10 Times Lex Luthor Outsmarted Everyone
6. When He Cured Cancer
Back in the 1960s, Lex Luthor managed to switch things around to become one of Superman's best buddies. He did this by working out a cure for cancer during his most recent stay in prison. Superman was so shocked and impressed by this act; he abandoned his disdain for his enemy and embraced his friendship and trust.
Superman went so far as to testify on Luthor's behalf at his parole hearing, which resulted in his freedom. Everything seemed on the up and up, but this is Lex Luthor we're talking about, and he doesn't cure cancer just to cure cancer; he had other ideas.
The goal of his cancer-curing plot was to lull Superman into a false sense of security, and that's exactly what he did. When Superman was then lured into a trap by his new friend, he got blasted with a Kryptonite laser, killing the Man of Steel.
Yes, Superman died long before Doomsday "killed" him. Of course, this being comics, nobody stays dead for long, and even though Lex ended up in the Phantom Zone for killing the Man of Steel, he definitely won this battle when it happened. Supergirl ended his victory party a little early, but you can't say Lex's plan didn't work in the end.