JLU’s ‘Clash’ Shows Why Superman Fears Luthor

Few rivalries in comics are as iconic as the ongoing battle between Lex Luthor and Superman. While the billionaire genius has always been a thorn in the Kryptonian’s side, one particular episode of Justice League Unlimited, ‘Clash’, managed to dig deeper than most, revealing just how dangerous Luthor can be when he’s got a plan up his sleeve.

Lex Luthor’s Scheming Reaches New Heights

In ‘Clash’, the Justice League faces one of its most gut-wrenching moments. Captain Marvel, also known as Billy Batson, finds himself caught in the crossfire of Luthor’s latest plot. The episode kicks off with Batson, in his superhero guise, suggesting that even someone like Luthor deserves a shot at redemption. This sentiment quickly becomes headline news, painting Luthor as a reformed figure, especially after he launches a housing project for those doing it tough.

But there’s a catch. The new homes are set to run on a complex Kryptonite-based energy system. Superman, never one to trust Luthor, suspects foul play and is pushed to breaking point. When Batson tries to calm things down, Superman lashes out, leading to a brutal showdown that leaves Captain Marvel battered and disillusioned.

Luthor’s Mind Games Leave Lasting Scars

After the dust settles, Superman realises he’s made a huge mistake, especially after seeing the impact on Batson, who decides to walk away from the League. The real kicker? Luthor orchestrated the whole thing, boosting his public image while driving a wedge between the heroes. It’s a classic case of Luthor’s intellect and manipulative streak outshining any physical threat he could pose.

For Batson, who always looked up to Superman, the experience is shattering. His faith in heroes is left in tatters, all thanks to Luthor’s relentless drive to bring down his old foe.

Thus, it proved that Luthor’s strength lay in his intellect and his evil, manipulative genius, along with an absolutely psychotic desire to bring down Superman.

Film Adaptations Struggle to Capture Luthor’s Darkness

While the animated series nailed Luthor’s complexity, the big screen hasn’t always been as successful. Zack Snyder’s take on the character leaned heavily into the mad scientist angle, with a focus on chaos for chaos’ sake. James Gunn, on the other hand, seems keen to explore a more layered version, as hinted in his recent Superman project, where Luthor is constantly trying to outdo Clark Kent, whether through brains or bank balance.

What the DC Universe needs now is a Luthor who’s as cunning as he is ruthless—a schemer who can go toe-to-toe with Superman without ever throwing a punch. With Gunn promising a story that puts both Superman and Luthor at the centre, there’s hope we’ll see a version of the villain that finally does justice to his comic book roots.

Episode Details and What’s Next

For those keen to revisit ‘Clash’, here’s a quick rundown: Directed by Dan Riba, the episode features voice work from George Newbern, Kevin Conroy, Phil LaMarr, Carl Lumbly, and Susan Eisenberg. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it’s scored an impressive 8.4/10 on IMDb. The episode is available to stream on HBO Max for local punters wanting to see Luthor at his most devious.

Where James Gunn takes Luthor next is anyone’s guess, but if ‘Clash’ is anything to go by, the bar’s been set pretty high.