Luthor's obsession with beating Superman reminded me of the animated
Superman: Doomsday where Luthor creates a Superman's clone so he can beat him everyday. He enjoys tormenting the clone and knocking him around with kryptonite brass knuckles in a room that simulates red sun energy.
A deranged Luthor is even more evil and minacious than his normal(?) self.
With Luthor on the loose I find it odd that Lois has never considered that he could be the one responsible for her kidnapping. Now she is being brainwashed, but at first or during her moment of lucidity it shouldn't have been hard for her to figure out who could be behind her abduction.
It seems like an impossible situation. How are you going to solve it in one chapter? It must be a really long chapter.
Andreia