Apr 1, 1940 CE
First Appearance in Action Comics #23
Lex Luthor first appears in Action Comics #23, originally as a mad scientist with a full head of red hair. He becomes a recurring villain for Superman. #dc #villain #superman
Chronological Storyline (43 Milestones)
1941 CE
Luthor's Bald Origin Retconned
In Superman #10, Luthor is depicted as bald for the first time, a look that becomes his trademark. Later stories retcon his baldness as a result of a lab accident. #dc #villain #origin
1944 CE
Luthor's First Team-Up with Joker
In World's Finest Comics, Lex Luthor first teams up with the Joker, beginning a recurring alliance of the two greatest villains. #dc #teamup #joker
1951 CE
Luthor Introduced in Superboy Comics
In Superboy #6, Lex Luthor is introduced as a boy who befriends Superboy (Clark Kent) as a teenager in Smallville. #dc #smallville #origin
Feb 1, 1960 CE
Luthor Becomes a Member of the Legion of Doom
In The Brave and the Bold #61, Luthor joins the Legion of Doom, a group of supervillains. He becomes the leader of the group in Super Friends cartoons. #dc #villains #team
May 1, 1961 CE
Luthor's First Kryptonite Weapon
In Action Comics #280, Lex Luthor creates a Kryptonite ray gun, showcasing his scientific genius and obsession with destroying Superman. #dc #kryptonite #weapon
Sep 9, 1966 CE
Luthor Appears in Batman TV Series
Lex Luthor makes a crossover appearance in the 1966 Batman TV series, played by James Gammon, expanding his presence to other media. #dc #tv #crossover )
1969 CE
Luthor's Business Empire Expands in Comics
During the Silver Age, Luthor is depicted as a criminal mastermind and wealthy industrialist, often using LexCorp (later LexCorp) as a front for his schemes. #dc #business #genius
Dec 15, 1978 CE
Luthor in Superman: The Movie
Lex Luthor appears as the main villain in the 1978 film 'Superman', played by Gene Hackman. He becomes a pop culture icon. #dc #film #villain )
Jun 19, 1981 CE
Luthor in Superman II
Gene Hackman reprises his role as Lex Luthor in 'Superman II', where he allies with General Zod. #dc #film #sequel
Aug 1, 1986 CE
Crisis on Infinite Earths Reboot
After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Lex Luthor's origin is revamped in the post-Crisis continuity. He is now a corrupt businessman from Smallville who blames Superman for his hair loss. #dc #crisis #reboot
1987 CE
Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography
DC publishes a origin story for Lex Luthor in the miniseries 'Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography', detailing his rise from Smallville to Metropolis. #dc #origin #biography
Sep 1, 1991 CE
Luthor Becomes President of the United States
In the storyline 'President Lex', Lex Luthor runs for President and wins, becoming the 43rd President of the United States. He uses his position to fight Superman and other heroes. #dc #president #politics
Nov 1, 1992 CE
The Death of Superman
In the 'Death of Superman' storyline, Lex Luthor exploits Doomsday's rampage. After Superman's death, Luthor uses the chaos to further his anti-Superman agenda. #dc #death #crossover
Sep 6, 1996 CE
Luthor in Superman: The Animated Series
Lex Luthor is a major character in the animated series, voiced by Clancy Brown. This version heavily influences later portrayals. #dc #animation #series
Feb 1, 1997 CE
Luthor's Kryptonite Exo-Suit
In Adventures of Superman #534, Lex Luthor dons a Kryptonite-powered exoskeleton armor to fight Superman directly. The suit becomes a recurring element. #dc #kryptonite #armor
Oct 1, 1998 CE
Lex Luthor Resigns Presidency
Facing impeachment and public scrutiny, Lex Luthor resigns the presidency in Superman #135. He remains a powerful influence behind the scenes. #dc #politics #resign
Nov 1, 1999 CE
Lex Luthor: The Power of the Press
In the miniseries 'Lex Luthor: The Power of the Press', Luthor manipulates the media to shape public opinion against Superman. #dc #media #manipulation
Dec 1, 2000 CE
Lex Luthor's 'Superman: Lex' Solo Series
Luthor gets a solo series titled 'Superman: Lex' focusing on his perspective and anti-Superman crusade. The series explores his genius and obsession. #dc #solo #antihero
Feb 5, 2001 CE
Luthor in Justice League Animated Series
Clancy Brown reprises his role as Lex Luthor in the 'Justice League' animated series, often as part of the Injustice League. #dc #animation #justiceleague )
Feb 1, 2004 CE
Infinite Crisis - Luthor Manipulates Events
In the 'Infinite Crisis' storyline, Lex Luthor manipulates the Secret Society of Super Villains. He tries to restructure the universe to his advantage. #dc #crisis #society
Jul 17, 2004 CE
Luthor in Justice League Unlimited
In 'Justice League Unlimited', Lex Luthor becomes a major antagonist and later allies with Darkseid. #dc #animation #unlimited
Jun 28, 2006 CE
Luthor in Superman Returns
Kevin Spacey plays Lex Luthor in 'Superman Returns', depicting him as a ruthless real estate mogul. #dc #film #returns
Jun 1, 2006 CE
Lex Luthor's Election as President (Post-Crisis)
In the new 'One Year Later' era, Lex Luthor becomes President of the United States again, using his wealth and influence to secure the office. #dc #politics #president
May 1, 2008 CE
Final Crisis - Luthor Joins Darkseid
During 'Final Crisis', Lex Luthor briefly allies with Darkseid but later turns against him to save humanity. He demonstrates his complex morality. #dc #crisis #darkseid
Jul 1, 2009 CE
Lex Luthor: The Blackest Night
In 'Blackest Night', Lex Luthor is targeted by a Black Lantern ring but resists. He later acquires an Orange Lantern ring, gaining power over avarice. #dc #blackestnight #lantern
Nov 14, 2010 CE
Luthor in Smallville TV Series
The TV series 'Smallville' explores Lex Luthor's (played by Michael Rosenbaum) friendship with Clark Kent and his gradual descent into villainy. #dc #tv #smallville
Sep 1, 2011 CE
New 52 Reboot - Lex Luthor's Origin Redefined
As part of the New 52 reboot, Lex Luthor's history is streamlined. He is a businessman from Metropolis, not Smallville, and his hair loss is due to a lab accident. #dc #reboot #new52
Oct 1, 2012 CE
Lex Luthor Joins the Justice League
In 'Justice League' #24, Lex Luthor becomes a member of the Justice League (and funds them) as part of a scheme. He temporarily allies with Superman. #dc #justiceleague #ally
Jun 14, 2013 CE
Luthor in Man of Steel
Lex Luthor appears in 'Man of Steel' as a LexCorp employee, but his full role is revealed in the sequel. #dc #film #manofsteel
Jun 1, 2013 CE
Forever Evil - Luthor as Anti-Hero
In the 'Forever Evil' storyline, Lex Luthor leads a team of villains to stop the Crime Syndicate. He becomes an anti-hero and later forms the Justice League. #dc #foreverevil #antihero
Jan 1, 2015 CE
Lex Luthor's Solo Series 'Luthor'
DC launches a solo series titled 'Luthor' written by Charles Soule, focusing on Lex's post-'Forever Evil' role as a flawed hero. #dc #solo #hero
Mar 25, 2016 CE
Luthor in Batman v Superman
Jesse Eisenberg portrays a young, eccentric Lex Luthor in 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice', manipulating Batman and Superman. #dc #film #crossover
Jun 1, 2016 CE
DC Rebirth - Lex Luthor's Motivations Explored
With DC Rebirth, Lex Luthor's character is further developed, including his complicated relationship with Superman and his desire to be seen as a hero. #dc #rebirth #motivation
Mar 1, 2017 CE
The Oz Effect - Luthor's Secret History
In 'Action Comics' #985-986, Lex Luthor learns he was manipulated by Mr. Oz (actually Ozymandias). He becomes more isolated and paranoid. #dc #mystery #manipulation
Nov 17, 2017 CE
Luthor in Justice League
Eisenberg reprises his role in the theatrical cut of 'Justice League'. Scenes with him are included, setting up future threats. #dc #film #justiceleague )
Aug 1, 2018 CE
Lex Luthor Becomes a Batman Villain
In 'Batman' #57, Lex Luthor escapes from prison and becomes a recurring villain for Batman as well, expanding his rivalry beyond Superman. #dc #batman #rival
May 1, 2019 CE
Year of the Villain - Luthor Unleashes the Invisible Mafia
In 'Year of the Villain' event, Lex Luthor empowers villains, unleashing the Invisible Mafia. He orchestrates a worldwide crime wave. #dc #yearofthevillain #crimewave
Oct 25, 2019 CE
Luthor in Harley Quinn Animated Series
Lex Luthor appears as a recurring character in the adult animated series 'Harley Quinn', voiced by Giancarlo Esposito. #dc #animation #comedy )
Jan 1, 2020 CE
Death Metal - Luthor's Role
In 'Dark Nights: Death Metal', Lex Luthor teams up with the Batman Who Laughs but later helps the heroes, showing his unpredictable allegiance. #dc #deathmetal #multiverse
Mar 18, 2021 CE
Luthor in Zack Snyder's Justice League
In the Snyder Cut, Lex Luthor's scenes are expanded, including a post-credits scene with the Joker. #dc #film #snydercut
Aug 1, 2021 CE
Infinite Frontier - Luthor's New Status Quo
In 'Infinite Frontier', Lex Luthor operates from the shadows, manipulating events and rebuilding his empire after Death Metal. #dc #infinitefrontier #scheme
May 1, 2022 CE
Lex Luthor's 'Luthor' One-Shot
A one-shot comic titled 'Luthor' explores his childhood and the inciting incident that turned him against Superman. #dc #origin #oneshot