Page "Clark Kent" Paragraph 53

Clark and Lex remain entangled for most of the series.

Lex Luthor's father, Lionel Luthor, is an unscrupulous industrialist with whom Lex has a troubled relationship.

Lex would like to transcend his family background and be a better person than his father, but after multiple setbacks he slowly slips into evil, becoming convinced that only he can ' protect ' the world from the perceived alien threats by taking control of it, regardless of the cost to others.

In turn, Clark Kent has a slightly dark side with which he comes to grips over time, made even worse by his experiences with red kryptonite, which causes him to lose his morals and act solely on impulse while under its influence.

In different ways to Luthor, Clark also does not have fully ideal relationship either with his adoptive father, Jonathan, nor with an A. I.

based on Jor-El that was sent by the original to guide him, Jonathan occasionally having trouble relating to Clark while Jor-El's lack of his template's emotions causes him to treat Clark too harshly at times.

The younger Luthor slightly envies Clark's ' clean-cut ' and wholesome parents ( who disapprove of Clark's friendship with Luthor ), while Clark is impressed with Luthor's wealth while failing to understand some of the manipulations he carries out in his interactions with others.

Even in his better days, Luthor is highly ambitious for power and wealth, at one time noting that he shares his name with Alexander the Great.

Clark Kent, on the other hand, has no idea what he is going to do with his life while bewildered by his powers, and his uncertainty as to why he was sent to Earth.