Lex Luthor is the President of the United States. That’s the hook. It’s not just a "what if" scenario buried in an Elseworlds one-shot; it was the status quo of the DC Universe in the early 2000s, and it set the stage for one of the most explosive team-up arcs in comic history. When Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness launched Superman/Batman in 2003, they weren't just trying to sell books. They were trying to redefine the dynamic between the World’s Finest. Batman Superman Public Enemies was the opening salvo of that run, and honestly, it’s still the gold standard for how you write these two characters without making one look like a sidekick to the other.
It’s fast. It’s loud. It’s colorful.
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A giant Kryptonite meteor is hurtling toward Earth, and Luthor—ever the narcissist—uses the impending apocalypse to frame Superman. Suddenly, the Man of Steel is a fugitive. Batman, being the only person with enough common sense to see through the political theater, joins him. It’s a simple premise that allows for some of the most frantic action sequences ever put to paper. If you’ve only seen the 2009 animated movie, you’re getting the gist, but the comic source material has a specific psychological texture that often gets lost in translation.
The Dual Narrative that Changed Everything
Most writers struggle with the internal monologue. Loeb nailed it by giving us two. Throughout Batman Superman Public Enemies, we see the world through both Clark’s blue-tinted optimism and Bruce’s grey-scaled cynicism.
The contrast is jarring. In a good way.
Superman looks at a sunset and thinks about hope; Batman looks at the same sunset and calculates the atmospheric refraction to see if it affects his Batarang trajectory. Well, maybe not literally, but you get the point. This dual-narrative device allowed readers to see the mutual respect hidden under years of bickering. Bruce thinks Clark is too trusting. Clark thinks Bruce is a paranoid loner. Yet, they both agree that Luthor is the ultimate threat. It’s this "odd couple" energy that keeps the stakes feeling personal even when they’re fighting a literal army of supervillains in Washington D.C.
You’ve got to remember the context of 2003. This was post-9/11. Trust in government was a massive, swirling theme in popular culture. Seeing the two biggest icons of justice being declared "enemies of the state" by a democratically elected official felt heavy. It wasn't just about punching Metallo; it was about the fear of a system turned against its own protectors.
Breaking Down the Ed McGuinness Aesthetic
You can’t talk about Batman Superman Public Enemies without talking about the art. Ed McGuinness is a divisive figure for some purists, but his "bulky" style was perfect for this era. Characters look like action figures come to life. Necks are as thick as tree trunks. Capes defy the laws of physics. It’s hyper-realism swapped for hyper-stylization.
It’s basically professional wrestling mixed with Greek mythology.
The fight scenes are choreographed with a sense of momentum that few artists can replicate. When Captain Marvel (now Shazam) and Hawkman show up to arrest our heroes, the pages practically vibrate. McGuinness uses thick lines and vibrant colors that make the Kryptonite meteor feel like a neon death sentence. It’s a visual feast that reminds us that comics are allowed to be fun. They don't always need to be gritty, rainy, or deconstructed. Sometimes you just want to see a giant robot shaped like half-Batman, half-Superman flying into space.
Wait. Let’s talk about that robot.
The "Composite Superman" rocket is a deep-cut reference to a Silver Age villain, but here, it’s a high-stakes hail mary built by a teenage Toyman. It’s ridiculous. It’s over-the-top. And yet, within the logic of Loeb’s script, it works because the emotional core is so grounded. You believe Bruce and Clark are willing to die for each other. That’s the secret sauce.
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Why Lex Luthor as President Was the Perfect Foil
Lex Luthor isn’t just a guy in a green suit here. He’s the Commander in Chief. This version of Luthor is terrifying because he uses the law as a weapon. He offers a bounty. He manipulates the media. He makes it so that being a "hero" means being a criminal.
- He recruits "government-sanctioned" heroes like Captain Atom and Starfire.
- He poisons public opinion using staged "evidence" of Superman’s instability.
- He eventually loses his mind to a cocktail of Venom and liquid Kryptonite.
That last bit is important. Luthor’s downfall in Batman Superman Public Enemies is his own ego. He believes he’s the only one who can save the world, which is the exact opposite of Superman, who believes the world can save itself. When Luthor finally suits up in that purple and green armor, it’s not a triumph—it’s a desperate, drug-fueled breakdown. It’s a reminder that power doesn't just corrupt; it blinds.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
People often say this story is "all style, no substance." I disagree. While it definitely leans into the "popcorn flick" vibe, it tackles the concept of legacy. We see glimpses of future versions of these characters. We see the pressure of being symbols.
Another common gripe is that the ending feels rushed. The resolution with the meteor and Luthor’s impeachment happens in a blur of panels. Honestly? That’s sort of the point. The story is a sprint. From the moment the bounty is placed on their heads, the pacing never lets up. It’s a 6-issue adrenaline shot. If it lingered too long on the legal proceedings of Luthor’s removal, it would have lost that kinetic energy that defines the Loeb/McGuinness era.
There’s also the question of power levels. Some fans get annoyed when Batman holds his own against heavy hitters like Solomon Grundy or Lady Shiva in the same night. But Loeb writes Batman as a tactical genius who is always three steps ahead. He’s not out-muscling them; he’s out-thinking them. And when he can't out-think them, he has a flying alien god to back him up.
The Lasting Legacy of the Public Enemies Arc
So, why are we still talking about this? Because it redefined the "World's Finest" brand for the 21st century. Before this, Superman and Batman were often kept in their own silos, or their crossovers were relegated to the Justice League. This run proved that their relationship is the heartbeat of the DC Universe.
It influenced the DC Animated Movie Universe. It influenced how fans view the "prep time" meme. It even influenced the tonal shifts we saw in the later New 52 and Rebirth eras. Batman Superman Public Enemies showed that you could have a high-stakes, world-ending plot that was ultimately about a friendship between two very different men.
If you’re looking to revisit this story or dive in for the first time, don’t just look for the big fights. Look for the small moments. The way Bruce trusts Clark to catch him. The way Clark trusts Bruce to make the hard calls. That’s the real story.
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How to Get the Most Out of This Story Today
If you want to experience this arc properly, don't just stop at the trade paperback. The "Public Enemies" storyline covers Superman/Batman issues #1 through #6. However, the themes of Luthor's presidency actually start way back in the Lex 2000 one-shot and the Our Worlds at War crossover. Seeing the full rise and fall of Luthor makes the payoff in this arc much more satisfying.
For the collectors out there, look for the original single issues if you can. The letters columns and the ads for 2003-era games give you a great sense of the cultural moment this book was born into. If you're a digital reader, most services have the "Absolute" edition scanned, which is the best way to see McGuinness’s art in high resolution.
Your Next Steps for the Full Experience:
Start by reading the first six issues of the 2003 Superman/Batman series. Don't rush through the dialogue; pay attention to the color-coded thought bubbles so you know whose head you're in. Once you've finished the comic, watch the 2009 animated adaptation. It's one of the few DC animated films that stays remarkably loyal to the art style of the creator. Finally, if you're a gamer, check out the various skins in the Arkham or Injustice series that pay homage to these designs. It’ll give you a whole new appreciation for how iconic these looks became.
This story isn't just a relic of the early 2000s. It’s a blueprint. It’s a reminder that even when the whole world is against you, having one person you can truly trust makes you invincible. Whether you're a billionaire in a bat suit or an alien in a cape, that's a universal truth.