There are few rivalries in comics that are as long-lasting and brutal as that between Superman and Lex Luthor. The two men fundamentally cannot agree with the ideology of the other, which has led to Lex trying to kill Superman for years. Ironically, as it turned out, Superman can get through to Lex in the end – but only at the cost of his own life.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo contains the shocking answer to defeating Lex Luthor once and for all. This alternate-universe story shows how the DC Universe could fall, and it all starts with a debate between Lex Luthor and Superman. Lex Luthor invites Superman to a debate about whether humanity is, by nature, good or evil. This debate has far greater implications than even its participants ultimately realize.

The caveat of the debate is that it will be televised, and if humanity is convinced by Lex Luthor, then Superman will die. With this in mind, Lex completely lets his guard down during the speech and ends up being truly moved by Superman.

Lex Luthor Can Be Convinced to Believe in Superman – If Superman Dies

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2 by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, FCO Plascencia, & Tom Napolitano

Superman and Lex Luthor agree to a debate in front of the entire world, with the loser being instantly impaled by Kryptonite spikes. With Luthor having no doubt in his mind that he’s going to win, he legitimately listens to Superman’s speech. What Luthor doesn’t count on is that he ends up moved by what Superman says. Superman’s argument for a better world inspires Lex, which is why it’s heartbreaking when humanity sides with Lex, and Superman is instantly killed by the Kryptonite spikes. Lex then spends the rest of his life trying to bring another Superman to Earth.

This story isn’t the first time that Superman’s death has “defeated” Lex Luthor. During the New 52, when Superman was killed once and for all, Lex Luthor didn’t have some grand villain monologue about how he finally won. Instead, Lex took up Superman’s symbol and began protecting Metropolis in Superman’s name. This reversal shows that the only time Lex will seemingly stop his hatred for Superman is by seeing just how far Superman will go with his ideals. By dying for his beliefs, Lex can see that Superman truly does stand behind everything he says he does.

Superman and Lex Finally Simply Talked to One Another

This Debate Made Lex Truly Believe in Superman

Lex has always felt that Superman is a detriment to humanity, but Superman’s death changes Lex’s mind on several occasions. It’s a high price to pay for convincing Lex that Superman is right, but unfortunately, it seems to be the only strategy that works — whether it be Superman dying to save the world or being killed by the world he was trying to save. Either option results in Lex finally seeing Superman for the man that he is instead of just some alien getting in humanity’s way. Unfortunately, Superman is going to need to find another way to reach Lex Luthor, as this price is simply too high.

Batman: Last Knight On Earth #2 is available now from DC Comics!