Should Luthor and Clark Kent be Childhood friends?

[samurainoir]

We've seen it both ways over the years.

Originally Superman and Luthor first clashed as adults. That was the way things were in the Christopher Reeve movie series, as well as the Post Crisis run by John Byrne.

Now they have gone back to the Pre Crisis Superboy continuity where they were friends in Smallville originally, probably in no small part to the fact that Smallville has been so popular. Mark Waid's Birthright had them as childhood friends, and now Superman Origin by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.

Which do you prefer?

[BlackKnight]

I personally don't care for the Clark/Luthor relationship in Smallville.

[bobws]

As i posted elsewhere , i always was under the impression that superboy and lex were friends NOT clark! i remember reading and old comic that showed it was an accident involving superboy that cost lex his hair that ruined the friendship and got him an enemy for life. to me lex shouldn't even know of clark until he started at the daily planet.

[kryptosmaster]

Been awhile since I've read a Pre-Crisis Superboy story featuring young Luthor but I think he did know Clark. He was pals with Superboy though and blamed him for the accident that caused him to lose his hair.
That said I am a HUGE fan of Pre-crisis DCU and Superboy was one of my favorite characters. I'm glad to see the Pre-C slowly creeping back into the modern DCU.
Rich

[jds1911a1]

it was silly in the old pre crisis superboy continuty and I for one don't need to see it return

[Earth 2 Chris]

If they can develop it where it doesn't involve hair-loss, then I think it can work. With people voluntarily shaving their heads, and it being culturally acceptable, going bald doesn't seem to be a motivator for becoming a super-villain anymore (and never really did). Most of the time the writers tried to make it seem like Lex was more upset over what he felt was betrayal, feeling Superboy was jealous of his intellect and tried to destroy him. But it still came out as "You made my hair fall out! I hate you!"

I really liked Byrne/Wolfman's take on Lex hating Supes for usurping his throne as most important man in Metropolis. Lex as businessman was Wolfman's idea, based on Elliot S. Maggin's take in his novel, "Last Son of Krypton".

Chris

[ctc]

>Most of the time the writers tried to make it seem like Lex was more upset over what he felt was betrayal,

Makes sense; although with a megalomaniac like Lex you COULD say that losing his har seemed like a critical blow to HIM; even though other folks wouldn't have cared that much.

Don C.

[The Toyroom]

I don't mind if they knew each in Smallville (without the hair loss tantrum though)....the end result will be the same no matter what: Luthor will be Superman's #1 foe

I sort of like the Gene Hackman movie version too though where he was this great criminal mastermind that was behind the scenes that no one really was aware of...and just when he was about to reveal himself with his biggest coup....Superman shows up.

[samurainoir]

Looks like they are going with the Pre-Crisis Hair-loss thing, but incorporating it into the Post-Crisis Kryptonite Poisoning thing. Hopefully the Lex Luthor Jr Clone thing will be well forgotten in time.

[HardyGirl]

As i posted elsewhere , i always was under the impression that superboy and lex were friends NOT clark! i remember reading and old comic that showed it was an accident involving superboy that cost lex his hair that ruined the friendship and got him an enemy for life. to me lex shouldn't even know of clark until he started at the daily planet.

Wasn't that summary on either the Filmation cartoon or the SuperFriends?

[Earth 2 Chris]

Wasn't that summary on either the Filmation cartoon or the SuperFriends?

It was on a "Challenge of the Super Friends" episode. That's where I first encountered Lex's Silver Age origin.

Chris

[samurainoir]

In a similar note...

Pa Kent. Better off Dead or Alive before Clark arrives in Metropolis?

What about Ma?

[The Toyroom]

I'm so used to them being alive thanks to John Byrne but I say.....Kill 'em both

[kryptosmaster]

I'm so used to them being alive thanks to John Byrne but I say.....Kill 'em both

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
That was the ONLY good thing to come out of Byrne's revamp.
I like them being alive. I never saw any reason why they had to die. Clark/Kal isn't a wuss and didn't need the impact of them dying to leave Smallville and grow up! I think the main reason they killed them off Pre-Crisis is because they were a lot older when they found Clark rather than the younger couple post-Crisis.
Now just bury that stupid Stuperboy clone once and for all and bring back Clark's career as Superboy and I'll be happy again!
Rich