Throughout the history of Superman stories, none has stood out more as the quintessential true arch-nemesis of the Man of Steel than Lex Luthor. Originally a crazy scientist who would use his inventions to try to take over the world, Luthor's character would have dissolved into history if it weren't for the fact that writers evolved him with the times, turning him into a classy businessman with genius intellect.
But throughout his comic-book history, the former Man of Tomorrow has always believed one thing: That is that Superman is a danger to humanity. Whether it be because he's invulnerable to human weapons, or because his existence alters humanity's socio-evolutionary path, Luthor believes Kryptonians are bad for the human race. Because of the dangers that Superman's existence attracts, and the fanaticism over the Man of Steel, there are many instances where Luthor was right about his thoughts and feelings on Superman.
10 During The Red Son Story
In Superman: Red Son, Lex Luthor wasn't the villain of the story, but in fact the hero. In a parallel universe where Kal-El's ship landed in Soviet-Union Russia, Superman is raised and trained to believe that Communism is superior to Capitalism, and eventually overthrows Stalin and conquers most of Western Europe.
Luthor is a scientist who eventually becomes president of the United States and sees Superman for what he is from the very beginning, a dictator who lobotomizes those who oppose him.
9 When The Justice Lords Took Over
In the Justice League animated series, the League explores parallel earth where Lex Luthor becomes president and ultimately kills The Flash. Although it's never explained how or why Luthor killed the Flash, it results in Superman killing President Luthor and the Justice League becoming the Justice Lords, rulers of Earth.
In doing so, the League— and Superman, in particular— become what Luthor was afraid they would become. It seemed befitting that it was Luthor who de-powered the Justice Lords at the end of the battle.
8 When Superman Became A Dictator
In the Injustice: Gods Amongst Us universe, after being tricked into murdering the only love of his life, Superman comes to realize that humanity cannot take responsibility for its criminals and decides to dictate the nations of the world.
This Superman realizes Luthors worst fears of him, an individual who's power and lack of humanity, would delude him into believing he knows better than the entirety of the human race. It's no surprise that although this Luthor works with Superman, he secretly helped lead the rebellion against him.
7 When Batman's Nightmare Warned Him
The version of Lex Luthor that fans got in Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice is not an infallible version of the character. He hates Superman because he fears Superman could take over since he's used to individuals with too much power becoming drunk on it.
But the scene where Batman is shown a post-Apokoliptic future presents him with a version of Superman that's become what both Batman and Luthor feared. Although this version is controlled by the Anti-Life Equation, it still renders Superman as what Lex fears the most, an all-powerful God who is not good.
6 When Luthor Became Superman
One of Luthors greatest arguments as to why Superman is bad for humanity is the idea that Superman's existence leads to the end of human innovation. He's not entirely wrong though, to say that Superman causes people to worry less and be less creative.
In the Rebirth of the DC Universe following the death of Superman and the end of the New 52, Lex decided to become the Man of Steel, by building himself a power-suit using Mother Box technology and be a hero. When he shows up to save Metropolis, nobody is impressed by his invention because he's not Superman, so everyone just sees another guy in a power-suit.
5 When Lex Calls Clark A Parody Of A Man
During the All-Star Superman story, while in an interview with Clark Kent (unaware he's Superman), Lex explains how Superman's existence diminishes humanity as a species. He then follows to point out that in a world with no Superman, Lois Lane might have actually noticed that Clark is a catch.
He acknowledges that Clark is a highly intelligent man, full of achievements many others cannot claim. But next to Superman, Clark is a parody of a human being. Seeing as how Clark was always a bit of a loser for the longest time in the view of fans, he's not wrong.
4 When Superman's Existence Overshadowed Human Greatness
This has always been Lex Luthor's greatest fear, egotistically. He's one of the greatest minds on the planet and a genius businessman, and yet nothing he does meets any value when compared to Superman. He's not wrong, because this does technically happen.
In the future, the Legion of Superheroes acknowledges Superman as the inspiration for everything they are, and not human ingenuity that allowed for such a legion to exist. They don't even recognize Luthor and all his inventions, only that he opposed the great Superman.
3 Superman Continuously Lies About Who He Is
Luthor believes that the Superman the public sees, sanctimonious and full of good, is all a façade. He thinks that it's nothing but an act the Kryptonian plays in order to trick people into loving him, and he won't fall for it. In a sense, Superman is indeed playing a façade, considering the fact that he lives a double life.
He lies every day about where he disappears to when he's Clark Kent, and about how he gets his scoops and exclusive interviews. He built Kent as a super-reporter who's traveled the world and risked his life, but because he's a Kryptonian, he never had to worry for his life.
2 When Lex Point Out The Lack Of Miranda Rights
The 2006 film, Superman Returns, is not a generally well-liked movie. It's slow, convoluted, and doesn't show a lot of Superman. But it depicts a Lex Luthor who knows what he is doing. His plan to create a new continent made out of Kryptonite and Kryptonian Crystals was convoluted, but it had its merits of stopping Superman and anyone who might go after him.
But in the conversation he was having with Lois Lane, Lex points out that the great Superman doesn't follow basic rules. He ignores Miranda rights, due process, and court dates; he just swoops in and does what he believes is right, ignoring the complex technicalities of the law that make it so strong.
1 When Scientists Point Out Superman's Existence Causes A "Paradigm Shift"
Luthor believes Superman's existence changes the path humans were on with regards to their evolution as a species, ideally and socially. This issue is discussed in great detail in Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, during the scene when several political leaders and scientists discuss the meaning of Superman's place among humans.
They all agree that Superman arriving on Earth and saving people up-ends the natural process of human socio-evolution, and causes chaos to the current order of the species. His arrival causes a shift in the direction humanity was growing, and they're not sure if that's a good thing.
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