Editing Lex Luthor (section)

=== Company ===
LuthorCorp (or LexCorp) is the fictional organized crime company owned by Luthor. The company is based in [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] and is headquartered in LexCorp Tower.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Batman Encyclopedia |date=2008 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=9780345501066 |page=233}}</ref>

The establishment of LuthorCorp (or LexCorp) by Lex Luthor is a stark departure from earlier portrayals of the company's founder, transitioning the character from a warlord and would-be dictator into a power-mad business magnate. LexCorp was founded primarily to serve as a front to Lex Luthor's criminal enterprise while simultaneously being a symbol of Luthor's victory over Superman, as Luthor values defeating Superman over financial gain (illustrated by abandoning a hollow victory after plundering [[Fort Knox]]).<ref>''Action Comics'' #277</ref> Luthor intends to convert LexCorp into a legitimate operation after his retirement from crime, and in the future it is shown being a highly successful non-criminal enterprise, to Superman's pleasure.<ref>''Superman'' #416</ref>

LexCorp was originally organized as an [[aerospace engineering]] firm started in the top floor offices of the [[Daily Planet]] building in [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]], and has since become one of the world's largest, most diversified multinational conglomerates.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |pages=206–208}}</ref>

The company grew by acquisition, starting with struggling airlines "Inter-Continental Airlines" and "Atlantic Coast Air Systems", renaming them to "LexAir". When rising profits were threatened by fuel shortages, LexCorp bought out Southwestern [[Petroleum]] and renamed it "LexOil". This pattern of acquisition continued to include the ''[[Daily Planet]]'' and several Metropolis businesses before LexCorp sold the unprofitable ''Daily Planet'' and its building to TransNational Enterprises, establishing an L-shaped 96-story high-rise as its new headquarters.

LexCorp grew rapidly into a diverse international [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] with interests in utilities, waste management, industrial manufacturing, computer hardware and software, chemicals, retail, bio-engineering, weapons, pharmaceuticals, oil, communications, airlines, real estate, hotels, restaurants, technology, media, financial services, robotics, security,  transportation, satellites, stock brokerage houses, cash businesses, and food. By the timeframe of the Alliance [[Invasion! (DC Comics)|invasion]] it was estimated that LexCorp either directly or indirectly employed nearly two-thirds of Metropolis' population of 11 million people, dominating commerce around much of the world. Among those many subsidiaries are such diverse businesses as Advanced Research Laboratories, Secur-Corp Armored Car Service, North American Robotics, Hell's Gate Disposal Services, and the Good Foods Group, owners of Ralli's Family Restaurants, Big Belly Burger and the Koul-Brau Breweries. LexCorp's major subsidiary companies include LexComp, LexChemical, LexEl Investments, LexMart, LexComm, FedLex, LexOil, LexAir, and TelLex.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Superman Files |others=Matthew K. Manning (trans.) |page=74}}</ref>

When Luthor became President of the United States, he divested from LexCorp to avoid a conflict of interest and appointed [[Talia al Ghul]] as the company's CEO. Talia donated a large portion of its profits to the [[Wayne Foundation]] during Superman and Batman's year-long absences.<ref>''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #650</ref> Following his dismissal as president he fired her and took back his place, though she secretly kept a portion of stock.

Competitors include [[Wayne Enterprises]], [[Kord Enterprises]], [[Queen Industries]] and [[S.T.A.R. Labs]]. LexCorp provides sponsorship to the superhero team The Conglomerate along with American Steel, Dante Foods, Dupree Chemical, Ferris Aircraft, [[S.T.A.R. Labs]], Ovel Oil, Pax Entertainment, and [[Stagg Enterprises]].<ref>''Justice League Quarterly'' #1 (Winter 1990)</ref>

Following Luthor's public acquittal from criminal charges [[Lana Lang]] became LexCorp's new CEO<ref>''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #654</ref> and LexCorp began its decline.<ref>''Superman'' #663</ref> Lana Lang was dismissed from her post due to a contractual clause in all LexCorp employment charters forbidding aiding Superman in any way, after she attempted to use a LexCorp security unit to aid Superman in a battle against Atlas.<ref>''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #679</ref>

A year after the events of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', Lex Luthor had been stripped of his wealth and assets; LexCorp was dissolved and sold off to several competitors, most notably to [[Wayne Enterprises]].

Lex Luthor secretly owns the powerful and legitimate Thunder Corporation which he controls through a false identity,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Superman: Last Son of Krypton |others=Elliot S. Maggin}}</ref> maintaining the illusion of the chairman/principal stockholder "Lucius D. Tommytown" through fake magazine articles and actors because he thought himself too honest to be anything but a criminal. The Thunder Corporation headquarters "Zephrymore Building" fronts Lex Luthor's criminal operations and penthouse.