Superman May Not Like It, But Lex Luthor Is the Key to the Absolute Universe

WARNING! Spoilers for Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1

Superman's arch-nemesis is the heroes' best chance at understanding the Absolute Universe, but his help comes with a heavy toll. Lex Luthor's intelligence has proven to be so great that even the Justice League's smartest member recognizes his mind's potential, seeking him as an advisor to study DC's new universe. Superman will need to set his morals aside if he wants Lex Luthor to work with him, for more reasons than one.

In a preview for Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 by Joshua Williamson, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, and Adriano Lucas, Superman is called in by Mr. Terrific to discuss his ongoing investigation of a new universe that he refers to as the Elseworld, which readers know to be the Absolute Universe.

Mr. Terrific reveals that he's hit a roadblock in his analysis of this mysterious world, and that there's only one person who is capable of comprehending it when he has failed. Lex Luthor, the nemesis of Superman, is the one genius who possesses the qualities needed to reach the Absolute Universe.

Superman Needs Lex Luthor's Help to Access the Absolute Universe

Only Lex Luthor Can Bridge DC's Two Universes Together

Lex Luthor is widely regarded as one of the smartest characters in DC lore, and with good reason. His intelligence has aided in his invention of various anti-Superman technologies, from his iconic Warsuit to his arsenal of Kryptonite weaponry. Even Mr. Terrific, the Justice League's resident genius, recognizes his intelligence as a valuable resource in his efforts to grasp the universe that Darkseid's death has spawned. Although Mr. Terrific is another of the DC Universe's greatest minds, he lacks his own inner darkness to fathom the darkness at play in the Absolute Universe, whereas Lex has no such problem.

Mr. Terrific informs Superman of the mysterious elements at play in Darkseid's Absolute Universe, which readers have come to recognize through the tales of this continuity's Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. They each find themselves critically disadvantaged in a reality devoid of hope. As a hero, Mr. Terrific can't succumb to the negative impulses needed to envision such a world. Lex Luthor, on the other hand, is one of the few characters who can give into his evil side and benefit intellectually from it. In Mr. Terrific's words, "His help could be the key."

Lex Luthor's Memory Loss Has Redeemed Him, But He Must Now Undo It

To Study the Absolute Universe, Lex Luthor Needs to Be a Villain Again

Unfortunately for the Justice League, enlisting the help of Lex Luthor won't be as easy as asking him upfront. In Superman #15 by Williamson and Rafa Sandoval, Lex sacrifices his memories in order to aid Superman in the battle against Brainiac. As a result, Lex's memory has been wiped, causing him to have no recollection of his villainous deeds or his rivalry with the Man of Steel. As positive as this development may seem on the surface, there's a major caveat. Without his memories, Lex Luthor is no longer a genius and is therefore unable to assist the Absolute Universe investigation.

This new version of Lex Luthor who has emerged in the wake of his memory loss is a far cry from the original that readers have grown accustomed to. Rather than touting his intellectual superiority over all in his vicinity, he behaves in a mild-mannered fashion and has even struck up an earnest romance with Mercy Graves. Once a villain of Superman, he now abandons those past pursuits in favor of a normal life. Superman should be celebrating the redemption of his longtime adversary, but he instead must decide whether he should reverse Lex's growth.

Will Superman Restore Lex Luthor For the Sake of DC's Multiverse?

The Justice League Needs Lex Luthor's Genius, But At a Major Cost

Superman has been left with a massive choice to make. He can either allow Lex Luthor to fully leave his evil roots behind, or he can take away Lex's newfound peace by returning him to normal. Lex is more content now, so Superman will surely be reluctant to rob him of that. However, Superman also knows that Darkseid's reality could pose a threat, so he and his allies need to decipher its true nature as soon as possible. Lex Luthor is the heroes' only hope of unlocking the Absolute Universe's secrets, and it's up to Superman to bring him back.

Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 is available January 29th, 2025 from DC Comics.

Superman

Created By

Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel

First Appearance

Action Comics

Alias

Kal-El, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent

Alliance

Justice League, Superman Family

Race

Kryptonian

Franchise

D.C.

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