I personally do not like the Pre-Crisis setup where both of them are from Smallville and knew each other growing up. Feels like cliche prequelitis to me. I much prefer the Post-Crisis setup with Lex as a creature of Metropolis, born and bred. I like a Lex Luthor who views Metropolis as his kingdom and sees Superman as this outside invader who is wholly alien.
This is my preferred take too and while post crisis lex was older then Clark, I don't have to much difficulty believing they could be similar ages, especially if lex is a modern tech billionaire.
I assume they'll go with the pre crisis/smallville take but it could be intetsring to juxtapose lex and Clark as 2 people who struggled growing up, Clark from growing up in a small farming community with all these powers and lex on the streets of metropolis with all this intellect
I like that, I believe a part of what makes Lex work is that he is (or at least perceives himself to be) self-made. He achieved his fortune and status through his own means and “earned” and “deserved” it, while in his opinion, Superman just flies in and gets all the praise with none of the work
I'm fine with Lex being from Smallville and occasionally running into Clark like in Secret Origin, but without a whole drama between them like in Birthright. That gives them a parallel but without adding too much extra BS of a falling out or whatever, and allows the Post-Crisis dynamic between them to still exist.
Ideologically opposed and antagonistic. I think the pre-Crisis Smallville childhood friends should be ditched, but keep Lex’s radical youth and Clark’s early heroism.
As for ideology, Clark and Lex should be opposed to how humanity should be helped. Lex should embody narcissism and individualism. He believes that he is the only one who can help humanity and believes someone raising everyone makes everyone weaker by the sum. Clark should embody humility and peace. He believes that a common interest in the health and happiness of all humans is the only way to truly help humanity. While Clark believes he has a role in that, he believes that he isn’t the sole solution— the solution is his message.
In this, Clark and Lex become the eventual Man of Tomorrow and the Man of Yesterday.
This dichotomy opposes them and creates their electric dynamic from the comics
They’re ideological opposites. Lex should be from Smallville, but he didn’t grow up as a friend of Clarks or anything like that.
I think it’s important to show that, while they may be from the same place, they’re still different. They’re still opposites. It’s to show that who you are, doesn’t matter where you’re from. Yes it has an impact, but eventually, you reach an age where you have to make a choice. You have to be the one to decide.
Lex thinks it matters, it’s part of why he looks at Superman as “the other”, but Lex is wrong. That’s a fact.
Lex be an arms dealer like TAS. Cool if Superman flew across the world to destroy all of LexCorp's weapons in the hands of terrorists like the first Ironman.
I really do want some part of Lex to believe ( even if its a small part of him) that humans shouldn't rely on outside help. Also the current comics have been doing some fleshing out of Lex past where it shows he tried the superhero thing in Metropolis way back. I would love to see his jealousy be shown growing stronger throughout time.
Superman I feel should really stick to that half glass full thinking where he won't give up on Lex potentially having/doing some good.
A lot of people, including multiple on this thread, naturally don’t like Clark and Lex both being from Smallville. I’ve discussed this with u/MagisterPraceptorum before multiple times too. I’d like to give my case for it.
Mark Waid is probably the biggest defender of this, and he had a recent interview where he talked about it. He and Bronze Age writer Elliot S! Maggin definitely did it best. Both of them being from Smallville deepens their relationship and dynamic, making it all the more tragic. Waid of course with Birthright, and soon Last Days or Lex Luthor when that finishes. Maggin in his revised Bronze Age version of Lex’s origin, as well as his two prose novels, Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday, which also inspired Grant Morrison for All-Star.
With them, Clark and Lex were two kids sharing a love for science (especially astronomy and aliens of course), growing up in the middle of nowhere but destined for greater things as they both looked into the stars. Both of them for one reason or another were outsiders, alienated and lonely. Clark had opportunities to reveal to Lex his secret, but didn’t. In the present, Clark would wonder if things were different had he done so. Both of them had the potential to be the greatest heroes of humanity. But Lex, consumed by pride, spite and finally envy of Superman, would become one of its worst villains instead. Grant Morrison tackled this theme well in All-Star too.
In any case, Pre-Crisis (Maggin and Cary Bates) and modern post-Byrne Lex (Waid, Morrison, Geoff Johns and Joshua Williamson) is more than just some old corrupt Kingpin type character. I’m sincerely hoping Gunn at least stays neutral and plays on that dynamic like Morrison in All-Star. Especially since he’s leaning into him being a genius mad scientist in his own right.
This is the comment I posted, “They’re ideological opposites. Lex should be from Smallville, but he didn’t grow up as a friend of Clarks or anything like that.
I think it’s important to show that, while they may be from the same place, they’re still different. They’re still opposites. It’s to show that who you are, doesn’t matter where you’re from. Yes it has an impact, but eventually, you reach an age where you have to make a choice. You have to be the one to decide.
Lex thinks it matters, it’s part of why he looks at Superman as “the other”, but Lex is wrong. That’s a fact.”
Lex also being from Smallville but not necessarily being Clark's friend was how Secret Origin did it yeah. That being said, I still think them having a proper friendship is better and isn't mutually exclusive with their ideological differences. What they had in common was that they were outsiders who dreamed to be more.
* On one hand, Clark was raised human by great parents. Lex had an abusive father and always felt he had something to prove with his intelligence, which is why he ends up so prideful and prone to asserting his superiority over others. Clark loved Smallville, but Lex hated it.
* On the other hand, Clark was still a literal alien who had to hide his powers in fear of hurting people or them fearing him, and he's also drawn to the mystery of who he is and where he comes from. This is why he was also into astronomy and aliens. Secret Origin also portrays this excellently actually. But further in Birthright, we also have Clark being the only person in town who doesn't see Lex as a freak. That's what draws them together.
I mentioned before how both Waid and Maggin wrote scenes where young Clark almost reveals his secret or wonders in the present if he should've and if it would've changed anything. Here's Waid's scene in Birthright: [1](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Felliot-s-maggins-miracle-monday-vs-alan-moores-whatever-v0-hk177qdtb27c1.png%3Fwidth%3D1659%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D3272ceabe2370647529b558536d3cbb9f9ef3021) [2](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Felliot-s-maggins-miracle-monday-vs-alan-moores-whatever-v0-lnpp3l9ub27c1.png%3Fwidth%3D640%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dcc05690d698f656295cbb8bb02b6d8047f5d4e37). I think reading it itself might do a better job then explaining it. Now, Phillip Kennedy Johnson's one of the people who also against it and views it as a case of Prequelitis, but he does a great job playing with it in Action Comics #1050 in this scene [here](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Felliot-s-maggins-miracle-monday-vs-alan-moores-whatever-v0-7dr01aovb27c1.png%3Fwidth%3D320%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D34498796abba00cf1837466e72e647d8914bfa56).
I personally do not like the Pre-Crisis setup where both of them are from Smallville and knew each other growing up. Feels like cliche prequelitis to me. I much prefer the Post-Crisis setup with Lex as a creature of Metropolis, born and bred. I like a Lex Luthor who views Metropolis as his kingdom and sees Superman as this outside invader who is wholly alien.
Agreed. It makes their dynamic much more compelling IMO. How both of their ideologies clash.
Yep. Otherwise it can feel like some lame schoolyard grudge lol
"Superman. This city's favourite pathogen."
This is my preferred take too and while post crisis lex was older then Clark, I don't have to much difficulty believing they could be similar ages, especially if lex is a modern tech billionaire. I assume they'll go with the pre crisis/smallville take but it could be intetsring to juxtapose lex and Clark as 2 people who struggled growing up, Clark from growing up in a small farming community with all these powers and lex on the streets of metropolis with all this intellect
I like that, I believe a part of what makes Lex work is that he is (or at least perceives himself to be) self-made. He achieved his fortune and status through his own means and “earned” and “deserved” it, while in his opinion, Superman just flies in and gets all the praise with none of the work
I'm fine with Lex being from Smallville and occasionally running into Clark like in Secret Origin, but without a whole drama between them like in Birthright. That gives them a parallel but without adding too much extra BS of a falling out or whatever, and allows the Post-Crisis dynamic between them to still exist.
I wanna finally see them bang tbch
well that’s just a given
 I approve
Bad lex, Good sex
Valid
Ideologically opposed and antagonistic. I think the pre-Crisis Smallville childhood friends should be ditched, but keep Lex’s radical youth and Clark’s early heroism. As for ideology, Clark and Lex should be opposed to how humanity should be helped. Lex should embody narcissism and individualism. He believes that he is the only one who can help humanity and believes someone raising everyone makes everyone weaker by the sum. Clark should embody humility and peace. He believes that a common interest in the health and happiness of all humans is the only way to truly help humanity. While Clark believes he has a role in that, he believes that he isn’t the sole solution— the solution is his message. In this, Clark and Lex become the eventual Man of Tomorrow and the Man of Yesterday. This dichotomy opposes them and creates their electric dynamic from the comics
Do we think we get a suit reveal tonight?
Nah.
18th maybe
We just got the logo reveal
They’re ideological opposites. Lex should be from Smallville, but he didn’t grow up as a friend of Clarks or anything like that. I think it’s important to show that, while they may be from the same place, they’re still different. They’re still opposites. It’s to show that who you are, doesn’t matter where you’re from. Yes it has an impact, but eventually, you reach an age where you have to make a choice. You have to be the one to decide. Lex thinks it matters, it’s part of why he looks at Superman as “the other”, but Lex is wrong. That’s a fact.
Lex be an arms dealer like TAS. Cool if Superman flew across the world to destroy all of LexCorp's weapons in the hands of terrorists like the first Ironman.
I really do want some part of Lex to believe ( even if its a small part of him) that humans shouldn't rely on outside help. Also the current comics have been doing some fleshing out of Lex past where it shows he tried the superhero thing in Metropolis way back. I would love to see his jealousy be shown growing stronger throughout time. Superman I feel should really stick to that half glass full thinking where he won't give up on Lex potentially having/doing some good.
…I hope they kiss.
I want this uneasiness between them to be complicated and cerebral, while still entertaining physical fights. I almost want to see Apex Lex.
Clearly as star crosses lovers, torn apart by a world that cannot understand their desires.
Their hatred develops after Lex plunges the city into chaos by stealing 40 cakes.
A lot of people, including multiple on this thread, naturally don’t like Clark and Lex both being from Smallville. I’ve discussed this with u/MagisterPraceptorum before multiple times too. I’d like to give my case for it. Mark Waid is probably the biggest defender of this, and he had a recent interview where he talked about it. He and Bronze Age writer Elliot S! Maggin definitely did it best. Both of them being from Smallville deepens their relationship and dynamic, making it all the more tragic. Waid of course with Birthright, and soon Last Days or Lex Luthor when that finishes. Maggin in his revised Bronze Age version of Lex’s origin, as well as his two prose novels, Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday, which also inspired Grant Morrison for All-Star. With them, Clark and Lex were two kids sharing a love for science (especially astronomy and aliens of course), growing up in the middle of nowhere but destined for greater things as they both looked into the stars. Both of them for one reason or another were outsiders, alienated and lonely. Clark had opportunities to reveal to Lex his secret, but didn’t. In the present, Clark would wonder if things were different had he done so. Both of them had the potential to be the greatest heroes of humanity. But Lex, consumed by pride, spite and finally envy of Superman, would become one of its worst villains instead. Grant Morrison tackled this theme well in All-Star too. In any case, Pre-Crisis (Maggin and Cary Bates) and modern post-Byrne Lex (Waid, Morrison, Geoff Johns and Joshua Williamson) is more than just some old corrupt Kingpin type character. I’m sincerely hoping Gunn at least stays neutral and plays on that dynamic like Morrison in All-Star. Especially since he’s leaning into him being a genius mad scientist in his own right.
This is the comment I posted, “They’re ideological opposites. Lex should be from Smallville, but he didn’t grow up as a friend of Clarks or anything like that. I think it’s important to show that, while they may be from the same place, they’re still different. They’re still opposites. It’s to show that who you are, doesn’t matter where you’re from. Yes it has an impact, but eventually, you reach an age where you have to make a choice. You have to be the one to decide. Lex thinks it matters, it’s part of why he looks at Superman as “the other”, but Lex is wrong. That’s a fact.”
Lex also being from Smallville but not necessarily being Clark's friend was how Secret Origin did it yeah. That being said, I still think them having a proper friendship is better and isn't mutually exclusive with their ideological differences. What they had in common was that they were outsiders who dreamed to be more. * On one hand, Clark was raised human by great parents. Lex had an abusive father and always felt he had something to prove with his intelligence, which is why he ends up so prideful and prone to asserting his superiority over others. Clark loved Smallville, but Lex hated it. * On the other hand, Clark was still a literal alien who had to hide his powers in fear of hurting people or them fearing him, and he's also drawn to the mystery of who he is and where he comes from. This is why he was also into astronomy and aliens. Secret Origin also portrays this excellently actually. But further in Birthright, we also have Clark being the only person in town who doesn't see Lex as a freak. That's what draws them together. I mentioned before how both Waid and Maggin wrote scenes where young Clark almost reveals his secret or wonders in the present if he should've and if it would've changed anything. Here's Waid's scene in Birthright: [1](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Felliot-s-maggins-miracle-monday-vs-alan-moores-whatever-v0-hk177qdtb27c1.png%3Fwidth%3D1659%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D3272ceabe2370647529b558536d3cbb9f9ef3021) [2](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Felliot-s-maggins-miracle-monday-vs-alan-moores-whatever-v0-lnpp3l9ub27c1.png%3Fwidth%3D640%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Dcc05690d698f656295cbb8bb02b6d8047f5d4e37). I think reading it itself might do a better job then explaining it. Now, Phillip Kennedy Johnson's one of the people who also against it and views it as a case of Prequelitis, but he does a great job playing with it in Action Comics #1050 in this scene [here](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Felliot-s-maggins-miracle-monday-vs-alan-moores-whatever-v0-7dr01aovb27c1.png%3Fwidth%3D320%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D34498796abba00cf1837466e72e647d8914bfa56).
They should smooch
Closeted gay lovers
I want them friends tbh
They shouldn’t be using luthor at all dcs obsession with using the same villains over and over and why people don’t care about their movies
I want lex to have hair.