# Batman vs. Lex Luthor: Who is "smarter?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 26, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768 "2013-04-26T15:59:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Neo-Calredic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/96bed5/32.png) [@Neo-Calredic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neo-Calredic)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768/1 "2013-04-26T15:59:32Z")
Who do you think is “smarter”: Batman, or Lex Luthor? Personally, I think Luthor is likely superior when it comes to raw analytical power, but Batman easily trumps him when it comes to applied reasoning and tactics. In other words, Luthor probably has a higher IQ and does better with abstract reasoning, but Batman’s plans are, on the average, going to be way more successful than his. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768/2 "2013-04-26T16:03:05Z")
If you are talking Silver Age Luthor and Batman, then I agree with the above, as Luthor was a scientist/inventor. Post-Crisis Luthor is a Businessman/Crimelord, and his abstract thinking is considerably diminished IMHO. Post-Crisis Batman all the way. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768/3 "2013-04-26T16:30:09Z")
I’d agree with that assessment. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768/4 "2013-04-26T16:36:14Z")
The one time they really went head to head–“You can have the presidency or that (Kryptonite) ring, but not both”–Lex won. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768/5 "2013-04-26T16:52:59Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > The one time they really went head to head–“You can have the presidency or that (Kryptonite) ring, but not both”–Lex won. Admittedly, when the storyline calls for it, anyone can beat anyone at anything. In general, though, we are talking about someone who, when he wants backup, has the Joker [you know, the unpredictable psychotic?] on speed-dial. Not known for good choices. And… I haven’t been following since the last reboot. Anybody know if the situation is different today? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768/6 "2013-04-26T16:58:08Z")
Do you judge intelligence by theory or evidence? By all evidence, Batman is smarter: his plans reliably succeed, whereas Lex’s are generally thwarted. Lex at this point ought to consider a change of career; Batman should continue being the dangerous lunatic he always is. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768/7 "2013-04-26T17:02:03Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Admittedly, when the storyline calls for it, anyone can beat anyone at anything. In general, though, we are talking about someone who, when he wants backup, has the Joker [you know, the unpredictable psychotic?] on speed-dial. Not known for good choices. > > And… I haven’t been following since the last reboot. Anybody know if the situation is different today? Grant Morrison has been holding Luthor almost exclusively in Action Comics. I haven’t seen Batman and Lex meet in the New 52 yet, but I don’t follow the Justice League closely. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batman-vs-lex-luthor-who-is-smarter/656768/8 "2013-04-26T17:13:38Z")
Define “smarter”. Current Batman is a Sherlock Holmes type nowadays, capable of great leaps of logic in the very focused area of crime analysis. Luthor is not even the pre-crisis evil genius polymath, his thing is pretty much sheer willpower and a charismatic personality with little time for morality… a Nietzchean Übermensch.