Ranking the 15 greatest DC Comics rivalries of all-time

2. Superman and Lex Luther

These two have a long-standing rivalry that dates to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s regime. Lex Luthor debuted, with hair, in 1940’s Action Comics. Luthor’s first run with Superman happened after he kidnapped Lois, who, along with Clark, investigated Luthor’s wrongdoings. Superman managed to thwart Lex’s attempt to cause Civil War in Europe and rescue Lois.

Lex would appear in consecutive Superman comics with a goal of financial supremacy. He didn’t hate Superman, but the Last Son of Krypton continually put an end to Luthor’s diabolic schemes. As his character evolved, so too did his hatred for Superman, thus a rivalry was born.

In Superman No. 2 – The Secret Revealed! Lex showed a darker side that’d make Joker proud. He kidnapped and tortured Lana Lang hoping she’d lead him to Superman’s identity. No story detailed the reason behind Luthor’s hatred toward The Man of Steel than How Much Can One Man Hate?

The story revealed Luthor’s hatred for Superman due to the praise and admiration received without ever needing to work hard. The Death of Superman took their rivalry to the next level with Luthor finally killing his arch nemesis. Additionally, All-Star Superman saw their rivalry come to an end with Superman dying again; which is why this rivalry falls short of the No. 1 spot.