14. Lex Luthor
The fact that Lex Luthor has ended up on this list above other long-term season 2 and 3 characters after just two episodes says a lot about Michael Cudlitz’s performance and the strength of writing behind launching him. A much more intimidating Lex than we’re used to, this isn’t the suave billionaire that hides his villainous purpose behind a friendly smile, he’s a hardened, violent man with a vendetta, not just against Superman but Lois Lane.
Lex spent two decades behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit after being framed by Bruno Mannheim and Onomatopoeia but the person who helped take him down – Lois – was also the person who helped free him. And now he’s coming after her and the Man of Steel, as he holds them responsible for his imprisonment, and the fact that his daughter turned her back on him.
The irony here is that Lex might have been innocent of the crimes he was sent to prison for, but he’s committed far worse atrocities and that much was made clear when he turned Bizarro into Doomsday to destroy Superman in the season 3 finale.
Peia told Lois that Lex was “the devil” and in just two episodes he has lived up to that reputation. Something tells us he’ll move further up this list when season 4 premieres on The CW. But wow, what a debut.