10 Comics Fan Theories Rejected By The Creators
3. Lex Luthor Is A Time-Traveller
In Grant Morrison's All Star Superman, the titular hero learns he's dying. A philanthropist called Leo Quintum tries to save him while Lex Luthor does everything he can to ensure Superman meets his demise.
Despite the fact Luthor seems like the antithesis of Quintum, many readers believe they are the same person. You see, the story ends with Luthor realising he was wrong about Superman. What if he went back in time and created the character of Quintum to save Supes' life?
Ridiculous, right? But there clues that potentially validate this theory. When Luthor is speaking to Quintum, someone asks, "Are you talking to yourself again?" When Superman gives Quintum the details about his DNA, Quintum says, "I could be the devil himself for all you know." Everything seems to point to Leo Quintum being Lex Luthor. Luthor's ape is called Leo for crying out loud!
When Morrison was asked what Quintum represented, he said the character was simply Superman's "scientist friend". Morrison did consider making Quintum an avatar for the New Gods but changed his mind at the last minute. Quintum is a genius but he is simply a man. Not a New God. Not a time-traveller. And not Lex Luthor.