Smallville -

Smallville set the stage for the modern superhero TV genre, predating the Arrowverse and the MCU’s dominance.

The series followed a distinct evolution over its 217 episodes:

After the TV finale, the story continued in a comic book series titled Smallville Season 11 . smallville

The show featured appearances by legendary Superman actor Christopher Reeve as Dr. Virgil Swann, effectively "passing the torch" to Welling.

Initially Clark’s best friend, his tragic descent into villainy is a central arc. Smallville set the stage for the modern superhero

Smallville is an American superhero television series that aired for from 2001 to 2011 on The WB and later The CW. Developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the show reimagines the early life of Clark Kent ( Tom Welling ) before he officially becomes Superman. Adhering to the strict creative rule of " No Tights, No Flights ," the series focused on Clark’s coming-of-age journey, his relationships, and the development of his moral compass. Core Narrative & Phases

Clark’s loyal best friend and aspiring journalist (an original character created for the show). Virgil Swann, effectively "passing the torch" to Welling

Focused on Clark’s teen years in Smallville, Kansas, his first love Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), and his growing friendship with future nemesis Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum). Many episodes featured "meteor freaks"—individuals mutated by Kryptonite.