Together with Superman, Lex Luthor ruled Metropolis in an alternate dimension.
History
After Intergang murdered Lois, Superman turned to Luthor for help, appealing to his prominence, money and intellect. Together, they made Metropolis a "safer" city, where crime is virtually nil. However, they did so by turning it in a tyrannical police state, in which LexCorp is now even more prominent in Metropolis and people are under curfew (unless their work requires them to be outdoors, in which case they are granted passbooks). This also affected the economy of Metropolis, as the general public is comparatively poorer in this crime-free utopia, suggesting the lack of liberty has retarded initiative and investment.[1]
This version of Lex Luthor does not seek to eliminate Superman, as Lex has achieved his goal of being Metropolis' prominent citizen. Lex figures that if the people look to him and Superman in tandem homage, so be it. Although they are allies, Lex Luthor privately admits that Superman is a difficult person to work with, and that his control over Superman could totter. When another Lois emerged, he feared it would turn Superman into his old self again, so he ordered Commander Graves to execute her.[1]
Luthor turns against his former ally.
Mercy failed, and Superman and Lois met. He angrily stormed Luthor's office, demanding that he quit, but Luthor still had one trick up his sleeve: Kryptonite. In front of a weakened Superman, Luthor divulged him his plan: to deliver him to the resistance; telling them how he was the only thing between them and the wrath of the Kryptonian. However, he had not counted on the resistance coming to him. Luthor was aghast at how Superman managed to gain the trust of the resistance (albeit probationary), to which Superman explained by having a long talk with the members and hearing out their grievances. Seeing that his plan had failed, he made a run for it. He managed to escape the building by jet, but in a fight with Superman, it was damaged. The ejector seat malfunctioned, and Luthor was killed when the ship crashed into a giant statue of his own face.[1]
Appearance
Superman: The Animated Series
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Berkowitz, Stan (writer) & Geda, Curt (director) (September 27, 1997). "Brave New Metropolis". Superman: The Animated Series. Season 2. Episode 12 (airdate). Episode 25 (production). Kids WB!.