2001: 'Smallville' Showcases Superman's Early Years
This day in 2001 marked the series premiere of Smallville, which chronicled the life of a young Clark Kent in the years before he adopted his alter ego, Superman. Originally launched on The WB, the show became a staple for the newly-created CW when WB and UPN combined.
The series starred actor Tom Welling as Clark Kent, and Kristin Kruek — now of CW's Beauty and the Beast — as Lana Lang. John Schneider and Annette O'Toole portrayed Jonathan and Martha Kent.
During the show's ten seasons it featured many characters familiar to Superman fans, including Lois Lane and Lex Luthor, along with members of the DC Comics' Justice League (including the Green Arrow, who's the focus of another new CW series, Arrow.)