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Self Demonstrating / Lex Luthor

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"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?"

(For full effect, best read in the voices of either Clancy Brown, Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, Michael Rosenbaum, Jon Cryer, Rainn Wilson, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael Cudlitz, Nicholas Hoult, or Mark Rolston).

Diabolical Mastermind, Mad Scientist, LexCorp CEO, President of the United States. The Super 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 wouldn't shut up about 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, whom I refer to on this page below as "the alien". 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. And That's Terrible.

Several actors have portrayed me in movies and on television, and while many were adequate, none truly ever captured my essence. How could they? Nevertheless, Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey provided admirable performances, highlighting my under-appreciated comical side. Michael Rosenbaum brought a notable charm in portraying my younger years, and John Shea's portrayal was sufficient. Clancy Brown was quite impressive in several animated portrayals (you may even be imagining his voice while reading this). Esteban Garcia dubbed me into Latin American Spanish 23 times and counting, though he was hardly the only one to do so. And let's not forget Jon Cryer, who previously played my annoying nephew, a huge comic book fan who demonstrated his impeccable taste in his eagerness to portray me. And my cinematic portrayal by Jesse Eisenberg was ... original.

For a more banal biography of my life, achievements, and, yes, setbacks, see Lex Luthor.

My appearances throughout history:

Notable Comic Book stories Film (Live Action) Live Action TV Video Games Western Animation

Tropes that apply to my person:

  • Abusive Parents: ...The less said about my father, the better.
  • Adaptation Name Change: I wasn't always "Alexander" Luthor. Before the Crisis, "Lex" was short for "Alexis" — or "Alexei" in the case of my Earth-Two counterpart.
  • 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.
  • Alliterative Name: When I go by "Lex Luthor".
  • Alternate Universe Lex Luthor Is Awesome: I saved the civilization of the planet Lexor, and the Lexorians recognized me for the hero I am; let's just say it wasn't called Lexor until then. Terrible pity about their world blowing up...
  • Ambiguously Brown: 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.
  • And That's Terrible: The caption accompanying a picture of me pilfering 40 cakes became the Trope Namer.
  • Arch-Enemy: The one and only for that simpering alien garbage. Depending on the continuity, Brainiac, General Zod, and Darkseid may be up there as well, but they still only qualify in a secondary sense. While I originally felt that way about the alien in the television series that starred his female cousin, I had no problem transferring my hatred to her when she became the primary opposition to my plans.
  • Artificial Limbs: At one point I got radiation poisoning from the Kryptonite Ring I kept on me, and they had to amputate my right hand. I used a robotic prosthesis until I just cloned myself a new body.
  • Ax-Crazy: Sometimes, admittedly, the alien will drive me to this.
  • Bad Boss: I can be a little rough sometimes. Just ask Mercy in Superman: Doomsday.
  • Bad Guys Play Pool: In "Smallville", I do.
  • The Bad Guy Wins: There have been occasions where I have triumphed over my enemies, however briefly—such as that time I trapped Superman in a poorly coded simulation; even though he somehow managed to escape, I managed to get off scot free. There was also a non-canon Silver Age tale (Superman vol 1 #149: The Death of Superman!) where I succeeded in killing Superman via a bout of feigned repentance and a kryptonite ray, although I ended up being imprisoned in the Phantom Zone for it.
  • Badass Boast: The page quote is one of my personal favorites. Also...
    "Lex Luthor of Earth. You want it all."
    "I am the villain of the story."
    "I am Lex Luthor. I am the greatest scientist on this planet, and would be on yours as well."
    (On being told that surviving the Source Wall requires a 12th level intellect) "Then I'm overqualified."
  • Badass in a Nice Suit: Occasionally, I will put on my power suit. I don't need a purple and green spandex suit to be a truly menacing Super Villain.
  • Badass Normal: I have no consistent powers besides my intellect, though I have used an exoskeletal suit from time to time. My attempts at procuring a replacement for my orange ring put me up against some of the most powerful "villains" in my world. They had no chance, really.
  • Bald of Evil: Gene Hackman may have been living in denial, but it was there. Oh, yes. Even John Shea and Jesse Eisenberg went there eventually. Michael Rosenbaum and Kevin Spacey understood this from the beginning.
  • Battle Butler: Meet my chauffeur, Mercy Graves. Sometimes accompanied by another henchwoman of mine, Hope.
  • Berserk Button:
  • 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. 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 something of an uphill battle.
  • Big Bad: According to Superman, I am responsible for all the turmoil in Metropolis and behind every Evil Plan... In truth, I should be the Big Good because my efforts keep him occupied when he could otherwise turn on humanity at large.
  • Board to Death: I was quite bemused to learn of my 64th century successor's penchant for this.
  • Body Horror: I'd rather not think about the Luthor-Brainiac "team-up" in What Ever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow, thank you. Or the one in Justice League Unlimited, for that matter.
    • As a consequence of my near-constant exposure to kryptonite radiation from the ring I wore as a weapon against Superman, I eventually contracted an unusually agressive form of cancer that quite literally caused my body to rot away. I only escaped a gruesome fate by moving my mind to a younger, healthy clone body.
  • 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.
  • Breakout Villain: I was originally a powerful but minor adversary for Superman, but I ended up becoming popular enough to take the spot of his Arch-Enemy from the creators' first choice, the Ultra-Humanite.
  • But for Me, It Was Tuesday: I will occasionally utterly destroy a metahuman foe I've had no prior contact with, just for variety, like when I severed Swamp Thing's connection to Earth at the behest of his enemies in the goverment. Very few of the superhero community can offer the challenge of Superman and Batman.
  • Cant Unhear It: Many are either reading my page in either Clancy Brown, Mark Rolston, or even Jon Cryer.
  • Cardboard Prison: I have the best lawyers in the world. Put me away, I'll be out within the week. Back in my scientist days, I'd often be out within the hour. I still can be if I want to be, but why waste the time?
  • Card-Carrying Villain: See for yourself in All-Star Superman, various Silver Age stories, the Superman films and the Season 10 finale of Smallville. In Superman: The Movie, I literally call myself "the Greatest Criminal Mind on Earth" - hey, if you're going to be something, may as well be the top of your field!
  • 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 didn't do anything negative, like trying to destroy the Alien. No need to elaborate on how well that went down...
  • Cassandra Truth: You expect me to belive that that bumbling dolt Perry White employs out of pity is Superman's secret identity? PREPOSTEROUS!! Why would a man with the powers of a God lower himself like that?
  • 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 '80s, yon Green-Eyed Monster became my raison-d'etre for hating the alien. In some perspectives, I'm a humanist. Maybe the 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.
  • The Chessmaster: I can spin a plan that has the Alien chasing his invulnerable tail.
  • Child Hater: I've never liked children. Sue me.
  • Chronic Villainy: Let's face it. I'll never stop until that spandex-clad bumpkin kills me... if I don't kill him first.
  • Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Lena Luthor? Oh, yes, my daughter. I wonder what happened to her...
  • Classic Villain: I am indeed a classic, and always classy.
  • Complete Monster: Well, some versions of me are extremely evil, such as in Kingdom Come.
  • Composite Character:
    • In Superman: Speeding Bullets, I became that clown because that alien scum was Batman. Even now, he still gloats about it over me. note 
    • Then there was the time I merged with Red Skull to become Green Skull.
    • I also briefly became Darkseid. It was intriguing to be another being who also hates the alien though even I would never attempt to destroy the Earth.
  • 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 Lex Luthor a Check: Sometimes I play it straight (I'm the Trope Namer for good reason), sometimes I invert it, but I always keep my best technology and inventions to myself in order to better fight the alien.
    • There was also the time when I was a consultant for the Sutherland Corporation on how to deal with Swamp Thing infesting Gotham City; they just happened to be paying enough to interest me and it was an intriguing challenge.
  • Dark and Troubled Past: Needless to say.
  • Dartboard of Hate: I'm not above destroying some of the alien's merchandise when the mood strikes.
  • Deadpan Snarker: One does not deal with fools like Kal-El or Zod without developing a dry sense of humor about it all.
  • Death Is Cheap: I had a near-death experience once. I even discussed the cheapness of death with Death herself at that time.
  • Deceased Parents Are the Best: They really are. That's why I had to have some, courtesy of my mechanic skills and a cut brake line.
  • Demoted to Dragon: I have occasionally been forced to serve the interests of another, most notably General Sam Lane in New Krypton. I will allow the fact that I am still alive in that timeline, and Lane is not, to speak for itself.
  • Despotism Justifies the Means: When I rule the world, things will be much better... for me.
  • Determinator: I do not go down that easily.
  • Disproportionate Retribution: During the Silver Age, I destroyed the Kryptonite vaccine and became Superman's archnemesis for what reason? He made me bald. That and he humiliated me when he ruined my subsequent innovative public works projects for Smallville to prove my superiority over the alien when they developed, err, technical difficulties. Perhaps it was that first and ending up bald second. It still added insult to injury.
  • Don't You Dare Pity Me!: I've never been big on pity. That's for the weak. I prefer to pull myself back up by my own bootstraps, because coming back from the lowest point - that's what I, Lex Luthor, can do.
  • Driven by Envy: Deep down, I know that I will never be Superman, and it is this, more than anything else, that fuels my hatred of him. Depending on the Writer I may or may not be aware of this.
  • Empowered Badass Normal: I have gained metahuman powers on several occasions, most notably during the Black Lantern invasion; I was briefly empowered by an Orange Lantern Ring, which gave me power equal to, or greater than, a member of the Green Lantern Corps. 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.
  • Enemy Mine:
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones:
  • Even Evil Has Standards:
  • 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? Some cold, logical computer tried to tell me thatnote  but I refused to believe it, and fired its programmer for that offense.
  • Evil Is Cool: Many admire my intelligence, diligence, and for being one of the greatest Magnificent Bastards out there.
  • 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.
    • 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. Or that other Alexander Luthor.
  • Evil Versus Evil: When the Crime Syndicate invaded our world, it was I and my Injustice League who defeated them. (And, I might add, I had the distinct pleasure of having Ultraman beg me to kill him. Most satisfying.)
  • Evil Versus Oblivion: The biggest reason why, despite having a common enemy on Superman, Darkseid and I don't see eye-to-eye. Total destruction of the universe and all life in it would be terrible for business, after all.
  • Exact Words: Hey, I gave Miss Teschmacher a Park Avenue address. I didn't say it was above ground.
  • Expert Consultant: For the most part, providing consultancy services is beneath my dignity, and makes me appear as a mere hireling — but occasionally, the price is adequate and the task is sufficiently interesting. For example, on the occasion when the creature known as "Swamp Thing" was holding Gotham City hostage and its so-called defenders had proved predictably incapable of resolving the problem, those mediocrities from the Sunderland Corporation asked for my advice on destroying the plant elemental. They even referred to it as "invulnerable". As I pointed out to them, I know from invulnerable, and that refugee from a canned sweetcorn label is not it. I did them the courtesy of finishing my ten minute presentation ten seconds early, as I correctly anticipated that they had not prepared my check for one million dollars and needed time to complete it.
  • Falsely Reformed Villain: I've faked reformation before, and will do it again. One of those times allowed me to be elected President of the United States.
  • 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.
    • I'm not crazy about metahumans in general, even human ones. Random industrial accidents or mutations elevating undeserving rabble to the level of gods while the truly gifted are left in the dust is infuriating.
  • 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.
  • Fictional Political Party: As President, I represented the Tomorrow Party.
  • Final Solution: During the events of New Krypton I aided General Lane's conspiracy against the Kryptonians, ultimately resulting in the near extinction of the race. Alas, neither Superman, Supergirl, nor General Zod were among the fallen.
  • First-Name Basis: Under the pen of John Byrne, I insisted on being called Lex for manipulation and for profit.
  • Five Stages of Grief: 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 manipulate her (it didn't work). 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's illogical to be an atheist, but I declare myself to be one on the moral grounds on the eve of becoming a god myself. Besides, how could a man progress in life if he has to rely on otherworldly beings and beliefs to get things done? I would much rather stand on my own two feet, even if I have to get my hands dirty for that.
  • Former Teen Rebel: I did not appreciate my father's... controlling tendencies.
  • For the Evulz: Do I wash my hands? No! 'Cuz I'm evil... Okay, no, that was just The Flash in my body saying that. I'm a very clean gentleman. But aside of that one incident? The trope fits...
    • Oh, and that nasty prank I pulled on that nobody waitress; I offered an indecent proposal to her and 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... Then twenty years later she tried to assassinate me when I was running for President.
  • Fountain of Expies: It seems many people have taken some of my mannerisms from Norman Osborn to David Xanatos.
  • "Freaky Friday" Flip: Thanks to an ill fated attempt to recover information on Brainiac from Grodd's brain, I found myself trapped in Flash's body for a day, and in the Justice League's Watchtower no less. Regrettably, even with the speed of light I had no time to gather intel on my enemies with them trying to contain me. I even had the chance to learn the Flash's secret identity, only to find that he was some schmuck that could be anyone in the world. On the other hand, I did enjoy literally running circles around the so-called heroes and causing havoc in the base as I went. Even learned the Green Lantern's weakness by complete accident.
  • Funny Animal: Much as I loathe the term "funny animal", there is my sapient 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: I think of myself as this among mortal men, lack of godlike powers not-withstanding.
  • Good Counterpart: Oh, some alternate universe Lex apparently was the leader of the Justice League - and the sole member thanks to that Earth's Superman, Ultraman.
  • Greed: The orange ring said it best: I want it all.
  • Grandfather Clause: Most people cannot conceive that I could be a challenge to the alien when similar antagonisms have the opponent at least equal and usually superior in physical power against the vigilante in question; that just goes to show how inimitable I am nowadays.
  • Green-Eyed Monster: One of a number of explanations for why I hate the alien. Alternately, the title for my favorite article of all time, 'Why the World Doesn't Need Superman'.
  • Heel–Face Turn: Witnessing the horrors the Crime Syndicate have brought about in Forever Evil (2013), compounded with Bizarro's loyalty and selflessness towards me, made me realize that what I feared the most, all along, was facing my failures; and if I could master this fear, I would be able to do better things for this world. Thus was how I defeated my newest Eviler than Thou counterpart, saved Superman's life, gave up on the hostile takeover I had planned for Kord Industries, and accepted a presidential pardon and an invitation for the Justice League (as much as the Kryptonian might insist otherwise). Surely it might come as a shock to those of you who know the basics about me, but that's the truth - for however long it holds, at least.
    • And predictably, as of 2018 I have reverted to type, following the epiphany I had from a brief incursion into the future: that reality should be accepted as is. And if I cannot accept my own reality, how can I act upon it?
  • Heel Realization: In All-Star Superman, supposedly.
  • Heroic Build: Yes, I did have something of a weight problem in my younger days, but a diligent exercise regimen has long since eliminated the problem.
  • 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.
    • And you surely can't deny I could be this to Metropolis itself if given the chance.
  • Hidden Depths: I've evolved immeasurably from simply being spiteful over lost hair.
  • Hoist by His Own Petard: That thrice-damned kryptonite ring the alien drove me to wear ended up saturating me with radiation, giving me leukemia! It's all his fault! If he hadn't constantly tormented me, I wouldn't have needed it!
    • It was even worse in the original comic version which caused my body to rot. Ugh, ironic punishment is such a cliche...
  • 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: There's nothing you 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?
  • Intercontinuity Crossover: I have to admit, that Octavius fellow was the rare time I sincerely respected one of my partners. Must be a Mad Scientist thing.
  • Insistent Terminology: I am entirely justified in referring to him as "The Alien" if I wish, since the very name "Superman" is a lie in of itself. No matter how much the teeming masses wish to delude themselves otherwise, he will never be one of us!
  • Insufferable Genius: I'm one of the smartest men in the world, if not the smartest. 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!
  • Irony: As of DC Rebirth, I wear the Alien's "S" on my Powered Armor. After all, well, it allows me to qualify for both parts of the "Superman" moniker, while he will always only get the "Super" part right.
  • Irrational Hatred: Some of the fools who bow before the alien's supposed "heroics" have suggested that I suffer from this.
  • It's All About Me:
    • 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 don't think I'll ever understand why people do not worship me as the god I truly am. And, since 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.
  • Karma Houdini: I object to this. That would imply I did something wrong. I get away with almost everything I do because deep down, you know I'm right.
  • 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, because as the President, he couldn't touch me. Sadly, I was mistaken.
    • This remains one of my proudest moments.
  • Lady Macbeth: My alternate universe counterpart on Earth-One has little interest in killing the Kryptonian, and considers the concept unethical. His wife, Alexandra, on the other hand, is fascinated by the concept, and pushes him towards doing it. One begins to wonder which of them is really Earth-One's version of me... a suspicion borne out when my counterpart dies and Alexandra blames the Kryptonian for it.
  • Large Ham: They've got the guts to say this about me, the Greatest Criminal Mind on Earth! They're WROOOOOOOOOONG! And now THEY! Are ON! The NAUGHTY! LIST!
  • Laughably Evil: As I was portrayed by Gene Hackman.
  • Legion of Doom: If one exists, you can be sure I'm the one at its head.
  • Love to Hate: I'm admired for being a well creditable arch enemy to that alien.
  • Lust: Some would describe my desire for power and control as a "lust" for it.
  • MacGyvering: I once made a jetpack out of paint chips, kitchen chemicals, and soda bottles. Just ask Joker. I was in his comic.
  • Mad Scientist: Some of the time, when I'm not concerned with politics or economics.
  • Magnificent Bastard: You know as well as I do that no matter how much I violate conventional views of morality, you will still love watching me do it.
  • Manipulative Bastard: It's easier for me to persuade and twist lesser mortals to my whim than it is for the alien to shatter stone.
  • Man of Wealth and Taste: I've mostly been seen in a simple suit and it became the standard for CEOs.
  • Muggle Power: I've always been a supporter of human potential. Aliens do not have a monopoly on power.
  • Mythology Gag: In at least 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 in as many continuities: 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. Some would argue that this, coupled with my refusal to care about those who are not extensions of myself, and my ability to identify with beings like Brainiac and the Joker identifies me as a sufferer of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. How wrong they are.
  • Naytheist: 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. I even tell this to Death Of The Endless.
  • Never My Fault: People will blame me for everything, even if I'm not behind that mishappening. It's obviously Kal-El's doing or The Bat or my idiotic henchmen.
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: That time where that alien scum BLEW UP MY WORLD! I put him in his place, but he still was strong enough to defeat me.
  • Noble Demon: Mostly when Elliot S! Maggin was chronicling me in the Bronze Age.
  • Non-Idle Rich: Think of me as much like Walt Disney; I built LexCorp 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 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".
  • Obvious Trap: I once set up one to catch Superboy (as in the alien's younger self). Talk about dumb (on his part, not mine).
  • Off on a Technicality: People who think I should be in prison usually believe I fit this trope.
  • The Only One Allowed to Defeat You: Superman will die by my hand and only by my hand. 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.
    • My John Shea counterpart once left prison thanks to a pardon signed by the President's clone. The pardon was soon revealed to be a fake, but he actually enjoyed no longer having to put up a facade.
  • Pet the Dog:
    • My experiences with Bizarro in Forever Evil (2013) have, it seems, left me somewhat more kindly inclined to others.
    • I also am a superhero on a planet that was so grateful to me they renamed their planet "Lexor" - the alien was gracious enough to let me observe their adoration while I was in jail. I was sort of moved. I tend to relax when I'm there because I'm a genuine hero there and that alien leaves it alone.
  • Powered Armor: In a classy green and purple. I wore it frequently Pre-Crisis, and after my fall from the presidency Post-Crisis. It is equipped with a wide array of weapons, both mundane and Kryptonite-fuelled, allowing me to be a physical match for Superman, and any other "hero" who comes my way. When I was granted an Orange Power Ring, I used it to fashion another suit of armor for myself.
  • The Power of Hate: The thought of dying before the alien has given me the willpower to cheat death on more than one occasion.
  • Pragmatic Villainy: I can't rule the world if everyone's dead, now can I? Plus, during Villain Team Ups, as much as I hate that clown, I do invite him in on the grounds that it's safer to have that unpredictable freak on our team than to have him mad at us. A lesson my Earth-3 counterpart's son learned the hard way.
  • President Evil: The Trope Namer, although I, personally, have always felt that this title is misleading. After all, the great people of America freely chose to elect me into office, something the alien and his allies never could accept. Was it evil to enter office and promote a more technologically savvy America for the 21st century, or clean up the mess made by the previous administration? In the end, the alien and his vigilante friend brought me down, with assistance from Lois Lane and my treacherous successor as CEO of my company. After all is said and done, I'm not bothered by the loss at all. I mean, do you have any idea how much power I had to give up to be President?
  • Pride: If you had a 10th-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.
  • Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil: Libra's, ahem, ideas for Supergirl during Final Crisis were those of a base pervert and completely beneath me. No regrets.
  • The Resenter: It has been said that my hatred of the alien is merely jealousy of all the loving attention that Metropolis gives its "favorite son". Which, I assure you, is not at all the case.
  • Rich Genius: It is assuredly no coincidence that I am both the wealthiest and most intelligent being on my planet. After all, what good is brilliance if one cannot profit from it?
  • Robosexual:
  • Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: What money cannot buy, political influence and business connections can.
  • 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.
  • Screw the Rules, I Make Them!: During my term as US President, I was able to make full use of my executive power to cover up any number of "incidents".
  • Serious Business: In a classic ad, my Super Friends counterpart once captured Superman and left him powerless under kryptonite, all just so he could coerce the secret of why his brand of peanut butter tasted so great... it was a slow week for him, and admittedly it was rather good peanut butter.
  • Shooting Superman: Sometimes I have shot at the alien and others of his ilk, but not because I don't know better. I... merely needed to vent my indignation. In Action Comics #286, I picked an ordinary machine gun and shot at Supergirl, sadly noting that my attack was harmless◊.
  • Smart People Play Chess: It's one of the best ways to keep one's mind sharp and one of the most pleasurable.
  • Stalker with a Test Tube: This opinion on the origin of Conner Kent is a simply ludicrous and baseless accusation. I most certainly never cared for the boy anyway, he was merely a means to an end.
  • Strawman Has a Point: Despite being frequently portrayed as being in the wrong, it's painfully evident that the alien is far more dangerous than those simpletons are willing to admit. Superman himself conceded that he could destroy the planet without breaking a sweat, just proving that I am right to be wary about him.
  • Suddenly Shouting: I pride myself on normally being even-tempered, but I won't hesitate to raise my voice for emphasis or even theatrics. Clancy Brown did this to express my anger at a billion-dollar loss in my first DCAU confrontation with the alien, while Jon Cryer was known to loudly call for "Miss Tessmacher" in the female Kryptonian's TV series.
  • Super-Intelligence: Brainiac described me as a "10th Level Intellect", making my intelligence superior to the combined IQs of everyone on Earth, both now (6th Level) and in the 31st Century (9th). I am also smarter than almost every individual on Colu, a planet renowned for the computer like minds of its inhabitants (8th on average). In the DC Universe as a whole, only Brainiac himself (a 12th Level Intellect) is known to be smarter than I. And even that is fixable...
  • Surrounded by Idiots: I know how arrogant it sounds saying it, but I really am. Honestly, you try keeping your cool when you're smarter than everyone on the planet, including our forebearers and descendants, combined and find yourself in a situation where it really shows. It's hard to stay humble on the best of days, but when the people around me so blatantly demonstrate how great the gap between my intellect and theirs is, I just have to vent.
    Myself: Why is the most diabolical leader of our time surrounding himself with total nincompoops?
  • Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Occasionally, someone points out the similarity between my Mad Scientist characterization, and that of Gerald Shugel, the self-proclaimed Ultra-Humanite. Preposterous, as I have become by far one of the most iconic "super villains" in history, while the Humanite has long since slipped into relative obscurity, and no longer even inhabits a human body.
  • Swiss-Cheese Security: I have spent thousands of dollars in new doors from time to time. Also, see above.note 
  • Tech Bro: While my portrayals in media oscillate between emphasizing my scientific credentials or my business acumen, a more recent cinematic portrayal split the difference by portraying me as a youthful technological entrepreneur with an informal and eccentric manner of speech and dress.
  • Teen Genius: Not that I was properly respected for it by my jealous peers, mind you.
  • Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: That clown gives me headaches, especially when for whatever reason I need him.
  • Token Evil Teammate: Of the Justice League, when I joined them after the events of Forever Evil (2013).
  • Trumplica: The post-Crisis version of myself may have a... few similarities to the 45th President — though amusingly, I was president years before he was.
  • Übermensch: I certainly am; yet an alien dares call himself Superman? It's galling.
  • Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny: On one occasion, I matched wits and technology with fellow businessman Tony Stark. I'm loathe to admit, however, that Stark would ultimately emerge victorious in the end. And on another occasion, I had come to blows with the King of Latveria when he attempted to seize my resources. Alas to my chagrin, I fared no better against him than against Stark.
  • Ungrateful Bastard:
    • Oftentimes the alien has mistakenly thought he was "saving" my life. How... cute, thinking that I need his help to save myself. Of course the alien god would condescendingly think we, poor mortals, can not get by without him.
    • In Action Comics #286, Supergirl saved my life. THAT ALIEN WENCH! And she delighted in declaring she "saved" me because she did not want me to escape my -completely and ridiculously unjust- life-term jail sentence through death! There and then "I loathed [her] '''more''' than '''[her alien cousin]'''"◊.
  • Unholy Matrimony: In the Alternate Universe of Superman: Earth One, I am married to one Alexandra Luthor, causing people to refer to us as "Lex Squared".
  • Unstoppable Rage: Rage at the alien, and at those who aid him, is my right as a human being.
  • 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 his mere existence makes them seem lacking?
  • Villainous Breakdown: HOW DARE YOU SLANDER ME WITH IMPLICATIONS THAT I'M A SORE LOSER?! I OUGHT TO OBLITERATE YOU, YOU MISERABLE, LITTLE- GRAAAGH! ...Ahem. Let's just say I lose my temper from time to time.
  • Villainous Valor: I'm often called "a man fighting a god." Now, please. The alien is no god, but the analogy fits. I won't deny that I am one of the few cases where the Arch-Enemy is weaker than the supposed hero.
  • Villainous Friendship: While the verdict between me and that clown being friends is highly debatable, we seem to get along pretty well since that alien and Batman are friends themselves and we team up to destroy them multiple times.
  • Villain Protagonist: For a time in Action Comics after the Blackest Night, for the duration of Paul Cornell's "Black Ring" story arc.
  • Villain Team-Up: A speciality of mine, keeping such conflicting personalities in line is quite a worthy challenge. Yes, even that particular insane buffoon, since frankly I'd rather have him where I can see him. During the Silver Age and the Bronze Age, he and Brainiac were among my most frequent partners-in-crime.
    • Villainous Friendship: Despite how often Joker and I double-cross each other, eventually we'll work together again. As loathed as I am to dare say it, he's probably the closest thing I have to a true companion.
  • Villain with Good Publicity: In the years just after Crisis on Infinite Earths, but even after having been convicted as a criminalnote , I managed to bounce back and become the 43rd president of the United States.
  • Villainous Crush: Lois will be willing to trade up from the Kryptonian one of these days.
  • Wealthy Yacht Owner: Watch that episode where I turned Corben into Metallo or think about the one I've inherited from my beloved Gertrude.
    • Hell, my first Post-Crisis appearance under the pen of John Byrne had me as one.
  • Well-Intentioned Extremist:
  • Will Not Be a Victim: I refuse to be rendered weak, powerless, or helpless at the hands of another, be they man, beast, or extraterrestrial force. I had an ex-employee of mine killed in front of his wretched family for sucker-punching me because he, if only for a moment, made me feel helpless.
  • Would Hurt a Child: Children are expendable if it helps me thwart that alien.
  • Would Hit a Girl: I rarely stoop to hitting females. It is usually a disgraceful form of behaviour. Nevertheless, it is, on occasion necessary. Frankly, a gender disparity is frequently irrelevant, as in the case of Supergirl, the alien's cousin, who is Kryptonian and so can bear far more punishment than any human of any gender.
  • You Could Have Used Your Powers for Good!: Superman made a point of this when he went missing for a year, and I spent it trying to find him instead of working on the betterment of mankind. But I swear on my mother's soul that mankind will not benefit from my labour until the alien rots in the ground!
  • You Killed My Father: Actually, I killed my father. Sic semper tyrannis.
  • You're Insane!: And Superman will st- WROOOOOOOONNNGGGG!

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