Lex Luthor’s 7 Most Unhinged Moments, Ranked

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In the realm of comic book characters, there’s no denying that Lex Luthor stands out from the rest. His intellect, ambition, and self-importance are boundless. While he is frequently referred to as Superman’s sworn enemy, this description fails to encapsulate his true essence in DC Comics history. On numerous occasions, Lex has transgressed lines that position him alongside characters like Ozymandias from ‘Watchmen’, although it’s important to note that Lex’s villainous acts are seldom driven by a specific moral code. Instead, more often than not, his ego is the sole driving force behind some of his most malevolent actions.

In James Gunn’s Superman film, we get to see a fresh perspective on Lex Luthor’s truly wicked nature. Let’s delve into some of the craziest acts committed by this notorious comic book antagonist.

Exploring the malevolent side of Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman movie, we’ll examine some of the most outlandish things this arch-nemesis has done in the comics.

7) Ran for President and Won

To put it simply: It’s not entirely surprising or off-the-wall for billionaires to run for president. They have the resources, the desire for power, and sometimes a concealed purpose. Characters like Lex Luthor perfectly embody this profile and even managed to win the American presidency in “Lex 2000,” mirroring the absurdity of the wealthy entering politics. Thankfully, comic books provide a platform where villains eventually face their downfall, so Lex’s tenure as the leader didn’t last long. In essence, considering the feasibility of such a scenario in reality, Lex’s campaign isn’t all that unrealistic, making this moment worthy of ranking at number seven on the list.

6) Cloned Superman Just to Kill Him

Among Lex Luthor’s most notable actions is the repeated act of cloning Superman, a plot point that frequently appears in DC Comics media. This is one of the reasons it ranks sixth on our list: it happens consistently across various platforms. However, the fact that Lex Luthor has cloned Superman at least three times demonstrates his relentless determination to eliminate Superman, which is quite extreme. Instead of treating these clones as individuals, he views them as weapons, revealing his calculating and cold nature. While this behavior is consistent with his character, it also indicates how obsessively he has fixated on Superman over the years, hence its placement at number six.

5) Try to Kill Superman Using A Kryptonite Ring, Only to Wind Up Getting Cancer

It seems obvious that Lex Luthor thought he was being shrewd by always having Kryptonite with him, ready for any unexpected run-ins with Superman, since it’s the only thing capable of weakening or killing the Man of Steel. However, an interesting twist followed later on. Luthor’s frequent contact with Kryptonite resulted in him developing cancer, and he even had to amputate his hand to manage this illness. In an ironic turn of events, the weapon intended to harm Superman the most ended up causing Lex himself significant harm. Had he channeled just a little bit of that energy towards self-preservation, he could have avoided all of this. Unfortunately, his hatred was so intense that it seemed to blind him, leading to a self-destructive situation that earns a score of five on the absurdity scale.

4) Hired Deathstroke to Assassinate His Own Father

In much the same way as his son, Lionel Luthor had a tarnished reputation, primarily due to years of mistreatment involving alcohol and abuse towards Lex. Consequently, in Lex’s perspective, engaging Deathstroke to take out Lionel was seen as justifiable – though chilly, it made sense. To Lex, his father wasn’t merely a personal grievance but a blemish on his family name, something that needed eradication. However, while this decision might not be entirely surprising given their past, it nonetheless sends a powerful message. Instead of attempting to help his father or even letting bygones be bygones, Lex opted for a contract on his life. Regardless of the rationale, ordering the assassination of your own father is certainly an extreme step.

3) Gave Lois Lane Cancer Just to Get at Superman

In many encounters between Lex Luthor and Superman, Lex demonstrates his intellectual superiority, yet instances such as these highlight significant flaws in his character, even when he claims to act righteously. Reaching new levels of insanity in this particular instance, Lex deliberately inflicts cancer upon Lois Lane in a misguided attempt to aid Superman emotionally. He justifies this cruelty as a twisted form of assistance, but employing cancer as therapy is utterly insane and his actions feel more like a cold-hearted, ruthless assault than any form of support. Oh my!

2) Let a City Get Demolished Just to Destroy Superman’s Reputation

In the animated series Justice League: Unlimited, Lex Luthor, disguised as a reformed criminal turned philanthropist, constructed a city called Lexor City for low-income families to reside in. However, Superman discovered a questionable device beneath it and sought Shazam’s help to retrieve it. Unfortunately, their confrontation caused the destruction of Lexor City. The mysterious device was later revealed to be an alternative energy source; however, its purpose became sinister when Luthor’s true intentions were finally unveiled. Designed as a means to tarnish Superman’s reputation, Lexor City succeeded in doing so, demonstrating the profound depths of Luthor’s animosity towards Superman and his readiness to go to any extremes. But instead of stopping at city-level destruction, Luthor chose… something more extravagant.

1) Destroyed an Entire planet

Indeed, you’ve got it straight! The infamous Lex Luthor, known for obliterating a whole planet, Lexor, was instigated by none other than Superman’s arrival. With his power threatened, Luthor donned a formidable mechanical suit, crafted from Lexor technology, to engage in combat with the Man of Steel. This clash ultimately resulted in the catastrophic destruction of Lexor, wiping out not just its inhabitants, but also the family that Lex had cultivated during his tenure on the planet. Thus, Luthor’s actions not only destroyed a world, but also annihilated his own family. This monumental act certainly earns the top spot on this list of extraordinary events.

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2025-07-16 16:10