September 22, 2005 - There's a reason that Superman has been around for so long. It's partly due to the fact that he's such an adaptable character and partly because no matter what, we always need heroes; and as far as those go, Superman is one of the best. His adventures are epic, his villains classic, and his intentions always noble.

Smallville, the Big Blue Boyscout's latest television incarnation, is about to start it's fifth year - and in a market where most show's don't make it past their first seasons, that is certainly an achievement. Thus far the show has received very fine treatment on DVD and I am happy to report that the fourth boxed set continues the tradition.

The show's greatest strength lies in the fact that since it takes place in the early period of the Superman mythology, all of the characters and plot points have yet to come into their own. The show can milk certain relationships for all that they're worth; the most interesting being the friendship between Clark (Tom Welling) and Lex (Michael Rosenbaum). You get to watch as they struggle, wanting to be friends, but you know that their relationship is doomed. It's delightfut. The drama is upped this year as the foreshadowing of their rivalry is more apparent than ever.

In that regard, Lex steals the spotlight. You may come to see Clark, but you stay for Lex. Watching the young Luthor develop into the villain we all know he will become is the show at its best. Things only get better thanks to the excellent acting chops of Michael Rosenbaum; this guy knows when to keep it down and when it's okay to explode.

There is some good stuff with Clark as well. As the show develops it aptly pulls more and more from the Superman mythology, no doubt a contribution of Supervising Producer and comic book hotshot Jeph Loeb. This season we meet Krypto, a young incarnation of the Flash, and even an interpretation of Mr. Mxyzptlk. Hardcore continuity fans may have some problems with the show's version of these characters, but speaking as one of those continuity buffs myself, if you come in with an open mind you'll find that these characters give us some of the season's better episodes....