Lex

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Lex Luthor (莱克斯)
Species/Race	Human; later physically modified by Kryptonians into something “similar to a Kryptonian” 252 262
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Luthor family; later assists the Justice Society 376 427
Occupation/Role	Luthor Corporation heir, political candidate, corporate leader, and creator of the Zeus Project 17 222 325
Status	Alive 434
First Appearance	Chapter 17

Background / History

Early dealings in Smallville

Lex was a young, bald Luthor Corporation heir whose public image included gossip about his “Zero Club” and playboy reputation. Privately, he approached life as a contest of offense and defense, valuing control, calculation, and information 17.

After Clark Kent saved his life, Lex considered Clark a genuine friend and feared losing that connection. Nevertheless, exposure to Clark’s superhuman abilities and Eric Kent’s unsettling painting drove him to discreetly hire Reporter K to investigate both brothers 23. Eric quickly regarded Lex as a potential Nietzschean Übermensch: a man who would choose power and a morality beyond ordinary human judgment if given the chance 23.

Lex’s interest in the Kent family drew suspicion from Jonathan Kent. His covert investigation eventually led him to trespass at Kent Farm to verify what he had seen; Jonathan confronted him and forced him away at gunpoint 113 114.

Target of the Owl Council

The Owl Council identified Lex as the next target of its “cleansing plan,” intending to murder him as part of its conflict with the Luthor family 37. During a party at Luthor Manor, owl assassins slaughtered security personnel and attacked the estate. Lex attempted to enter the sealed hall with a gun but was persuaded by his mercenaries to evacuate to a prepared safehouse, as he was the assassins’ primary target 41.

The attack deepened the mistrust surrounding Lex. Eric later pointed out that Lex’s mercenaries had launched rockets before Clark escaped the hall and that Lex had collected meteorites capable of weakening Clark 43.

Disappearance, return, and Kryptonian alteration

Lex was believed dead after a plane-related disappearance, prompting a funeral attended by the Kents and Lana Lang. Eric doubted that Lex had truly died and tasked Bart Allen with searching the likely deserted-island route of his plane 131 176.

After returning, Lex confronted Lionel Luthor with a gun, accusing him of orchestrating the crash. He also displayed paranoia and distrust, though he ultimately lowered the weapon 182. His encounters with anomalous crystals, including one associated with air, became entangled with Lionel’s ambitions and escalating supernatural events 195.

Lex was later trapped in an extradimensional space by Kryptonians and modified by General Zod’s forces. He described the captors as having put something inside his body and warned that Zod’s forces were coming to Earth 252. Upon returning to Luthor Manor, he demonstrated superhuman strength and speed by catching a bullet in his hand, but an unknown consciousness began trying to take control of him 262.

Breakdown and institutionalization

Fearing the Kryptonians’ eventual return, Lex seized Lana as a hostage and tried to force Clark to kill him, believing Clark lacked the resolve to protect Earth. Eric stopped the confrontation and took Lex aboard the Kryptonian ship for treatment 269.

The treatment restored enough clarity for Lex to stop believing himself Kryptonian, but its aftermath left him with severe mental-health problems. He was committed to Belle Reve Psychiatric Hospital after recurrent delusions involving his deceased brother Julian and alleged conspiracies by Lionel 274. He later remained institutionalized under restraints after an unsuccessful escape attempt 299.

Return to public influence

After re-emerging, Lex resumed major corporate activity and revealed the Zeus Project: human experimentation intended to create superpowered people and prove that humanity is inherently great 325.

He later brought advanced computer systems to the Justice Society headquarters and used them to trace hostile surveillance networks and locate the figure known as Oracle 384 427. Despite recognizing Eric’s capacity for dictatorship and brutality, Lex continued to support him because of their shared history and because he believed Eric had protected Earth 433 434.

Appearance

Lex is consistently described as bald. In later appearances, he wears formal or imposing clothing suited to his public and corporate roles, including a black trench coat 17 376.

• Bald head, frequently emphasized in narration 17 262
• Usually appears in tailored business attire or formal wear 133 224
• Wore a black trench coat while approaching the Justice Society 376
• Was visibly haggard while institutionalized at Belle Reve 274

Personality

Lex is intelligent, ambitious, and intensely strategic. He seeks control over uncertain situations, distrusts chaotic forms of vigilantism, and prefers to understand threats before acting against them 17 52. His secret investigation of Clark and Eric shows that friendship does not overcome his need for answers, though he initially tried to keep the inquiry discreet because he did not want to lose Clark’s friendship 23.

Unlike Lionel, Lex retains sentimentality and moral hesitation. He struggled to approve even a political smear campaign, valued the affection shown by his mothers, and was disturbed rather than pleased by Bronna’s obsessive devotion 222 224 246. His experiences with Kryptonian technology intensified his paranoia and instability, leaving him capable of both lucid analysis and delusional fixation 262 274.

Lex’s later support for Eric is rooted in loyalty, gratitude, and a belief that Eric’s rule produced tangible improvements for Earth. However, Batman’s argument that humanity needs self-determination rather than a god-ruler visibly unsettles him, exposing his unresolved conflict between idealism, friendship, and human supremacy 433 434.

Abilities & Skills

Exceptional Intellect

Lex is regarded as one of Earth’s foremost minds, with “ninth-level intelligence” noted in narration 434.

• Conducts covert investigations into the Kents and other targets 23
• Anticipates political, criminal, and extraterrestrial threats 30 252
• Tracks hidden communications and identifies Oracle’s location through computer analysis 384 427
• Understands the strategic value of Kryptonite against Kryptonians 201 204

Corporate and Political Influence

As a Luthor heir and public candidate, Lex possesses substantial resources, security, and public influence.

• Employs reporters, bodyguards, mercenaries, and investigators 23 41
• Ran for state senator against Jonathan Kent 222
• Attracted a university student support group through his campaign speeches 224
• Conducted aggressive corporate acquisitions and funded the Zeus Project 325

Kryptonian-Derived Physical Enhancement

Kryptonian forces modified Lex’s body during his imprisonment in the extradimensional space 252.

• Caught and crushed a fired bullet in his hand 262
• Demonstrated superhuman strength and speed against Clark 269
• Experienced interference from an unknown consciousness within his altered body 262
• His powers and stability were compromised by the consequences of Kryptonian technology and subsequent treatment 269 274

Fencing and Firearms

Lex has formal fencing training and is willing to arm himself when threatened.

• Had completed an intense fencing session before his first major appearance 17
• Took a guard’s gun during the assault on Luthor Manor 41
• Kept a handgun for self-defense during an attempted intrusion at his manor 246

Equipment / Items

• Handgun — used for self-defense and during confrontations with Lionel and intruders 182 246
• Advanced computer network — installed at Justice Society headquarters to trace enemy signals and Oracle 384 427
• Meteorite-filled chamber at Luthor Manor — a concealed space containing green Kryptonite, used to incapacitate Kryptonians 201
• Mystical crystals — possessed at least two crystals connected to his dealings in Egypt and Shanghai; one represented air 195

Relationships

• Clark Kent — Initially Lex’s close friend and rescuer; Lex secretly investigated him, later fought him while altered by Kryptonian technology, and continued to fixate on Clark’s secrets during institutionalization 23 269 274.
• Eric Kent / Homelander — A complicated ally whose power and hidden knowledge intrigue Lex. Eric repeatedly saves or intervenes against threats to Lex, while Lex later supports Eric’s rule out of loyalty and belief in his accomplishments 204 269 433 434.
• Lionel Luthor — His father and principal source of mistrust. Their relationship is defined by mutual suspicion, guns, crystals, accusations of betrayal, and competing ambitions 182 195.
• Jonathan Kent — Political opponent and mutual distrustful acquaintance. Jonathan considers Lex deceptive, while Lex’s supporters and enemies become entangled in the campaign against him 113 222 225.
• Victoria Raines — Lex’s close associate and romantic partner; they planned against Lionel and the Owl Council together 52.
• Dr. Helen — Lex’s romantic partner for a time. He professed trust in her and gave her a master key to Luthor Manor, though their relationship was shadowed by gossip and Lionel’s suspicions 101 131.
• Lana Lang — A friend who mourned Lex when he was presumed dead and later remained concerned for his well-being despite his actions 131 269.
• Batman — An ideological opponent. Batman rejects Lex’s acceptance of Eric’s rule, while Lex argues that Eric’s absolute power has protected Earth and delivered order 434.
• James Gordon — An adversary who attacked Lex at Justice Society headquarters to stop his investigation into Oracle 384 433.

Notable Quotes

“I’m a selfish man. I don’t just want exclusive love—I want to be loved exclusively too.” 23

“He protected Earth.” 433

“This world needs unity... But... it does not need a god to rule it!” — Batman’s argument that challenges Lex’s position 434