Every time Smallville foreshadowed Superman’s future

Superman (1948), Superman (1978), and Man of Steel (2013) all have one thing in common. They are all variations of Superman's origin story, showing him transform from Clark Kent, a farm boy in Kansas, to a reporter in Metropolis, and finally into the savior of the planet.

However, every origin story overlooks a crucial part of Superman's life: his teenage years. Superman wasn't always this unstoppable force; he was once a young boy in Kansas facing typical teenage problems, along with extra issues that came with being an alien. It was a time when he was figuring out changes in his body, including both hormonal shifts and his developing superhuman abilities.

That is the time Smallville explores. The series was created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and stars Tom Welling as Clark Kent. It was 10 seasons of a young Clark slowly marching towards the great Superman he would become one day.

Every time Smallville foreshadowed Superman's future.

Smallville follows the adventures of a teenage Clark Kent in his fictional hometown of Smallville, Kansas, before he donned the red and blue suit and became Superman. It explores his high school life, his complicated love life, and his friendship with his future nemesis, Lex Luthor.

The show drops many breadcrumbs for fans that foreshadow Clark's future as one of the greatest superheroes. They slip every detail like Clark tossing a football that turns into a cannonball, the flash of heat vision when puberty hits him, and a random emblem on an artifact that later becomes the most recognized symbol.

Smallville is a slow-burning origin story filled with winks and nudges, and here are some of the best ones that remind fans that their favorite farm boy was always meant to become the world's greatest superhero.

1) Clark's love for red and blue

Throughout the series, you will see Clark hinting at his love for red and blue, mostly through his wardrobe. In almost every episode, you will see him in a blue T-shirt or a red jacket. It's as if the boy had deliberately conditioned himself to choose red and blue for his future costume.

2) Puberty and heat vision

While other boys experienced acne, body odor, growth spurts, hair growth, and mood swings during puberty, Clark Kent faced additional symptoms. His heat vision activated when his teenage hormones were triggered after watching a steamy biology video in class. It was awkward and funny at the same time, but also showcased a great blend of his human and alien sides.

3) Lex Luthor and Clark Kent saga

We all know Lex Luthor as Superman's archenemy, but did you know that they were once besties? Smallville explored that idea, and it proved to be a successful one. Their early friendship was founded on mutual respect, and every disagreement laid the groundwork for their epic future rivalry.

Watching them drift apart slowly was like watching a tragedy that couldn't be saved. Their friendship will make you crave for the what-if, but the start of their rivalry answers all the questions about the past films.

4) Clark Kent hates flying

Before Superman made everyone wonder whether it was a bird or a plane in the sky, he was a teenage Clark Kent who suppressed his flying abilities. But now and then, fans would get a sneak peek when he would leap great distances, hover in the air while dreaming, and have alternate versions of himself from other universes fly through the sky. It was like the creators were saying, "Don't worry, he will get there eventually."

5) Kal-el and his Kryptonian heritage

Many instances in Smallville featured Kal-el's Kryptonian heritage, such as the Kryptonian symbols appearing throughout the town. The series made sure to show his Kryptonian side equally. They did it by making Clark discover things like the octagonal key or the Fortress of Solitude.

6) The famous "S" symbol

Before the famous "S" symbol got branded on Superman's chest and became one of the most recognizable emblems in the world, it was something that kept Clark up at night. In Smallville, the symbol was visible everywhere, on cave walls, Kryptonian crystals, and in Clark's mysterious visions. It was as if the universe was implanting the idea in his brain so that the future Superman would use it.

7) Clark was a superhero before Superman

Before Clark took on his secret identity as Superman and became the world's hero, he was already doing God's work in his teens. He saved friends from collapsing barns, stopped rogue trucks, and even fought meteors. All these acts proved that he was a hero long before he wore the cape, and foreshadowed the powerful protector he would become.

8) Clark was destined to be a journalist

Many kids develop interests in their future careers at a young age, and Clark Kent was one of those kids. Everyone knows that, besides being a world-class superhero, he was also a journalist for the Daily Planet in Metropolis. But not many people realize that he had a knack for journalism from a young age. Throughout Smallville, you will see him investigating mysteries, working with Chloe Sullivan's "Wall of Weird," and even collaborating with his future girlfriend, Lois Lane, on various assignments.

9) Training with Jor-el

Clark got his first taste of Kryptonian responsibilities through a series of holographic lectures from his biological father, Jor-El, in the Fortress of Solitude. These lectures served as life lessons that formed the basis of the moral compass and discipline Superman followed throughout his life.

10) Hello, Superman

In the series finale, all the foreshadowing finally paid off when Clark rips his shirt to reveal his iconic suit, embracing his identity as Superman. The moment felt like the crest of years of carefully planned predictions finally coming true.

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Everyone knows Superman's origin story, but few know the journey that led Clark Kent to become Superman. No one knows how a young boy discovered his superpowers and used them to become the greatest superhero of all time.

Smallville depicts the journey of how an awkward teenager became a legendary superhero. It features several hidden nods that make every fan smile, knowing what these would eventually lead to. It makes fans feel like they grew up with Clark and watched him grow from a small-town boy into a phenomenon.