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Superman is an iconic figure known and worshiped by many. People can't go miles without knowing someone, no matter what ethnicity, who doesn't know the alien with the big red cape who came to watch over the planet as a savior. But what Smallville does, unlike many other interpretations of the big blue in other television incarnations, is ignore the prominence on Superman to give focus on "Clark Kent."

When "Smallville" first arrived in 2001, drawing an overwhelming eight million viewers for WB standards, the concept seemed new and fresh. No one had ever done a back story that followed Clark Kent through his early years and showed why he morphed into such a powerful symbol for justice. What also made Smallville a very distinct and unique source of the Superman franchise was that of Lex Luthor being introduced to Clark Kent during his early years. To see these two characters who quickly deteriorate from best friends to mortal enemies offers fresh air to the Superman mythos that enables the audience, both comic book fans and casual television viewers alike, to breathe in something new and invigorating.

One of the major points of Smallville is their ability to take the layers of minor DC characters and utilize their potential significance so they can add key elements to the Superman mythos, more so than they have in the comics. Lana Lang, who was portrayed as "the girl who had a crush on Clark" in the comics has a pivotal role in Clark's rise to Superman on Smallville. With the chemistry the two display on screen, it's as tragic as a Shakesperean drama to watch two characters who are madly in love with one another and know that they're ultimately not meant to be, as Clark Kent's only true love is Lois Lane and no interpretation can and should change that golden rule stamped on the mythos.

Pete Ross, another minor character in the DC comics, also has a depth to his substance as the first friend who figures out Clark's secret. Pete has this gnawing envy of Clark, always feeling that he's in his best friend's shadow, and whenever Pete attempts to shine through Clark acts as a lunar eclipse. But when Pete learns Clark's secret this gives him even more heartaches as he's constantly the target of Lex, Lionel(Lex's father) and other key antagonists/anti-heroes in the story that vie to discover the mystery that is Clark Kent.

Two new editions exclusively part of the Smallville mythos have ended up being as popular as the DC characters. Chloe Sullivan, a witty girl with a talent

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