LexCorp
| LexCorp | |
|---|---|
LexCorp Tower as it appears in JLA #83
(September 2003); art by Christopher Williams. |
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance |
Superman vol. 1 #416 (Feb. 1986) (Mentioned); Superman vol. 2 #2 (Feb. 1987) (First appearance of LexCorp Tower) |
| Created by | Elliot S. Maggin |
| In-story information | |
| Type of business | Conglomerate |
| Base(s) | Metropolis |
| Owner(s) | Lex Luthor |
| Employee(s) |
Talia al Ghul Lana Lang |
LexCorp (originally styled Lexcorp) is a fictional company appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The company is owned by the supervillain Lex Luthor, Superman's archenemy. The company is based out of Metropolis and headquartered in LexCorp Tower.
The establishment of 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 the Superman over financial gain (illustrated by abandoning a hollow victory after plundering Fort Knox). 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.
LexCorp was originally organized as an aerospace engineering firm started in the top floor offices of the Daily Planet building in Metropolis and has since become one of the world's largest, most diversified multinational conglomerates.
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 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 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 and the Koul-Brau Breweries. LexCorps major subsidiary companies include LexComp, LexChemical, LexEl Investments, LexMart, LexComm, FedLex, LexOil, LexAir, and TelLex.
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