Superman and Lex Luthor have been bitter enemies since the Golden Age, their contentious relationship going through many interpretations. Luthor has been evil for the sake of being evil, to his never-ending battle to be the #1 Son of Metropolis. But is it just possible that he is working toward his most ambitious plan yet – to live up to the ideals of the Man of Steel.

Trapped on a world bathed in red sun rays, Luthor and de-powered Superman must once more battle against L’Call the Godslayer, and his henchman Zade. In the course of battle, Luthor discovers new respect for his one-time nemesis. He begins to realize it’s not the powers and abilities that make him super, it’s the man that he is (a reminder to us all). Superman uses his opponents’ greatest strengths against them to win the day, enabling Luthor’s Mother Box to boom tube them home.

I found the solution innovative, and one I didn’t see coming. In what has been a story of constant conflict, I expected more brute strength rather than emotional insight. It was refreshing, and bodes well for stories to come.

It has been announced that tweaks are coming to the Superman franchise. This has some super-fans up in arms, but I believe it needs it. Any long-running character must evolve with the times, and when an unsuccessful road is taken, it is the caretakers’ responsibility to search for a new path. I’m willing to be open minded, to see what that path might be. I hope others will too.