Lex Luthor is Dead (& I Think His Ending is Absolutely Perfect)

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As a devoted fan of comics, I’d say that Lex Luthor stands out as one of the most resilient and renowned villains in the realm of graphic novels. He embodies the complete opposite of Superman, portraying a human striving to transcend humanity entirely. While Superman cherishes the bonds that define him, Lex scorns them, seeking superiority over all others. He’s a genius with the immaturity of a spoiled child, contrasting sharply with Superman, who wields unlimited power but uses it for altruistic purposes. If I had to summarize Lex Luthor in just a few words, they would be self-centered, arrogant, and malevolent. Yet, even with his flaws, Lex Luthor made the ultimate sacrifice to save Superman’s life, marking a fitting finale for such a complex character.

How Did Lex Luthor Die?

The events unfolded in the DC Black Label series titled “Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor,” penned by Mark Waid and illustrated by Bryan Hitch. The narrative revolves around Lex Luthor, who unintentionally contracts a fatal disease while working with kryptonite. With his time running out due to his inability to find a cure on his own, an overwhelmed Lex approaches the only individual he believes won’t reject him: Superman. Despite knowing that the public would likely be against helping Lex, given his status as one of the world’s most notorious supervillains, Superman vows to help save Lex’s life, disregarding the public sentiment. After all, Lex Luthor is a notorious foe, so it’s only natural for people to want him to suffer. However, Superman has never let public opinion dictate his actions.

In a relentless pursuit for a cure, Superman brings Lex Luthor to various locations, cashing in on every debt owed to him. He consults with the City of Candor’s dwellers, seeks advice from Brainiac 5 of the Legion of Super-Heroes, visits Themyscira, paradise island of the Amazons, and even pays a visit to his former girlfriend Lori, residing in the underwater city of Tritonis. Everywhere he goes, people question why he’s going to such lengths for his sworn enemy, only to recall that he is Superman, who helps everyone. Despite their best efforts, no one can save Lex, but as his final moments approach, Superman recognizes that he himself is gradually losing strength.

It is at that point when Brainiac is unveiled as the orchestrator of all events. He orchestrated the lab accident which induced Lex’s cellular decay, knowing full well that Lex would seek help from Superman. This proximity to Superman was precisely what allowed Lex’s cells to react in a unique way, draining Superman’s solar energy and rendering him powerless. With Superman weakened, Brainiac took advantage of the opportunity to invade Earth unchallenged.

Eventually, Lex utilizes his remaining moments to build a device that would return Superman’s solar energy while simultaneously ending Lex’s life. He explains to Superman that in order to save the eight billion lives on Earth, one must be sacrificed, and this is Superman’s duty. Superman consents. With the machine activated, Lex doesn’t meet his demise but instead transfers all of his powers to Lex, transforming the villain into a full Kryptonian. This miraculously cures Lex’s illness and leaves Superman powerless and human. Together, they bring down Brainiac. However, unwilling to perish alone, Lex triggers a red-sun explosion, which destroys his body, ensuring Superman’s safety. Before departing, Lex requests that Superman never reveal the truth of what transpired.

Why Did Lex Sacrifice Himself for His Worst Enemy?

Initially, Lex and Superman weren’t constant adversaries; as youngsters in Smallville, they were almost like friends for each other. However, their friendship disintegrated when Lex felt slighted by what he perceived as Clark looking down on him for trying to communicate with extraterrestrial life. Little did Lex know, Clark was merely reacting negatively to Kryptonite at the time. This unfortunate incident resulted in Lex becoming bald permanently and vanishing from Smallville forever. Despite moving on, Lex found it difficult to erase Clark from his memory. On the other hand, Clark could never forget Lex.

Currently, Superman exerts every effort to rescue his very first friend. Simultaneously, Lex Luthor observes the impact Superman has on people – the lives he’s saved and the lengths he’ll go for a single life. In Tritonis, he consumes a fruit that makes him sense the profound respect Superman commands. Just prior to Brainiac’s attack, Clark Kent unveils his secret identity to Lex Luthor, who finally grasps the true nature of Superman as an exceptional human being. When Superman selflessly transfers his powers to Lex Luthor, it becomes clear to him how deeply Superman values those around him.

In the end, Lex Luthor persistently sought contact with alien life and aimed to eliminate Superman, as he yearned for a sense of belonging. He believed that among aliens, he might find acceptance, but it proved elusive. Instead, his ambition transformed into leaving an indelible mark on history by eradicating the one figure who contradicted all his worldviews. Despite a lifetime’s search, Lex eventually understood that he belonged alongside Superman. As the Man of Steel was in peril, Lex forfeited everything to rescue his sole ally. This conclusion beautifully encapsulated his journey, and underscored the significance of Superman’s influence. Superman strives to make everyone feel at home, and for a fleeting instant, he made Lex feel welcome; in that moment, Lex fulfilled the potential Clark Kent always envisioned. This tale is enchanting and instantly deserving of classic status.

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor is on sale now!

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2025-04-28 15:10