10 Times Lex Luthor Outsmarted Everyone
8. When He Made People Question Their Faith In The Man Of Steel
Lex Luthor can't usually match Superman's might with force, so he's attempted other means in taking on the Last Son of Krypton. One of Superman's greatest strengths is his ability to perform miraculous feats to save people, which has endeared him to all of humanity—except for Lex Luthor, of course.
In Adventures of Superman #15, Lex came to the realization that while Superman may be able to save a bunch of people, he can't be in more than one place at a time. This realization launches a plan to create several disasters requiring Superman's help, but instead of doing it one at a time, he does them all at the same time.
It started with a tank breaking into the Metropolis National Bank, and when Superman confronts Lex in the tank, a bomb takes out a nearby damn. Superman rushed off to save people from that, but while that was happening, a young man named Mike was on the tracks about to be hit by a train.
Even though Superman heard Mike's calls for help, he wasn't able to save him. When he was later asked by a cop if he was tired of losing to Superman all the time, Lex told the officer that he considered it a victory if just one person lost their faith in the Man of Steel.
As the book comes to an end, Mike's brother is seen burning his collection of Superman memorabilia, suggesting Lex's plan ultimately worked, and one person lost faith in the Man of Steel.