10 Insane Times Supervillains Developed New Powers

4. Lex Luthor - 52

Lex Luthor Superman Powers
DC Comics

52 (not to be confused with 2011's New 52 reboot), was a 52-week-long event DC published that revolved around their biggest figures going missing for an entire year. Batman's absence sparks Kate Kane's rise as Batwoman, while Vic Sage trains a reluctant Renee Montoya to become the new Question.

Apart from the Dark Knight, the two biggest absentees on DC's roster are Superman and Wonder Woman. With DC's Trinity out of action, and Lex Luthor under more scrutiny than ever, he devises away to exonerate himself from his past crimes and start up a whole new scheme altogether.

With DC's greatest heroes seemingly lost, Luthor begins administering metagene treatment to the public. In secret, he actually starts testing on himself, and when his ruse is finally uncovered, it transpires that he has all of Superman's abilities.

Luthor is defeated by Steel in the end, but for a few brief moments, he wielded the power of his greatest enemy.

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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.