20 Years Ago, DC Revealed Their Two Greatest Enemies Were Co-Parents

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DC Comics gave us two of the most iconic rivals in comic book history: Superman and Lex Luthor. While Superman had faced enemies before, Lex became his most significant, especially after elements of the Ultra-Humanite were incorporated. Over time, fans have seen Superman and Lex in countless scenarios – as bitter enemies, reluctant allies, and even temporary friends. Despite any shifts in their dynamic, a fundamental sense of hostility and distrust always remained, making their interactions compelling. But no one could have predicted they’d one day become co-parents.

Twenty years ago, a team-up like this seemed impossible. It began with a crossover between two popular DC Comics series from the mid-2000s: Teen Titans and The Outsiders. Teen Titans brought together Superboy, Tim Drake, Bart Allen, and Cassie Sandsmark with established heroes like Raven, Cyborg, Starfire, and Beast Boy. This series revealed that Superboy’s genetic parents were Superman and Lex Luthor. At the same time, The Outsiders introduced Indigo, a character created by Brainiac. Everything culminated in a story called “The Insiders,” where Superman’s two biggest enemies attempted to use their children to dismantle the future of superheroes.

“The Insiders” Brought Together ’00s DC’s Two Hottest New Teams

The early 2000s were a strong period for DC Comics, and titles like Teen Titans (Vol. 3) and The Outsiders (Vol. 3) really showcased its strengths. Both series successfully reimagined classic team concepts, making them consistently enjoyable to read. Emerging from the events of Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day, these teams and their connections were further explored in the storyline “The Insiders.” This story worked so well because it built upon and expanded the foundations of both teams, challenging established ideas and character limits.

Both comic book series featured characters connected to Superman and his famous foes. Superboy emerged from the popular “Death of Superman” storyline and was gaining renewed popularity in the 2000s. He was created as a clone of Superman, and the creators at Cadmus Labs overcame the challenges of cloning a Kryptonian by incorporating DNA from Lex Luthor – a secret Superboy and Tim Drake discovered while working with the Titans. Simultaneously, Indigo was a disguised agent sent from the future by Brainiac 5 with the mission to defeat the heroes. This conflict brought the teams together, resulting in a compelling story for readers.

I was completely captivated by this storyline! It was heartbreaking to see both Superboy and Indigo manipulated by Lex and Brainiac, turned against their friends and used as weapons. The Titans, though, they showed what they were made of – they fought through the programming with sheer willpower and, honestly, a lot of fighting spirit! It was so tragic when Indigo regained control only to lose her life. And Conner… well, he just walked away from being a hero for a while. Then, during Infinite Crisis, he faced Superboy-Prime in an epic battle. That event really set things in motion, and sadly, it ultimately led to his death. It was amazing how the Insiders arc foreshadowed everything, really highlighting the brilliant construction of Infinite Crisis and making his fate feel so inevitable. It was a truly powerful, albeit devastating, story.

The storyline of Superboy being the son of both Superman and Lex Luthor was a particularly compelling part of DC Comics. Superman initially remained distant from Superboy, only beginning to accept him in the early 2000s. This contrasted sharply with Conner’s relationship with Lex, who, despite clearly manipulating Superboy, seemed to genuinely care for him, likely because of their shared Luthor lineage. Lex even saved Superboy’s life after a brutal attack by Prime. This dynamic offered an interesting comparison of how each father figure treated their son, and it created a shared tragedy that connected them. Though unusual, the concept was surprisingly effective.

Superman and Lex Luthor’s Co-Parenting Stint Had Been Almost Completely Forgotten

A common issue in the comic book world is how quickly ideas are started and then dropped. The storyline involving “The Insiders,” particularly the reveal that Superman and Lex Luthor were Superboy’s parents, was a significant development. It created compelling drama as Superboy worried about inheriting traits from Luthor. Unfortunately, that storyline has largely been forgotten over time.

Over the past few years, the dynamic between Superman and Lex Luthor has shifted significantly. Despite spending considerable time together, their shared son is never mentioned. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see all three of them interact – it would have been a fantastic storyline. This kind of forgotten potential is a common problem in comics. The medium often moves on quickly, leaving great ideas behind. Even a solid story like “The Insiders” has faded into obscurity, and its most interesting concept was ultimately abandoned.

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2026-01-06 21:15