Lionel Luthor is one of the main antagonists of the CW series, Smallville. He is the founder and CEO of Luthorcorp and the father of Lex Luthor. He serves as the main antagonist of the first three seasons, the secondary antagonist of season 4, and an anti-hero during seasons 5-7.
He was portrayed by John Glover.
What Makes Him Magnificent?[]
- Lionel is exceptionally intelligent and a master manipulator. He frequently manipulates business owners across Smallville and Metropolis into selling their businesses to him through various means.
- Throughout the first three seasons, the narrative treats Lionel as an untouchable threat who is constantly one step ahead of everyone.
- When Chloe Sullivan forces him to confess to murdering his parents for their insurance money, Lionel manages to one-up her by having the recording deleted. Thus covering his own tracks.
- Even though he's a manipulative father and an abuser, Lionel is never excessively cruel and he's far from a heinous character.
- Despite his unethical business practices and manipulative streak, Lionel is genuinely polite to anyone who isn't his adversary or in his way. He even gets a number of pet the dog moments even when while serving as the main antagonist. This is how he manages to remain likable to the audience while simultaneously serving as a viable threat to Clark and Lex.
- He's a self-made man, growing up in Suicide Slums in poverty, eventually building his way up to becoming a billionaire and CEO of Luthorcorp.
- Whenever he gives his son Lex a lecture, Lionel does so by quoting classic literature or historical figures. Showing he's well-read and cultured.
- After being released from prison midway through season 4, Lionel starts to make a Heel Face Turn and eventually becomes one of Clark's closest and most trusted allies.
- When he's finally killed by Lex during season 7, Lionel never begs for mercy and only tries to reason with his son. His death is also played for sympathy.
- John Glover puts on a charismatic performance throughout the series.
What Makes Him A Baddie?[]
- He was an abusive father to Lex, constantly trying to mold his son into being a ruthless businessman just like him. This ended up working too well for Lionel, as it eventually leads to his death.
- He made his first million dollars by arranging for his parents to be killed with Morgan Edge.
- Even after his Heel Face Turn, Lionel still serves as an anti hero, at one point threatening to kill Clark Kent if Lana didn't go through with marrying Lex. However, Lionel had good intentions here and was likely bluffing, as he needed someone close to Lex so he could keep an eye on him.
- He manipulated Jonathan Kent into forcing Pete's family to give up their business. He did this by blackmailing Jonathan with the information that Clark wasn't properly adopted.
- He arranged for the deaths of the other members of Veritas, this included Oliver Queen's parents.