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Clex is the slash ship between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor from the DC Comics, Smallville and Young Justice fandoms.
Canon[]
Smallville Canon[]
Clark Kent and Lex Luthor have a complex relationship that began as a close friendship, moving steadily to become mutual enmity. When first meeting and getting to know each other, they often bonded over being the odd ones in a town like Smallville, seeking each other out for advice. Jaded by his father's upbringing, Lex seemingly saw Clark as the personification of everything a person should be and a direct contrast to his own destructive and self-serving youth. He also idolized Clark's relationship with his father, seeing it as something he would love but would never obtain with his own father, even sharing his regrets about his relationship with his mother with Clark.
Clark viewed Lex as worldly and informed; easily misjudged and intriguingly out of place in the small country town. Clark was impressed with Lex's experience and maturity. He frequently took advice from Lex, particularly concerning the troubles in his love life, as he yearned for Lana Lang, despite her dating a boy named Whitney Fordman. Lex often went out of his way to help his young friend win the heart of his childhood crush, Lana Lang, even when Clark didn't ask for his help. He actively prodded Clark into being more assertive with Lana, because he felt this was what a good friend did. Lex said he considered Clark much like a younger brother, trying to use his influence to improve Clark's quality of life.
Clark's secrets were a central and contentious element between the two men as they eventually drifted apart and became enemies. Although Lex did not exactly know the entire story behind Clark's alien origins, he knew there was something odd about his friend from the moment that Clark saved him by pulling him from the river following a car accident. Lex was sure his car had hit Clark, and was immediately doubtful of Clark's claim that he dove in after Lex. Lex gave Clark the opportunity to share his secret on his own terms as their friendship grew, but often could not resist asking Clark prying questions. Clark used a temporary loss of his powers to "prove" his vulnerability. Nevertheless, Lex's curiosity was not that easily satisfied.
Other factors contributed to driving them apart over time, such as Lex Luthor's father, Lionel Luthor. Lionel Luthor exhibits all the classic examples of being an narcissistic parent. Typically narcissistic parents are exclusively and possessively close to their children and may be especially envious of, and threatened by, their child's growing independence. The result may be what has been termed a pattern of narcissistic attachment, with the child considered to exist solely to fulfill the parent's wishes and needs. Commonly parents attempt to force their children to treat themselves as though they are their parents' puppets, or else be subject to punishments such as emotional abuse.
Within the realm of narcissistic parenting, personal boundaries are often disregarded with the goal of molding and manipulating the child to satisfy the parents’ expectations. Throughout the earlier seasons he could be seen trying to control Lex's life. Going so far as to close the factory that Lex was in charge of, just so that the entire town would turn it's back on Lex Luthor and force him to leave. He also didn't approve of Clark Kent's friendship with his son. Later on, he was apparently cured of his narcissism and became "reformed", although there were many who doubted that he was truly reformed.
Lex's struggle with his dark side and failed attempts at trying to do the right thing was another contributing factor to the dissolution of his friendship with Clark, as was what eventually became Lex's unhealthy obsession with Clark. He collected everything on Clark Kent, which he kept in a large room. The room was like one giant stalker shrine to Clark Kent. Clark was understandably unnerved and upset by the room when he found it.
Other people also plotted to drive the wedge between them apart, as well. There was Brainiac, who posed as a human professor named Milton Fine. He took advantage of the underlying mutual mistrust in Clark and Lex's friendship to seed doubts about each other by planting clues about what the other one was really doing to make it seem like they were hiding things from each other. Brainiac duped the two of them into believing that the other one was a dangerous would-be conqueror who needed to be stopped at all costs. He compared Lex with violent dictators like Stalin, Hitler or Napoleon, which prompted Clark to defend Lex at the time. However it was enough to make Clark wonder about Lex. Meanwhile, Lex finally discovered the truth about Clark Kent, having been manipulated by Brainiac. Lex used an orb to track down the Fortress of Solitude, where he confronted Clark. As Clark tried to reason with Lex, it became clear that Lex felt it was his destiny to defeat "The Traveler". Lex expressed disappointment that Clark had never trusted him with this secret, as he felt that he could have helped Clark become a hero, but Lex's actions had proved to Clark that he couldn't be trusted.
Young Justice[]
In the animated series Young Justice, Superman and Lex Luthor do not have many direct, one-on-one interactions, if at all. Instead, Conner Kent/Kon-El, who is actually the biological offspring of them both due to cloning experiments, has to mediate and pass messages between the two. Fans who watch the show in some circles have often joked that they act like divorced parents who used their kids in this way so that they don't have to speak to each other, much less be in the same room as each other.
DC Universe Comics in General:[]
Adventures of Superman #581 & #586 (President Lex arc): Lex winning the U.S. Presidency is a power-dynamic shift that creates a unique tension between Hero and Villian. Lex savors the change in status, forcing Superman to interact with him on his terms, a dynamic many fans find compelling.
All-Star Superman #2 and #3: This critically acclaimed series features a moment where Lex, on the verge of a breakdown, is consumed by envy and spite, highlighting the deep, unhinged nature of his obsession with Superman.
The Shared Youth (Silver Age Origins): In the original Silver Age comics, Clark (as Superboy) and Lex were best friends in Smallville. Their falling out occurs when Superboy accidentally causes Lex to lose his hair while saving him from a lab fire—a moment Lex perceives as a betrayal of their bond.
Silver Age Team-ups: In some older, more whimsical Silver Age stories, various plot devices (such as alien interference or amnesia) temporarily forced Lex and Superman to team up, which are seen by fans as unique moments of forced proximity and cooperation.
Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor (2023 mini-series): This series is specifically noted for exploring the potential for the two characters to have a different type of relationship, delving into the idea of a shared destiny and exploring their bond in a more profound, almost philosophical way. While no canon romantic pairing was ever made here, they made the idea of a bromance very possible here, and as we know, it's just one jump from bromance to real romance for shippers. XD
Deathbed Revelations (All-Star Superman): While on death row, Lex grants Clark Kent an exclusive interview. The subtext of their dialogue highlights Lex's obsession with Superman; the story culminates with Lex briefly gaining Superman's powers and finally seeing the world through Clark's eyes, leading to a moment of profound, albeit temporary, mutual understanding.
Identity Reveal (Superman 2023 - #4): In modern runs, Lex frequently references their shared history. A notable moment involves Lex revealing he has known Clark’s identity for years but kept it secret, suggesting a level of personal intimacy and protection that fans often interpret through a "Clex" lens.
The "Last Days": This 2025 series explores the idea that Clark and Lex were once close, delving into the emotional weight of Superman trying to save his greatest enemy's life as Lex faces his own mortality.
Isn't it funny how Superman knows so many "LL" people?
Adventure Comics Vol. 2 #6 (released in 2010), written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Francis Manapul. In this issue, Conner Kent (Superboy) is visiting Smallville with Clark Kent. While exploring, Conner finds a tree with the initials "CK loves LL" carved into the bark within a heart. Because Superman is famously married to Lois Lane, Conner assumes the carving refers to her and asks, "You knew Lois back then?". Superman’s awkward and evasive response—"Uh... somebody like that", was supposed to allude to Lana Lang, of course, but most fans humorously choose to interpret it as an Clex moment... because after all, Clark Kent also knew Lex Luthor back then.
Earth 32[]
Kal the Super-Martian and Lex Luthor the Batman from Earth 32 were shown as a romantic couple in Lex Luthor: Year of the Villain #1.[1] Jason Latour, writer of the issue, confirmed the romance between them.[2]
Children[]
Conner initially believes that he is a pure clone of Clark designed by Cadmus. It is later revealed that half his genetic DNA came from Lex Luthor, making him technically the son of both of them.
Quotes[]
- “We have a future together, Clark, and I don't want anything to stand in the way of our friendship.”
- — Lex to Clark Kent; Pilot
- “Clark Kent and Lex Luthor. I like the sound of that.”
- — Clark to Lex; Red
- “Don't give up on me yet.”
- — Lex to Clark; Bound
- Clark – “Lex, if this friendship was so important, why'd you lie to me for so long?”
- Lex – “I don't know, Clark. There's a darkness in me that I can't always control. I'm starting to think that's my curse, why every relationship I have ends badly.”
- Clark – “We all have a dark side, Lex.”
- Lex – “Yeah. But I can feel mine creeping over the corners. Your friendship helps keep it at bay. It reminds me that there are truly good people in the world. I'm not willing to give up on that.”
- — Devoted
- “I don't know, Clark. You were the only real friend I ever had, but somewhere along the way, you saw me as your nemesis and turned your back on me.”
- — Lex; Nemesis
- Lex – “Clark, the days of you barging into my home to give me sage advice is over.”
- Clark – “Lex, don't bother trying to cover it up. The days of me believing your lies are over.”
- — Aqua
- “I love you like a brother Clark, but it has to end this way. I'm sorry.”
- — Lex; Artic
- Clark – “Lex.”
- Lex – “still say it the same way: astonishment mixed with a hint of dread but with a hopeful finish.”
- — Finale, Part 2
- “Our story hasn't been written yet, Kal-El. And every villain is only as great as his hero. But, you see, that all relies on you saving us from the coming Apocalypse.”
- — Lex, Finale, Part 2
- “The headband was a gift from Lex. The Red Sun. Red Son. He liked the symmetry. I suppose it also looks a bit like a beating heart... Vulnerability. Strength. I'm sorry to digress. The gesture meant a great deal to me... Lex means a great deal to me.”
- — Kal about Lex; Lex Luthor: Year of the Villain #1
Fanon[]
In Fanon, especially for the Smallville fanfics, Lex Luthor tends to be slightly flanderized, being portrayed as more of a stoic woobie than being outright evil or having a very dark nature like in canon. This is due to the fact that most fans tend to be more sympathetic towards Lex than they are typically other characters on the Smallville show, because Lex has an controlling narcissistic father.
Depending on the type of fanfic, Clark tends up being an overly innocent blushing farm-boy or being more mature than he really was in reality and making more mature choices than he did on the show. And of course the type of Clark Kent/Superman you get often varies depending on which DC universe setting you're basing it on. For example, in Young Justice Clex fanfics Clark Kent is less of a blushing farmboy and slightly more hardened. Depending on if it's also a story about Kon-El, he can also be something of a dick towards his own son because of how he was portrayed canonically on the cartoon show.
Some of the tropes often used in most Clex fanfics are:
- Fix-it fanfics—Many fans often don't like how an episode or an entire season turned out, so they set out to fix that. The most common type of story there is, and naturally this ends in Clex...
- Alien!Clark—Clark succumbs to his primal alien urges, exhibits pon farr-like behavior. Or, this is simply used as an excuse to make him exhibit unusual mating rituals, be into weird kinks, and so on forth.
- Speaking of Alien biology, this also often leads to Mpreg.
- The Reveal—Where Clark chooses to reveal himself as an alien to Lex, or Lex finds out by accident.
- Hurt-comfort—Scenes where Lex gets injured, and it's Clark to the rescue. Sometimes it's Clark who needs taking care of instead.
- Dark fics: Where instead of Lex being turned to the good side thanks to Clark, it's Clark that gets pulled over to the dark side because Lex's a corrupting influence...
- Under the influence—tons of Red Kryptonite fan fics out there, and with good reason.
- Immortality—it was often strongly implied on the show that Clark would live forever, outliving most of his family and friends. But what Clark didn't know, is that the same applies to Lex Luthor too.... often used in Future fics.
- Reconciliation—From friends to enemies, enemies to loved ones.
- Aging up and down characters.
- Character transformations—Turned into animals/children/etc for a day or a week, ends up being taken care of by the other character. cue both parties seeing a new side of each other that they've never seen before.
- Superhero/Villain role-playing kinks.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Clark/Lex tag on AO3
- Clark/Lex (Smallville) works on FanFiction.net
- Clark/Lex (Supergirl) works on FanFiction.Net
- Superman/Lex (Superman movie) works on FanFiction.Net
- Clark/Lex (Batman v. Superman) works on FanFiction.Net
- Clark/Lex (Young Justice) works on FanFiction.Net
- Clark/Lex (Justice League) works on FanFiction.Net
- Clark/L. Luthor (Superman comic) works on FanFiction.Net
- LJ
- Old School Clex community on Livejournal
- WIKIS
- Clark and Lex on Smallville Wiki
- Clex on Fanlore
Gallery[]
Smallville[]
Videos[]
Variations[]
- Cloix refers to the ship between Lois Lane, Clark and Lex
- SuperBatLex refers to the ship between Bruce Wayne, Clark and Lex
