Summary

• As revealed by a corrupted Kara Zor-El, Superman believes Lex Luthor can be a hero, based on his potential and intelligence – and ultimately, that the only thing truly holding him back from a heroic destiny is his hatred of Clark.
• Lex's feud with Superman has hindered his ability to make a positive impact, which he has all the resources and the abilities to do, making the DC Universe a better place, rather than carrying on his perennial feud with the Man of Steel.
• Despite his past villainous actions, Lex has shown prowess as a hero when given the chance, and his current improved relationship with Superman could potentially lead to Lex becoming a more overtly heroic figure.

Superman have been fighting each other for decades, due to the fact they simply can not agree on how humanity should be saved. This has driven a wedge between them – and while there's no denying Lex hates Superman, Superman's feelings for Lex are a little more complicated, as Kara Zor-El reveals when she tells Lex the truth.

During the events of Justice League: Hell Arisen – by James Tynion IV and Steve Epting – Lex Luthor goes up against the Batman Who Laughs' Secret Six, a group of heroes that had been infected by the Batman Who Laughs toxin. This results in a massive fight, and as Lex Luthor comes out the victor, a corrupted Kara tells Lex Luthor about Superman's true feelings.

According to Kara, Superman's true feelings towards Lex Luthor is that he views Lex as one of the most irable humans, and has the potential to rank among DC's greatest heroes.

Lex Luthor Could Save The World...If He Wasn't So Busy Fighting Superman

Justice League: Hell Arisen by James Tynion IV, Steve Epting, Javier Fernandez, Nick Filardi, and Travis Lanham

If Lex put his mind towards helping humanity instead of battling Superman, there's no arguing that he would make a significant difference, and he'd be able to do it easily.

According to Kara in Hell Arisen, Superman respects how Lex managed to build his own fortune with a massive world-wide company, as well as his genius-level intellect. Lex is brilliant in almost every single regard, and Kara points out that Superman truly wants to see what Lex is capable of as a hero. If Lex put his mind towards helping humanity instead of battling Superman, there's no arguing that he would make a significant difference, and he'd be able to do it easily.

Lex has tried to be a hero before, such as when Lex used power armor to act as Superman during the events of the New 52. Superman was originally hesitant about trusting Lex, but over time, Lex eventually even made his way onto the Justice League. The only reason Lex returned to villainy was due to a cosmic force essentially telling Lex he was destined for it. But all the times Lex has tried his hand at heroism, he's done great at it.

Lex Luthor Has The Capacity To Be Metropolis' Greatest Hero

Rather than consider him merely a villain, standing in the way of humanity's greater potential, Superman views Lex as someone who still must live up to his own potential.

There's no denying that Lex is one of DC's foremost geniuses. Rather than consider him merely a villain, standing in the way of humanity's greater potential, Superman views Lex as someone who still must live up to his own potential. Considering how successful a hero Lex has been when he did turn his attention to doing good, it is not hard to understand why Superman believes in Lex – even if Lex has let Clark down time and again.

Lex Luthor has the most untapped potential as a hero in the DC Universe. He has both the brilliance and the resources to create real change in the world, and truly, the only thing holding him back has been his anger towards Superman. Currently in DC comics, it seems that Lex and Superman are finally on better , so if all continues to go well between them, Superman might just get to witness Lex Luthor finally become the hero Superman has always wanted him to be.

Justice League: Hell Arisen #2 is on sale now from DC Comics!