SUPERHAüS

The Chronological Superman 1961:

This imaginary story from Superman vol.1 No.149 answers the question “What if Lex Luthor reformed?” And the answer is “He’d just be faking it and would kill Superman.”

It’s probably one of the best stories of the Silver Age full-stop, inside the Superman Family or no. And given its bittersweet nature it is, of course, written by Jerry Siegel (with Curt Swan absolutely showing – by way of expression, posture, mood and framing – exactly what he brought to the Superman mythos).

The tragedy of Luthor is, as always, that he could be as celebrated and revered as Superman, but he’s too tied up in his own hatred and sense of superiority. A wounded ego prevents Luthor from enjoying the fruits of his labors, and receiving the adulation of the world. Again, with Siegel writing this tale, you have to wonder if this reflected his own epiphany prior to returning to the character he co-created, if in reduced stature.