10 Best Modern Superman & Lex Luthor Comics

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The conflict between Superman and Lex Luthor is one of the most famous rivalries in comic book history. While not Superman’s initial enemy, Lex Luthor eventually became his greatest foe. He began as a clever, red-haired villain named Alexei Luthor, with ambitions for world domination. Over time, he merged with the characteristics of an earlier Superman enemy, Ultra-Humanite, evolving into the iconic villain we recognize today. Their intense hatred escalated during the Silver Age of comics, producing many memorable stories. But in more recent years, their complicated relationship has taken even more unexpected turns.

The classic “mad scientist” version of Lex Luthor was replaced by a more corporate and calculating villain starting with the Man of Steel comic (Vol. 1), and it was a brilliant change. Since then, fans have enjoyed countless clashes between Superman and Lex Luthor, with some stories standing out as particularly great. Here are ten of the best modern Superman and Lex Luthor stories, showcasing a fantastic update to their ongoing rivalry.

10) Action Comics Annual #11

Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, and Adam Kubert’s “Last Son” storyline offers a fantastic take on Superman, and Lex Luthor plays a significant role throughout. The best example of the complex dynamic between them is found in Action Comics #11. In this issue, Superman surprisingly teams up with Lex and his ‘Superman Revenge Squad’ to defeat General Zod and the Kryptonians from the Phantom Zone. Seeing these two rivals work together is unusual, and predictably, Lex attempts to betray Superman at the very end. It’s an enjoyable story brought to life by Adam Kubert’s stunning artwork.

9) Action Comics #1047-1050

The “Warworld Saga” revitalized interest in Superman, sending him on an adventure that kept him off Earth for over a year. When he finally returned in Action Comics #1047-1050 (written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Tom Taylor, and Joshua Williamson, with art by Riccardo Federici, Mike Perkins, Clayton Henry, and Nick Dragotta), he faced off against Lex Luthor. Luthor had been plotting this confrontation since before Superman left, devising a cruel plan to harm everyone the hero cares about. This four-part story demonstrates the extreme lengths Luthor will go to defeat his enemy and culminates in one of the most epic battles between the two ever seen.

8) “Paths of Doom”

DC Rebirth successfully brought attention back to DC Comics by reviving beloved characters and concepts within the DC Multiverse. A key element was the return of the classic Kent family, which revitalized the Superman (Vol. 4) and Action Comics series. One of the first major stories, “Paths of Doom” by Dan Jurgens and artists Patrick Zircher, Tyler Kirkham, and Stephen Segovia, featured Superman’s debut in a newly reimagined Metropolis, facing off against Doomsday. Surprisingly, Superman received help from Lex Luthor, who was then a heroic figure – having joined the Justice League and reconciled with the New 52 version of himself, even wearing Superman armor to defend the city. The dynamic between Clark and Lex was a highlight, establishing a fresh and engaging direction for their relationship.

7) Superman: Red Son

Mark Millar, Dave Johnson, and Killian Plunkett’s Superman: Red Son is often remembered as the story where Superman is a communist, but it’s really a clever twist on the usual Superman-Lex Luthor rivalry. This version flips their roles: Superman, while powerful, is presented as the antagonist, yet still believes he’s doing what’s right. Lex Luthor, on the other hand, becomes the hero, fighting against the alien Superman, but remains the ruthless character fans know. The complex relationship between them, unfolding on a global scale, is what makes this comic so compelling and a true classic.

6) Superman (Vol. 2) #2

John Byrne’s reimagining of Superman after the Crisis event feels surprisingly current, even though it originally appeared 40 years ago. He essentially created the Superman we know today. He also significantly improved Lex Luthor, turning him into a wealthy, powerful figure reminiscent of Donald Trump – at a time when people still thought Trump was capable. In Superman (Vol. 2) #2, Luthor tries to uncover the identity of Metropolis’s new hero and discovers it’s Clark Kent. However, in a move that feels more like something Trump would do today than in 1986, Luthor dismisses this evidence because he refuses to believe the mild-mannered Clark Kent could be so powerful. This story perfectly captures the essence of the character and remains a classic.

5) Superman (Vol. 6) #1-25

The sixth volume of Superman began with a compelling story arc focusing on Superman and Lex Luthor, which unfolded over the first 25 issues. Following the events of Action Comics #1047-1050, Lex, while imprisoned, surprisingly leaves his entire fortune to Superman with the intention of improving the world. However, this act isn’t as straightforward as it seems, as a figure from Lex’s past emerges as a new threat. This extended storyline, crafted by writer Joshua Williamson and a team of artists including Jamal Campbell, Bruno Redondo, and Dan Mora, offered a thrilling experience for readers as the two longtime enemies attempted to collaborate. Following this arc, readers can explore related stories in DC K.O. and Justice League Unlimited, which features Lex’s return to the Justice League.

4) All-Star Superman #5

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman brilliantly revisits classic Superman themes, with Lex Luthor playing a central part in the story. Notably, Luthor is the focus of three issues (or arguably four), and issue #5 presents a truly unique take on the Superman/Lex dynamic. The issue features Clark Kent interviewing Luthor in prison, but when a super-powered riot breaks out involving the Parasite, the two are forced to team up. Their interaction in this issue is particularly memorable and completely changed my understanding of the relationship between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor.

3) Lex Luthor: Man of Steel

Back in the 2000s, Lex Luthor was typically portrayed as the bad guy, but we rarely saw things from his perspective. The comic Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, changed that, giving us a fascinating look inside the mind of Metropolis’s wealthiest man. We see how he views Superman, his complex relationship with Bruce Wayne, and even his pursuit of love with his latest invention—and how far he’s willing to go to achieve his goals. It’s a truly excellent story, beautifully illustrated, and just one more reason why DC Comics in the 2000s is considered a golden age.

2) Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor

As a huge Superman fan, I think Mark Waid is right up there with the best writers tackling the character today – maybe only Grant Morrison is better, in my opinion. Since he came back to DC in 2022, he’s delivered some fantastic stories, but the one that really grabbed me was Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor. It’s a really compelling story about Lex discovering he’s dying and surprisingly turning to Superman for help. They team up and go on an incredible journey through time and space trying to find a cure. What makes it special is how it explores the complex relationship between them, going all the way back to when they first met in Smallville, and honestly, the ending completely blew my mind! Plus, Bryan Hitch’s artwork, with Kevin Nowlan on inks, is just stunning – it really elevates the whole thing and makes it a classic.

1) All-Star Superman #12

Considered by many to be the definitive Superman story, All-Star Superman reaches a spectacular climax in its final two issues. The story brings the long-standing rivalry between Superman and Lex Luthor to a head, as Luthor escapes prison with copied powers and teams up with the powerful Solaris and his niece, Nasthalthia, to defeat the Man of Steel. Grant Morrison’s writing and Frank Quitely’s art create a thrilling and captivating experience. The final confrontation is both epic and poignant, particularly when Lex gains a new understanding of Superman’s perspective. It’s a truly exceptional and classic story that deserves to be read.

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2026-06-08 17:14