Lex Luthor

Lena Luthor (Sister)

**Lex Luthor** is a young billionaire and CEO of LexCorp, succeeding his father, the late Lionel Luthor. Perhaps the smartest man on the planet, Lex has seemingly set his sights on taking over the world - literally. An expert at hiding his nefarious intentions, Lex will stop at nothing in his quest for world domination - including going through the Man of Steel.

## History

### Early Life

Alexander "Lex" Luthor was the eldest child born to billionaire Lionel Luthor and his wife, Lillian. When Lex was a child, his mother fell ill and eventually passed away. Lex took the loss of his mother extremely hard and was never quite the same after she died. Lionel turned to alcohol to cope with his loss, neglecting and abusing Lex. As a result, Lex became extremely protective of his sister, Lena, and became more serious and withdrawn.

Despite Lex's incredible intellect, he was a lonely child, often bullied and ridiculed by his classmates. As a teenager and young adult, Lex attempted to use his wealth and influence to his advantage and impress others, partying hard and leading a destructive lifestyle. After a run-in with law enforcement, Lionel payed off the officers in order to protect the Luthor family image and sent Lex overseas. There, he became well versed in international business trades and made a number of important allies.

Lex eventually returned to Metropolis in the company of a mysterious woman just after his father fell out of his high-rise window, resulting in Lex inheriting his father's company. In just two short years under Lex's leadership, the company's worth skyrocketed.

Lex soon met Lois Lane, a college student and recipient of a LexCorp scholarship who reminded him of his younger sister, Lena. He saw Lois as someone who could be exploited and molded to report whatever story Lex wanted to spin. Lois, however, saw through this act but played along to get closer to Lex, suspecting him of nefarious and corrupt business practices.

Shortly after graduation, Lex managed to get Lois access to evidence that would incriminate his biggest competitor, Morgan Edge, of gross negligence and positioned Lois to take down one of the most powerful men in Metropolis and make a name for herself right out of the gate.

### Man of Tomorrow

As Morgan Edge prepared for the launch of an orbiting rocket telescope at S.T.A.R. Labs, Lex believed it to be the perfect time for Lois to strike. Interrupting the launch party, Luthor introduces Edge to Lois Lane, a recent college grad and budding journalist who was the recipient of a LexCorp scholarship. Lois presents evidence of Edge’s gross negligence in front of the entire press conference, resulting in Edge’s arrest. As Luthor smirks on, Edge’s rocket malfunctions and misdirects, heading towards Metropolis. The Flying Man of Metropolis quickly arrives and flies the rocket into space.

Lex came to despise the so-called "Superman" for overshadowing the headline of Edge's arrest, but became extremely intrigued by him and his abilities. Lex got the opportunity to study him more closely when Superman came to him requesting help. Superman had his powers drained by the Parasite and needed a way to get to space and recharge, revealing to Lex that his powers come from the sun. Eager to learn more, Lex asked the Superman about his weaknesses, and if the Parasite had gained those as well.

Lex agreed to aid Superman in the taking down the Parasite, learning that his weakness is a green meteorite from his home planet called Kryptonite, given to him by Lobo. After the battle ends, Lex steals the Kryptonite and brings it to his lab, where he tasks his scientist, Dabney Donovan, with studying the meteorite, as well as a sample of Superman's blood.

## Characteristics

### Personality

Lex is an extremely cunning individual. Perhaps the smartest man on the planet, Lex has set his sights on taking over the world to spite his late father, who believed that Lex would never amount to anything. Everything has come easy to Lex since taking over LexCorp, and he sees Superman as his first real challenge, the ultimate example of brains vs. brawn. Above all else, Lex wants to appear as the true hero of Metropolis, viewing Superman as his competition and primary obstacle that he must overcome.

### Abilities

Luthor's intelligence is nearly unrivaled, making him one of the smartest minds on Earth. Luthor has solved complicated equations in a few minutes and holds a myriad of masters and degrees. He can find cures for diseases in deep thought and ways to better mankind while still profiting from its destruction. He's extremely wealthy, and thus, has nearly unlimited resources he can use to reach his goals. Perhaps the greatest weapon in his arsenal is his righthand woman, Mercy Graves.

### Appearance

Tall and handsome, Lex Luthor was the media's main attraction up until the arrival of Superman. He wears only the most luxurious and expensive suits, watches and shoes, symbolizing his wealthy and lavish lifestyle.

## Trivia

* This version of Lex Luthor shares a similar backstory to his Smallville counterpart.
* It's heavily implied that Lex had something to do with his father's death.