As one of the first mainstream superhero series of the 21st century, Smallville introduced fans to many iconic DC characters. Smallville followed Clark Kent on his way to becoming Superman, and the series set the ground for future DC universes like the Arrowverse to succeed.
After 10 years, the Arrowverse offers fans a wider, more complex universe than Smallville ever did. However, the Arrowverse still includes new versions of many of the same characters that Smallville's fans loved in 2001, like Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Oliver Queen, and even Lana Lang. Even if they aren't connected, it's impossible not to compare Smallville characters to their Arrowverse counterparts.
10 Lana Lang Isn't Clark's Girlfriend In The Arrowverse
Smallville introduces Lana Lang as Clark Kent's love interest from the very first episode. Portrayed by Kristin Kreuk, she's a smart and kind girl whose life is tied to Clark and Lex's rivalry. Although she and Clark care for each other, their relationship is doomed and she ends up leaving Smallville.
In the Arrowverse, Lana isn't a central character in Clark's story. Portrayed by Emmanuelle Chriqui, she's Clark's ex-girlfriend and friend who has been living in Smallville her whole life. Like Smallville's Lana, she's a smart, independent woman with a strong sense of justice.
9 Zod Has Appeared Twice In The Arrowverse
Callum Blue portrayed Major Zod in Smallville. The character, who appeared as a spirit in the fifth and sixth seasons, was the main villain in Smallville's ninth season. He was a younger version of Zod who wanted to conquer Earth using the Kandorian soldiers as his personal army. Ultimately, he was defeated by Clark and Oliver Queen.
Zod has appeared twice in the Arrowverse. First, Zod appears in the second season finale of Supergirl as Superman's Silver Kryptonite-induced hallucination. Also, Zod appears in Superman & Lois as a part of a mental trap that Tal-Rho uses to defeat the Man of Steel. So far, he's yet to appear as a main Arrowverse villain.
8 Brainiac 5 Isn't Morally Ambiguous In Supergirl
Smallville's fifth season introduced Brainiac as an ally to Zod. However, he reappeared in season ten as a new version of himself: Brainiac 5, a member of the Legion. Portrayed by James Masters, Brainiac 5 appeared in "Homecoming" as a ghost from Clark's past, present, and future to show him his destiny as Superman (among other things).
The Arrowverse version of Brainiac 5 is also a member of the Legion from the future. He first appeared in the third season of Supergirl as a time traveler stuck in the past, but he eventually chose to stay in National City to become a member of the Super Friends. He's played by Jessie Rath.
7 Tess Mercer Became Lena Luthor And Her Backstory Changed A Lot
Starting in Smallville's eighth season, Cassidy Freeman played Tess Mercer, Lex Luthor's mentee and acting CEO of LuthorCorp. Tess started as a villain on Lex's side, but soon became an ally for Clark and Oliver. In the tenth season of Smallville, it was revealed that Tess was Lena Luthor, Lionel's illegitimate daughter with Lex's nanny, Pamela Jenkins.
The Arrowverse first introduced Lena Luthor in the second season of Supergirl. Contrary to Smallville's iteration, Lena was never a villain. She openly worked against Lex's plans in an attempt to destroy him, even becoming a member of the Super Friends. Portrayed by Katie McGrath, Tess developed magical abilities in the sixth season after learning that her mother, Elizabeth Walsh, was a witch.
6 Jimmy Olsen Is More Than A Photographer In The Arrowverse
Jimmy Olsen was introduced in Smallville in the sixth season and was portrayed by Aaron Ashmore. He's a photographer working for the Daily Planet with whom Chloe has an on-and-off relationship. Although Jimmy dies in the eighth season of Smallville, it is revealed that he isn't the actual Jimmy Olsen from the comics, but his younger brother who inherited his camera.
Mehcad Brook plays James Olsen in Supergirl. He's an adult working at CatCo with Kara Danvers as well as Superman's best friend. In the first season of Supergirl, James is Kara's love interest, but this changes and they become best friends. James' search for justice prompts him to become Guardian, a vigilante who works alongside Supergirl.
5 Lex Luthor Is The Biggest Supergirl Villain
Smallville marks the introduction of a fan favorite live-action depiction of Lex, played by Michael Rosenbaum. Lex is originally Clark's best friend, but his obsession with the mysteries that surround the Kryptonian destroys their connection. A great deal of Smallville deals with Lex and Clark's fallout, establishing Luthor as one of Superman's most dangerous foes.
In the Arrowverse, Lex is a villain from the very beginning. Portrayed by Jon Cryer, he first appeared in Supergirl's fourth season. Lex was the main villain of the last three seasons of Supergirl as well as a key piece in the plot of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Contrary to Smallville's depiction, who is often morally ambiguous, the Arrowverse version of Lex is pure evil.
4 The Arrowverse's Kara Has Adjusted To Earth
During the sixth season finale of Smallville, the dam confining Kara Zor-El's ship broke, setting her free on Earth. Portrayed by Laura Vandervoort, Kara Zor-El became Kara Kent, one of Supergirl's iterations in the comics. Like Clark, she was never referenced as a Super. Instead, her arcs on the show revolved around her adjustment to Earth.
Nine years after Vandervoort played Supergirl, CBS created Supergirl, which was then purchased by The CW. The series, starring Melissa Benoist, follows a more mature version of the Maiden of Might, Kara Danvers. This Kara works as a reporter at CatCo while dealing with her secret identity as Supergirl. Vandervoort actually appeared on the show as Brainiac 8.
3 Lois Lane Is Still The Fiercest Reporter Out There
Erica Durance joined the cast of Smallville in the fourth season as Lois Lane. Lois arrived in Smallville to investigate her cousin's apparent death. Here, she became interested in journalism. Then, she met Clark and had a strong friendship with him before their feelings transformed into love.
The Arrowverse depicts Lois Lane (portrayed by Elizabeth Tulloch) as a well-established reporter who works at the Daily Planet. She's already married to Clark and, in Superman & Lois, they have two sons. Superman & Lois follows their lives in Smallville. Lois still works as a journalist who prioritizes truth above everything.
2 Arrow Kicked Off The Whole Arrowverse
Smallville's Green Arrow debuted in the season six episode "Sneeze." Already an established Star City vigilante, he became Lois Lane's romantic interest for a while as well as Clark's best friend. His character helped Clark to understand the need for superheroes. People loved Justin Hartley's portrayal of Oliver so much that he was offered the main role of a spin-off story, but he didn't accept it.
A year after this, The CW created Arrow with Stephen Amell as the lead. Arrow offered fans a different, more brooding depiction of the vigilante. Like Smallville's version, he was a rich kid who got stranded on an island where he learned and improved his archery skills. This version of Green Arrow was the first of many superheroes created for the Arrowverse.
1 Clark Fully Embraced His Role As Superman In The Arrowverse
For ten seasons, Smallville focused on Clark Kent's journey from adolescence to adulthood. Portrayed by Tom Welling, Smallville followed Clark as he grew up, came to terms with his own abilities, and also found his own way in the world. The series never referenced him as Superman, but it made it obvious that it was always his destiny to be the Man of Steel.
In the Arrowverse, Tyler Hoechlin plays an already adult version of Clark who has been working as Superman for years. Originally only a cameo in Supergirl, he landed his own show - Superman & Lois - that follows his life back in Smallville after his parents died. Superman & Lois isn't a Smallville spin-off, but it's a great show for fans who miss Clark's small town.