Smallville introduced a generation of fans to Superman, and by extension, many other DC Comics characters. From Aquaman to Zatanna, the series had no shortage of guest stars, but the beloved Green Lantern was one prominent Superman ally missing for the entirety of its run. Luckily, the entire Green Lantern Corps debuts in the series’ follow-up comics, and in a stunning twist, Superman himself became Smallville’s first official Green Lantern.
The Smallville: Lantern miniseries – by Bryan Q. Miller, Marcio Takara, Ig Guara, Le Beau Underwood, Carrie Strachan, and Saida Temofonte – is a continuation of the TV series’ continuity, expanding the show’s mythos as it follow the young Superman’s first encounter with the Corps. As Clark Kent and Lois Lane exit a theater, they’re targeted by a mysterious green projectile – a Green Lantern ring.
Moving Lois out of harm’s way, Superman is inducted by the ring as it projects an image of his Lantern predecessor, Tomar-Re. The Xudarian leads Clark through the Lantern’s Oath before welcoming him to the Corps – making Clark Kent the debut Green Lantern of Smallville.
Smallville’s Comic Sequel is DC’s Most Interesting Alternate Universe
By the time Smallville: Season 11 ended, it turned out to be one of the most fascinating alternate universes within the DC Multiverse.
Superman Is A Natural Green Lantern In Most Timelines
Superman soon meets Green Lantern John Stewart, who tells Clark that he’s been assigned to Sector 2813 after the formation of a New Krypton colony by the Kandorians. With the Green Lantern Corps decimated, following Hal Jordan’s possession by Parallax, the rings now forcibly conscript recruits to replenish its ranks. However, after battling alongside the Corps against the Manhunters, Parallax, and the Yellow Lanterns, Superman convinces the Corps to seek only willing recruits from there on. Though his time as a Lantern was limited, it was as much a benefit to the Smallville fans as it was the Corps.
Superman and Green Lantern are two of DC Comics’ most powerful heroes, so it’s no surprise that fans have long marveled at the idea of the Man of Steel joining the Corps. After all, Superman has one of the strongest wills on the planet, and in some continuities, he was a potential candidate for Abin Sur’s replacement, before the ring chose Hal Jordan. Strong-willed in any universe, this iteration of Superman expertly wields the powers of the Green Lantern, giving fans a dazzling idea of the hero Superman could be should he ever join the Corps.
Kal-El Changed Smallville’s Lanterns Corps For The Better
While they may not have appeared during the show’s first ten seasons, the Green Lanterns brought a lot to Smallville’s comic book continuation of its timeline, and its version of Superman. Likewise, their induction of Kal-El of Krypton changed them for the better as well, with the Man of Steel inspiring them to be the heroes they’re meant to be. There’s plenty to love about this interpretation of Clark Kent, but this Superman’s time as a Green Lantern is undoubtedly one of the Smallville universe’s brightest moments.
