's authoritarian efforts to make the world a safer, more peaceful place by ruling it with an iron fist.

As before, Superman is aided in his efforts by heroes such as Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Shazam and Damian Wayne's Robin. Batman, Black Lightning, Catwoman and Captain Atom are among those who oppose Superman's fascist agenda. Their efforts are aided by a mole Batman manages to plant among Superman's team.

Meanwhile, the evil villains of the planet Apokolips, ruled by Darkseid, decide Earth is now ripe for the picking and launch an invasion. The alien bounty hunter Lobo also comes calling, hoping to collect the price on Superman's head. Lex begins experimenting on a drug that will bestow Superman-like powers on mere mortals -- with the end goal of expanding Superman's army of enforcers.

And Superman, with brutal efficiency, kills and maims several heroes and former friends in his quest for absolute control.

I'll skip the details that get us to this point, but the book ends with Superman declaring all-out war on Batman and his allies. It's a tense stepping-off point for the Year Two sequel to follow.