I, Lex Luthor, stand for humanity, unlike that so-called "Man of Steel"!
"I raise my voice, and Satan himself is on bended knee. I am the leader of the free world, you impotent little psychotic. I've had the most powerful beings on this or any planet gunning for me for years, and you think you're going to scare me?"
WROOOOOOOONG!!TheSuper Villain — or so say my detractors.
While I do not enjoy sharing the personal details of my life, I find it wise to keep my fan base happy (that clown's bragging about having a page before me was... unappreciated) so I will indulge you. At the minimum, I deserve a page before that alien with the yellow ring.
My name is Alexander Joseph Luthor. You may address me as "Lex" or preferably as "Mr. Luthor", or "Mr. President", depending on whether or not I am currently president, as I was from Lex 2000 #1 to the Superman/Batman series, just anything but "Lexy". That clown drove me nuts with that name! From my humble beginnings in Action Comics #23 (April, 1940) , I have been portrayed as almost everything between a Mad Scientist and a rather upscale white-collar criminal, a maniacal villain to an abused child, courtesy of my evil, sadistic, backstabbing, manipulating lunatic of an excuse for a father, Lionel Luthor. I have been married eight times; the first seven don't count, and the last one I ended by blowing up my wife.
At least two of my children have been killed: Lex Luthor Jr. and his mother, Ardora, when their planet was destroyed, and Jerry White, of whose parentage I was not aware until his death. The only ones of my blood who have lived are Lena (whereabouts unknown), daughter of Contessa, my last wife; and Conner Kent, who is (biologically) my son with Superman (Spare me the "clever" remarks, please.) Conner is the only one for whom I have truly cared as a father, though only a clone made using my DNA and that of the Man of Steel. Unfortunately, he has turned from me to the path of the "hero".
Speaking of heroes, I'm sure you're aware that my arch-nemesis is Superman. Our relationship is... complicated and my feelings for him are mixed. I do find him annoying, but it is difficult not to admire him — even when he destroys one of my creations that was not meant to garner his attentions.
I have been played by Lyle Talbot, Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, Scott James Wells, Sherman Howard, John Shea and Michael Rosenbaum. Voice acted by (the most famous) Clancy Brown, Ray Owens, Stan Jones, Michael Bell, James Marsters, Chris Noth, Anthony LaPaglia, Joe J. Thomas, and Mark Rolston.
Tropes that apply to my person:
Abusive Parents: ...The less said about my father, the better.
Affably Evil: Just look at me. Being the bigger man is important, as well.
Faux Affably Evil: Of all the villains, on all the teams, through all the years, the one I deal with better than anyone? The Joker.
Ever wonder what would have happened if that Kryptonian had landed in the Soviet Union instead of the United States? Apparently, I would have destroyed him and instead of being incarcerated, I would be properly lauded as a hero as well as a genius, savior of American democracy and the whole of humanity. Once I defeated him for good, I would make Earth a paradise that would endure for millions of years. Quite frankly, we would all be much better off without him, don't you agree?
I understand that my Earth-Three counterpart is an actual Superhero. Interesting...
Ambiguously Brown: Well, in Superman: The Animated Series (that version of me is apparently Greek, resembling the actor Telly Savalas). They made me a good deal paler in Justice League, I'm guessing to rectify the confusion. Though that might've had something to do with the fact that I had contracted cancer.
Speaking of which, I did just that at my school's bake sale in my younger years, as revenge for the administration refusing to let me enter my fission-powered toaster in their "science" fair.
Arch-Enemy: The one and only for that simpering alien garbage. Depending on the continuity, Brainiac, GeneralZod, and Darkseid may be up there as well, but they still only qualify in a secondary sense.
Badass Abnormal: During the Black Lantern invasion, I was briefly empowered by an Orange Lantern Ring. Unfortunately, not only does the orange light take a toll on one's higher functions, but Larfleeze shares his power even less willingly than I do.
Badass Normal: I have no consistent powers besides my intellect, though I have used an exoskeletal suit from time to time. My recent attempts at procuring a replacement for my orange ring have put me up against some of the most powerful "villains" in my world. They have no chance, really.
Battle Butler: Meet my chauffeur, Mercy Graves. Sometimes accompanied by another henchwoman of mine, Hope.
Beware the Superman: I am constantly reminding people of how unwise it is to put one's fate in the hands of an alien who, when he inevitably goes rogue, could be a threat to all life on Earth. But considering all he has to do to win back their affection is to rescue a kitten from a tree (as if ordinary humans can't do that...), it's usually something of an uphill battle.
Board to Death: I was quite bemused to learn of my 64th century successor's penchant for this.
Brains: Evil; Brawn: Good: I am more reliant on intellect and less on strength than Superman is. Regardless of how intelligent he may be, he tends to solve his problems with his fists.
Canon Discontinuity: I never appeared in an animated movie called Brainiac Attacks which used the likeness of my Magnificent Bastard appearance from Superman The Animated Series but had me act like a giggling buffoon villain with the effect of having my movie persona without any charm or actual menace. And I was not voiced by Powers Booth, who you may know as my nemesis Gorilla Grodd in such a production. That would be below genius such as myself.
Care Bear Stare: I once released the Zone Child from the Phantom Zone, defeated it, and gained its power to eradicate negative emotions and create eternal bliss throughout the universe. Of course, I could only keep that power as long as I don't do anything negative, like trying to destroy the Alien. No need to elaborate on how well that went down...
Characterization Marches On: When I debuted in 1940, I merely wanted to facilitate a war in Europe. In the Silver Age, my enmity with Superman increased over some lost hair. In The Eighties, yon Green-Eyed Monster became my raison-d'etre for hating the alien. And in some perspectives, I'm a humanist. Maybethe last humanist: the one who wants to deliver you all from the Kryptonian's unspeakable menace. To some extent all these alignments are laid out rather nicely here.
Cloning Blues: A favourite ploy of mine (employing everything from science to the Devil himself). Case in point, young Conner Kent. Less endearingly, there is that irritatingBizarro creature.
And if you're wondering why I look so much younger and more fit than I did when Superman first appeared in Metropolis, it's because of a deal with the devil. He only wanted my soul: the barter was more than acceptable.
Contemplative Boss: I never act without thinking (and usually standing at the window for some time).
Corrupt Corporate Executive: From time to time, I am the CEO of LexCorp and I got there with my own special practicality.
Cultured Badass: I simply love classic literature, philosophy, classical music, and art. Just another example of my superiority to that spandex clad simpleton.
Cut Me A Check: Sometimes I play it straight, sometimes I subvert it. But even when I subvert it, I always keep my best technology and inventions to myself in order to better fight the alien.
Disproportionate Retribution: During the Silver Age, I destroyed the Kryptonite vaccine and became Superman's archnemesis for what reason? He made me bald.
Once in a great while, I indulge in this. Most famously, during the Final Crisis of Man and the Multiverse, I pretended to join with Sivana and took command of Darkseid's army.
Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: Kent? Superman? Preposterous. Oh, they share a certain resemblance, but why would someone with Superman's power bother with any kind of secret identity, yet alone one so humble?
Evil Is Petty: Bah. What good is power if you must pretend to be polite to the rabble while you exert it? Kick a man while he's down, rub it in his face, tell him what a useless waste of matter he is, and spit on his grave after the fact. That, my friend, is power.
And what use is godhood if I can't use it to destroy my greatest foe?
Evil Plan: Regardless of who is writing me, all my plans have the death of Superman as their goal.
Evil Redhead: Yes. Once upon a time I had hair. In the long-ago and deeply troubled Silver Age, Superman caused its loss.
Evil Twin: Mostly these are good twins, due to my nature. However, there was the fellow who was turned into Kryptonian barbecue - said Kryptonian proving then and afterwards how right I am in mistrusting him - and don't get me started on Alexander Luthor Jr.
Fashion Victim Villain: ... purple and green. Purple. And. Green. What was I thinking in the 1970's?
Fantastic Racism: Aliens. Who do they think they are? I yearn to reclaim Earth for its rightful owners, humans. You may consult the following document: Lex Luthor: Man of Steel.
Fearless Fool: I have made myself the Arch-Enemy of a Physical God who can split the planet in two and have never shown any reluctance to taunt or stand up to him, nor the myriad of yet more powerful beings he counts as either allies or enemies. Recklessly foolish? Perhaps. But I'm still here to do it all over again.
First Name Basis: Under the pen of John Byrne, I insisted on being called Lex. For manipulation and for profit.
Five Stages of Grief: Well, more like three stages. When I met Death I experienced the first three stages and then, having realized what I was doing, faked depression to try and manipulate her (it didn't work). And as I said, I don't do "acceptance".
Flat Earth Atheist: I don't care if Death herself paid me a visit, I refuse to believe in such primitive, superstitious nonsense.
I do, however, acknowledge that under "The Big Hand Theory", it is illogical to be an atheist, but I declare myself to be one on the moral grounds on the eve of becoming a god myself.
Former Teen Rebel: I did not appreciate my father's... controlling tendencies.
For the Evulz: I don't wash my hands... 'cuz I'm evil. Oh, and that nasty prank I pulled on that nobody waitress, who I offered an Indecent Proposal to then sped off before she had the chance to answer, just so that she could spend the rest of her miserable life with "what ifs'? Yes, that was an amusing diversion.
Funny Animal: Much as I loathe the term "funny animal," there is my sentient animal counterpart who lives on the parallel world of Earth-C-Minus, "Lex Lemur," who also wishes to triumph over his version of the alien, "Super-Squirrel."
A God Am I: Even when I don't somehow acquire Superman's powers, I think of myself as this among mortal men. What, don't you agree? Of course, when I do have them, this is the first thing I usually say outright, if not heavily infer.
One time, I merged with Brainiac and actually became a Physical God. Unfortunately, my moment of triumph didn't last when The Flash destroyed him. I spent the remainder of my appearance in Justice League attempting to regain that power, only for my final attempt to...not end well.
Greed: The orange ring said it best: I want it all.
Heroic Sacrifice: Would you believe I once saved Superman from Darkseid?
A Hero To His Hometown:I had my own planet once and the people loved me, but I grew tired of them.
Hidden Depths: I've evolved immeasurably from simply being spiteful over lost hair.
Hollywood Atheist: I've always been an atheist. It's not a logical choice (what with it being scientifically proven that there was a giant hand at the start of the universe), it's an ethical one. Believers always seem to be declining their responsibilities.
I Am What I Am: And there's nothing you girls can do about it.
I Just Want to Be Special: How unfair is it that undeserving men like Kal-El get amazing powers and I do not?
Insufferable Genius: I'm one of the smartest men in the world, if not the smartest. And I'm very, very aware of it and have no problem reminding others of it.
Ironic Name: My name is Lex. Ha-ha! Lex! Get it? As in, "the law". Oh, the irony!
Irrational Hatred: Some of the fools who bow before the alien's supposed "heroics" have suggested that I suffer from this.
Can no one else see that the alien's attempts at thwarting my plans are mere spite instead of some vague set of ideals about "truth" and other such drivel?
I shan't think I'll ever understand why people do not worship me as the god I truly am? And, if they won't, they'll pay for it dearly.
Why did I deign to form an "Injustice Gang" of super-villains in Grant Morrison's JLA? Because clearly, the only reason Superman would become the leader of the Justice League would be to escalate his conflict with me.
Kick the Dog: See the Superman: Confidential dossiers on this: "That's right... I just killed your girlfriend, Superman. What are you going to do about it?"
I also killed the Flash in one universe, telling that right to Superman's face, knowing as the president, he couldn't touch me. Sadly, I was mistaken.
Mythology Gag: In atleast two continuities (plus one where matters became bizarre), the Man of Steel went evil: one involved service to Darkseid. I aspired to, or became, the US President inasmanycontinuities: only in one did I drive out the Kryptonian menace.
Narcissist: A loaded term. I merely maintain a healthy amount of self-respect given my accomplishments.
Nay Theist: I am an Atheist, but not because I don't believe in God (the Big Hand Theory is the predominant theory on the creation of the universe, after all). For me, Atheism is more of a way of life than a belief. I also know hell exists (as I have been there), but I refuse to believe that there is anyone who 'judges the dead', as he would need an objective point of view, which is impossible.
Never My Fault: People will blame me for everything, even if I'm not behind that mishappening. Its obviously Kal-El's doing. Or The Bat or my idiotic henchmen.
Non-Idle Rich: Think of me as much like Walt Disney; I built LexCorps to its success by keeping my hand in the company's core R & D department as my employees develop the general ideas I introduce.
Not-So-Harmless Villain: In ''Superman Returns, I brought the last son of Krypton to his knees and even stabbed him with a blade of My own invention. I would have succeeded in my plan had it not been for my girlfriend.
Not Using the Z Word: What is Superman but an honorific we gave him to feel good about ourselves? To me he will always be the Alien, or "Man of Steel", or less often "Kryptonian."
When that mindless beast Doomsday apparently killed Superman, I... didn't take it well. Fortunately, Superman got better so I could deal with him myself.
The Pardon: For my aid in helping the Justice League defeat their Knight Templar counterparts, I was given amnesty for my past crimes. Naturally, I used this to my advantage.
The Power of Hate: The thought of dying before the alien has often given me the willpower to force myself to cheat death.
President Evil: The Trope Namer, no less. The alien and his vigilante friend brought me down, with assistance from Lois Lane and my treacherous successor as CEO of my company.
Pride: If you had 12th-level intellect, you'd be high on yourself too. In fact, Depending on the Writer, this is my primary motivation for my crusade against the alien; the existence of a being more powerful and more loved by the people than I is simply intolerable.
Screw the Rules, I Have Money!: Maybe money can't buy everything, but it can buy most things, and if you have enough, there's very little you can't have.
Smart People Play Chess: It is one of the best ways to keep one's mind sharp and one of the most pleasurable.
A memorable, if apocryphal series of matches happened between me and ShikamaruNara. Not many people have the skill to keep a match going even when I switch sides whenever I'm on a rare losing streak.
Swiss Cheese Security: I have spent thousands of dollars in new doors from time to time. Also, see above.note (This trope used to be named Lex Luthor Security.)
Teen Genius: Not that I was properly respected for it by my jealous peers, mind you.
Übermensch: I certainly am; yet an alien dares call himself superman? It's galling.
Utopia Justifies the Means: The alien fails to grasp how much better the world could be under my guidance....and away from his influence. He naively thinks that I can do it with him around; I can, of course, but what would be the point? What worth are our achievements when he his mere existence makes them seem lacking?
Villain Team Up: Almost a speciality of mine, keeping such conflicting personalities in line is quite a worthy challenge. Yes, even that particular insane buffoon, since quite frankly I'd rather at least have him where I can see him.
Villain with Good Publicity: Especially in the years just after Crisis on Infinite Earths, but even after having been convicted as a criminalnote (I got pardoned after saving the world), I managed to bounce back and become the 43rd president of the United States.
