Warning! Spoilers for Hell Arisen #2 below!
The evil Justice League has its sights set on Lex Luthor. The group, led by Ultraman, is one of the strongest supervillain groups in the multiverse. However, they just found out they are no match for a being with supreme intellect.
The Crime Syndicate reappeared in Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #1, after an absence from DC Comics since the New 52 era. The group initially appeared in Justice League #29 and featured a nasty lineup including Ultraman (Superman), Owlman (Batman), Johnny Quick (Flash), Power-Ring (Green Lantern) and Super-Woman (Wonder Woman). The new variation features Supergirl, King Shazam, Scarab (Blue Beetle), Deathbringer (Donny Troy) and Sky Tyrant (Hawkman) - who work alongside the Dark Multiverse's Batman Who Laughs.
In Hell Arisen #2 by James Tynion IV, Steve Epting, Nick Filardi, and Travis Lanham, the Crime Syndicate corners Lex Luthor (who's teamed up with Lady Perpetua to become Apex Lex) in an effort to put him down. As the syndicate is about to attack Lex, he tells them he's going to kill them not with his new powers, but with his mind. He shuts off the communication grid and activates the Red Sun Protocol which takes Supergirl's powers. Deathbringer charges at Luthor but he doesn't flinch as he blocks her sword and his Lexbots take her down. To deal with Scarab, Lex infects his tech and crushes him in his Lex suit while taunting him by saying "Son, I built my first alien-killing device before I learned how to drive."
The Crime Syndicate doesn't suddenly pull off a comeback. Luthor makes quick work of Sky Tyrant before King Shazam lets Lex know that he's never fought against magic like his. Lex has an easy answer for him, as he manages to get inside his head and making him say Shazam!, turning him back into a kid. Before he leaves, Lex shoots Billy Baston with a sleep dart. Before leaving, Lex takes a blood sample from Supergirl and blows up the building with the Crime Syndicate inside.
The new Crime Syndicate aren't a joke, but Luthor disposed of them without taking on a sweat. He's dealt with the heroic versions of the supervillain group before, so he knows their weaknesses and how to outsmart them. You'd think six on one would be a fair fight, but Luthor makes quick work of them. Fortunately, for the Batman Who Laughs, the Crime Syndicate survive the battle. However, if anyone, good or bad, plans on taking down Lex Luthor, it's going to be a tall task - even for the Justice League.
