Sorry, Batman But One of Superman's Villains Is Smarter Than You

One of the most heated debates among DC fans is who’s the smarter genius: Batman or Superman’s Lex Luthor. Both are undeniably brilliant, with intellects that might only be rivaled by Mr. Terrific himself. And in a surprising turn of events, it’s actually Mr. Terrific who has just implied that Lex Luthor is, in fact, smarter than Batman.

The release of Superman: Lex Luthor Special#1, by Joshua Williamson, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, and Adriano Lucas, is just around the corner on January 29. In the meantime, DC has given fans a sneak peek with a five-page preview, offering a glimpse of what’s to come.

The opening pages show Lex still grappling with the memory loss caused by Brainiac, with his daughter trying to help him recover his memories by introducing him to potential triggers, like playing the piano. However, the scene quickly shifts to the Watchtower, where Superman and Mr. Terrific are deep in conversation. It’s here that Michael makes a startling revelation that implies Lex Luthor is, in fact, smarter than Batman.

Mr. Terrific Basically Just Admitted Lex Luthor Is Smarter Than Batman

Cover B Card Stock Variant by Gleb Melnikov for Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 (2025)

Superman Lex Luthor Special #1 variant cover

For those following DC's ongoing titles like Challengers Unknown, Justice League Unlimited, Superman, and others, it’s clear that Earth’s heroes are still grappling with the aftermath of Darkseid’s death and the new world that has emerged in its wake. Mr. Terrific has been taking the lead in investigating these developments, and as the preview for Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 reveals, he has come to the conclusion that a part of their reality has been hidden from them. Though, he has now reached a point in his investigation where he’s hitting a roadblock.

However, he knows why this has happened, explaining that in order to move forward, they need a unique mind—one capable of navigating the intellectual dark paths that Mr. Terrific himself tends to avoid. Michael goes on to explain that “to allow yourself to let the dark parts of your mind take over… to let the intrusive impulses and thoughts win… I find it can be dangerous psychologically.” Yet, he acknowledges that there’s one person who seems to always be able to find his genuis in these intellectual dark paths—Lex Luthor. Michael then admits to Superman that he and Lex were working on a way to communicate with the new world, and that Lex’s help could be key to solving this mystery.

In this moment, it’s surprising to learn that Mr. Terrific was not only working with Lex, but that he chose to collaborate with Superman's greatest adversary over Batman in this intellectual conundrum. This decision suggests that Michael believes Lex to be the greater intellect between the two billionaires, at least when it comes to situations that require navigating the darker intellectual territories. While Batman is certainly no stranger to these paths, the fact that Mr. Terrific turned to Lex instead reinforces the notion that he views Lex’s mind as superior in this case.

Batman vs. Lex Luthor: Who Is the Smartest Human in the DC Universe?

Panel Comes From Batman #120 (2022) – Art by Jorge Molina

There’s no denying Luthor’s status as an evil genius, with Brainiac even recognizing Luthor's intellect as superior to all of Earth’s humans. However, many still place Batman’s intellect above Luthor’s. Bruce, with his obsessive nature, unmatched brilliance, and unparalleled training, excels in nearly every field and remains the definitive tactician and detective. Although his genius has led to consequences—such as the rise of threats like Failsafe and Zur-En-Arrh—Batman consistently outsmarts even the most formidable enemies, including an army of corrupted Batmen. Ultimately, while Luthor is brilliant, it’s Bruce Wayne’s intellect that solidifies him as the true genius of the DC Universe.

Is DC Teasing the Return of Lex Luthor? Superman’s Fiercest Rival Is Making a Comeback

Main Cover by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, and Adriano Lucas for Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 (2025)

Superman Lex Luthor Special #1 main cover

Mr. Terrific’s insight into Lex Luthor’s unique genius provides plenty to think about, but it’s not the sole focus of this special. The synopsis teases that this issue could signal the return of the iconic evil genius fans know and love. As mentioned earlier, Lex is grappling with memory loss, which has led to a significant personality shift. This change makes it unlikely for him to explore the darker intellectual paths that Superman and Mr. Terrific need him to in order to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Darkseid-created world. With solving this mystery being a top priority for both Superman and Mr. Terrific, it’s increasingly likely that DC will soon allow Lex Luthor to regain his memories—and with them, his signature evil genius.

Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 is available January 29, 2025, from DC Comics!