Alexei Luthor (Earth-Two)

Former criminal mastermind; former dictator of small European countries (overthrown prior World War II); former super-scientist; former munitions manufacturer

Origin

Place of Death

Brainiac's Skull Ship

Creators

Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

First appearance

Last appearance

Action Comics #23

Crisis on Infinite Earths #9

History

Very little is known about the history of Alexei Luthor before he rose to power and took control of several minor European nations prior to World War II through his super-scientific machinations. He intended to plunge all of the European countries into war starting with the small countries of Galonia and Toran, and used his scientific genius to sabotage a peace conference, but was defeated by Kal-L, the hero known as Superman.

Alexei escaped and later plagued Kal-L with a gigantic Kryptonite meteor after learning about Superman's weakness from Dan Rivers. Unable to defeat Superman, Alexei took solace in publicly revealing Superman's weakness to the world, causing trouble for Kal-L from other various foes.

Alexei would return time and time again with elaborate plans to kill Superman, but was defeated each time.

Later in his career, Alexei would learn of the Multiverse and teamed up with his Earth-One counterpart Lex Luthor in an attempt to conquer Earth-Three. Recruiting Earth-Three's primary villain, Ultraman (an evil counterpart to their Supermen) to aid them in conquering Earth-Three, Alexei and Lex Luthor were defeated by their own Earth-Three counterpart, Alexander Luthor, who became Earth-Three's first and only super-hero.

Alexei's first meeting with Superman (Kal-L)

The End

Alexei would continue on his private quest for world domination of Earth-Two until he was recruited by Brainiac during The Crisis on Infinite Earths. Upon confronting Lex Luthor, who had been selected over him by Brainiac as field commander of their amassed gathering, Alexei stated to all present "I'm better than that labrat! You don't need two Luthors!" Brainiac immediately agreed, and disintegrated Alexei Luthor on the spot. leaving Lex the only Luthor present. Following the end of the Crisis, Alexei Luthor was eliminated from history, and is no longer remembered by anyone on New Earth.

Execution of Alexei by robotic Brainiac (Crisis on Infinite Earth 9)

Powers and Abilities

Powers

None known.

Abilities

Genius level intellect

Strength level

Alexei Luthor appears to have the strength of an average human male.

Paraphernalia

Equipment: None known.

Notes

Though Alexei Luthor had a similar appearance and demeanor in his 1940 debut (where he was known only as "Luthor"), subsequent appearances of Luthor throughout the 40's portrayed him as completely bald. When it became necessary in the 1960's to distinguish the Golden Age Luthor from the one then appearing in DC Comics, the character was retroactively assigned many of the exploits of his bald successor, as well as the first name "Alexei." The Golden Age Luthor was a far more blood-thirsty character than his successors. Whereas Earth-One's Luthor preferred humiliating his adversary to prove his genius, Alexei Luthor sought only Superman's death.

Trivia

No trivia.

Links and References

Footnotes