Quick LinksSmallville Made One Massive MistakeSuperman & Lois Also Failed With Super SpeedOnly One Show Offered a True Depiction

When it first debuted in 2001, Smallville promised to be something new. It was a full-scale origin story that would play out throughout 10 seasons. In doing so, it would offer a semi-serious depiction of Superman's story, which would share a generation of superhero movies and shows. Tom Welling would become a definitive Superman, despite never getting the chance to spend a full episode in a cape. Much of the show was actually dedicated to the famous "No Flights, No Tights" rule. While it was eventually twisted to allow Superman to finally fly, the showrunners generally stuck by that edict.

Because Clark was so young when the show began, he was also slow to develop his powers. He developed X-ray vision, heat vision, enhanced hearing, a cold breath, and everything else that the Man of Steel is known for.