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Clark’s Destiny [Smallville]

The FilmGuru — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:38:08 +0000

Over at DC Comics, they released this promotional image for the final half of the final season of Smallville on CW. Though I only watch the show on occasion these days, I have to admit that the iconic imagery is engaging. The Superman symbol behind Clark (Tom Welling) really stands out.

But it’s the reflection beneath him that gives me chills.

This is a great promo. It captures the spirit of the series that grabbed me in season one, the idea that this was the beginning of something amazing. Seeing Clark Kent as he developed his powers and began to learn about himself gave us new insights into Superman.

But, as the series continued to unfold, it turned away from canon and built its own Smallville mythos that had little to do with the comic books. Characters were introduced into Clark’s life way too early. Heroes and villains appeared who should never have existed before Superman. And, worst of all, the series made a fatal mistake of turning into a typical CW teen soap opera.

Even so, part of me wants to see how it all ends. As much as it pains me, I may have to start watching Smallville again just to see how this whole mess sorts out.

Click on the image for a larger version.

Smallville pics glimpse Justice Society [Smallville]

The FilmGuru — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:15:51 +0000

Hawkman (Michael Shanks) takes Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) down a notch in Smallville's upcoming "Absolute Justice." Photo from EW.com.

All right, this probably will sound like a complete reversal of everything I have ever said about the direction Smallville has taken over the past five (possibly six) years. Even so, I have to admit that I am actually excited and intrigued by what the show is planning for February.

Michael Ausiello from EW.com has posted pictures of Smallville’s upcoming “Absolute Justice” storyline. Check out his blog for pictures of Michael Shanks as Hawkman (beating up on Green Arrow), as well as a nice shot of Doctor Fate (Brent Stait) and Stargirl (Britt Irvin).

“Absolute Justice,” written by veteran comic book writer Geoff Johns, is a two-part story introducing the first superhero team, the Justice Society of America.

First appearing during the Golden Age of comic books, the Justice Society was saving the world with your grandpa back during WWII. Introduced in All-American Comics’ All Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940), the original Justice Society was conceived as the first big team-up of several heroes. Even though it’s been nearly 70 years since they debuted, with comic book continuity being what it is they never went to a superhero retirement community. There have been several rewrites over the past couple of decades to bring these Golden Age heroes into the modern world.

Of course, Smallville is notorious for its own rewrites of comic book lore. Case in point, there shouldn’t be a Green Arrow (or Flash, Black Canary, Aquaman or Cyborg) in this world before Superman arrives on the scene. So how will the show deal with the appearance of Golden Age heroes? That’s hard to say. Complicating matters is the inclusion of Stargirl, who is a modern-day counterpart of these Golden Age heroes — sort of a junior Justice Society member. How can she exist before there’s a Superman? If this is the Golden Age team (not a modern version), how can Stargirl be part of it? Is there time travel involved?

Despite the fact that Smallville continues to play fast and loose with comic book continuity, I am hopeful that “Absolute Justice” will be worth watching. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.

Wonder Twin powers, activate! [Smallville]

The FilmGuru — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:25:38 +0000

Over the years, I have gone from being a big supporter of the television show Smallville to being one of its biggest detractors. There comes a point in my ranting hysteria when the words I say no longer matter. And when that happens, they say that a picture that is worth at least a thousand words.

Ladies and gentlemen, from the upcoming Smallville episode “Idol,” I present the Wonder Twins:

Wonder Twins Zan and Jayna prepare to transform. Photo courtesy of Operation Save Clark Kent.

Yes, it’s Zan and Jayna, those beloved aliens that first graced the small screen in the 1970s in the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series The All-New Super Friends Hour. Zan, played here by David Gallagher, has the ability to transform into water and ice-related objects. Jayna, played by Allison Scagliotti (Warehouse 13), can transform into any animal.

Whether or not the Wonder Twins’ powers will remain the same on the Smallville series is debatable. Personally, I’m not sticking around to find out.

“Idol” will air November 13, 2009, on the CW.