'Smallville' Remains the Gold Standard for a Superman Series

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There Will Never Be Another Superman Series Like 'Smallville'

By Gregory Mysogland

Published Sep 22, 2023

Despite being influential, the DC prequel is also one of a kind.

Smallville set the stage for the surge in popularity of live-action superhero TV shows, but it remains fairly unique and unlikely to be replicated anytime soon.
The show's traditional broadcast TV format, with 20+ episode seasons and standalone "freak of the week" episodes, is a departure from the highly serialized approach of modern superhero adaptations.
Smallville's depiction of Clark Kent's flawed journey towards heroism and its handling of certain character dynamics have aged poorly, but the show still offers valuable inspiration for future superhero media.