Superman & Lois Has The Best Lex Luthor

Superman & Lois Has The Best Lex Luthor

Key Takeaways

  • Superman & Lois’ Lex Luthor is the most compelling and intimidating version of the character.
  • Lex Luthor gets his hands dirty and actively participates in his evil schemes, making him grittier and tougher.
  • Lex Luthor’s late arrival in the show adds impact to his character, creating a more intense final showdown for Superman & Lois.

As a long-time DC fan with over three decades of comics and movies under my belt, I must say that the Lex Luthor portrayed in Superman & Lois is hands down the most compelling and intimidating version yet. After countless iterations of this iconic villain, it’s astonishing how they managed to breathe new life into him in these final weeks of the show.


It’s surprising that a series, which only has a few more weeks left, managed to create one of the most intriguing and formidable Lex Luthor characters ever. Fingers crossed that James Gunn is paying attention to how Superman & Lois has handled this character (brilliantly portrayed by Michael Cudlitz), and will incorporate some aspects of the Arrowverse’s version of the villain into the DCU.

In a departure from previous TV shows and films, “Superman & Lois” doesn’t shy away from depicting Lex Luthor as Superman’s arch-nemesis, a role that has been convincingly filled by Gene Hackman in the Christopher Reeves Superman movies. Nevertheless, Michael Rosenbaum comes close with his portrayal of a more composed and collected Lex in Smallville. However, Eric Cudlitz’s interpretation of the character is undeniably the most captivating version, setting a high standard for future Luthors to emulate.

Superman & Lois Lex Luthor Is All About Doing The Dirty Work

Superman & Lois Has The Best Lex Luthor

In various films and series, Lex has often been depicted as a mischievous, malevolent nerd character. In some instances, like Hackman’s portrayal, he was more of a comical inventor causing chaos. However, in Supergirl and the Snyderverse, his latest appearances, Lex Luthor is primarily shown as an off-putting weirdo and psychopath with vast wealth and numerous allies to carry out his nefarious deeds.

CastTyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Jordan Elsass, Alex Garfin, Erik Valdez Inde Navarrette
Created ByGreg Berlanti, Todd Helbing
ShowrunnerTodd Helbing

In the series Superman & Lois, Luthor’s henchmen are also involved in his schemes, even teaming up with Doomsday to eliminate Kal-El. However, he is not the type who keeps himself detached from conflicts. On the contrary, he often immerses himself in the dirt and finds great delight in inflicting pain and misery on his adversaries.

This version of Lex is much grittier and tougher.

In this iteration of Lex, there’s a noticeable grit and toughness. He’s usually spotted wearing prison attire or a snug t-shirt. He doesn’t have to be bald, but he chooses to shave his head while in custody, which pairs well with his beard and mustache. This combination gives him an intimidating yet realistic appearance, unlike Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Lex in the Snyderverse.

Lex Luthor Better Late Than Never

Superman & Lois Has The Best Lex Luthor

One factor that makes Cudlitz’s Luthor seem more impactful is because he joined later. Although his name was brought up in earlier seasons, he didn’t make an appearance until the finale of Season 3. His entrance has given the impression of the ultimate villain, as Superman & Lois have dealt with numerous other villains throughout their history. Each one seemed to be a prelude to the main event. Now, the climactic confrontation is unfolding. It’s unfortunate that this will be the only season where the Kents and Luthor will cross paths, as it marks the end of the Arrowverse in general, but the show has certainly saved its best for last.

It’s safe to say that if Lex had appeared in Season 1, and the Kents had thwarted one scheme after another, he wouldn’t be nearly as formidable. The fact that viewers are seeing this adversary for the first time taking on the family is quite significant. So far, he’s been successful. He has killed Superman (although he’s back now), murdered Lois’ father, discovered that the Kents are a superfamily, and even managed to turn Jordan against his mother. Since we’re dealing with Superman & Lois, it’s clear that Lex will eventually meet his match and be defeated. However, for now he presents the biggest threat they’ve encountered, and it’s even more impressive because he’s not engaging in direct combat as much as eroding their foundation.

One Of The Biggest Bummers Of Superman & Lois Cancelation

In the Arrowverse series, Lex Luthor packs a powerful punch due to his late entrance and brief appearance. However, he’s an ideal character to reintroduce occasionally, as he could pose genuine threats for Superman & Lois. It’s regrettable that the show’s fans find themselves nearing its permanent end in just a few weeks.

Instead, in contrast, a series starring Superman should conclude with him battling his most formidable historical adversaries. Furthermore, Lex will not only fight Superman but also the entire family, adding an extra level of intensity to the final clash. The character portrayed by Michael Cudlitz as Lex Luthor is exceptionally well-developed compared to other versions, making the emotional impact even greater. In this series, Superman & Lois boasts a villain who is brilliantly acted and written.

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2024-11-06 20:03