WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for SUPERMAN #27!
For 85 years,SupermanandLex Luthorhave been nearly synonymous, their identities irrevocably linked in one of comics' most iconic rivalries. However, with the villain now officially bidding farewell to the Man of Steel and leaving Metropolis indefinitely, it appears DC may be retiring this legendary rogue for good, at least for now.
Joshua Williamson, Sean Izaakse, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, and Alejandro Sánchez’sSuperman#27 marks a monumental issue that ties up several loose ends. Picking up where the last issue left off,Clark is actively battling his Red Kryptonitepoisoning as he struggles to stay in control and overcome the rage threatening to consume him while searching for a recently escaped Lex Luthor.
However, instead of the epic face-off typically expected from this hero-villain duo,Luthor shockingly wishes the Man of Steel and Metropolis goodbye, though not without leaving him a parting gift.
Main Cover by Dan Mora forSuperman#27 (2025)
Superman#27 sees the Man of Steel on the hunt for Lex Luthorafter the villain orchestrates his own escape from prison along with several other rogues. During the search, Clark is contacted directly by Luthor, who admits to planning the breakout before shifting the conversation to their personal relationship.
Lex reflects on how they made a good team when they wereworking together and when Superman trusted him. However, he confesses that he cannot escape his past andneeds to figure out who he really is, stating,“…that means leaving Metropolis.”Before leaving, though, he says he“had to be sure to say goodbye.”
Luthor willingly leaving Metropolis comes as a shock to longtime fanswho never imagined the egomaniac would abandon the city he claimed as his own for decades. The fact that he goes out of his way just to say goodbye to Superman is a bittersweet gut punch that feels like the end of an era.
This is especially true sincethere is no set end for his self-imposed exile from Metropolis. With an explicit farewell from the villain and his official departure, it feels as if DC has just indefinitely retired his character, something that is sure to leave fans stunned.
Lex Luthor Leaves Superman with a Parting Gift (& It’s Actually Extremely Thoughtful)
Main Cover by Dan Mora forSuperman#25 (2025)
Luthor may have left Metropolis and Superman behind for the indefinite future, but he also left the Man of Steel with a present. As those following Williamson’s run know, Clark has been struggling with a Red Kryptonite infection. Yet, Luthor, being the genius that he is,figures out that Marilyn Moonlight’s powers, if used against Superman, will cure him of his affliction.
He then orchestrates a situation where Moonlight has no choice but to shoot Superman, which inadvertently cures the Man of Steel. So whileLex Luthormay be gone for now, he did not leaveSupermanwith an empty farewell.
SUPERMAN #27is available now from DC Comics!
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
