Of all the many Superman stories I’ve read and watched, the most definitive is All-Star Superman: a 12-issue comic book series written by Grant Morrison, drawn by Frank Quitely, digitally inked by Jamie Grant, and published by DC Comics from 2005 to 2008.
In the first issue, Superman saves humanity’s first manned mission to the sun from Lex Luthor’s sabotage. To rescue the ship and its crew, Superman must enter the sun’s atmosphere. This causes his cells to become “super-saturated with solar radiation.” This multiplies his strength and powers, but it also means his cells are “bursting from within” from so much raw energy.
Superman is dying.
He is informed of this by Leo Quintum, the super-genius and philanthropist who engineered, financed, and personally led the sun-mission. Leo apologizes to Superman:
“If I hadn’t tried to steal fire from the sun, none of this would have happened. You risked everything to save my crew and me. But Luthor has used us to kill you.”
In another scene, Lex Luthor himself boasts that that was the purpose of his sabotage, saying:
“…three months ago, I looked in the mirror at those nasty little spiderwebs of lines around my eyes, and I realized something. I’m getting older and… and he isn’t. So, if I want to die happy, it’s time to get serious about killing Superman. Don’t you think?”
Lex Luthor is also a super-genius. He could perform wonders for humanity and be widely beloved and abundantly rewarded for it. But he cannot stand the existence of Superman: of someone better than him. So instead, he wastes his intellect “on kryptonite robots and elaborate super-death traps.” He is a scourge on humanity, which, in response, despises him and casts him out of society.
His arrogance leads to envy, which leads to resentment, which leads to malice, which leads to destruction and degradation: both for others and for himself. It is the ancient story of Cain and Abel updated for the Space Age. The story is archetypal and timelessly resonant, because it warns of a hazard that dwells in every human soul. We all face the temptation to respond to superior virtue and ability in others by spiraling into debilitating vice. That is one of the most well-worn paths to tragedy and atrocity.
The character of Leo Quintum is a reverse image of Lex Luthor (indeed some have speculated that Leo is Lex from the future who reformed and traveled back in time to make amends). He represents the good way to respond to greater virtue and ability in others.
Quintum perceives Superman’s super-abilities and super-character, not as an affront, but as an inspiration. They drive Quintum, not to destroy that which is better, but to emulate and aspire to it. Quintum explains that all of his super-science ventures—which include deep space exploration and uncovering the mysteries of the cell and the atom—have been dedicated toward leveling up humanity, so that civilization can fend for itself if it were to ever lose Superman. He tells Superman:
“We’re building outposts of tomorrow right here in the now. You inspired it, Superman, all of this…”
Quintum’s virtuous ascent parallels Luthor’s vicious descent. His humility leads to inspiration, which leads to aspiration, which leads to goodwill, which leads to creation and improvement. Quintum performs beneficial wonders for humanity, which loves, acclaims, and rewards him for it.
Whenever we mortal, limited beings encounter greater virtues and abilities in another and are reminded of our own shortcomings, we confront a crossroads. When faced with the Super in others, we can go down the path of Lex or the ascend the way of Leo. We can tear down those others or we can build up ourselves. Our fate—as individuals and as a civilization—hinges on that choice.