Maxwell Lord

Though he may appear to be little more than a greasy businessman, the manipulative Maxwell Lord has been the ringmaster of the Justice League, the world’s greatest spymaster, and an apocalyptic threat to metahumankind.

Like many of the most successful and influential people in the DC Universe, Maxwell Lord IV was born into money. His father was the CEO of a highly profitable but morally suspect pharmaceutical company, and when he killed himself upon discovering that they were releasing carcinogenic products, his surviving son resolved to put the family coffers to better use.

With the aid of an alien computer he had discovered on his own expeditions, Lord took it upon himself to establish a new Justice League of metahumans and capable vigilantes: one which would not just represent America, but function internationally. Maxwell Lord also discovered that he possessed the ability to manipulate the minds of others. Unfortunately, the use of these powers came with a deadly side effect that aggravated a brain tumor, causing him to bleed from the nose and eventually leading to his presumed death.

After the events of Flashpoint, Maxwell Lord was reset to the position of Black King of Checkmate until a tousle with his longtime rival Amanda Waller rendered him her prisoner. Now in a customized cell designed to kill him should he use his powers without Waller’s command, an unwilling Lord waits…and schemes.

For more on Maxwell Lord's history, visit his page on DCUniverse.com.