ComicMix has a report up about the departure of Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor from the CW television series “Smallville.” Two new villains will be introduced next year, including Doomsday, the powerful creature that killed Superman in the pages of the comic books. The other villain was unrevealed, but reported to be a female character with a background in the comics.
– Matt Price
“Smallville” creators and executive producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar are leaving the series, according to an open letter posted at comingsoon.net.
They thanked the people involved, and the fans, for their successful run on the show, which will return without the creators for an eighth season.
From the letter:
We are incredibly proud of our work on this show. We achieved what we set out to do. We never compromised our vision. We leave knowing that “Smallville” is the longest-running comic book based series of all-time. The show was featured on the covers of Rolling Stone, MAD magazine, TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly. The pilot had the highest-rated premiere in the history of the WB. Even in its seventh year it is still the #1 scripted show on the network. “Smallville” is watched by millions of people in hundreds of countries and in dozens of languages around the world.
– Matt Price
“Cure”– Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor in SMALLVILLE on The CW Network. Photo: Marcel Williams/The CW © 2007 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
According to a release from the CW, the long-running “Smallville” series, about Clark Kent as a young man, has been renewed for an eighth season.
Moviehole reports the eighth season is likely to be the series’ last, as Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) and Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang) are departing (but according to Moviehole, could show up in recurrring roles).
Moviehole also says — as reported by TV Guide – another series regular could go on April 17, an episode in which is said to feature a death.
– Matt Price
Over at Newsarama, a conversation with Dan Didio yielded this tidbit about my favorite Starman.
“2008 will see the return of James Robinson to the DCU in a very strong and positive way, and with James coming back, I can only hope that Jack comes back with him.”
Not to get all fanboy crazy, but….
HELLS YEAH! WOOOOOO!
Also included — Ethan VanSciver is insanely interested in doing Plastic Man work (possibly even in continuity?) and Smallville’s Chloe Sullivan, recently said to be appearing in the DC Universe proper, will not be appearing in the DC Universe proper.
– Greg Elwell
While I’ve been eagerly awaiting “Cloverfield,” especially following the brilliant shadow campaign at www.1-18-08.com, some other numbers have been thrown around on TV, trying to get us interested in a different countdown.
“The Sarah Conner Chronicles” (7 p.m. Sunday on Fox) hopes to restore glory to the faded Terminator franchise on the small screen.
So far, the concerns from my friends center on production values. Will the Terminator robots look cheesy? Will the special effects live up to the the movies? Will actress Summer Glau wear skimpy clothing for the Greg-happy-making?
OK, that last question is mine, but don’t you judge me!
Regardless, I’ll be interested to see if “Chronicles” can do for Terminator what “Smallville” did for the Superman movies - update a big-time series of movies that got progressively worse over time.
(Seriously, go back and watch “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” and try to stay interested. Lex Luthor’s nephew is Duckie? No way.)
Is anybody excited about this? I mean, at least it’s something new on TV that isn’t a reality show, right?
– Greg
God, I love that stupid joke.
But enough about that, here’s the scoop — “Smallville” fan-fave Chloe will be joining the DC Universe in Superman #674.
Now, before you purists get your Spider-Man Underoos in a knot, let’s look at the long history of comic book characters who have come from outside the comic book world.
1. Jimmy Olsen — Superman’s Pal, was not created for the comic book page, but rather for the radio (or “talkie box,” if you’re 200 years old). That’s right, kids — Jimmy was not in canon to begin with.
2. Firestar – This red-headed mutant was first drawn on a cel for animation before she made it to the Marvel Universe. She appeared on “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends,” taking the place of the Human Torch (who was tied up in legal limbo at the time).
3. Kryptonite — Superman’s greatest weakness also came from the Adventures of Superman radio show. That’s right, fellow nerds, all your base are belong to us. Nothing is what it seems. Black is white. Dogs sleep with cats. Talkies are going to ruin this business!
4. Harley Quinn — Dr. Harleen Quinzel, the femme fatale with a taste for homicidal clowns, first showed her pretty painted face in “Batman: The Animated Series,” long before getting her own series, she was working it on the small screen in one of the greatest cartoons in the history of man, ape, lizard or 8th dimensional imp.
What am I missing? Matt, I know you’ve got some science to drop on this. Let me know in the comments or lose me forever.
– Greg Elwell
