Why does lex luthor see superman as both enemy and potential tool?
Quick Answer
Lex Luthor views Superman as both an existential threat and a potential asset, driven by his belief that unchecked power must be controlled, while also seeing opportunities to manipulate or co-opt Superman's abilities for his own strategic goals.
Explanation
In most versions of Superman lore, including the DCEU portrayal in 'Man of Steel' and 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,' Lex Luthor perceives Superman as a threat to humanity's autonomy and dominance. His genius and megalomania lead him to distrust any being with godlike power, fearing it could destabilize human civilization. Simultaneously, Lex often sees potential utility in Superman's abilities, such as using his presence to justify military buildup, create diversions for his schemes, or even engineer scenarios where he can control or eliminate Superman to consolidate power. This duality reflects Lex's core motivation: to maintain human supremacy by neutralizing or leveraging extrahuman threats. His actions are typically rooted in a warped sense of protecting humanity while advancing his own agenda, even if it means exploiting the very force he deems dangerous.