The pilot of the TV series "Smallville" indicates that the writers intend on remaining true to much of the original back-story of Superman while at the same time exploring new possibilities for how this hero has evolved. For example, we see that the arrival of Kal-El onto the planet Earth has stayed true, but his relationship with Lex Luthor is different- Lex is tantalized as to who Clark is the moment that Clark saves him despite getting hit by the car nearly head-on.
Another interesting aspect to come from the arrival of Kal-El is the fact that a meteor shower could have hit the town at the same time, containing poisons from another planet that could produce mutinous affects on those from separate planets. Overall, "Smallville" keeps much of the same Superman flavor while adding a lot of other juices to it. The pilot indicates this and gets the audience excited as to how this story will unfold.
Another interesting aspect to come from the arrival of Kal-El is the fact that a meteor shower could have hit the town at the same time, containing poisons from another planet that could produce mutinous affects on those from separate planets. Overall, "Smallville" keeps much of the same Superman flavor while adding a lot of other juices to it. The pilot indicates this and gets the audience excited as to how this story will unfold.