The DC Comics History of MAN OF TOMORROW’S Lex Luthor War Suit

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In 2027, as James Gunn unveiled the title Man of Tomorrow for the next Superman movie, he also shared an illustration by artist Jim Lee depicting DCU’s Superman and Lex Luthor side by side. Unlike the Lex character portrayed by Nicholas Hoult in Gunn’s Superman, this version of Lex donned his signature purple and green battle armor, a suit that’s commonly known as his “war suit.” This armored look is reminiscent of comics, where Luthor gained the physical prowess to truly challenge Superman.

Man of Tomorrow. In theatres July 9, 2027

— James Gunn (@jamesgunn.bsky.social) 2025-09-03T16:46:31.775Z

Since his debut in Action Comics #23 back in 1940, Lex Luthor has been Superman’s formidable adversary. Initially, he was not a typical costumed villain during his first three decades; instead, he often wore regular clothing or prison garb for escaped convicts. However, it wasn’t until 1974 that the iconic supervillain Lex Luthor began to emerge, along with his distinctive purple and green color scheme. This version, which featured a jumpsuit with a flared collar, repulsor jets for flight, and wrist lasers, was popularized in various toys, the Super Friends cartoon, and merchandise from the Bronze Age era. Yet, it wasn’t as stylish as what emerged a decade later.

1983 marked a significant point for DC and Kenner Toys, following the triumph of Star Wars. They were now preparing to launch a DC-themed toyline titled Super Powers. Some of Superman’s adversaries, in need of a modern makeover, were transformed into action figures. Artist Ed Hannigan was commissioned to redesign Brainiac as a more fearsome robotic figure. Meanwhile, George Perez took on the task of designing Lex Luthor a new costume, shifting him towards an evil version of Iron Man by creating a metallic power suit rather than the usual tights. This new outfit was first showcased in Action Comics #544 and later appeared on toy shelves the same year. It also became a prominent feature during DC’s famous Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover. However, despite its legendary standing, this suit had an unexpectedly short lifespan of just two years.

After the reboot of the DC Universe in 1986, following the Crisis, Lex Luthor underwent a transformation from a former convict mad scientist to a billionaire CEO of LexCorp. This new version of Luthor became Metropolis’s financial powerhouse, holding near-ownership of the city. Although he remained a criminal, his activities were often carried out by others to avoid detection. This incarnation was still intelligent but mostly appeared as a wealthy man who dressed fashionably. This rendition of Lex Luthor served as the basis for the characters seen in shows like Superman: The Animated Series, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Smallville, DCEU, and many others. As such, the billionaire CEO became the standard depiction of Luthor, suggesting that the war suit might no longer be a recurring element in future portrayals.

For approximately two decades, references were made occasionally to Lex Luthor’s iconic war suit from the mid-80s. One such reference was his private army in the comic “Superman For All Seasons.” However, it wasn’t until 2004, following his term as U.S. President, that a revamped version of the suit emerged. Designed by Ed McGuinness, this new iteration was larger and more imposing than its predecessor. In Paul Cornell’s “Action Comics” run a few years later, we saw a sleeker variation of the suit that resembled the original design by Perez. Although Luthor doesn’t always wear it, DC seems to think the war suit is too stylish to be forgotten and appears set for a grand return in “Man of Tomorrow.” We’re eagerly anticipating Nicholas Hoult wearing the iconic purple and green suit.

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2025-09-05 02:33