People fall under two categories: Superman people and Batman people. Superman people can like Batman and Batman people can like Superman, but they can’t like them equally. Being a Batman person myself, I’ve shrugged off anything dealing with Superman. The only reason why I watched Superman Returns is because it had been a long time since the Man of Steel appeared on the big screen. Like all other Superman films, it was okay. So my enjoyment of Smallville is rather surprising. While building on the Superman mythology, Smallville creatively mixes elements from The X-Files and Dawson’s Creek.

I had ignored the show until now since it was marketed towards the teen demographic. Yet through the wonders of DVD, I’ve come to embrace the people of Smallville. The early years of Superman are far more intriguing than the later ones.

Twelve years after a meteor shower hits Smallville, a young Lex Luthor arrives into town. While driving recklessly in his Porsche, Lex crashes into a river but is saved by a teenage Clark Kent (Tom Welling). Thus, beginning Clark’s destiny.

The wonderful thing about the show is that it really focuses on Clark Kent rather than Superman. The films and television adaptations have Superman at center stage. In Smallville, Clark is just your typical teenager…with powers of course. Most of his powers, however, remain untapped. Series developers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar smartly limit Clark to super speed and super strength, latter adding X-Ray vision. No flying, laser beams or freeze breath yet.

Borrowing from the X-Files, episodes are built around strange situations that occur around town, most of which involve green meteor fragments. Most of Clark’s foes are run-of-the-mill villains that are dispatched by a super punch. Clark’s greater challenges are in his relationships.

The coming-of-age aspects are integrated well, if you are able to forgive the high school clichés. Clark is in love with Lana Lang (Kristen Kreuk) but is unavailable since she’s dating the school jock. And yes, just like Dawson, Clark has a platonic friend who wishes to be more than friends.

Of course, if you’re an adamant Batman enthusiast who only has a taste for dark material, you’re not going to find much here. All the characters are unbelievably wholesome. A lot of the dialogue is borderline Disney. In one episode, when Clark gets a chance to spend time with Lana, he utters “this is the best non-date I’ve ever had.”

The show is also riddled with Christian imagery. The first episode has Clark tied up in a corn field with a meteor rock around his neck—a semi crucifixion. And when in a cemetery, Clark always seems to be positioned in front of an angel statue.

Despite the idealized setting and cliché’s, Smallville does some great things. By limiting powers and adding typical high school situations, Superman becomes more relatable; something than many of the films have difficulty with. Let’s face it, Superman is a supreme being. Not only does he have the greatest powers but he’s also flawless in his morals.

Lex Luthor, played brilliantly by Michael Rosenbaum, is used as foil but isn’t the evil man that we all know. He goes out of his way to help Clark and his family. His motives seem sincere yet something still doesn’t seem right. The show has great fun at hinting at what’s ahead for these characters. In the episode Hug, when Clark asks Lex if their friendship will ever dissolve, Lex replies, “Trust me Clark, our friendship is gonna be the stuff of legend.”

The ironic foreshadowing is in enough for me to keep watching.