Why You Should Watch Smallville: America Proves it Can Still Turn Out Superheroes

In a world of chaos, crime and inhumanity, sometimes the world calls out for a superhero. DC and Marvel comics have long known this, and they've introduced the world to a panoply of superheroes (and their villanous counterparts). From Spiderman and the X-Men to Superman and Batman, old-school comics showed heroes wrought with internal conflict, struggling to reconcile human-sized personalities with great power and the enormous responsibility that accompanies it.

When today's 20- and 30-somethings needed a hero to turn to, they only needed make a trip to the nearest comic book shop to make things right with the world again. The comic book industry needed a new way to get through to today's teenagers, however, and for them, the cinematic and televised lives of superheroes were born. The greatest among the superhero television genre is Smallville, which tells the story of Superman's teenage years as rural farm boy Clark Kent (played by Tom Welling).

Rounding out this comic world made flesh are Lois Lane (Erica Durance), Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), Clark's adopted parents (Annette O'Toole and John Schneider) and high-school sweetheart Lana Lang (Kristen Kreuk), in addition to some characters added just to make the show more interesting.

Staying true to its comic book origins, Smallville promotes truth, justice and the American way every week, as we see a young Superman rescuing the innocent, fighting malicious evil-doers, and constantly striving for the greater good. Add some other-worldly communication, a group of loyal friends, and all the politics of teenage life, and Smallville quickly transforms into a show to which anyone can relate - teenager, superhero or otherwise.

Smallville begins its sixth season September 28th. Season One introduced us to Clark Kent as he began high school and wrestled with the standard high-school things - winning the heart of the girl next door, whether or not to join the football team, and saving Smallville and the world at large from any number of individuals who had been affected by the meteor shower that had brought him to earth.

Born on the planet Krypton, Clark grows up with superpowers that only get stronger as he grows older. He's kept his powers a secret his entire life from everyone - his friends, strangers, but especially the Luthors, millionaires notorious for exploiting anyone they can. When Clark saves Lex Luthor from going off a bridge, the lives of the two are entwined forever.

Season Two saw the meteor freak theme taper out a bit, and revolves largely around Clark's interpersonal relationships with others. He constantly wonders if his secret will endanger those he loves, and he encounters some people who just might be okay with knowing the truth.

In Season Three, Clark finally wins his high-school sweetheart, only to find that being with her and keeping his identity secret is not as easy as he would have hoped.

Season Four introduced Lois Lane as a quirky foil to Clark, giving in-depth background into her character and family. In this season we see Durance nail the part of Lois Lane better than any actress before. Also in season four, we see Lana leave for France and become entangled in a family history drenched in magic and complexity.

Season Five introduced Milton Fine (also known as Brainiac) and revolves largely around politics and personal choices; the decisions that Clark has to make in this season are by far his toughest yet.

What will season six hold for our intrepid young stars? You'll have to watch to find out.