I am – Hercules!!

We first met Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor on Oct. 16, 2001. We met Michael Rosenbaum’s Flash a month later, on Nov. 17, 2001. One guy playing two DC Comics icons concurrently on two different TV series for four years now. Huh.

I kinda stopped watching “Smallville” last season. Was any reference made to Rosenbaum’s secret identity when Bart Allen turned up in 4.5?

“Solo4357,” who weeks ago saw the “Justice League Unlimited” episode premiering tonight on the American Cartoon Network, gives it five stars:

What's it called?
"The Great Brain Robbery"

What's it about?
A mystical accident leads to Lex Luthor and the Flash’s minds being swapped into each other’s bodies.

Who's responsible?
Dan Riba directs, story by Dwayne McDuffie and Matt Wayne.

More Secret Society?
You bet! Luthor is running the place now, but doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

Any more Cadmus holdovers?
Not this week.

League Roll Call?
Voice parts go to Mr. Terrific, Red Tornado, Green Lantern, Dr. Fate, and Flash.

Society Roll Call?
Luthor, Sinestro, Grodd, Bizarro, Tala, and Dr. Polaris, plus some miscelleanous villians who I don't know and had only one or two lines at the most.

So what happens?
Well since Flash once was in contact with Grodd, the League to tries to use Flash to find Grodd with Dr. Fate's magic just as, wouldn't you know it, THE EXACT SAME TIME Luthor decides to pull info about Brainiac from Grodds brain using super-science. Of course, a brain swap between Luthor and Flash occurs, it's almost to be expected.

Eeesh, I love Lucy/Three's Company plot devices.
Yes, but once the deed is done, it's pretty damn cool. Luthor manages to use Flash's powers better than Flash does, while Wally has to try to lead the Secret Society.

Does Luthor learn everyone's identies?
No, but he does make a try to learn Wally's, with hilarious results.

Waaaaiit a minute, doesn't Rosenbaum play Luthor in Smallville?
Yes, we're expecting a tear in the fabric of the universe at any moment now.

What's good?
Clancy Brown channeling Flash. "No! Cause I'm evil!" Luthor managing to use Flash's powers with impressive results. Flash is waaay more powerful than has been let on. Rosenbaum's channeling of Luthor and managing NOT to seem like Smallville's Luthor. Impressive. "Question the plan at your peril!" "Am you Bizarro's mommy?" Luthor's ability to make sure he's always got the upper hand. "Lex Luthor is pleased!" "Hey, that's not restful."

What's not so good?
The ridiculous coincidence to set up this episode. But everything else is awesome. Just the right mix of humor and tension.

Rating: ***** out of Five.

Herc’s Favorite DC Universe Tales Ever Collected in one beautiful 309-page $12.99 volume!!! DC Universe: The Stories Of Alan Moore!!

The extra-cheap “Buffy” slimsets (all the episodes and extras at a fraction of the price) ship May 30!!

“Buffy” pricing if you must have your season-sets now:
$29.99 The Complete First Season
$44.99 The Complete Second Season
$44.99 The Complete Third Season
$44.99 The Complete Fourth Season
$44.99 The Complete Fifth Season
$44.99 The Complete Sixth Season
$39.96 The Complete Seventh Season

“Buffy” pricing if you can order now but wait three and a half months for delivery:
$27.99 The Complete First Season
$27.99 The Complete Second Season
$27.99 The Complete Third Season
$27.99 The Complete Fourth Season
$27.99 The Complete Fifth Season
$27.99 The Complete Sixth Season
$27.99 The Complete Seventh Season