[center][img]http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj306/Carnage27/Luthor_zps150jkyjj.jpg[/img][/center]

| Identity |
Alexander “Lex” Luthor II

| Origin & Backstory |
[hider=Birth of a Prodigy]Alexander “Lex” Luthor II was born to Lionel and Lena Luthor in Metropolis. Lionel, at the time, was heir to the Luthor Industries manufacturing firm located in the city, then run by Lex’s grandfather, Alexander Luthor. 

Alexander had been a titan of industry. During WWII, he expanded a business his father had started by making arms, munitions, and even tanks for the allied war effort. The success of Luthor Industries brought a vast influx of workers to Metropolis, helping cement it as one of the most important cities in the United States, not to mention the infrastructure build up needed to ship and deploy Luthor’s production. Due to these factors, Metropolis soon became known as the “City of Tomorrow” thanks to its promise of opportunity and scientific research.

Lex, as he aged, idolized his grandfather, who in turn spoiled the boy. The eldest Luthor saw the spark of genius in Lex, who learned to walk and talk earlier than anyone could have ever guessed. The toddler could do long division by four years old, and his family quickly realized he was meant for great things. 

“You’re going to change the world, Lex,” his grandfather would say. “You’re going to change humanity.”[/hider]
[hider=Ruination]When Lex was thirteen years old and already preparing to enter college, his beloved grandfather passed away and the family business passed to Lionel. Lex’s father was no Alexander Luthor, however. Lex stood by helplessly as his father bungled the business. Globalization and outsourcing had stripped Luthor Industries of a vast amount of its workforce, and Lionel and the aging board of directors had no idea how to combat it. Lex tried to give his father counsel, but he dismissed it due to his son’s young age.

Elsewhere, Luthor’s mother spent the family’s dwindling money on luxuries she didn’t need, infuriating Lex further.

He focused on his schooling and blocked his personal troubles out while attending Metropolis University, one of the finest scientific schools in the nation. In his seven years there he received multiple advanced degrees in everything from engineering to business to the arts. Luthor was quickly developing a reputation as a Renaissance Man and the preeminent mind of a new generation.

But that was not all that developed at Metropolis U. While there, Luthor was asked to tutor Bruno Mannheim, the school’s star quarterback. Mannheim was an exceptional athlete, but Lex soon found that he was also exceptionally stupid. He was also the son of Moxie Mannheim, who was rumored to be the boss of the notorious Intergang. While Luthor detested Bruno’s stupidity, the two did get along quite well, even if their meetings were highly secretive.

They were friendly, but not what you would call friends. Throughout their college careers. After graduation, Bruno went into the “family business” after failing to draw the eyes of NFL scouts, and Lex went into the failing Luthor Industries, though his father’s pride kept him from making any real change.

Frustrate to the point of breaking when Lionel announced Luthor Industries was bankrupt,Lex went to Bruno in secret. One month later Lionel and Lena were both killed when Lionel lost control of their car. No foul play was discovered, and Lex inherited what was left of his family’s company and fortune as well as a sizable life insurance payout.

A few months after that, after declaring Bruno his successor, Moxie Mannheim was killed by an assassin’s bullet. Bruno “Ugly” Mannheim was the new boss of Intergang, and Lex Luthor was pulling his strings.[/hider]
[hider=LexCorp]Using all the money Lex had, he purchased every asset Luthor Industries had in order to secure them. He then re-branded the company “LexCorp”, shifting the focus from manufacturing to tech. LexCorp pioneered the technological revolution of the 90s, driving development of cell phones, personal computing, artificial intelligence, and robotics. In half a decade LexCorp was among the world’s most profitable and powerful companies, and Lex Luthor was among the most wealthy men on the planet.[/hider]
[hider=Criminal Empire]While he was building LexCorp, Luthor was also expanding his criminal empire. Under his secret leadership, Intergang expanded from Metropolis to become a national criminal cartel. They laundered money, ran international arms deals, smuggled contraband, and sold information to other criminal organizations. As their reach expanded, they soon became internationally known and active, expanding Luthor’s sphere of influence.[/hider]
[hider=Superman]Lex’s world, and in reality the world at large, was changed when Superman appeared in Metropolis. The alien visitor was unlike anything anyone had ever seen. He could do incredible things, and the people loved him more than anything Lex had ever seen.

Lex hated that.

This creature from another planet did nothing but smash with his fists of steel. Lex had built everything for them, and yet they loved Superman more than they would ever love him. On top of that, he threatened to undo all that Luthor had built. Lex devoted a large section of his clandestine research team on studying the alien.[/hider]
[hider=The Society]As more and more superheroes sprang up in the world, Lex realized that his empire was truly at risk of disintegrating. Without an insurance policy, Luthor’s dream of changing the world would be stopped before he truly got started. In light of this, Lex began contacting others in the criminal world. He brought to them a proposition: Band together to survive and prosper, or stay solo and be picked off one by one.

While some relented, many decided to join Luthor in his crusade, and The Society was born. Luthor is now one of the most powerful men in business and in criminal activities, and his true plan could now move forward.[/hider] 


| Attributes |
Luthor is one of the smartest people on the planet, if not the brightest. His mind works at such a high level that he was tested for the metagene at an early age, though all tests came up negative. His mind, the human version of a supercomputer, has allowed him to master engineering, quantum mechanics and physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics, not to mention the world of business. He can easily outthink everyone save for the other members of Earth’s brightest, and he is known to multitask on an incredible level. This skill allows him to run one of the world’s most profitable companies while simultaneously be one of the criminal world’s most powerful figures.

While his mind is his primary weapon, Lex has also trained his body to peak human levels. He has the strength, speed, agility, and endurance of an Olympic level athlete. He is also an accomplished hand-to-hand combatant, though not on the level of the higher level superheroes.

Luthor also has the financial and technological backing of LexCorp to do his deeds, not to mention a vast criminal empire. 

| Character Notes |
[hider=Allies]
[b]Mercy Graves[/b] - Both beautiful and deadly, Mercy Graves is Luthor’s personal bodyguard and confidant. She is incredibly skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and some would say a little bit too strong, leading some to believe Luthor has genetically tampered with her to grant her superpowers. In reality, Mercy’s lineage is much more fascinating, and far scarier.

[b]Bruno “Ugly” Mannheim[/b] - As figurehead leader of Intergang, Mannheim implements Luthor’s decrees from on high. Mannheim is loyal and happy in his role, as all he wanted was the title and prestige that came with being leader of the gang.

[b]Intergang[/b] - The main arm of Luthor’s domestic criminal empire. They are armed by “stolen” LexCorp weapons as well as anything they can steal from other companies. They are a formidable threat to any hero.

[b]The Society[/b] - A secret cadre of the greatest criminal minds in the world working together to protect their interests. Most law enforcement agencies in the world consider the group a myth, and that’s the way they like it. 
[/hider]

[hider=Enemies]
[b]Superman[/b] - The Man of Steel has been a constant source of worry to Luthor since his first appearance. Not only do his powers and heroics pose a threat to Luthor’s ego, he could also uncover the billionaire’s criminal dealings. 

[b]SHIELD[/b] - The spy agency has been investigating Intergang and the Society, causing Luthor quite a bit of angst. Still, Luthor was a master of deception, and was still one of SHIELD’s leading contractors.

[b]Business Rivals[/b]-While Luthor secretly battles heroes and law enforcement, his battles in the boardroom are public knowledge. Luthor is a ruthless businessman, and competes against the likes of Tony Stark, Bruce Wayne, and Norman Osborn, among others.[/hider]

| Character Goals |
Honestly, I want to try my hand at Lex. He’s a fascinating and deep character. With no powers and only his mind and ego at his disposal, he can still be a threat to any hero. Plus, his most interesting feature is that he thinks he’s in the right. I want to bring Lex through as a man who thinks he’s the hero of this story. I want him to clash with Superman and the other heroes, and I want him to shape the world around him into his image.

| Sample Post |

[b]Belle Reve Prison
March 26th, 2005
1600[/b]

Lex Luthor had finished touring the devastated Belle Reve prison alongside warden and head of ARGUS Amanda Waller. Waller had not been here when HYDRA attacked and killed SHIELD Director Timothy Dugan. It was a good thing, too. If she had been, her blood would be staining the walls that was now covered with SHIELD agents’ and guards’ alike. Funny thing about human blood is that it stains everything. The cleanup crew attempting to wash away the massacre that happened merely days ago would be at it for weeks yet. It was the final proof of humanity’s staying power in this world. Even their life essence clung to this world.

It was beautiful in its morbidity.

HYDRA had been brutal. This had been their coming out party, and they wanted people to fear them. Luthor was impressed at the lengths they went to try and prove a point, even if it was a bit old fashioned. HYDRA was a caveman in modern times. They would kill a few people, scare the peasants, and eventually be stopped by the costumed crusaders. They were too visible. Their rhetoric and goals were to broad. World domination? Please. To change the universe and to exalt humanity were Luthor’s destiny, and were honorable pursuits.

Still, their bombastic machinations were a valuable asset to Luthor and his associates. HYDRA’s form of villainy would draw attention and resources away from anyone looking at Luthor or his allies. That was always valuable.

“Mr. Luthor?” Waller roused him from his own thoughts.

“Yes?” he turned to her, giving her his full attention. Waller was a shrewd woman. There was a reason she was head of ARGUS. Before her appointment, she was one of SHIELD’s best counter intelligence officers. Amanda Waller had nearly killed more people by direct order than Lex, and that was something he admired. He could tell she didn’t trust him much, which made him respect her even more. If she could even sniff a hint of deception on him, she was even sharper than his information led him to believe.

“Will you be able to fix it? Belle Reve is critical to metahuman crime abatement. It’s the only location that can safely hold dangerous super powered individuals. We’ll need some new tech to convince Washington to invest heavily in rebuilding it and upgrading it. They already sank a fortune into its original design.

”I think you’ll enjoy my speech, Director Waller,” Luthor smiled as he stepped up to a makeshift stage his people had been setting up during the tour. Standing behind the podium was Lex’s private bodyguard Mercy Graves, standing tall and focused in a pressed black suit that contrasted her pale skin and long, blond hair. She stood at six foot four, and looked as dangerous as she was beautiful. She was dangerous, of course. Luthor hired only the best, and there were few on Earth like Mercy.

One of his other assistants applied some makeup as another briefed him again on his prepared notes. He didn’t need either, but he was in a good mood and didn’t want to shoo them away in front of so many onlookers. Today was a day to be a leader to the American people. It was a day to show them who truly was the future of humanity.

His tech director gave him the signal that he was live, and Luthor began, “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am, for those that may not know, Lex Luthor, principal owner and CEO of LexCorp. I am broadcasting to you today from Belle Reve Correctional Facility in the heart of Louisiana. As you undoubtedly know, this very prison was attacked without warning or mercy by the cowardly terrorists calling themselves HYDRA. These vicious villains managed to murder SHIELD Director Timothy Dugan, as well as dozens of guards and SHIELD agents. While we can do nothing to bring them back, we can make sure this never happens again. Today I am announcing that LexCorp will fund the rebuilding of Belle Reve to ensure it is a safe place to hold the superpowered villains that threaten our world. Along with this, LexCorp will continue to provide SHIELD and other government agencies with all the technology they need to keep the world safe from these threats. Humanity’s greatest asset is its resilience. Today I ask you not to fear HYDRA. Together with LexCorp we can overcome this terrible blight on our world.”

A polite round of applause rolled through the assembled crowd of Belle Reve guards and administrators, and Luthor smiled warmly at them. Behind him, Mercy said, “Wonderful speech, sir. Concise, powerful, and to the point.”

“Thank you, Mercy,” he said as the two of them made their way off the stage. “That’s how I prefer to operate.”

“Well, that was generous,” Waller deadpanned at Luthor.

“It was,” he smiled. “And I assume SHIELD and ARGUS will be just as generous as I was in our next round of contract bids. Now, please excuse me, Director Waller. I have other matters to attend to.”

Mercy escorted Luthor to the roof, where his private helicopter was waiting. He beamed every time he saw the beautiful machine. He had designed it personally from the ground up, and there was only one of them in existence. Its sleek, white exterior was adorned with the LexCorp logo and shone brightly in the setting sun. Its proprietary engines could keep it in the air for days if need be, and the interior was big enough to hold a conference room so he could work on the go.

“Mercy,” he smiled at his bodyguard, “please tell the pilot to head for Metropolis. I have a meeting to attend to in the conference room.”

“Yes, sir,” she nodded and headed to the cockpit.

He entered the business section of the chopper, where he found his associates were already on their designated screens, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m happy to report that went swimmingly. LexCorp will rebuild Belle Reve, and The Society will control the world’s most high security prison.”