The Men of Our Tomorrows

The human soul is a difficult thing to understand. To better be able to understand it, we frequently split it into the dark side and the light side, splitting our various attributes between them. While simplistic, it's interesting to see when the conflict between the two sides of the human soul is expressed in comic books as this allows us to see the stark contrast between the two sides. What's truly interesting is to see when those symbolizing the different sides come together to save humanity or jt to see what they can do together.

This makes the conflicts and alliances between Lex Luthor and Superman all the more interesting.

The Man of Purple and Green

Lex is one of the most powerful people in his universe, after all, and who wouldn't want to be that? Being powerful would help us deal with many of our problems while securing the futures of those we love while eliminating so many of our problems. Being the most powerful person makes perfect sense. He represents both the rich and the entitled, two types of people who have never been liked. To a degree, he also shows us the problems of letting greed and politics decide where science should put its efforts, as science serves his needs, not the needs of the people.

But for all of Lex's intelligence, money, and power, he is limited. He's only able to copy that which he's seen before, his innovations are those he steals from others, and he rarely makes real decisions. Sure, he can modify and advance technology, but he needs something to build from; he is so worried about his wealth and the power that it brings him that he only builds things up but would have problems creating something from scratch.

He personifies the Seven Deadly Sins: His anger and jealousy of Superman and pride in his own accomplishments keep him going. Satisfying his appetite for rich food, good wine, sex, and greater wealth are his rewards. Ironically, he could be much more powerful if he was more aggressive. Thus, the Seven Deadly Sins (Anger, Envy, Pride, Gluttony, Lust, Greed, and Sloth) are all part of him, and they weigh him down. Part of him knows this, and that is why his peace with Superman never truly lasts.

The Man in The Red and Blue Long Johns

In the opposing corner is another powerful man. Superman has grown complicated over the years but represents a lot of the best of us. He is an immigrant, one fleeing his home world for a better world; the only way it could be better is if he were fleeing oppression. He's found by a couple unable to have their own children, completing the Moses comparison. He grows up on a farm, learning the tenets of his philosophy from good, salt-of-the-earth people. He is the perfect teen, popular, has great grades, even the quarterback of his home team. When he leaves home, he becomes a reporter, the best possible symbolic occupation for a defender of the rights of the common people.

Even in combat, he's pretty much into boxing and wrestling, classic American modes of fighting.

Ironically, Clark Kent is the real identity while Superman is the secret identity. While he's proud of all that he's accomplished as Superman, it's his friendships that he is most proud of, from his big brother/little brother relationship with Jimmy Olsen, his parents, and even his relationship with Batman and the other heroes. With Lois, he is the ideal husband and he is as good a father as he can be to his various children. For that matter, it's his accomplishments as Clark, such as his Pullitzers, that he's most proud of as he accomplished; he accomplished them without his powers, making them all the more special.

As Superman, he represents the American ideal of independence as he's got a wide range of powers, but he works well in a team. He represents the Seven Graces, albeit with a secular understanding: Wisdom, Understanding, Judgment, Fortitude, Knowledge, Humility, and Wonder. He tends to have the intelligence to figure out how to use his abilities in the best possible way, which includes understanding how others feel and the ability to sympathize with them, and the wisdom of when to try something different. He has the judgment to help him decide when someone is trying to trick him and the humility needed to ensure he never lets pride interfere with the task at hand. He obviously has the physical fortitude to deal with almost everything, but he also does his best to stand up for what's right. He also appreciates the wonder of the universe, both of the physical universe and his place in it and the people he knows.

In short, there's no question that Superman is as close to a saint as you'll find in comics, outside of the saints themselves.

When Titans Collide 

Sometimes it's easier to be Lex Luthor than Superman. It's not that difficult to figure out why being dark is so popular in pop culture: People always prefer to give in to their baser natures. The Seven Sins are easy to fall for; it sometimes takes too much effort to resist them and there are rewards for letting them overtake us: Greed could secure our families' future, Anger could remove any number of dangers, Sloth could give us a chance to heal, Envy could power us to greater heights, Gluttony and Lust could satisfy us, and Pride could keep us going. For those interested in keeping to the shallow end, darkness looks inviting.

However, we're more likely to respect someone like Superman who follows the Seven Graces. We all have that friend whose Wisdom we respect, whose experience and good sense give us the best advice. The ability to understand others helps us get along and solve interpersonal issues. Having the Judgment to avoid being tricked and intimidated is always nice as is having the Knowledge to make good choices in general. Having Humility helps us avoid a lot of pitfalls as we're so worried about looking foolish and asking for help and advice. Having a sense of Wonder keeps us in awe of the beauty of the universe as well as giving us the ability to appreciate the world and people around us.

In a weird way, Lex and Superman are so powerful because they represent the two sides of every human. With Lex, you have the dark side that we try to hide yet find so trendy, while Superman is the light side we try to aspire to yet mock when it presents itself. Seeing them in conflict is natural and why it feels sort of satisfying when they team up: It feels right to see our two different natures working together, such as they are currently with Lex in jail but having turned over the keys to Lexcorp to Superman.

So here's to another 85 years of the two competing and working together; may they be as eternal as the human soul.