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Lena Luthor
Lena Luthor in Superwoman #3 (October 2016). Art by Ray McCarthy.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceSuperman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #23 (February 1961)
Created byJerry Siegel (script)
Kurt Schaffenberger (art)
In-story information
Notable aliasesLena Thorul
Ultrawomen
AbilitiesESP

Lena Luthor is the name of two fictional comic book characters in DC Comics. The first one, introduced in 1961, is the sister of Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor, while the second one, introduced in 2000, is Luthor's daughter, named after her aunt.

On live-action television, the original Lena Luthor was portrayed by Denise Gossett in a 1991 episode of Superboy, Cassidy Freeman in three seasons (2008–2011) of Smallville, and by Katie McGrath in five seasons (2016–2021) of Supergirl.

Publication history

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Lena Luthor first appeared in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #23 and was created by Jerry Siegel and Kurt Schaffenberger.[1]

Fictional character biography

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Lena Luthor I

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In Silver Age continuity, Lena is Lex Luthor's younger sister.[2] After Lex began his villainous career, his family changed their last name in shame to the anagram "Thorul" and told Lena that Lex had been killed in a mountain-climbing accident.[3] Soon after this, they were killed in an auto accident. As a result, Lena never knew she had an older brother, as Lex Luthor himself (with occasional help from Supergirl and Superman) worked to keep her from learning the truth. Lena appeared irregularly in DC Comics' from 1961 to 1975. Lena had psychic/empathic abilities, gained from touching a Space Brain that Luthor was experimenting on before he became a villain. In 1981, Lena lost her powers after brain surgery, and the decision was made to tell her the truth about Luthor. After the initial shock, there were signs of reconciliation after Luthor discovered he had unwittingly aided another criminal's conspiracy against Lena, and he was deeply apologetic.[4]

In Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #3, Legionnaires Polar Boy, Wildfire, and Dawnstar travel to Smallville during the 20th century, back to when Superman was still a suburban legend. The three heroes arrive to the Luthor household, where they hear a young Lex arguing with his father about his mother and sister.[5]

In the pages of Superman: Secret Origin (2009), Lena Luthor cared about Lex even when he ran away after their mother died when she was young and their father died of a heart attack.[6]

In the 2009 revival of Adventure Comics, Lex covers up his Smallville history, which includes disavowing a connection to his sister. Lena is now paralyzed, living in Smallville with her daughter Lori Luthor. Lori becomes friends with Superboy, who is attracted to Lori's petty crimes when trying to take care of her mother. Both are shocked to find Lex Luthor on Lori's doorstep, intent on taking control of Superboy again and claiming he can cure Lena's condition.[7] With Superboy's help, Luthor cures Lena, but he reverses it, claiming he only helped her to prove to Superboy that he could. He says that so long as Superman lives, he will never reveal how he did it. Lena is put under the care of Wayne Enterprises doctors, thanks to Red Robin.[8]

In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. Lena Luthor is paralyzed as a result of a childhood illness. Luthor initially claims to Bizarro that he never tried to save her because he was afraid of failure but admits privately later that his failed attempt left her paralyzed. He eventually treats her paralysis but delays the treatment as it involves technology he did not invent himself, leaving Lena enraged that he expected her to be forever under his shadow.

In 2016, DC Comics relaunched its books with "DC Rebirth", which restored its continuity to a form much as it was prior to "The New 52". Lex desperately tries to use Doctor Omen's Super-Man technology to cure Lena. It worsens her paralysis, improves her intellect, and develops a psychic link to her Mother Box. Lex is unaware that Lena created several binary clones of herself and Superwoman of Earth-Three, one of whom becomes Bizarress. Lena later uses the Mother Box's power to merge with one of Lex Luthor's exo-armors to gain mobility. The Lana Lang version of Superwoman defeats Lena and returns her to LexCorp. Lex locks up Lena as he vows to find a way to help his sister.[9]

Lena Luthor II

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Lena Luthor (infant version), as seen in Action Comics #763 (March 2000).
Lena Luthor (Brainiac-Teen version), as seen in The Adventures of Superman #595 (October 2001).

After Crisis on Infinite Earths, Lena Luthor is the daughter of Lex Luthor and Contessa Erica Del Portenza. She is named after Lex's foster sister of the same name, who had been killed by their foster father Casey Griggs. After Lena's birth, Lex takes advantage of Contessa Erica's wish to be unconscious at child birth by keeping her permanently drugged and unconscious at his corporate headquarters, not wishing to share his daughter's love with anyone else (although he himself avoids attending the birth to provide himself with a clear alibi for an assassination attempt he arranged at the time).

When Brainiac 13 arrives from the 64th century, the modern Brainiac possesses the infant Lena to escape being deleted by his future self.[10] Even after Brainiac leaves Lena's body, Luthor trades her to Brainiac 13 for control of the future technology that has transformed Metropolis.[11]

Lena returns to visit Lex Luthor during the Our Worlds at War event, where she has apparently been aged to adolescence by Brainiac 13.[12] Lena plays a sneaky role during the event, helping Luthor and his allies defeat Imperiex by feeding her father information, while secretly manipulating events to benefit Brainiac 13.[13] She is ultimately convinced at the end to side with her father. At the end of the crossover, Brainiac 13 and Imperiex are both destroyed, and Lena is regressed to infanthood and returned to her father by Superman, who tells Luthor that he now has a second chance to try to be a man instead of a god.[14]

In the Superman's Metropolis miniseries, the artificial intelligence controlling the B-13 technology believes itself to be Lena Luthor. When it creates a human body (female, but bald) to pursue a romantic relationship with Jimmy Olsen, Superman confronts her with the real Lena Luthor, making her realize her personality is a computer simulation of Lena's.

Lena returned in Superman #850 visiting Lex in Stryker's Island Penitentiary with her grandmother, Leticia Luthor.

Other versions

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Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade

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An alternate universe variant of Lena Thorul appears in Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade. This version is Lex Luthor's xenophobic thirteen-year-old sister, student of a boarding school, and classmate of Supergirl who despises superheroes and blames Supergirl for getting Lex captured. Nonetheless, she unknowingly befriends Supergirl in her secret identity as Linda Lee. Throughout the series, Lena secretly works with Lex to help him seek revenge against Superman until she learns Supergirl's identity. In retaliation, she brainwashes half of the school until Supergirl's fight with Mister Mxyzptlk causes Lena to question her hatred. After being injured during the fight, Supergirl forces Lex and Superman to save her. While recovering in the hospital, Lena re-focuses her hatred towards Lex.

Earth-9

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An alternate universe variant of Lena Thorul from Earth-9 appears in Tangent Comics: Wonder Woman #1 (September 1998). This version was an Element Girl scientist who saw the inevitable futility of the gender war between the Element Girl and Beast Boy Gothamites; feeling that both sides had lost touch with each other and their true potential and that they are stronger together. Seeking to create a symbol of what the Gothamites could be if they united, she uses outlawed technology to create a unique and powerful female Gothamite with attributes from the Element Girls and Beast Boys that she named Wanda. However, both sides saw Wanda as an abomination and killed Lena for creating her.

In other media

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Television

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Live-action

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Cassidy Freeman as Tess Mercer (Lutessa Lena Luthor) in Smallville.
Katie McGrath at Comic Con France 2010.
  • Lena Luthor I appears in the Superboy episode "Know Thine Enemy", portrayed by Denise Gossett as a young adult and by Jennifer Hawkins as a child. This version faked her death to start a new life after Lex Luthor killed their parents.
  • A character based on Lena Luthor I, among other characters, named Theresa "Tess" Mercer, born Lutessa Lena Luthor, appears in Smallville, portrayed by Cassidy Freeman as a young adult and by Leigh Bourke as a child. She is Lex Luthor's illegitimate half-sister from an affair between their father Lionel Luthor and Lex's nanny Pamela Jenkins. After being left at Granny Goodness's orphanage, she had her memories suppressed and was eventually adopted by the Mercer family in Louisiana.[15] In the present, Tess becomes Lex's protégé and later the acting CEO of LuthorCorp following his disappearance. In the series finale, Tess is mortally wounded by Lex, but erases his memories with a neurotoxin before dying.
  • Lena Luthor I appears in Supergirl, portrayed by Katie McGrath as an adult[16] and by Lucy Loken as a teenager.[17][18] This version is Lex Luthor's paternal half-sister through an affair that Lionel Luthor had with a witch named Elizabeth Walsh (also portrayed by McGrath). After Lex is imprisoned, Lena becomes the CEO of LuthorCorp, moves to National City, and rebrands the company as "L-Corp" to distance it from Lex.[16]
    • Additionally, McGrath portrays several alternate universe variants of Lena, such as one who underwent the "Metallo Procedure" and conquered National City, in the episode "It's a Super Life".[19]
  • A character based on Lena Luthor II named Elizabeth Luthor appears in the fourth season of Superman & Lois, portrayed by Elizabeth Henstridge[20] as an adult and by Ella Wejr as a teenager. This version is the estranged daughter of Lex and Erica Luthor who broke ties with him after he was framed by Bruno and Peia Mannheim for the murder of Antony Moxie. By the present, she moved from England to France, and is also pregnant.

Animation

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Video games

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Lena Luthor appears in DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power, voiced again by Cassandra Lee Morris.[21]

Miscellaneous

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Tess Mercer appears in Smallville Season 11, in which Lex discovers her consciousness residing in his body[23][24] before it is eventually transferred to an aerokinetic android body. Taking the name Red Tornado, she later joins the Justice League and begins dating Emil Hamilton.[25][26][27]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lena Luthor

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lena Luthor is the name of two related fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The primary version is most commonly depicted as the younger sister of the supervillain and a brilliant scientist who grapples with her family's notorious legacy of antagonism toward . Created by writer and artist Kurt Schaffenberger, she made her debut in Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #23 (February 1961), initially under the alias Lena Thorul to conceal her connection to Lex. Unlike her brother, Lena is often portrayed as morally conflicted, using her intellect for humanitarian or redemptive purposes, though she has occasionally veered into villainy or antiheroic roles across DC's various continuities. In her Silver Age origins, Lena unknowingly inherited telepathic abilities from one of Lex's failed experiments intended to combat , which she used briefly before losing them following brain surgery; upon discovering her true heritage, she distanced herself from Lex's while maintaining a fragile bond. Her character underwent significant revisions in the Post-Crisis era, where a separate version was reimagined as Lex's daughter—named in memory of a deceased foster Lena—before the original version was restored; the endured personal tragedies, including from a childhood illness that Lex failed to cure, and temporary empowerment by her brother during crises like the "," where she was indoctrinated by and even shot Lex in a fit of rage, leaving her comatose. The New 52 and subsequent Rebirth continuities further explored the sister's complexity, positioning her as a paraplegic under Lex's protective (yet manipulative) care at LexCorp, with family dynamics that underscore themes of redemption and betrayal. In more recent publications, such as Superman #7 (2023), the sister appears amid expanded Luthor family dynamics. A 2025 Supergirl series by writer/artist Sophie Campbell features the daughter version of Lena as an ally to Supergirl (Kara Zor-El), joining forces to battle threats like the villainous Satan Girl and defending Midvale alongside the Super-Pets, signaling a heroic evolution in that character's arc amid the broader Superman mythos.

Publication history

Creation and early publications

Lena Luthor was created by writer and artist Schaffenberger as the younger sister of the supervillain , debuting in the story "The Curse of Lena Thorul!" in Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #23 (February 1961). In her introduction, she appears under the alias Lena Thorul—a name derived from "Luthor" spelled backward—to distance herself from her infamous brother after their family changed surnames to evade association with his criminal activities following his fallout with . Portrayed as a mild-mannered librarian in , Lena becomes the target of Lex's schemes, who seeks to locate and exploit her; Superman intervenes anonymously to protect her identity and safety, establishing her as an innocent foil to her brother's villainy. Lena's backstory expanded in subsequent Silver Age tales, emphasizing her accidental involvement in her brother's scientific pursuits. In Action Comics #295 (September 1962), written by and illustrated by John Forte, her telepathic abilities are revealed to have originated from a childhood exposure to an experimental protoplasmic mass—or "space brain"—preserved in Lex's abandoned laboratory, which granted her after an electrical mishap. Unaware of her family's full history initially, Lena uses these powers discreetly to foresee dangers and assist without seeking recognition, such as predicting a bridge collapse to allow to intervene. This issue marks her first direct alliance with (as Linda Danvers), who befriends her after learning her true heritage through investigative clues, highlighting themes of redemption and hidden heroism amid familial shame. Further early publications developed Lena's personal life and ties to the Superman mythos. In Action Comics #317 (June 1964), by and Kurt Schaffenberger, she marries secret agent Jeff Colby, adopting the hyphenated surname Thorul-Colby and briefly working with him on espionage missions that intersect with 's adventures, though Jeff's death in a later story (Action Comics #366, 1968) leaves her widowed and more isolated. Her appearances in titles like reprints in (starting 1974) reinforced her role as a recurring ally, often aiding or against Lex's plots while concealing her powers to maintain a normal life. These stories, edited by , contributed to the Silver Age expansion of the Superman universe by humanizing through family dynamics, contrasting his megalomania with Lena's and introducing elements to deepen interpersonal conflicts. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Lena's arc culminated in pre- narratives, such as #213–214 (1981), where her plays a key role in thwarting Lex's schemes, including a tied to her powers' origin that requires intervention from . This era solidified her as a steadfast supporter of Superman's allies, using her abilities anonymously to combat threats while grappling with the stigma of her surname, all without direct confrontation with her brother until later retcons clarified earlier ambiguities in her continuity.

Evolution and modern arcs

Following the 1985 reboot, the Silver Age version of Lena as Lex's sister was initially absent from continuity. Instead, a new character—Lex Luthor's daughter, also named Lena after a deceased foster sister—was introduced without superpowers, emphasizing her as a vulnerable figure manipulated by Lex. This version debuted in Adventures of Superman #600 (2002), where she is revealed as his secret daughter, traded to Brainiac 13 for technology and later de-aged to infancy after cosmic events. The original sister concept was restored in Superman: Secret Origin #1 (2009), reimagining her as Lex's younger sibling who developed quadriplegia from a childhood illness that a teenage Lex failed to cure, highlighting themes of guilt and family estrangement under Lillian Luthor's care. Lena's roles remained sporadic through the 1990s and 2000s, often casting her as a brilliant scientist who occasionally allies with against Lex's machinations. In Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #11 (1998), she emerges as a key supporter in a plot involving Lex's immortal lover Contessa Erica del Portenza, who is revealed as the mother of Lex's —further complicating Lena's dynamics. Her appearance in Adventures of Superman #600 (2002) highlights her as Lex's secret , manipulated in a high-stakes confrontation that underscores her vulnerability and desire to escape paternal control. The 2011 New 52 initiative reestablished Lena as Lex's sister. Her first appearance occurred in Justice League #35 (2014), depicting her as wheelchair-bound due to a childhood illness and serving as CEO of LuthorCorp, wrestling with the ethical burdens of her family's legacy while pursuing scientific redemption. In the Rebirth era from 2016 onward, Lena's prominence grew, particularly in Supergirl vol. 7 #12 (2017), where she forges a tentative friendship with Kara Zor-El amid shared threats, highlighting themes of trust across rival bloodlines. The Action Comics #1000 (2018) milestone storyline further elevates her by having her temporarily seize control of Lex's corporate empire during a multigenerational Luthor crisis, showcasing her strategic acumen and internal conflict over loyalty. Lena's character saw a notable resurgence in the 2025 Supergirl series by writer/artist , issues #1-7 of which (as of November 2025) reframe her as Lex's biological daughter rather than sister, presenting a younger, more volatile version who lacks her prior composure and partners with to combat threats like an impostor and Satan Girl in Midvale. This ongoing arc signals her integration into core narratives, emphasizing redemption and alliance. This trajectory marks Lena's broader evolution from a supernaturally empowered ally in earlier eras to a morally nuanced human inventor and executive, aligning with DC Comics' efforts to modernize legacy supporting characters by emphasizing psychological depth and relational complexity over simplistic heroism or villainy.

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis version

In the Pre-Crisis continuity of , Lena Luthor was born into the Luthor family in as the younger sister of Alexis "Lex" Luthor. As a child, she accidentally interfered with one of Lex's scientific experiments involving a mysterious space brain, resulting in an energy discharge that granted her latent telepathic abilities, including (ESP) and mind-reading, which she kept hidden from others. Following Lex's descent into villainy during his teenage years, the Luthor family relocated and changed their surname to Thorul to sever ties with his criminal reputation and protect Lena from association with him; she adopted the name Lena Thorul and pursued a , unaware at first of the full extent of her family's past. Lena first encountered in 1962, where she used her telepathic powers to aid him against threats, establishing her as an unwitting ally despite her brother's enmity. In 1964, she married FBI agent , forming a stable family life that contrasted sharply with Lex's path, and later gave birth to their son, Val Colby, who inherited similar telepathic abilities from her. Throughout her stories, Lena grappled with internal conflicts over family loyalty, occasionally employing her powers to mind-control enemies on Superman's behalf during crises, though she often lost access to her abilities in certain narratives—such as after brain surgery—only to regain them later through plot developments. Lena's relationships within highlighted her heroic inclinations; she formed a close alliance with in 1967, collaborating to thwart dangers while Supergirl helped conceal Lena's Luthor heritage. Her also allowed visions of future timelines, in which she joined the as a member, further emphasizing her potential for good amid familial shadows. Portrayed as an innocent and resourceful figure, Lena served as a redemptive counterpoint to Lex's malevolence, embodying themes of personal agency, separation from toxic legacy, and the possibility of heroism within the Luthor lineage during the Silver and Bronze Ages.

Post-Crisis and New 52 versions

In the Post-Crisis continuity established after (1985), Lena Luthor was initially portrayed as Lex Luthor's daughter, named after a deceased foster sister, with early appearances such as her involvement in Brainiac-related plots where she was possessed and aged by Brainiac 13. A 2009 retcon in Superman: Secret Origin reimagined her as Lex's younger sister, adopted into the Luthor family and growing up alongside him in , , after their parents Lionel and Lillian. Born to Lionel and Lillian Luthor, she relied solely on her exceptional human intellect rather than any superhuman abilities. Trained as a brilliant , Lena initially worked within the family shadow but severed all ties with Lex upon uncovering his criminal enterprises, including schemes against . Determined to redeem the Luthor name through ethical innovation, she focused on advancements that benefit humanity without exploitation. Her relationships underscored themes of isolation and distrust rooted in family dysfunction. Lena maintains a strained bond with her mother, Lillian Luthor, whose xenophobic views and complicity in Lex's schemes create ongoing tension, often forcing Lena to navigate alliances cautiously. She forms occasional partnerships with , aiding him in crises tied to LexCorp, yet harbors lingering suspicions of his motives due to the Luthors' history of betrayal. This dynamic positions her as a , emphasizing her anti-Lex stance and commitment to using science for good. During the New 52 relaunch (2011–2016), Lena's portrayal as Lex's sister was retained and expanded, introducing her wheelchair-bound status from a childhood illness that Lex failed to cure as a teenager, prompting his departure from home and deepening his resentment. Introduced in Justice League (vol. 2) #35 (October 2014), she operates from a private laboratory beneath LexCorp Tower, initially appearing as a potential accomplice in Lex's schemes but ultimately turning against him. In key events like the Amazo Virus outbreak in Justice League (vol. 2) #41 (June 2015), Lena shoots Lex and uses a Fatherbox to teleport them to Apokolips during the Darkseid War, solidifying her as an ally to the Justice League despite her brother's manipulations. In Supergirl (vol. 6) #23 (August 2013), she mentors Kara Zor-El on navigating human ethics amid alien heritage, offering guidance drawn from her own experiences with family legacy and moral complexity. This era amplifies her businesswoman archetype, as she innovates survival technologies in high-stakes conflicts, further exploring the Luthor legacy's pull toward villainy and her resolute rejection of it.

Rebirth and current continuity

In the continuity launched in 2016, Lena Luthor's origins largely retain elements, depicting her as Lex Luthor's younger sister who developed a severe illness during their childhood in . Desperate to save her, a teenage Lex conducted unauthorized experiments in an attempt to cure the condition, but his efforts failed, leaving Lena paraplegic and wheelchair-bound while exacerbating the siblings' strained family dynamics and contributing to Lex's growing antagonism toward . She later established herself as a brilliant operating from a private laboratory beneath LexCorp Tower, focusing on ethical research and inventions as a counterpoint to her brother's criminal enterprises within the Luthor family legacy. Early in the Rebirth era, Lena became entangled in major events tied to her brother's schemes, including the accidental release of the Virus during a confrontation with , which highlighted her role as both a victim and enabler in Lex's world. She also intervened dramatically during the by shooting Lex and using a Fatherbox to transport them to , underscoring her strategic intellect and conflicted loyalty to her family. In the "City of Bane" storyline concluding around 2020, Lena confronted Lex amid the chaos of his alliance with Bane's regime, navigating her position between redemption and familial obligation. By 2023, in Superman #7, she reappeared alongside the reintroduction of Lillian Luthor, exploring deepened family tensions and her efforts to distance from Lex's manipulative legacy within the . In Superman: Son of Kal-El #12 (2022), Lena featured in explorations of Lex's impact on the Superman lineage. A significant shift occurred in the Supergirl (2025-) series (as of November 2025), reimagining Lena as Lex's adult daughter rather than his sister, emphasizing her vulnerability and drive for from his shadow; in issues #3-4, she teams up with to expose and defeat a Midvale-based Supergirl impostor (Lesla-Lar), forging a pivotal alliance that showcases her emotional depth and collaborative heroism. Subsequent issues, such as #5, depict Lena joining the Super-Pets to defend Midvale while Kara handles threats, and #6 further develops her alliance amid Kara's internal struggles. This partnership evolves into the "El-Luthor merger" teased in 2025 solicits, positioning Lena as a key ally against cosmic threats while she reconciles with her father during holiday encounters in upcoming stories. Lena possesses no superhuman abilities, relying instead on her genius-level intellect, expertise in advanced technology, and inventions such as neural inhibitors to contribute to heroic efforts. In current Prime Earth continuity as of November 2025, she serves as a redeeming figure within , balancing her Luthor heritage with strategic alliances that promote ethical innovation and redemption, particularly through her evolving role in the Supergirl series.

Alternate versions

Children's and humorous adaptations

In the children's comic series Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade (2008–2011), written by and illustrated by Art Baltazar and Franco, Lena Luthor appears under the alias Lena Thorul as a middle-school classmate and close friend of Kara (). This non-canon adaptation targets young readers, portraying Lena as a brilliant but socially awkward girl with no antagonistic ties to her brother , emphasizing themes of friendship, school challenges, and lighthearted superhero antics. The series avoids her traditional villainous heritage, instead focusing on innocent adventures like rivalries with classmates and team-ups against minor threats; for instance, in issue #4 (April 2009), Lena discovers Kara's , initially reacts with anger, but ultimately aids in rescuing fellow students from a rampaging Streaky the Supercat. A humorous take on Lena appears in the animated parody Robot Chicken DC Comics Special 2: Villains in Paradise (2014), where she is reimagined as Lex Luthor's teenage daughter in a satirical sketch about family dysfunction and teen rebellion. Voiced by , Lena runs away from her controlling father to join and the on a beach vacation, leading to comedic clashes between the and heroes, including a Grease-inspired musical number highlighting her awkward Luthor family dynamics. This out-of-continuity segment exaggerates superhero tropes for adult humor while poking fun at Lena's relational tensions with Lex.

Elseworlds and multiverse variants

In the Bombshells United series (2017–2019), an alternate version of Lena Luthor is depicted in a World War II-themed narrative as Lex Luthor's sister and a cosmonaut. Exiled to by her brother, she returns to Earth leading Apokalyps forces in an invasion, seeking revenge. On Earth-11, a gender-swapped universe within the DC , Lena Luthor appears as a prominent criminal figure, reflecting the reality's reversal of traditional gender roles for major characters. This variant embodies the Luthor family's antagonistic legacy, operating as a key adversary in a world where societal norms and identities are inverted.

In other media

Live-action adaptations

In the television series , which aired from 2001 to 2011, portrayed Tess Mercer, a character later revealed to be Lutessa Lena Luthor, Lex Luthor's half-sister and Lionel Luthor's illegitimate daughter. Introduced in season 8 as the CEO of LuthorCorp, Tess initially served as an antagonist, acting as Lex's protégé and clashing with Kent over corporate control and hidden agendas. Over seasons 8 through 10, her arc evolved significantly; upon discovering her true heritage and Lex's manipulations, she distanced herself from the Luthor legacy, becoming a key ally to and aiding in his journey toward becoming . The most prominent live-action portrayal of Lena Luthor occurred in (2015–2021), where Irish actress played the role from season 2 through the series finale in season 6. Depicted as Lex Luthor's younger half-sister and the founder of L-Corp (rebranded from the tarnished LuthorCorp), Lena starts as a brilliant inventor and ally to (Kara Danvers), seeking to redeem her family's name through ethical technology. Her character arc deepens in later seasons when she learns Kara's secret identity, leading to a profound sense of betrayal that drives her to develop and deploy Kryptonite-based weapons against aliens, temporarily aligning her with anti-heroic and villainous tendencies. Ultimately, Lena redeems herself by confronting her brother's influence and reconciling with Kara, culminating in her integration into the superhero team in the series finale. Lena Luthor's role extended into Arrowverse crossovers, showcasing her moral complexity across multiple series from 2017 to 2020. McGrath reprised the character in the 2018 "Elseworlds" event, appearing in the Supergirl installment where she assists in combating reality-warping threats orchestrated by the villainous John Deegan. She also featured prominently in the 2019–2020 "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover, evacuating civilians from Earth-38 alongside Supergirl and navigating multiversal chaos in episodes of The Flash and mentions in DC's Legends of Tomorrow, highlighting her shift from isolation to collaborative heroism. In (2021–2024), Lena Luthor does not appear directly; however, season 4 introduces Elizabeth Luthor as Lex Luthor's estranged daughter, portrayed by , representing a distinct family member in this continuity rather than an adaptation of the traditional Lena character. Elizabeth, who seeks to escape her father's shadow while pregnant and directing an episode she guest-stars in, underscores ongoing themes of Luthor family dysfunction without overlapping with prior Lena portrayals.

Animated adaptations

Lena Luthor first appeared in the DC Super Hero Girls multimedia franchise, initially in the 2015 web series and associated direct-to-video specials, where she was established as the younger sister of Lex Luthor and a cunning antagonist with a genius for robotics and invention. In the 2016 special DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year, voiced by Romi Dames, Lena poses as a tech-savvy ally to the Super Hero Girls while secretly plotting against them, using her inventions to undermine Supergirl and her friends at Super Hero High. She escalates her role as the primary villain in the 2017 special DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games, where she deploys her creation, the Kryptomites—mischievous, crystalline creatures powered by kryptonite—to sabotage an intergalactic competition and seize control from the heroes. These appearances portray Lena as a spoiled, intellectually superior foil to the protagonists, often allying with other villains like her brother Lex to advance her schemes. The character returned in the 2019 animated television series (2019–2021), now voiced by , continuing her depiction as Lex Luthor's antagonistic sibling and a recurring foe to the teenage Super Hero Girls. In this iteration, Lena is reimagined as a bratty high school student and tech prodigy who frequently clashes with the heroes through elaborate gadgets and alliances with the , emphasizing her role in youthful, exaggerated conflicts at Sweet Justice high school. Her arcs highlight themes of and villainous ingenuity, with episodes like "#SweetJustice" showcasing her initial infiltration and betrayal of the group. In the satirical anthology Robot Chicken DC Comics Special II: Villains in Paradise (2014), Lena Luthor was voiced by and depicted in a comedic sketch as Lex Luthor's , serving as an intern at the Hall of Doom during under a arrangement. The segment humorously portrays her as the punchline, fumbling through villainous tasks like duties while enduring Lex's domineering presence, poking fun at Luthor dynamics in a of domestic tropes.

Video games and digital media

Lena Luthor serves as the primary antagonist in the 2021 video game DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power, a platforming adventure developed by Grumpy Rhino Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. In the game's narrative, set within the DC Super Hero Girls universe, Lena orchestrates schemes involving gadget-based inventions and school disruptions to oppose the titular heroines, integrating her inventor archetype from the comics into interactive missions that emphasize puzzle-solving and combat. Voiced by Cassandra Lee Morris, she appears as a non-playable character who drives the plot toward a climactic confrontation as the final boss. In (2018), developed by and published by Interactive Entertainment, Lena Luthor appears as a supporting figure in storylines tied to the Luthor family legacy, where players can customize her as an inventor ally using the game's character creator tool to build gadgets and participate in open-world villainous activities. Her role highlights family dynamics with , allowing for narrative integration in missions focused on technological schemes against the .

Miscellaneous appearances

Lena Luthor has made several appearances in non-traditional media formats, including novels, audio productions, parodies, and promotional shorts, often highlighting her complex to and her occasional telepathic abilities. In the 2020 tie-in DCeased: War of the Undead Gods, a variant of Lena emerges as an undead antagonist, reflecting the horror-infused multiverse narrative. In Harley Quinn Season 5 (premiered January 2025), Lena Luthor, voiced by , appears as a threat alongside her brother and other villains like Brainiac.

References

  1. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Lena_Luthor_(Prime_Earth)
  2. https://comicsalliance.com/crash-course-lena-luthor-supergirl/
  3. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Lena_Luthor_I_(New_Earth)
  4. https://bleedingcool.com/comics/lex-luthor-family-expands-superman-850-spoilers/
  5. https://www.dc.com/comics/supergirl-2025/supergirl-2025-3
  6. https://www.comics.org/issue/16116/
  7. https://comicsarcheology.com/index.php/2020/08/19/lois-lane-23/
  8. https://comicsarcheology.com/index.php/2020/08/22/action-comics-295/
  9. https://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2016/08/back-issue-box-action-comics-295-lena.html
  10. https://tombrevoort.com/2023/07/16/wc-action-comics-317/
  11. https://comicsarcheology.com/index.php/2022/04/26/superman-family-213-214/
  12. https://www.writeups.org/lena-thorul-dc-comics-lex-luthor/
  13. https://www.comicsalliance.com/crash-course-lena-luthor-supergirl/
  14. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Justice_League_Vol_2_35
  15. http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2017/05/
  16. https://www.dc.com/comics/action-comics-2016/action-comics-1000
  17. https://bleedingcool.com/comics/full-dc-comics-june-2025-solicits-batman-superman-absolute-wonder-woman-titans-justice-league/
  18. https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comic/7168677/supergirl-7
  19. https://www.comics.org/issue/17286/
  20. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Lena_Luthor_II_(New_Earth)
  21. https://superman.fandom.com/wiki/Lena_Luthor
  22. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/lena-luthor/4005-36776/
  23. https://supergirl.tv/forum/lena-lex-s-mother-are-about-to-be-re-introduced-in-superman-comic-very-different-takes-from-supergirl
  24. https://www.dc.com/comics/superman-son-of-kal-el-2021/superman-son-of-kal-el-12
  25. https://comicbookclublive.com/2025/09/09/dc-comics-preview-supergirl-5/
  26. https://www.patreon.com/posts/supergirl-6-kara-141550015
  27. https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/dc-comics-june-2025-solicitations/
  28. https://screenrant.com/supergirl-arrowverse-lena-luthor-comics-canon-comparison/
  29. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Lena_Thorul_%28Cosmic_Adventures%29
  30. https://www.skjam.com/2020/09/20/comic-book-review-supergirl-cosmic-adventures-in-the-8th-grade/
  31. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Supergirl:_Cosmic_Adventures_in_the_8th_Grade_Vol_1_4
  32. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Robot_Chicken_DC_Comics_Special_2:_Villains_in_Paradise
  33. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Robot-Chicken-DC-Comics-Special-II-Villains-in-Paradise/Lena-Luthor/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3578794/
  35. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Bombshells_United_Vol_1_17
  36. https://dc-microheroes.fandom.com/wiki/Lena_Luthor_%28Earth-11%29
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279600/characters/nm2336905/
  38. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2336905/
  39. https://screenrant.com/smallville-tess-death-return-bad-worst/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2692146/
  41. https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2021/04/20/Katie-McGrath-Lena-Luthor-Supergirl-Superfriends-The-CW/9211618935120/
  42. https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/03/12/supergirl-lena-luthor-is-not-your-villain
  43. https://www.tvline.com/previews/supergirl-series-finale-preview-katie-mcgrath-jon-cryer-1234741545/
  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8883894/
  45. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/crisis-earth-x-supergirl-flash-arrow-legends-tomorrow-crossover-1061277/
  46. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64873196/
  47. https://comicbookclublive.com/2024/10/07/superman-lois-invents-a-brand-new-daughter-for-lex-luthor/
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6869644/characters/nm1689615
  49. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/DC-Super-Hero-Girls-2019/Lena-Luthor/
  50. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/DC-Super-Hero-Girls-Teen-Power/Lena-Luthor/
  51. https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-dc-super-villains/Characters
  52. https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/dceased-war-of-the-undead-gods-2022/dceased-war-of-the-undead-gods
  53. https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/hbo-max/season-five-max-original-adult-animated-series-harley-quinn-debuts-january-16
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