Connect with us
Lex Luthor's father gets a tragic and epic backstory in Justice League #18
DC

Comic Books

Lex Luthor’s father gets a tragic and epic backstory in Justice League #18

Lionel Luthor’s story directly influences Lex’s turn to evil.

Spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned. For more, read our review.

Justice League has been one of the most epic, content-rich series from DC Comics in some time. Crafted by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV, the series has revealed new things about characters and the universe as a whole. It doesn’t hold back ever and that includes the latest issue, Justice League #18, out today. Last issue we learned about Martian Manhunter and Lex Luthor sharing a moment in their childhood and this week we learn much more about Lex’s father, Lionel Luthor.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

The issue is about a shard of the Totality coming into the hands of Vandal Savage.

Lex Luthor's father gets a tragic and epic backstory in Justice League #18

For centuries he attempts to unlock its secrets, but it took a special mind in Lionel Luthor to unlock the majority of its secrets and power.

Lex Luthor's father gets a tragic and epic backstory in Justice League #18

The most fascinating element explored in this issue is how Lionel takes this challenge and discovers so much more than Savage could have ever hoped. It shows not only how smart Lionel was, but how he sees the potential of this power and how it could help society. He’s a hero.

Lex Luthor's father gets a tragic and epic backstory in Justice League #18

This, of course, helped Savage and progressed the research. The question arises though — how did Lionel disappear in the history books as a great mind who advanced human evolution? It’s a tragic story…

Lex Luthor's father gets a tragic and epic backstory in Justice League #18

We learn Savage wiped Lionel’s memories, turning him into an average person. This resulted in him becoming a drunk and being a terrible father to Lex. One could argue Savage inadvertently created the evil that is Lex Luthor by turning his father’s legacy to ash.

Lex Luthor's father gets a tragic and epic backstory in Justice League #18

As you can see from the last panel, Savage was very wrong about the Luthor name.

This is only a sliver of the story and I highly recommend you read the whole issue. You can buy it digitally today.

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Marvel Preview: Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1 Marvel Preview: Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1

Marvel Preview: Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup