6 Times Smallville Improved Superman Mythology (& 4 Times It Failed)

The effect of red Kryptonite in the Silver-Age comic books was entirely unpredictable. It might turn him into a toddler, or the next time it could turn his face in a mood ring. Yes, these are actual examples. One time it just gave him long hair and a beard. In the 1950s that was apparently considered just as bizarre. Smallville much improved upon this nonsense by having Red K operate as a drug that removes Kryptonians inhibitions and promotes aggressiveness.

The previous random effects could only be described as mystical or enchanted, and in no way along the same mostly science-based rules of traditional Kryptonite. It is supposed to be radioactive elements of the planet Krypton, and this particular radiation affects Kryptonians more acutely than humans. That is scientifically plausible, certainly for science fiction, as radiation really can poison people when at certain doses or variations. It follows that the normally resilient Superman would be more susceptible to the toxic effects of Kryptonian radiation, and becoming weak and sick would be a logical result. Turning into a puppet or a gorilla though...how is that supposed to work in scope of radiation's effects?

The show's new Red Kryptonite works much better in that it creates a consistent physiological change in Kryptonians, in this case it acts more like a drug than a poison. It also opened the door for Tom Welling to shed off Clark's upstanding morality for something more volatile. It was an inspired touch that has since been adapted into the comic books.