Tales from the $2.99 Bin! - Superwoman #1

Next up for the month is technically the first love on Clark Kent’s life: Lana Lang. She was first introduced in Superboy #10 (1950). She was pretty much a Lois Lane copy right down the attitude of liking Superboy over young Clark Kent. She even had adventures with Superboy. In the Bronze Age, she came to Metropolis, became an anchorwoman, and even started a relationship with Clark. Things did change in the post-Crisis, though. She and Clark dated in their youth but he only cared for her like a sister. This led her to ultimately marry Pete Ross, Clark’s friend. She was also pretty much a normal lady.

Post-Infinite Crisis, the writers tried to fold her back into book by having her be CEO over Lexcorp. Then, the New 52 happened and she basically became an adventurer. She and Clark still had their past. She even became a superhero in the Rebirth era. The lady’s been everywhere in the media. I think my favorite version is from Superman: The Animated Series. I don’t know where Kristen Kreuk would be on that list, though. Maybe if she wasn’t so… “meh” in Smallville’s later seasons, me, my sister, Liz (she likes Smallville too), and plenty of Chloe/Clark shippers would like her more.

I did think about looking at Action Comics #597 since the cover is pretty funny, but I think I’m going to hit something more modern. Remember when I said that Lana was a superhero? Well, there’s a story behind that. At the official end of the New 52, that version of Superman died and somehow transferred his powers to New-52 Lois and Lana. They then got pulled into their own series called Superwoman. The first issue was written and penciled by Phil Jimenez. Matt Santorelli inked the issue. So, what happens when two of Superman’s loves get powers? Some unexpected stuff.

TV Talk - Smallville: "Delete"

Next up for the month is another love of Clark Kent’s. Unlike the rest on the list, she didn’t originate in comics. It’s Chloe Sullivan from the TV show, Smallville. Yes, she’s on the list since she was a supporting character for Clark. Plus, she eventually made her way to the comics for a bit, so take that, Internet Elite! I got all my bases checked!

Anyway, Chloe was pretty much a mainstay on the show. Other than Clark, she stayed on that show for over nine seasons (she was a guest star in season 10). She was the Lois Lane of that show before Lois showed up. She was a reporter at Smallville High’s newspaper and eventually the Daily Planet. She also filled other roles on the show too. She was Clark’s confidant, a hacker, a healer (she had powers for a while), a vessel for Brainiac, a crush for Clark Kent (and probably a better girlfriend than this show’s Lana), and an Oracle homage. She pretty much did it all except for get Clark’s powers since that would have been a little too far for the Chloe fans.

For today’s post, I’ll be looking at the Season 3 episode, “Delete.” At this point, a lot of stuff has happened. Clark’s and Lana’s relationship has gotten weird. Lex actually found out Clark’s secret, went crazy, and then had his brain screwed with in a mental hospital so he can’t remember it. Jonathan made a deal with the Old Testament God--- I mean, A.I. Jor-El that actually doesn’t come into play here. Then, there’s Chloe who had teamed up with Lionel Luthor to keep tabs on Clark earlier in the season. That did stop after a while, but things have been weird between Clark and Chloe. Lionel is also a bit of an ass, so Chloe’s not doing too well.

Superman Month - Time to Meet the Family and Friends

It’s another year and another Superman Month. He’s one of my favorite characters and has had many stories over these 80 years. While I’ve devoted a month to a few other things over the years, Superman (and martial arts) is one of the consistent topics. Every September, I try to have a certain theme for the month. Even when the theme is a bit vague, it’s kind of there. I don’t know what I was going for a couple of years back. I think the theme may have been “Divisive Works” or something since I looked at some things that folk are still divided over.

"Hey, what's Steve Harvey doin' back there?"

Last year, I looked at the many villains. This time, I decided to devote some time to another big aspect of Superman: the people in his world. It’s Family and Friends month. I’ll try to cover stories and episodes that look at Superman’s supporting cast as well as characters most associated with him. You may even see someone important from last year get a spotlight on his bald, shiny head. So, come around during the month of September, grab some of Ma’s apple pie, help Conner feed the cows, hang with Lana in the loft, and stay away from that Luthor boy. He’s been no good since he stole those 40 cakes, I tell ya!