Supermanis making a massive return this year, with DC going all in with"The Summer of Superman"—a bold initiative that will spotlight the Man of Steel through a series of exciting projects kicking off in April and continuing all summer long. With Superman’s resurgence in full swing, it’s the perfect time for Lex Luthor to reclaim his position as the Kryptonian’s greatest foe. And DC has made it clear: Luthor’s return is not just inevitable, but imminent, setting the stage for epic confrontations ahead.
…DC seems to be heading in the right direction with its handling of Luthor’s comeback.
DC has an extensive lineup of Superman projects this year, andthe vast majority have already confirmed Lex Luthor’s involvement—this time, with a return to his villainous roots.
While Luthor has remained a recurring character in Superman’s ongoing comic run, he hasn’t been the infamous villain readers love to hate ever sinceBrainiac erased his memories in theHouse of Brainiacstoryline, causing a complete personality shift that stripped away his classic villainous charm. Now, with DC’s upcoming Superman-centric projects, his full-fledged return to form is more than just exciting—it’s exactly what fans have been waiting for.
A Brief Overview of DC’sSummer of Superman& Lex Luthor Highlights
Main Cover by Jorge Jiménez forSummer of Superman Special#1
The Summer of Supermaninitiative officially launches on July 12, 2025, withSummer of Superman Special#1by Dan Slott, Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, and Jorge Jiménez. Shortly after, on April 23, Joshua Williamson, Eddy Barrows, and Dan Mora’sSuperman#25 will release—marking the first issue of this run within this initiative and delivering major developments for the Man of Steel. The momentum continues on May 21 withSuperman Unlimitedby Dan Slott, Rafael Albuquerque, and Marcelo Maiolo, followed bySuperman: The Worldon June 24, and Superman’s Good Guy Gangon July 1.
While each of these titles is exciting, fans eager for the full-fledged return of Lex Luthor—memories intact and ready to wreak havoc on Clark’s life—shouldstart withSuperman: Lex Luthor Specialby Joshua Williamson and Eddy Barrows, which is already available from DC Comics. Though not officially part of theSummer of Supermanevent, this issue serves as the true beginning of Luthor’s comeback and teases his larger role in the DCU’s future. Beyond this special, Williamson, Barrows, and Mora’sSuperman#25 is the key issue to watch out for.
According to the synopsis,Superman#25 marks the definitive return of Lex Luthor as Superman’s greatest adversary, moving beyond the brief tease inSuperman: Lex Luthor Special. The issue confirms that Lex has regained his memory and is reclaiming his place as Clark’s most formidable enemy—albeit with a twist. While details remain under wraps,the synopsis hints at Lex’s ambitions to seize control of Supercorp and Metropolis, setting the stage for a gripping new storyline that will propel the Superman run forward.
The Summer of Superman is Finally Giving My Favorite Hero the Respect He Deserves
DC Comics is honoring Superman with a summer initiative and as a decades-long fan of the Man of Steel, I couldn’t be happier to see this tribute.
Yes, Lex Luthor WILL Be in James Gunn’sSupermanMovie
Superman(2025) | Official Teaser Trailer on YouTube
It would be remiss not to mention that Lex’s comeback extends beyond comics, as he is also set to appear inJames Gunn’s upcomingSupermanmovie, releasing on August 07, 2025—perfectly aligning with DC’sSummer of Superman. While details on Luthor’s role remain scarce,fans do know that Nicholas Hoult will be portraying the iconic villain, and the film’s official trailer has already confirmed his presence. Given Luthor’s central role in Superman’s mythology, it’s highly likely he will have significant screen time and serve as one of the movie’s primary antagonists.
Why theSummer of SupermanIs the Perfect Time for Lex Luthor to Make His Villainous Return
Main Cover by Dan Mora forSuperman#25 (2025)
With Superman experiencing a major resurgence in comics through theSummer of Supermanand his upcoming film, there’s no better time for Lex Luthor to make a triumphant return as well.These revivals/projects work in Luthor’s favor, as they collectively serve as a clean slate—even Williamson’sSupermanrun is kicking off a fresh storyline in conjunction with theSummer of Superman. As a result, Luthor’s return to his classic villainous ways will feel like a natural progression. With new titles and the film on the horizon, fans will be expecting the quintessential Luthor, making his full-fledged villain comeback all the more perfectly timed.
When it comes to fan reactions regarding DC’s future plans for Luthor, the response has largely been positive and filled with intrigue. Excitement is high for his inclusion in theSupermanmovie, and a Comic Vine poll revealed that 87% of participants approve of Nicholas Hoult taking on the role. As for Luthor’s returninSuperman#25, fans have expressed fascination rather than outright excitement, with manyenjoying the version of Lex stripped of his memories but remaining curious about where Williamson will take the character next.So far, DC seems to be heading in the right direction with its handling of Luthor’s comeback.
Lex Luthor Needs to Make His Debut in the Absolute Universe PRONTO
Rafa SandovalAbsolute Superman#1 (2024) Reprinting Cover
One question some fans may be asking themselves is when Lex Luthor will appear in theAbsolute Supermanstoryline and whether that appearance is coming soon. As of the release ofAbsolute Superman#4, Superman-centric characters like Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Martha Kent, Brainiac, and Kal-El’s biological parents have all made appearances in the narrative. As a result, anticipation for Lex’s debut has been growing exponentially, making it feel more inevitable than ever. Hence, the next major momentSupermanfans will likely be looking out for will beLex Luthor’srole and debut in the Absolute Universe.
