The current volume of the Superman comic book found the Man of Steel put in charge of the businesses owned by Lex Luthor. This new SuperCorp was meant to aid him in helping people, while Lex Luthor was serving a prison sentence. Naturally, this was long suspected to be a trap. That trap was finally sprung in Superman #24, introducing a new Metallo and a new, super-powered Lex Luthor.
Written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira, Superman #24 found the Man of Steel inspecting the work of SuperCorp. Clark Kent was skeptical of some of their ideas, repurposing supervillain technology towards new ends. This including robotic drones and using stasis devices inspired by Kryptonian technology to transport injured people in time-crucial situations. It didn’t help matters that Luthor’s right-hand woman, Mercy Graves, seemed more concerned about the profit potential than saving lives.
Another issue was the amnesiac Lex Luthor trying to aid in these efforts. Luthor erased most of his memory helping Superman to save the Earth from Brainiac. Ignoring Superman’s personal reservations regarding his greatest enemy, there was also the issue of Luthor facing justice for his past crimes. However, this version of Lex seemed honestly ashamed of the man he was and wanted to make amends. Putting him to work at SuperCorp seemed a better method than merely locking him up and throwing away the key.
At the same time, Lois Lane (as Superwoman) had discovered that someone was selling advanced weapons to the alien Khund. These so-called Super-Guns were emblazed with the House of El shield. When Superman confronted Mercy on these weapons, she dropped any pretense of wanting to help him and revealed her personal “upgrade” – a Kryptonite heart, like that of Metallo.
Mercy Graves created a super-powered Lex Luthor clone
Mercy explained that Lex Luthor’s original plan had been to manipulate the Man of Steel into helping him grow his empire. Unfortunately, that plan was ruined after Lex developed amnesia and began trying to reform. This pushed Mercy to move forward on her own, because as Lex Luthor believed the world needed a Superman, she believed the world needed Lex Luthor. And with the man she loved indisposed, she would have to make a new Lex Luthor.
The issue ended with Mercy revealing that she had created a Lex Luthor clone. One who, based on his glowing red eyes and black Superman costume, has the powers of a Kryptonian. Between the two of them, they are sure to test the Man of Steel like never before.
Superman #24 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
