Lex Luthor is Superman’s worst enemy. At least that’s what it seems like on the surface. In reality, their relationship is far more nuanced than either of them would like to admit. While the two rivals have been battling one another since 1940, there have been times when Superman and Lex have been forced to work together. These moments say a lot about both men, and how they ultimately view one another.
Lex will never admit it, but there are times when he needs Superman’s help. And whether Superman realizes it or not, at times Lex has proven to be his greatest ally. Here are seven of the most memorable times that Superman and Lex Luthor have teamed up.
Superman and Lex Luthor Team Up for the First Time to Save a Dying World
1963’s Superman #164 (reprinted in Lex Luthor: A Celebration of 75 Years) is a momentous occasion, as it presents the first true team up between Superman and Lex. Previous comics had shown their boyhood friendship, or had found them working together via brainwashing, or as part of a hoax, but this was the first time the two rivals legitimately called a truce and worked together for a common goal.
Lex and Superman journey to an alien world to battle one another. While on the world, Lex uses his scientific prowess to help the natives with their water shortage. Realizing that he doesn’t have the power to end their drought, Lex surrenders to Superman, hoping that the Man of Steel would help him save the natives. Together, the two journey to a nearby ice planet, using glaciers to give the aliens a new water supply. In gratitude, the natives rename their planet Lexor.
Lex Luthor Saves Superman from the Terra-Man
In Action Comics #511, Lex Luthor is determined to prove he has turned over a new leaf. He captures 41 criminals, solves an oil shortage, repairs the Earth’s ozone layer and cures a terminal disease. Still, Superman isn’t completely convinced, so Lex volunteers to have his mind probed at the Fortress of Solitude.
During their visit, Superman is attacked by the villainous Terra-Man, who almost succeeds in defeating the Man of Steel. Luthor saves Superman’s life and helps him defeat the Terra-Man and his henchmen. “This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” Superman says. Of course, Lex goes back to his old ways one issue later, but it was beautiful while it lasted.
Lex Luthor Helps Superman Repel an Alien Invasion (While Disguised as His Australian Son)
Oh boy. Every once in a while, I have to give background context on the whole Lex Luthor II saga and it always feels weird.
Anyway, there was a period in the ’90s where Lex Luthor faked his death and placed his brain in a cloned body. The clone was younger, muscular and had a full lion’s mane of red hair. He also spoke in an Australian accent and pretended to be his own illegitimate son. Supergirl was kind of into it.
This was the setup when Brainiac attacked Earth during the Panic in the Sky storyline. Thanks to the massive superweapon known as Warworld, Brainiac has all the firepower he needs for victory. Faced with no other alternatives, Superman reluctantly turns to Lex Luthor II, who pledges to use Lexcorp’s resources to stop the invasion. In addition to supplying advanced weaponry, Luthor joins in the battle, fighting alongside Earth’s greatest heroes to stop Warworld.
Still, was the Australian accent really necessary?
Lex Helps Superman Save the Sun (and Acts Like a Jerk the Entire Time)
During The Final Night, an alien entity known as the Sun-Eater begins feeding off of Earth’s sun, causing the planet to be trapped in an eternal winter. With humanity’s extinction imminent, Lex Luthor offers his services to Superman and the Justice League to stop the crisis.
Lex’s scientific knowledge and company resources prove to be a big help, but he’s completely insufferable throughout the entire affair. Lex constantly brags about his intelligence, arrogantly talking down to Superman and the other heroes. The weakened sun also means Superman is without his powers, a fact Lex can’t resist rubbing in his face.
President Luthor Drafts Superman for War
During the 2001 storyline Our Worlds at War, an alien powerhouse known as Imperiex sets his sights on Earth, bringing a huge armada with him. This proves to be a defining moment for Lex Luthor, who had recently been elected President of the United States.
Lex, enjoying his position of power, drafts Superman and Earth’s other heroes into the conflict. Superman initially pushes back, but as the death toll rises and the planet’s doom seems imminent, the Man of Steel emotionally breaks down, telling President Luthor he will follow his plans to stop the war.
Working alongside Lex’s administration, Superman and the other heroes defeat Imperiex. However, the Man of Steel is displeased to learn that Lex had been aware of the invasion ahead of time and allowed it to play out so that he could cement his presidential legacy.
Superman (Reluctantly) Welcomes Lex into the Justice League
When the world’s invaded by the Crime Syndicate, Lex Luthor proves instrumental in defeating the multiversal villains. Deciding that he loves the glory that comes with heroism, Lex decides to rebrand himself as a crimefighter and petition the Justice League for membership.
As you can imagine, Superman is not receptive to the idea.
Surprisingly, it’s Batman who makes a case for Lex’s membership in 2014’s Justice League #33. The Dark Knight argues that Lex is going to do this hero thing with or without them, and at least this way, they can keep an eye on him. Reluctantly, Superman agrees and welcomes Lex into the Justice League.
Lex Luthor Becomes Superman’s Partner
Superman and Lex’s relationship has taken an interesting turn during Joshua Williamson’s still ongoing Superman run. For reasons that are still not fully know, Lex decides that he’s going to become Superman’s partner…despite the fact that he’s currently locked up in prison. From his cell, Lex coaches Superman during his battles, knowing that the Man of Steel’s super-hearing is tuned into everything he’s saying. Luthor also gifts his company to him, rebranding the organization as Supercorp.
Superman is naturally hesitant about this partnership, but Luthor is persistent enough that he more or less forces it to happen. This all culminates in House of Brainiac, where Lex battles alongside Superman to defeat Brainiac and Brainiac Queen.
What does all this tell us about Superman and Lex Luthor’s relationship? It appears that the two have one of the most complex rivalries in comics and they need each other more than they think. Plus, as Joshua Williamson’s Superman proves, their relationship is still evolving, even after 85 years. The only question is, where does it go from here?
Lex Luthor returns in Superman #25! Look for the oversized milestone issue in stores on April 23, 2025.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Bluesky at @joshualapinbertone and on X at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
