Is Lex Luthor African-American?

[Salvester]

While I know the Gold, Silver, and Bronze age Lex aren't, and if he was it would be a few generations back, but it seems that the way Lex is drawn, and presented in animation (JLU for example) it appears that he might be part African American.

Has anyone tackled this one way or another?

[DonC]

I'm going to have to go with "No" on this one.

[Retro315]

Lex is the ultimate literary example of "The Man". And I don't mean that in the hip way. He's Dick Cheney only charming ... George Bush only intelligent ... and Mitt Romney only RICHER and if he had hair, he'd be more slick.

He's even got his own personal Sarah Palin, with Mercy Graves.

The Man, The Man, The Man ...

Plus, Cartoons aren't the best place to go for that, since a voice actor can be one way to throw you off, and stylistic interpretation another.

For instance ... The Shredder is Japanese ... NOT Uncle Phil. But my god if I can't imagine The Shredder trying to choke out Will Smith after some Fresh hijinks ...

Right, I officially need to stop watching TV.

[Jamescush]

Well he was a better President then Obama.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Well he was a better President then Obama.

Awww, someone bitter that their guy lost?

And that everyone in the country loves him so much more than they ever loved the last guy?

And that the whole world likes him better too?

Awwwww.... go cry alone.

[Name Already Taken]

Before things completely disintegrate to a personal & political level between posters and their individual beliefs, what reasoning or stories make you come to this conclusion OP other than JLU stuff in your original post?

[Retro315]

Well he was a better President then Obama.

I won't claim to love any politician (As soon as I think of a well-balanced reversal of jabs for Democrats you can bet your butt I'll lay into them as well) ... but tropes are tropes.

And that's probably true. I mean, Lex did personally and officially contribute a lot to rebuilding Gotham City after a "natural" disaster (one-up on Bush) ... he's progressive as hell, considering that he's okay with cloning ... inter-species DNA swapping ... science over religion ... and isn't scared of the Neo-Cons because he's frigging rich and corrupt and will just buy them off or lie to them.

He was probably the most "honest-with-himself" politician ever, not only knowing he'd have to lie, cheat and steal, but loving every minute of it.

All politicians are crooks ... and Lex flipped that on its head, proving that if all politicians are crooks ... well than dammit, some crooks had to feed their inner politician.

[Raptor]

Well he was a better President then Obama.

That was asking for trouble. Whether or not it's true.

Awww, someone bitter that their guy lost?

And that everyone in the country loves him so much more than they ever loved the last guy?

And that the whole world likes him better too?

Awwwww.... go cry alone.

This post makes liberals and democrats look imature and rude. I hope not all of Obama's supporters behave this way.

I'll reserve my opinion for a few years to see whether or not America made a good choice.

Then I'll behave like "asshole with monkey avatar" to the other guys. Till time has set in to judge the candidate, no such behavior should occur.

Also congratualtions, you made a Bush insult, Stewart, Colbert, and every other comedian never made those, how very original.

I digress, this isn't aboutreal world politics and they have no place here, just felt like saying my peice.

Luthor, likely isn't and has never ben african American.

Retro 315 said it best.

Perhaps on an alternate earth he could be and I'd have no issue with it, but from what I know of Luthor, he is not african american no.

[Whirlwind Dinamo]

I say no, the original dude was a redhead and looked like a typical Donald Trump whiteboy

but maybe Animated Justice League has some North African in him

he looks slightly latino, maybe French or some Jewish, Arab ancestry or even Italian. He's got that Roman nose, tanned look, dark eyes, jet black eyebrows, that's where the latino features end since his badly head doesn't tell us if he was dark haired or not

[worstblogever]

Current incarnation's the clone of a ginger-kid. Or, in other words, he's as white as bleached mayonaisse on a polar bear's back in the arctic.

[Crowforge]

Well he was a better President then Obama.
I question your judgment.

[princesa]

In the DCAU I thought at first Lex was Af Am and that would have been an interesting take but I guess he was greek I believe.

[WorstThingUS]

Sadly, this isn't the first time this has come up and it's all because they drew him with big lips on the animated show. How sad and lacking in diversity some lives must be to only know Caucasians with thin lips. I like to think they realized what I realized long ago, that Lex Luthor should have been played by Billy Zane:

http://www.geocities.com/arklemknzy/billyzaneascleverjack.jpg

[zebop]

Lex Luthor is as white as a Kleenex.:rolleyes:

[Mat001]

Lex was rather tanned in "Superman: The Animated Series", but that's all it was. They were using Telly Savalas and another actor as inspiration. He was looking tan since he goes out on his yacht and tan. Lex's design was tweaked when brought back for "Justice League".

Otherwise, Lex is white as they come. Has been for years.

[jgiannantoni05]

I like Billy Zane, but not as Lex. Rosenbaum convinced me he is perfect as Lex.
________
Michigan Marijuana Dispensary (http://michigan.dispensaries.org/)

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

This post makes liberals and democrats look imature and rude. I hope not all of Obama's supporters behave this way.

At least we can spell immature!

Public Education all the way!

Also, I'm not a democrat - a little too right for me.
(In fact, until very recently they have been more in line with Australia's right-wing party than our currently in power left win party, The Labour Party.)


I'll reserve my opinion for a few years to see whether or not America made a good choice.

Take your time - they aren't holding the papers back waiting for it.

Then I'll behave like "asshole with monkey avatar" to the other guys. Till time has set in to judge the candidate, no such behavior should occur.

Name calling, eh?
Nice, nice.
We spell it 'arse' where I'm from, just so yo know.

The guy's pro-environment, pro-regulation, pro-workers rights, pro-scientific research and anti-war... it's a good start to me!
It's also in character with all the past world leaders look back on as being 'great'...

Also congratualtions, you made a Bush insult, Stewart, Colbert, and every other comedian never made those, how very original.

Wasn't an insult - just pointing out that American citizens give him a very high popularity rating, as he also get around the world.

That said, feel free to compare me to two of the most successful and popular comedians of the day as much as you want!


I digress, this isn't aboutreal world politics and they have no place here, just felt like saying my peice.

I agree they don't belong here, I just thought that someone saying that a super villain who has killed people and attempted to kill many more was better than Obama shouldn't pass without the comment that the poster was a rather sore loser.

At least now we know he's not crying alone!

And now that we're done with the political jabbing part of the post:

Luthor, likely isn't and has never ben african American.

Perhaps on an alternate earth he could be and I'd have no issue with it, but from what I know of Luthor, he is not african american no.

Is there any evidence beyond the colouring choice in an animation that has started this?

Because in comics he's always been the crazy white (perhaps first generation immigrant) scientist, until the eighties revamp, where he became the rich white businessman so predominant in the 70's and 80's.

[_OM_]

Well he was a better President then Obama.

...Hey, we have to give Obama at least a chance to totally frack up before we start comparing him to the Lexident.

This post makes liberals and democrats look imature and rude.

...Agreed. However, I've come to expect that sort of personal attack from the poster in question. Although some Dems have behaved in this manner, the majority of them have been rather cordial and magnanimous about their victory. Don't let this one bad apple spoil the bunch, and I speak as a Republican, for that matter.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

...Agreed. However, I've come to expect that sort of personal attack from the poster in question.
I actually have to attack personally for it to be a personal attack, not just point out stances stated in other threads retaining directly to it - for instance, I've never called Ron Marz a liar and a cheat to his face, like some posters have.



Although some Dems have behaved in this manner, the majority of them have been rather cordial and magnanimous about their victory. Don't let this one bad apple spoil the bunch, and I speak as a Republican, for that matter.

Not a democrat.

Was responding to a poster who threw in a one line attack.

[Captain Jim]

just pointing out that American citizens give him a very high popularity rating,

Not being from the US, perhaps you're unaware that he only received slightly over half of the popular vote?

[_OM_]

Was responding to a poster who threw in a one line attack.

...With another personal attack? Tsk. :rolleyes:

Not being from the US, perhaps you're unaware that he only received slightly over half of the popular vote?

...Yeah, but remember again that this is the US. Popular vote vs. Electoral College results is pretty much the same as People's Choice vs. the Oscars. Only one really counts when it comes down to who gets an award that matters. It's one of the reasons that every four years we hear cries for changes in Electoral Law to abolish the College, but the closest we've ever come to seeing that happen was after the twin fiascos of the Hayes vs. Tilden campaign in 1876, and Grover Cleveland's split terms. Ironically, neither the Republicans or the Democrats, despite the losing side hyping about promising to push bills forth to abolish the Electoral College, truly support such a move because it would give third and fourth parties a wider opportunity for actually influencing an election for something other than to screw up the incumbent(*).

(*) Which is exactly why H. Ross Perot ran in 1992; he had no intention of winning, he just wanted to screw up Bush Sr's campaign in order to get back at him for having caused Control Data Corp's downfall while Bush Sr. was in charge of the CIA in the 70's. But that's another story altogether....

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Not being from the US, perhaps you're unaware that he only received slightly over half of the popular vote?

What's a few million votes between friends?

He's up in the approval polls, both in the states, and around the world.


...With another personal attack? Tsk.

I wouldn't have said it was personal, just felt the need to point out how sad it is that someone is so upset by losing they have to state it at every opportunity and to such an outrageous claim that he is worse than a man who wants to kill Superman.
The fact that people are now waggling my finger at me for pointing that out - coupled with the whole 'some democrats are just sore winners' (ignoring the statement that I'm not a democrat...) - says quite a lot.
I'll state again - with no other context, no explanation that poster said that a mass murdering super villain made for a better President than YOUR current president.
And yet, for saying that poster is just sore that his guy didn't win, I'm a bad little boy?

[Captain Jim]

He's up in the approval polls, both in the states, and around the world.

That's pretty typical in the first several months of any president's term, at least in the US. Check back in another three years or so.

[Crowforge]

That's pretty typical in the first several months of any president's term, at least in the US. Check back in another three years or so.
Is this rush limbaugh?

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

That's pretty typical in the first several months of any president's term, at least in the US. Check back in another three years or so.

Not one whose spent their first '100 days' undoing a lot of the last guys key decisions, and reversed the going national policies - all whilst a major economic meltdown is going on.

Edit to add:

So Jim, do you actually think it's fair to say that the super villain president was better than Obama has been?

Or does that sound like the griping of someone whose just bitter about the guy getting in?

Because that's what I was actually arguing.

[Salvester]

So....ummm....I think you guys should stop arguing. I mean. I think you guys have some common ground.

You both like comic books!

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

So....ummm....I think you guys should stop arguing. I mean. I think you guys have some common ground.

You both like comic books!

Yeah, but I like the odd circle shaped panel thrown in, and he likes them all to be squares or rectangles.

Blatantly, we can never get along!

[_OM_]

That's pretty typical in the first several months of any president's term, at least in the US. Check back in another three years or so.

...Quite true. The worst excuse we had for a president - even more deplorable than Dubya - was Jimmy Carter. The pathetic peanut farmer had a very high Q-rating for the first hundred days for the same reason he "won" the election of 1976. Not because he was the best qualified, but because he wasn't the hand-picked successor of Richard Nixon. Within the first year it became apparent that Carter wasn't qualified for the job insofar as domestic and economic matters were concerned, and the giving away of the Panama Canal, the continued blackmail at the hands of OPEC, and the Iranian Hostage Crisis, all gave ironclad proof he was even more inept where international affairs were concerned.

...Ignoring the bigots and racists, it's the Carter Debacle and the circumstances that led to it that are behind most rational people's fears and concerns about the Obama administration. Said concern being that the voters, in a desire to once again give a major "Frack YOU" to the previous administration and its political party, voted for "the other guy" simply because he was "the other guy", and not because he was the better of the two candidates.

Is this rush limbaugh?

...Actually, *anyone* advising restraint in rendering judgment either way until Obama finishes at least his first year is being rational.

Not one whose spent their first '100 days' undoing a lot of the last guys key decisions, and reversed the going national policies - all whilst a major economic meltdown is going on.

...Most newly elected presidents who are replacing one representing the opposing party go through this. The key to success is to reverse only what isn't working, and not just wantonly reversing/canceling everything just because it goes against party dogma and/or a "Not Invented Here" bias.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

...Ignoring the bigots and racists, it's the Carter Debacle and the circumstances that led to it that are behind most rational people's fears and concerns about the Obama administration. Said concern being that the voters, in a desire to once again give a major "Frack YOU" to the previous administration and its political party, voted for "the other guy" simply because he was "the other guy", and not because he was the better of the two candidates.

Hang on, I'm a bad apple for what I said, and yet stating that load as a 'fact' and not 'opinion and conjecture'??
It's ignoring what I'd say the biggest problem was - and I saw it a few times when 'we' were trying to get the last government out - McCain was a perfect candidate, until he got the nomination and started his campaign, which was bungle after bungle - from reversing his stance on issues such as torture, to having to make nice with political tv celeb's - Joe The Plumber - etc etc.
You may not see it that way - I'm almost certain you don't, but I wouldn't put Obama's success solely on Bush's back.

[Crowforge]

...Actually, *anyone* advising restraint in rendering judgment either way until Obama finishes at least his first year is being rational.


Restraint? Ha the goal is to oppose everything he does.

[Retro315]

Is this rush limbaugh?

I wonder what Limbaugh would've thought of Luthor ... or Superman for that matter ...

This just in: The Daily Planet needs a thinly veiled Limbaugh-clone! Rucka? Robinson? Johns? You reading this?

And Pete Ross ... there was a lame-duck.

[Mat001]

How did we go from Lex Luthor to Barack Obama?

[_OM_]

How did we go from Lex Luthor to Barack Obama?

...Guilt by free association. The OP was making some outlandish claim that Lex Luthor was at least partly Black. Lex was president, Obama's also mixed race. Throw in one Australian who doesn't understand our political system or its history, and next thing we know we've got Obama being a Daxamite whose father was from Vathlo Island on Krypton. At least that's what I *THINK* is going on. YMMV. :biggrin:

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

...Guilt by free association. The OP was making some outlandish claim that Lex Luthor was at least partly Black. Lex was president, Obama's also mixed race. Throw in one Australian

Actually, it was Jamescush from Delaware who brought politics into it, by saying that a super villain was a better President than Obama.
I just pointed out that that was pathetic.

At least we're acknowledging I'm from, and not calling me a democrat after I'd already pointed out that I'm not.


who doesn't understand our political system or its history,

Actually I do - what have I said, or proof do you have, that I don't.
Remember, just because your ignorant of my political system - yet to meet someone from America particularly versed in the politics of my, or really any other country - doesn't mean I'm ignorant of yours.

and next thing we know we've got Obama being a Daxamite whose father was from Vathlo Island on Krypton. At least that's what I *THINK* is going on. YMMV. :biggrin:

Yeah, that's it.

[_OM_]

Yeah, that's it.

...Amazing. You actually saw humor. There may be hope for you yet.

[Captain Jim]

So Jim, do you actually think it's fair to say that the super villain president was better than Obama has been?

I didn't say that and actually think that's a pretty strange comparison.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I didn't say that and actually think that's a pretty strange comparison.

No you didn't, and yes it is, however I didn't make it, and it's what started all of this - despite several attempts to re-frame it.
Personally I really wasn't in the mood to debate Obama with a bunch of Republicans, just pointing out that anyone who says a fictional super villain was a better president is pretty sad.

[Retro315]

This thread is like a Rorschach test ...

[Crowforge]

This thread is like a Rorschach test ...
You just want to skip to the end?

[Bored at 3:00AM]

To the original poster's question: No, Luthor has never been portrayed as a black guy to my knowledge, but I suspect we might see a black Luthor in Morrison's Multiversity specials, one of which will focus on the Obama/Superman Earth.

To the "Lex Luthor was a better president than Obama" nonsense: Knock it off and take your sub-Limbaugh/Stewart/Hannity/Colbert pissing contests somewhere else please.

Thank you.

[Retro315]

To the original poster's question: No, Luthor has never been portrayed as a black guy to my knowledge, but I suspect we might see a black Luthor in Morrison's Multiversity specials, one of which will focus on the Obama/Superman Earth.

To the "Lex Luthor was a better president than Obama" nonsense: Knock it off and take your sub-Limbaugh/Stewart/Hannity/Colbert pissing contests somewhere else please.

Thank you.

I forgot about that, but I agree it's pretty likely. I wonder who else we might see in that. A black lady named "White Canary"? A white guy named "White Lightning"?

And where's the logic there? I mean ... Doctor Light won't suddenly be Native American and Super Chief won't suddenly be Asian, right?

I'm definitely curious, not necessarily at the "spectacle" of that Earth, but of the rhyme & reason for it. Is it really a "skin-swap Earth" or is it just different timelines and altered histories that lead to a "Black Trinity" but not necessarily complete ethnic switcheroo universe?

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I forgot about that, but I agree it's pretty likely. I wonder who else we might see in that. A black lady named "White Canary"? A white guy named "White Lightning"?

And where's the logic there? I mean ... Doctor Light won't suddenly be Native American and Super Chief won't suddenly be Asian, right?

I'm definitely curious, not necessarily at the "spectacle" of that Earth, but of the rhyme & reason for it. Is it really a "skin-swap Earth" or is it just different timelines and altered histories that lead to a "Black Trinity" but not necessarily complete ethnic switcheroo universe?

You'd have to hope it's more than a skin swap Earth - nothing too interesting in that.
However, and Earth where Europeans didn't become the dominant force, followed through could be quite interesting - although Batman would really be the only one affected by that, as Superman is from space, and Wonder Woman is rom an isalnd of White Amazons...

[Crowforge]

I thought she was greek-ish.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I thought she was greek-ish.

Meant to be, doesn't often show through for.

All Whitey's look the same.

[Crowforge]

I don't think so.
http://rachelmarsden.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/putin.jpghttp://backseatcuddler.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/brad-pitt-beach.jpg

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I don't think so.
http://rachelmarsden.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/putin.jpghttp://backseatcuddler.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/brad-pitt-beach.jpg

All I see is two pictures of Ethan Hawke.

[Retro315]

Meant to be, doesn't often show through for.

All Whitey's look the same.

Except us Gingers ...

[Crowforge]

Except us Gingers ...
I have a belief that only women should be redheads. sorry bro.

[Retro315]

I have a belief that only women should be redheads. sorry bro.

I just got done watching X-Files so I really can't argue ...

[_OM_]

A white guy named "White Lightning"?

...He's from the deep South, and gets his powers from a special moonshine recipe.

[nj06]

What about Harvey Dent/Two-Face in the animated Batman series? Was he suppose to be white or black?

Its been a while since I have seen that show so I'm honestly unsure.

[Retro315]

What about Harvey Dent/Two-Face in the animated Batman series? Was he suppose to be white or black?

Its been a while since I have seen that show so I'm honestly unsure.

Ah, I know this one!

Actually, Harvey Dent in the cartoon was originally drawn to look Italian, whereas in the comics he was totally waspy. Dark hair and a Mediterranean sun-tan.

He's from the deep South, and gets his powers from a special moonshine recipe.

Oh man ... it writes itself. Rather than Jefferson Pierce, he goes by Jefferson Davis Pierce ... etc ... now that'd be something ... a Deep South super-hero ...

[_OM_]

Oh man ... it writes itself. Rather than Jefferson Pierce, he goes by Jefferson Davis Pierce ... etc ... now that'd be something ... a Deep South super-hero ...

...A whole selection of Southern cracker superheroes. White Lightnin', Crimson Tide, Deerhunter, Pistol Packin' Mama...the list goes on!

[Vic Vega]

II'm goona address the O.P.'s question.

Tho at this point it may be hopeless.:biggrin:

Worsthingus has it right, Lex is a Billy Zane type who probably spends lots of time outdoors-polo, yachting and stuff like that.

Guys with that sort of lifestlye are always well tanned.

[TROUBLEZ]

I like to think they realized what I realized long ago, that Lex Luthor should have been played by Billy Zane:



Wow, that would have been something.
Actually, I think Zane could have played both roles perfectly.

*sigh*
What could have been...

[40footwolf]

I think he might have been black in the old Superman cartoon. Nothing other than that, though.

[_OM_]

I think he might have been black in the old Superman cartoon. Nothing other than that, though.

...What "old Superman cartoon" are you referring to?

[Froggy]

Lex was rather tanned in "Superman: The Animated Series", but that's all it was. They were using Telly Savalas and another actor as inspiration. He was looking tan since he goes out on his yacht and tan. Lex's design was tweaked when brought back for "Justice League".

Otherwise, Lex is white as they come. Has been for years.

basically

'i remember me and my brother argued about this, he was trying to tell me lex was on some vin diesel shit

[Crowforge]

basically

'i remember me and my brother argued about this, he was trying to tell me lex was on some vin diesel shit
I'm not even sure what that means?

[Rattlehead]

Bruce Timm and company gave him a pretty mediterreranean look on the TV show, which is to say he had an olive skinned look going on. That's the only instance of that happening though, in every other medium he's pasty white.