During our ongoing investigative reporting into the final season of Smallville, we knew it was integral to speak with the brains behind the operation: Executive Producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson. Over the course of the last decade, Smallville has shifted from its one-off episode style to an ongoing mystery into the world of Krypton‘s favorite son. This season the mysteries will be resolved.

While the Greeks had Zeus and Athena, in modern times we have our own mythology in the form of superheroes. Like epic poems passed down myths, Smallville illuminates Superman’s origins with dramatic flare. After fighting Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and Zod, you’d think Clark Kent would get a nice vacay. Instead, his hero’s journey will only really begin after the final episode is over.

Yesterday we spoke with Souders and Peterson about episode 200, Kristen Kruek and more. This time we’re talking with the producers about Clark’s legendary journey thus far and what they have in store for our Man of Steel. Note: This interview may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

The Flickcast: Smallville’s plot structure has evolved from being a “Freak of the Week” structure to having an ongoing mythology. Can you describe why the choice was made?

Kelly Souders: Well, I think anytime you’re on the air for that long, you have to reinvent it. If not for just that we’d all get bored if we kept doing the same thing, but so that the fans have something new to grow with too. I mean ten years, you change a lot. We change a lot, each fan is going to change.

I think it’s evolving has a lot to do with it surviving. I think we tried to make the show as organic to real life as possible. If we don’t all change, find out new things about ourselves, or try to make changes within ourselves- the same thing would happen (to us) and we’d kind of stall out.

This week marks a pretty big event for the gang over at Smallville as they encounter the Justice Society of America for the first time. Granted, this isn’t the first time other DC superheroes have made it onto the show, with characters like Green Arrow, Aquaman, Black Canary, and others joining in the fray from time to time. With all those characters making appearances in the past, there’s still something even more special about this week’s two-hour episode.

While this season has brought up some interesting plots including Braniac, the Legion, Metallo, and others, this coming event, written by Geoff Johns, seems to take the cake. From Kryptonsite:

A man named Sylvester Pemberton tracks down Chloe (Allison Mack) and tells her he knows about her team of superheroes and needs their help. However, before he can explain who he is, he is attacked and killed by Icicle (guest star Wesley Macinnes). Clark (Tom Welling) and Chloe’s (Allison Mack) investigation leads Clark to the former headquarters of the Justice Society of America where he meets up with Nelson AKA Dr. Fate (guest star Brent Stait), Carter Hall AKA Hawkman (guest star Michael Shanks) and Courtney AKA Star Girl (guest star Britt Irvin).

Courtney pleads with Hawkman and Dr. Fate to help her catch the killer that is targeting their group but they are reluctant to resume their duties as superheroes. Clark, John Jones (guest star Phil Morris), Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) and Chloe team up to help the JSA stop Icicle before he murders another member of the group. Meanwhile, Lois (Erica Durance) receives a package from a mysterious agency called Checkmate, run by Amanda Waller (guest star Pam Grier).

Check out two exclusive clips from Smallville: Absolute Justice and be sure to watch the entire two-hour event this Friday at 8/7 Central on the CW.

As we reported a few weeks back, the gang on Smallville will be getting another big surprise from the DC Universe, after Metallo and General Zod already made appearances this season. It was announced that members of the Justice Society, Hawkman, Dr. Fate, and Stargirl would be making appearances, with DC superstar Geoff Johns writing the episode.

Later, it was announced that Hawkman will be played by Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson of TV’s Stargate franchise), Brent Stait (Stargate Atlantis) will play Doctor Fate, and Britt Irvin (ABC’s V) will play Stargirl. We’re now getting our first glimpse at the costume for Michael Shanks’ Hawkman, and it’s quite impressive.

From Impulse’s red hoodie to Green Arrow’s green hoodie, Smallville has been quite infamous for taking beloved costumes and “updating” them for their universe. That theory has been put to shame this season with Brian Austin Green’s Metallo make-up and Clark becoming even closer to wearing his blue and red spandex.

Check out the full Hawkman screen cap after the break and catch Smallville on The CW every Friday at 8/7C.

Superstar comic writer Geoff Johns is returning to the Smallville set this January, penning an episode which introduces the Justice Society of America to the long-running CW show.

Late last night, IGN revealed who will be playing the three members from the JSA appearing on the show, most of whom are Stargate alums. Hawkman will be played by Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson of Stargate fame), Brent Stait (Stargate Atlantis) will play Doctor Fate, and newcomer Britt Irvin will play Stargirl.  Johns created Stargirl in the pages of the JSA comic that he helped relaunch with FlashFoward co-creator David Goyer.

Previously, Johns wrote for the show last season, introducing the Legion of Superheroes. Currently, Johns is consulting producer on the Flash movie and is co-writing the screenplay with Jonny Quest writer Dan Mazeau. He’s also a producer on the Adult Swim show Titan Maximum which is brought to us by the guys behind Robot Chicken.

In the comics world, Johns is currently the man behind the Blackest Night event, and is bringing Barry Allen back to the Flash world in Flash: Rebirth.  He was voted Best Comic Book Writer at Spike TV’s Scream Awards, according to his Twitter.