Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor

Superman: Miniseries

by Mark Waid, Bryan Hitch (Artist)

Written by MARK WAID Illustrated by BRYAN HITCHThe superstar creative team of Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch tell a DC Black Label story exploring a dying Lex Luthor, his relationship with Superman, and a quest to save the greatest criminal mastermind of our time.Superman learns Lex Luthor is dying, and he wants the Man of Steel to help him find the cure for whatever is causing his rapid decline. While the world wants to say good riddance to Luthor, Superman will go to the ends of the universe, through different dimensions, and across time to save his foe. But just why does he want to save the person who’s spent his life trying to destroy him? And will he even be able to find the solution?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Superman, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Fiction, Science Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2025

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Sean Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Waid and Hitch doing what they do best, so it's a quality read.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although he is one of the most celebrated writers that was worked in comics for years with an encyclopaedic love of all things superhero-related, Mark Waid has been going through a resurgence during this decade where he has been writing some of the most exciting titles currently published by DC. From ongoing series like Batman/Superman: World's Finest to crossover events like Absolute Power, Waid has never shown cynicism towards larger-than-life characters, even when the stakes are high. So how does he and artist Bryan Hitch handle a character as iconic as Superman under DC's Black Label?

Being no stranger to the Man of Steel as he has written the character on-and-off over the years, including what I think is the definitive version of his origin story with Superman: Birthright, The Last Days of Lex Luthor serves as a spiritual successor to that book. As the title suggests, it explores a dying Lex Luthor, his relationship with Superman, and a quest to save the greatest criminal mastermind of our time, much to the chagrin of everyone else on the planet.

Plot-wise, this is not far off from what Tom King and Andy Kubert did with Superman: Up in the Sky, which was about Superman going through great lengths, even travelling through the universe to save one little girl, whilst everyone questions his motivation. While recent creators like Joshua Williamson have been taking the character of Lex Luthor into interesting directions during his Superman run, Waid makes that relationship between hero and villain the central crux of what is essentially a buddy narrative.

Although you can read The Last Days of Lex Luthor as a standalone piece, you will have a better appreciation towards this if you have read Birthright, of which a major aspect of that book was that childhood friendship between Clark and Lex during their upbringing in Smallville. Jumping back and forth between the past and the present, Waid puts a lot of care into showing the highs and lows of this relationship with Clark learning what is good and simple during his Kansas upbringing, while Lex feels trapped in a world that doesn't respect his ego-induced genius. As much as Superman is determined to save his arch-nemesis, that doesn't mean Lex is going to turn over a new leaf as he still determines to take down Superman, even by altering the public opinion towards him.

Considering this is published under DC's Black Label, which is a platform for creators to put more edgy spins on DC characters, whether iconic or obscure, Waid doesn't attempt to go down that route. Even during its third and final issue when the main villain makes their grand appearance with world-threatening plans, and despite the numerous voices that opposed the saving of Luthor's life, it is ultimately the unlikely duo of Supes and Lex that has to save the world, whilst coming full circle in a touching final scene.

First announced in April 2023, the initial issue of The Last Days of Lex Luthor was published in July 2023, but then you had to wait in the next two years for the subsequent issues to be released. Whatever the reasons are for this miniseries getting delayed, not least of which its two creators being busy with other projects, it is now out in one glorious Prestige Format hardcover. One thing is for certain, Bryan Hitch, collaborating with inker Kevin Nowlan provides some of his best work to date, and this is from an artist who has always been about double page spreads featuring many super-powered figures battling within places getting demolished. With Waid's encyclopaedic knowledge of the DC Universe, Hitch puts a lot of detail in illustrating the fantastical settings, not just the likes of Superman's Fortress of Solitude.

Considering the amazing work he has put out recently, Mark Waid may have done his best work in a long time, certainly when it comes to solely focusing on Superman and his world. If you like Superman: Birthright, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor serves as a fantastic successor that really examines one of the most complex relationships between a hero and his nemesis.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 stars

An entertaining Elseworlds-type tale of a possible end to the seemingly eternal conflict between Superman and Lex Luthor. I’ll admit that I didn’t see the ending coming but I’d expect nothing less from Mark Waid. The artwork was pretty darned good, too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kevin Nowlan ink somebody else’s pencils before.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to wait 2 years for issue 2 and only two months for issue 3. W O R T H I T !

Mark Waid is the premiere geek when it comes to Superman. His Birthright comic is constantly in battle with All Star in my mind for best Superman comic ever. So I was excited! And it has such a simple premise told in the best classic sci fi way. What if your mortal enemy asked for your help to save him? We know what Superman would respond with, but can he change Lex in the process?

This is simultaneously simple and mature all at once. It's an odyssey of sorts and builds to a spectacular conclusion I didn't see coming. I loved it so much, that I hope to see this adapted as a movie one day.

Also, Bryan Hitch may have given us his best work yet with the pencils of the series but the true art star in this is colorist David Baron. Who gave us a metropolis that felt like the 90s animated series. I swear when DC Black Label is good, it's R E A L L Y good.

[mint]

Mark Waid really be out there writing peak clex yaoi…

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor collects issues 1-3 of the DC Comics Black Label series written by Mark Waid, art by Bryan Hitch, inks by Kevin Nowlan, and colors by David Baron.

Lex Luthor is dying after one of his own experiments backfires. After trying and failing to find the cure himself he turns to the only person in the galaxy he knows who will stop at nothing to find a way for him to live: Superman.

This comic is a love story to what Superman and Lex Luthor should have always been: Friends and allies. It tackles themes from many eras of Superman comics trying to bridge the gap between these legendary foes, weaving together over eighty years of comic history. It tells a very human story that has a beautiful ending that isn’t trying to set-up future stories. Mark Waid almost always delivers great books but he seems to be under appreciated in many comic realms. We definitely need to change that recognition because he is one of the most consistent and best comic writers today.

To top off the great story, Hitch, Nowlan, and Baron team up to deliver a drop-dead gorgeous book. Hitch knows how to bring a realistic style to his art, capturing action in a very dynamic and cinematic composition. Reading a book that Hitch has drawn is almost like watching an animated movie in your mind. There were so many panels and page spreads that I got lost in with this title. I am so glad this title got the Black Label oversized treatment.

This is a book that all Superman and DC Comics fans should read. It is easily one of the best stories to be released by the publisher in the last few years.

[cheezewhis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tell no one."

If you tilt your head and squint your eyes, it almost looks like love.

[Aidan]

Probably the best of the recent DC comics I’ve read, and the best work I’ve seen from Waid and Hitch in a while, a redemption for the duo after Waid publicly admitted to their struggles as collaborators on JLA. Hitch re-teaming with the great Kevin Nowlan on inks continues to cement their status as two artists seemingly made for each other.

This is a rewarding finale to the Superman-Lex story begun in Waid’s Birthright, suitably more mature in it’s style, no longer relying on constant caption boxes narrating the events, which always bogged down Birthright for me. While Waid nails their voices, his iconic tragic accident origin for Clark and Lex still feels retroactively too convenient, a narratively forced misunderstanding. In the retelling here I did appreciate Waid allowing the scene to stand on the action and dialogue, as opposed to justifying it with captions the way he did back in Birthright which just made it weaker in its original form. This honestly improves Birthright in my mind by giving that origin pay off as motivation for Clark’s actions here, as opposed to just hanging in the background with no impact.

Given Birthright’s use as source material for the Man of Steel movie, this also feels like a course correction to that legacy. Waid here has the chance to put into action his ideas about how Superman doesn’t kill, famously espoused in his online review critically taking down the climax to Zack Snyder’s film. This worked quite well for me as the central conceit of the book motivated by the Birthright origin, but became a bit too much of a meta-textual nerd argument in the one scene where Lois explains to Jimmy that “if Superman kills, what stops him from killing again?” It’s unnecessary both narratively and thematically, and I always found that to specific argument to be the weakest reasoning of the lot. Similarly unnecessary was Wonder Woman attacking Clark when he brought Lex to Paradise Island, which felt sudden and out of character for the peace loving hero, especially considering she is convinced to help a page later. Even at my most offended by a friend, I’ve never punched them in the face.

There’s plenty of science fiction leaps this book glosses over that don’t quite make sense but I admit that with the pacing, beautiful art, and perfectly pitched Luthor, I didn’t really care about things like the nonsensical new Phantom Zone rules. The final reveal is another one of these moments, where I don’t quite understand how Clark survives, but the artistry on display still makes it the most impactful scene of the book.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I started reading this before I went to watch the Superman movie and finished it after I saw it and it fit so well with the movie and Superman’s desire to save everyone - big, small, good and… well, Lex.

It’s a different take on the story, borrowing a little from Smallville in that Clark & Lex were friends when they were younger (though the same age and classmates, which wasn’t the case in the TV series) but at the same time having a completely different ending with Superman losing his powers permanently.

I love that even though it seems hopeless and even though the whole world wants him to just let Lex die, Superman/Clark goes out of his way to help him.

The only reason I gave it a 4.5 instead of 5 is because I didn’t fully understand why Brainiac went about his plan the way he did… he took Superman out of commission by infecting Lex, but I’m sure there had to be a simpler way? And I also didn’t fully understand the doohickey Clark & Lex came up with that gave Lex powers but somehow left Superman with less (and eventually no) powers.

I did love that Lex sacrificed himself to help Clark in the end, but I wasn’t entirely clear on how he died but Clark survived the blast.

Either way, the whole comic was really interesting and a good read.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A not surprisingly great Superman comic from Waid that also acts as a surprising sequel to Birthright? Adding this to my bookshelf.

[Darik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling, but also somewhat skewed little what-if story (with absolutely GORGEOUS art by Bryan Hitch, inked by Kevin Nowlan) that raises the question of the lengths Superman to which Superman would go to save a life... even if it was the life of his mortal enemy, Lex Luthor.

This story does feel like Mark Waid strenuously asserting his own version of the characters in a way that reads as... well, a little annoying. It's hard not to read the book's premise and its handling of the basic concept as a big, childish "NUH-UH!!!" to the idea that Superman would ever kill, or by -- even having Lois bring up snapping necks in her defense of Superman's moral integrity. Clearly Waid is still a little pissed about the end of Man of Steel.

But secondly, the entire relationship between Superman and Lex is rooted in the Silver Age/Birthright versions of the characters-- where Lex and Clark were friends in Smallville, until a lab fire burned off Lex's hair and turned him down a darker path. The book makes it clear that Clark feels deeply guilty about this... that he blames himself for the way Lex turned out, because he didn't trust him with his secret early on and let Lex know that he wasn't alone as an outsider in Smallville. One on hand, this does add a powerful personal dimension to the story, and Superman gradually reconnects with Lex over the seemingly hopeless quest to cure his incurable ailment...

... But on the OTHER hand, doesn't that kind of undercut the basic premise of the book? If Superman has a personal reason to care about the salvation and well-being of this version of Lex Luthor, then is he ACTUALLY choosing to help because of his moral code, or because he personally feels guilty?

Like, would he go to the same lengths-- would he actively choose to permanently transplant his powers-- into the post-Crisis Lex Luthor? The selfish, greedy businessman and petty tyrant that Clark never met until he moved to Metropolis? Or how about the Joker? Or Hitler? See, that's the problem with building an entire story around justifying a moral absolute: if you take the easy route and write a story where EVERYTHING works in favor of the argument you're making, then you haven't proven a thing. It's as intellectually dishonest as Zack Snyder stacking the deck to justify Superman breaking Zod's neck.

But hey-- whatever. It's still a charming little yarn with a ridiculously unlikely premise (so you're telling me there's NO science or magic in the entire DC universe that can cure this one illness? You can't just get Zatanna to say "Esaesid eb enog"?) that mostly just serves as an excuse for Lex and Supes to go on a road trip together and bicker like an old married couple before hashing out their personal beef. It's a fun read, even if it feels a little flimsy, and a little too self-satisfied.

[Khanfor Nouhaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lex Luthor has been,is,and always will be superman’s best villain. This much is a known fact. What’s not is that he is also his only equal,and as shown throughout this book,his greatest regret.
The man from beyond the stars not being to save a mere human and yet trying to over and over again.
Lex is a lost cause,probably always has been,whatever goodness he might have been capable of is probably long buried underneath all the hatred his heart has to carry.
But what is love if not looking back?

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from a decision at the very end I actively dislike (taking away Superman's powers is always a Boring™️ creative decision) this is a genius book. Not only a story of Superman struggling to save the one person no one wants him to save, but also the story of Lex Luthor finally starting to understand why people live Superman as much as they do. I love the scene where Wonder Woman interrogates Lex with the lasso of truth. I also love the ways it elegantly connects to Mark Waid's 'Superman: Birthright', almost as a duology.

[Roman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Нарешті дістався до лімітки "Superman: Last Days of Lex Luthor" від Марка Вейда та Браяна Гітча.

Супермен дізнається, що його головний ворог Лекс Лютор помирає від загададковоїхвороби. Йому не вдалося знайти ліків від неї, а тому Лютор йде ва-банк і вирішує звернутися до того кого найбільше ненавидить чудово знаючи, що Супермен цінує усе життя і не відмовить йому. Так і стається і тепер Супс та Лютор повинні знайти ліки поки не стало занадто пізно.

І впродовж другої половини першого номеру та усього другого серія працює за схемою в якій Супс та Лекс приходять в якесь місце з історії Супермена (Кандор, Фантомна Зона, Майбутнє Легіону та інше), ліки не допомагають, наш дует вирушає до наступного місця. Паралельно нам також розповідають про дитинство Лекса та Кларка у Смолвілі, про те, які у них були стосунки і чому Кларк так жадає допомогти Лексу. І от лінія цих двох та взаємодія один з одних мені тут найбільше сподобалася, Вейд тут досить добре виписав, як Супса, так і Лютора.

В третьому ж номері серія змінює напрям. Тут у нас вилазить антагоніст, який як виявляється стоїть за всім і Супс та Лютор залишається єдиними хто здатен його зупинити. Не фанат такого сценарного рішення та більшості того, що відбувається у цьому номері. Сама кінцівка коміксу є потенційно цікавою у вакууму, але в контексті подій, які їй передують вийшла дещо змазаною.

Щодо малюнку Гітча, то він тут загалом все той же Гітч, однак видно, що старається більше ніж зазвичай.

"Останні дні Лекса Лютора" не є найгіршою роботою Вейда, але й далеко не найкращою. Головні герої та флешбеки з ними вийшли хорошими, а сюжет з пошуками ліків у перших двох номерах просто норм, в той час, як поворот у третьому номері розчаровує. Якщо пропустите цю серію, то нічого важливого не втратите.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lex Luthor has finally gone too far with his experiments and he is now dying with his cells aging more rapidly than they should. When Superman shows up to foil his plans, Lex confesses his mortality to him, knowing that Superman would not let anyone die if he could help it, even his arch-enemy Lex Luthor. Superman tries many different possibilities for cures, including traveling to the 31st century, to the island of Themyscira, and even to the phantom zone. Pretty soon another bad guy shows up who tricked Luthor and Superman into this whole situation to begin with.
I'm guessing this is an "elseworlds" title (even though it doesn't say so) given the *SPOILER* ending for both Lex and Superman. Excellent writing by Mark Waid and great art by Bryan Hitch!

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Mark Waid writing Superman doesn't disappoint. An interesting look at the Superman and Lex dynamic that isn't always explored. I'm not always the biggest fan of the idea that Clark and Lex grew up together in Smallville, but in this story it works and deepens the narrative that's presented here.

I'm not always into Bryan Hitch's art, but it works nicely here and really captures the scope of the story being told.

The more of main continuity I read, and of so many of these huge characters that have been around for decades, the more I value the out of continuity stories with something to say.

Definitely worth your time - strong recommend.

[Nolan Buro · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a compelling case for an off and on again bit of Silver Age continuity I've never quite made my mind up on. Is it more interesting for Clark and Lex to have been friends in Smallville or to meet for the first time in Metropolis as adults? I keep thinking it's hokey and too coincidental, but Waid really shows how the emotional stakes are raised by deepening the personal connection between them (as he did in Birthright and Williamson has been doing in the current Superman series.)

Stunning art. The format is perfect for Hitch. Nowlan is an interesting choice of inker for him. Will revisit this one often.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, it's Mark Waid, writing Superman. Yeah, it's good.

Though I did have a slight issue with the very premise. If Superman will stop everything to try to save Lex Luthor from a fatal illness, why doesn't he feel the need to do that for, you know, EVERYONE else? The book heavily gets into how Superman could never kill nor let even one life extinguish, but then why doesn't everyone just ask him to help them like Lex does? I know I'm not supposed to think about that in this way while reading, but it still stuck out to me.

Other than that, though, this is a pretty great tale of these two classic enemies.

[Kevin MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch craft a classic Superman tale that gets to the heart of the characters and provides a satisfying alternate end to the man of steel’s mightiest villain. Waid includes a lot of Superman’s greatest friends and foes while still putting a focus on Lex’ relationship with Clark in past and present. The end is satisfying and I have a feeling this series will be looked back upon as yet another great exploration of DC characters that only Mark Waid can tell.

[Nicko · Rating 3 out of 5]

With an introspective premise, it certainly delivers on asking and answering the right questions. The end of Issue 2 very quickly suggests a turnaround for the worse, involving Brainiac and another world-ending threat. Even the first two issues were just fine and nothing to write home about, which is disappointing, especially since we waited what felt like two years for the last two books. Bryan Hitch’s work is still gold…

[Mazin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor

Mark Waid has done it again! A new Super story for our beloved Superman.. with gorgeously illustrated artwork from Bryan Hitch.

No Spoilers:
The story is simple: What will the Man of Steel do when his archenemies fall for a non-curable sickness?
An adventure & a relationship study.. worth the wait and worth the read!
Hope someday that it will be adapted to a movie or an animated one.

One of the best Superman Standalone Stories ever told!

[Adam Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

we've entered the era of Superman comics that justify the continued publication of the character post-All-Star Superman. Tom King's Up In The Sky, Superman Smashes the Klan, the Jon Kent stories, and now this lovely boiling-down of one of the best rivalries in comics. this one landed just right for me.

[Nate Hipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can’t believe this was ever finished. I thought for sure Part 1 would be the only part ever released when it came out years ago and was followed by silence. Fortunately it all comes together nicely even if I found Part 3 a weaker punch em up after the character study of Superman’s obsession in Part 2. It also doesn’t help that some of the plot points mirrored developments in other current books.

[Joshua K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best work Waid has put out since the triumphant return to DC comics. The premise is ripe with potential and Waid and Hitch take full advantage. Waid truly understands the dynamic. Plus, Kevin Nowlan’s inks make Hitch’s work look the best it has in years. I hope this boom defines Waid’s later period work.

[Luis Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Más un 4.5
Hay muchos saltos de guión en esto, cuya única intención es ver a Lex y Superman debatir sobre si es justificable un mal por un bien mayor o si pequeño bien crea un gran mal.

Pero ESE final. .5 extra por ese final de Hitch & Waid en su prime.

[Erick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encanta que tomen el hecho de que Clark y Lex fueron amigos, eso le añade más complejidad a esta historia de Superman intentando salvar a su mayor enemigo a pesar de que el mundo este en contra. Realmente que gran personaje es Lex Luthor

[Minki Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ Spiritual sequel to Superman Birthright, in-depth relationship between Superman and Lex, satisfying ending
- Abrupt third act shift without explanation with Brainiac. 3rd act doesn’t match up with the 1st two acts

[Connor Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love love the character beat of Superman admiring humans because they can go through life without powers. I would really like to see that more in live action. Some really interesting stuff between Lex and Clark here.

[Kole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lotta gay tension in this one. Superman not beating that romantic obsession with people whose initials are LL meme. Then Superman and Lex share "genetic material". In all seriousness though, this one's fine.

[Zachary King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this was pretty terrific.