Lex Luthor is supposed to be going around making offers to villains as well as Catwoman, Lois Lane and Red Hood. One of the trades I read through digitally was Underworld Unleashed where Neron makes (mostly) villains offers. This shook up things a bit by giving villains upgrades, had a hero make a mistake (Blue Devil) and made at least one villain consider their actions (Trickster.)
Neron had power so it made sense that he could offer anyone anything they desired to get what he wanted. In fact he actually made Batman the offer to bring Jason Todd back from the dead. While tempted Batman declined. Which was smart since Neron some times screwed over those that he made a deal with (Chronos 1 comes to mind.) Both Lex Luthor and Joker had their own plans in mind which fits with the theme of people trying to outsmart each other throughout the event.
Now in Year of the Villain Lex Luthor is the one playing the role of the devil. Unless he's given some power his means of giving others offers are severally limited. Much like Underworld Unleashed there are characters that aren't villains that he's trying to make deals with. With Neron the main reason he contacted everyone was to collect souls. He mostly went to villains because they were the easiest to convince but he also couldn't resist any deal. According to the solicits Lex is reaching out to others because he believes heroism is a false path and mankind needs to embrace their evil side to survive. That's why he's going to the villains but why is he going to those that aren't really villainous?
With Catwoman for example he seems to be banking on her less than lawful side winning over if he makes her a big enough offer. Okay, but what does she bring to his side if he's successful? What does he need her skills for? Or does he want to use her connection with Batman to his advantage? We see in Doomsday Clock (set in the future) that he is prepared to take Bruce Wayne on. Lex does see Batman as a major threat he has to deal with but maybe it's more than that.
Lois Lane is a reporter yet Lex is apparently making her an offer too. Why? Yes she has a link to Superman but there are other ways. In some canon Lex has a thing for her but I don't think that would be the reason he'd consider her.
In a lot of cases we don't know what Lex will be offering to tempt others to his side. But what we do know tells us what he thinks the other person values above all else. Cheetah is teased with a weapon that can kill gods which gives her a means to murder Wonder Woman. Which works for Lex because he wants to get rid of all heroes. The Court of Owls will apparently be given Ric Grayson. Some fans have taken this to mean Dick is going to get his memory back but I don't think that would benefit Lex or the Court. Lex giving Ric to them would work since he'd be easier to manipulate or break.
This is a bold move since it shows Lex isn't afraid of backlash from the bat family. And he's seemed to taken most of them into account. As strange as it is he seems to be fine with leaving a majority alive and having them join him one way or another.
- It seems like he is planning on getting rid of Batman.
- Oracle is apparently being set up to take care of Batgirl ? (I have no idea how that works.)
- Nightwing isn't seen as a threat and is being served up to the Court.
- Lex somehow plans on giving the Outsiders to Ra's Al Ghul.
- It's not clear but I think Lobo is being used by Lex to take care of the TT.
- I have no idea where that leaves Batwoman, Spoiler, etc.
Other than any past connections or grievances Jason might have it's fascinating to ponder this because I have a lot of questions. Has Lex considered that Jason wouldn't want to work with certain villains like Joker or does that not matter to him? Because that seems like a huge problem that could potentially damage his plans with in fighting. Lex also knows he can't trust Joker or fully control him.
Of course Lex has some Intel on Jason since we know he spied on the Outlaws. If he kept up on it after Jason's teammates left he'd see the rift between Batman and Red Hood. Lex would know Jason is already making questionable decisions. But he doesn't offer Jason any deals most would see as obvious choices. No promises to give up Joker (he probably sees Joker as too valuable a player to give up.) Not even a chance to return the Outlaws, instead he has sidekicks to give Jason. Why did he chose that? Because he can't get Artemis and Bizarro back so he just finds new replacements ? Because he thinks their influence will prevent Jason from accepting?
The promise of sidekicks in it's self has a lot of potential meta material to work with. Jason has attempted to help Duella Dent despite suspecting it was a lost cause. He tried to help Damian before Damian let his bias blind him and assumed Jason was the traitor. From what limited information we have I take this to mean Lex sees a bit of Batman in Jason and believes he wouldn't be able to turn away someone who needs help. That Jason will relate too much with the sidekicks to reject them outright.
Sidekicks that are described as "broken, battered and catastrophically dangerous." Are these new characters or ones that we've seen in other books? How did Lex get these sidekicks? Are they from another deal like one with Ra's Al Ghul? The only character I could think of that would be cool was Damians' cousin Mara.
What does Lex think Jason brings to the party? Does he just believe Jason will be easy to manipulate or does he really need him? Regardless I'm intrigued even if I'm not sold on the event it's self just yet.
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