Excitement is brewing among fans as new artwork showcases Tom Welling’s Superman and Laura Vandervoort’s Supergirl teaming up against Brainiac. This surge of interest comes as DC prepares for James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman film set to debut in July. Meanwhile, Welling and Michael Rosenbaum have been tirelessly advocating for an animated sequel series to Smallville. While this project waits for approval from Warner Bros. Discovery, intriguing fan art has surfaced, providing a glimpse into the potential adventures that could unfold in the beloved universe.
On Instagram, @buffy2ville brilliantly depicts a confrontation between Welling’s Superman, Vandervoort’s Supergirl, and James Marsters’ Brainiac. While this portrayal is in live-action rather than the animated form Welling and Rosenbaum envision, it vividly illustrates how Superman might appear after his brief stint in the iconic suit during Smallville‘s series finale. The artwork imagines a dramatic battle against Brainiac aboard his alien ship, hinting at exciting possibilities if the animated continuation of the series materializes.
Is Brainiac’s Return Essential for a Smallville Sequel?
A Legacy of Remarkable Villains
Brainiac stands as one of Superman’s most formidable adversaries, and his return in an animated Smallville sequel series would be both fitting and thrilling. In the show’s narrative, Brainiac was initially crafted by Clark Kent’s father, Jor-El, but was later corrupted by Zod. His menacing presence made life difficult for Clark under the guise of Milton Fine until the hero, alongside the Legion of Super-Heroes, managed to thwart him. After an unexpected twist, Brainiac was reprogrammed as Brainiac 5 and ultimately shifted from villain to ally.
This potential animated sequel presents numerous opportunities for Brainiac’s character to evolve. The heroic iteration may join forces with the Legion of Super-Heroes, perhaps facilitating a thrilling time-travel arc featuring Welling’s Superman venturing into an advanced future. Conversely, the original malevolent version of Brainiac could return, sporting a design more faithful to comic book lore, potentially featuring his iconic skull ship—a visual spectacle previously limited by the show’s budget. Possible storylines such as time travel, hidden contingencies by Zod or Lex, would all make room for a compelling return of Brainiac.
Our Perspective on Brainiac’s Return in a Potential Sequel
Should the Smallville sequel series come to fruition, it’s essential for us to see James Marsters reprise his role as Brainiac. The original series never presented a memorable showdown between Marsters’ Brainiac and Welling’s Clark Kent at the peak of their powers. An animated format would provide the perfect canvas to depict Superman in his iconic role, allowing Brainiac to flourish with a design faithful to his comic book roots, all while delivering high-stakes conflict with breathtaking intensity. Utilizing elements like time travel could effectively reintroduce Brainiac as a central villain, reigniting one of Superman’s most epic rivalries in the upcoming Smallville sequel.
Source: @buffy2ville/Instagram