Superman & Lois just had two DC versions of Iron Man’s suit be turned against the Man of Steel, proving the series another major moment before it ends. Superman & Lois season 4, episode 8 contains a fair few major scenes for the show, but few are as fascinating as the reveal that two technologically advanced hero suits have been repurposed into new opponents for Clark Kent and his superpowered sons. With season 4 having already pulled off a series of big twists, the bar is currently high for surprising moments, making this unusual fight feel all the more special.

As the closest thing superhero fans are likely to get anytime soon to an on-screen Iron Man vs Superman fight, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the battles that ensue. This is doubly true since the Superman battle closes with a crucial set-up for an even grander fight between Clark Kent and a yet more powerful version of the armor, teeing up what could well be the climactic final conflict that helps end the entire live-action Superman show on a high note. Even without this context, though, it’s still a decidedly fun fight.

Superman & Lois Sees The Steel & Starlight Suits Be Used In A Scheme Against The Man Of Steel

The DC show’s Steel and Starlight suits had been previously used for some time by John Henry Irons and Natalie Irons respectively in their own hero efforts – until the suits are corrupted and turned against Superman. Superman & Lois‘ Milton – seemingly the show’s version of Brainiac, who does have the alias of Milton Fine in the comics – hacks into the suits halfway through Superman & Lois season 4, episode 8, turning the Iron Man-esque armors on the series’ protagonists by taking control of them.

Milton sends the Steel suit to fight Superman, and the Starlight suit to face off against Clark’s sons Jordan and Jonathan – though there’s a crucial difference between the two scenarios, as John is trapped inside the Steel suit, making the Man of Steel’s confrontation with the corrupted tech all the more complicated. While Superman and his sons are able to face off against the two suits effectively, the ending of Clark’s fight against the Steel armor makes it clear this is by no means the last time the series’ heroes will have to battle against it.

Superman & Lois’ Steel Suit Vs Superman Fights Aren’t Over Yet

Superman’s fight with the Steel suit ends with Milton managing to separate John from the armor, having it drop him from a height and then summoning the suit to now instead be used by Lex Luthor – giving the villain the “killer suit” that was promised in the Superman & Lois season 4, episode 7 ending. Episode 8 closes with Luthor trying on the armor for the first time, and his approving reaction to the Steel ensemble makes it clear he will be using it in the near future.

Since there are only two episodes left before the story of Superman & Lois comes to its conclusion, it’s inevitable that this fight will definitely be sooner rather than later. It’s also inevitable that this will be a much harder fight than the one Superman just had against the Milton-controlled suit, both because of the level of commitment Lex has demonstrated to taking the hero down, and because of the overall circumstances that would affect their next upcoming clash.

Superman’s Next Battle With Superman & Lois’ Steel Suit Is Set To Be Even Bigger Than Before

When Milton takes the Steel suit from Irons, he alludes to some “updates” he’s looking to make to it, suggesting the version of the armor that Lex gets to use is upgraded from its previous state. This makes sense in terms of setting up a dramatic battle between Clark and Lex, since the show has repeatedly suggested the Man of Steel is stronger than the suit and its prior capabilities.

However, it’s also worth noting that episode 8 sees John Henry Irons scan Clark’s body and confirm that he appears to be steadily losing his powers – and will continue to do so as a result of Superman’s replacement heart being from Sam Lane’s older human body, which is at odds with Clark’s Kryptonian physiology. As such, the level the Steel suit needs to be at in order to match Clark’s powers is logically an increasingly low bar, meaning any upcoming confrontation in Superman & Lois is set to be all the more dramatic – especially since it could well be the final fight in the entire show.

Superman & Lois season 4 airs new episodes on Monday nights at 8/7c on The CW.