Superman: Birthright #8

Superman: Birthright #8

by Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu (Penciller), Gerry Alanguilan (Inker)

The startling truth behind Lex Luthor and his time in Smallville is revealed! Witness the rise and fall of Clark Kent's friendship with a young Lex Luthor and find out why his youth has been kept a secret until now...and how it ties into current events in Metropolis!

Genres: Comics, Superman, Dc Comics

23 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2004

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of the Superman: Birthright DC Compact Comics Edition. (August 18, 2025)

The collective review for the entire Superman: Birthright storyline can be found on my review of the Superman: Birthright DC Compact Comics Edition.

[cauldronofevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Issue #8” starts with Pa and Clark on the land where Luthor’s house used to be. Overlooking Smallville. They are looking for the meteor Lex had, but it’s not there.

They flashback to Luthor in class. Arrogant but genius, embarrassing the other kids and teachers with Sherlock Holmes-like deductions about their misdeeds. Clark tries to defend him, but that just gets him in trouble too.

Later Lex tries to take A Revised Plan for City Government that he has written to the Mayor and gets tossed out on his ear.

Lex’s money only made him more of an outcast. Clark confronts Lex about fixing games of the high school football team for the other side.

Later Clark visits Lex and finds he has built an an alien molecule detector. When it goes off while pointing to Clark, Lex smashes it because it obviously doesn’t work.

Later Clark visits Lex in his homemade laboratory where Lex tells him he has invented a device based on a meteorite he found that gives off unique radiation and is completely harmless. And glows green.

Clark is immediately sick. Lex interprets it as mockery and throws him out.

Lex goes back to his machine and discovers that he can get a window into Krypton. The machine explodes. The house burns down and kills Luthor Sr. Lex lives, but is bald. He runs away and is never seen in Smallville again.

This was the best re-telling of Lex’s origin story that I’ve ever read. It’s believable and tragic. Wish they’d make a movie like this.

5 stars

[Devin Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the most humanizing depiction of Lex that I've encountered, and that's saying something considering I'm in the middle of watching Smallville. (I love that Lex, especially Rosenbaum's performance, but--with where I'm at in the show--I feel like his motivations and feelings are sometimes a little stilted or something…? No spoilers, please!)

I'm always so interested in what to make of Kryptonite as a symbol of Clark's heritage, and it's especially interesting here: Lex is proud of it, Clark is nauseated by it, and Lex is infuriated that Clark seems to be reacting in disgust of Lex himself.

If the "S" that Superman wears with pride is the part of his heritage that he embraces, I suppose the Kryptonite is the pain of being forced from his home of Krypton.

Meanwhile, Lex parades it out as a symbol of his own ingenuity.

I have wheels turning about real-life parallels, but nothing worth sharing.

[Max Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este tebeo revela la compleja historia entre Clark Kent y Lex Luthor, centrándose específicamente en su amistad de la infancia en Smallville y los eventos que llevaron a la desaparición de esta. El número explora las trágicas consecuencias de un experimento científico que salió mal, que involucraba kryptonita, y cómo finalmente dio forma a la relación futura entre el granjero y el magnate millonario. Esta historieta también vincula este evento pasado con los eventos actuales que suceden en Metrópolis.

[Andy Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am almost positive james gunn took inspiration from this series for his superman. but boy, what was in this issue is EXACTLY what was missing from that movie. the history between clark and lex, and how lex was driven to become the ruthless, cold monster that he is, is so foundational to what makes their relationship interesting!! anyways, this book rules. oh and the art is incredible too.

[Emiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was batshit crazy

More Lex and Clark stuff was revealed and jesus shit hit the fan instantly. Lex just straight up got burned to death but somehow was still alive. I loved seeing their odd relationship between one another and how Clark wished he coudlve done more to prevent all that occurred. Can’t wait to see how they’ll engage in battle once it happens.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here, we get Lex's backstory. I'm kinda tired of seeing backstories for how significant characters became bald.

[Vijay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only someone just gave Lex a hug...

[Mikey Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lex’s arrogance and anti social behavior was on full display during his time in smallville.

[Ryan Gässer · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this issue, it makes me wonder if James Gunn read this while plotting the latest Superman motion picture.