The Rivalry Between Superman and Lex Luthor, Explained

For many, Superman is the ultimate superhero. Godlike in his abilities, selfless to a fault, and always willing to take a risk, Superman is the embodiment of our hopes and dreams. The iconic “S” symbol on his chest even represents hope. With his incredible powers of flight, strength, invulnerability, X-ray vision, heat vision, and ice breath, it would seem that there is nothing Superman cannot accomplish. However, his rogues’ gallery is fittingly superpowered, as only the greatest threats in the DC Universe can give The Man of Steel pause. Interestingly, however, it is not the likes of Despero, Metallo, or even Darkseid who hold the title of Superman’s arch-nemesis. This prestigious award goes to none other than Lex Luthor.




Superman and Lex Luthor have been at odds since Lex Luthor's first appearance in the 1940s. Action Comics #23. Brighter than any living human, greedier than any living soul, yet possessing the most devastatingly effective intelligence, Lex Luthor is the perfect antagonist to Superman. Just as Superman is the definition of strength, so Lex Luthor is the walking embodiment of the brain. However, what is truly intriguing about the relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor is that they both want the best for the world. They just have opposite means to achieve their goals.



Superman is the model of justice and compassion

Superman vs. Lex Luthor

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Superman's origins are the most famous and memorable in all of comics. The rebellious son of Krypton, baby Kal-El, was launched into space to escape the destruction of his home planet. After crash-landing on Earth, the young alien was taken in by Jonathan and Martha Kent, simple but brilliant farmers from central Kansas. Their love and guidance helped Superman grow into the man he is today. Using their teachings as a moral compass, Superman has fought tirelessly to uphold truth, justice, and compassion in everything he does. Regardless of the forms he takes or the different visions writers offer him, Superman is still Superman, no matter what.


Superman's unwavering morality has made him seem very old-fashioned in recent decades. The rise of the violent, gritty anti-hero boom of the '80s, quickly followed by the ultra-radical action of the '90s, made Superman seem embarrassingly old-fashioned and lame. However, when DC killed Superman in his climactic battle with Doomsday, not even four other Superman replacements could fill his shoes. There are many imitators, but only one true Superman. Ironically, Superman's unwavering commitment and resolute dependability make him an ideal target for Lex Luthor.

Lex Luthor is the most gifted mind on Earth, but also the most ambitious.

Superman and Lex Luthor in one of their first meetings in the comics


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Lex Luthor is the richest man on the planet. There is not a single thing he could ever want. If he can dream it, he can have it. He is a philanthropist, a man of charity, and a donor of great wealth and resources to those in need. Thanks to his funding, museums, parks, and other such public works have been built for the public good. Lex Luthor has absolutely no problem with building humanity and helping it reach greater heights. The only problem with all of this is that Lex Luthor does these things only for attention and adoration.


In the mind of Lex Luthor, Him He should be the most powerful person in the world. He needs everyone to look up to him him. But when Superman arrives in Metropolis unannounced, Lex Luthor suddenly needs to bow his head and look at someone. This very idea is what fuels his hatred for Superman. Never mind that they both want the same things for the world; Superman is an alien and Lex Luthor is a human native to Earth. The audacity of an intruder like Superman is inconceivable in Lex's mind. Add to that the fact that Superman naturally earns love and respect, outdoing Lex in almost every endeavor, and the envy that eats away at Lex's heart begins to consume him. Lex may deceive the masses with his intentions, but his benevolence stems from a desire to gain and maintain power.

Superman and Lex Luthor are the ultimate comic book rivalry


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The beauty of Lex Luthor's villainy comes from the fact that he inherently has no superpowers. Yes, he is the smartest and most capable man on the planet, but with people like Ray Palmer, Bruce Wayne, Ted Kord, and Doctor Sivana also existing on the planet, that level of intellect isn't too hard to achieve. Despite this, Lex Luthor always finds a way to defeat Superman by exploiting Superman's only real weakness: his morality. Lex knows that with all of Superman's powers and strengths, he will never cross the line to commit a crime. Using this, Lex can create the most devious plans imaginable. Superman's super hearing and X-ray vision make secrecy much more difficult, but Lex never backs down from a challenge.


To defeat Superman sanely and decisively, you have to leave him in such a moral dilemma that his only option is to retreat, his head down and his heart heavy with regret. Superman's greatest enemies aren't the ones who hit the hardest or shoot the most powerful energy beams. They're the ones who know how to systematically destroy him from the inside out, rendering his every power useless. All his strength and invulnerability mean nothing against the man who can simply call the cops and have him arrested for trespassing. Lex Luthor prides himself on being the greatest at all things, and if he can't possess Superman's innate powers, he can do everything in his power to render them useless. The only place Lex Luthor wants to look for Superman is on the ground, and he'll do anything to put him there.


Sometimes Lex Luthor and Superman need to team up despite their extreme differences

Superman Fights Lex Luthor

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Superman and Lex Luthor are a wonderful couple because they have often had to join forces to save the Earth. A perfect example of this can be seen in Superman: The Animated SeriesSeason 1, Episode 8, “Stolen Memories.” Lex Luthor believes he has complete control over Brainiac, but very quickly discovers that the alien AI has outsmarted him in every way possible. All of his weapons and planning have resulted in crippling failure for Lex. Being smart and mature enough to realize that his pride is not worth the fate of the planet, Lex agrees to work with Superman to stop Brainiac. It's a perfect representation of their relationship: bitter rivals, but both are able to put aside their differences instantly for the greater good when the going gets tough.


Unlike villains like Brainiac or Darkseid, Lex Luthor is not interested in absolute submission. He craves power, but not at the cost of people admiring him. Superman understands this and allows him to remain in Metropolis despite the countless illegal activities he takes part in. Superman is godlike, but he is not the law, and he knows he cannot take the law into his own hands. He and Lex Luthor walk this precarious line, always aware of each other but never quite willing to eradicate the other completely.

Superman wants Lex to use his brilliance in a way free from greed; Lex wants nothing more than to capture Superman and use him for his own gain. Few can hit harder than Superman, but few can outsmart Lex Luthor. They are the ultimate battle of brains and brawn, two polar opposites who must tolerate each other for the good of the Earth. Superman and Lex Luthor thus constitute the greatest rivalry in comics.


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