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The WB dramaSmallvilletells the story of Clark Kent (Tom Welling) before he turns into Superman, and while there are many fascinating characters, the Red Queen is one of the best. The TV series was so popular that it begs the question ofwhether DC should come back to Smallville. As the pilot episode explains, Clark shows up in the small town of Smallville after a meteor shower and when he is a teenager, he learns about his powers. Throughout the show’s 10 seasons, Clark gets to know Lex Luther (Michael Rosenthal) and develops feelings for both Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk). When he finishes high school, he works at theDaily Planetand falls in love with Lois Lane (Erica Durance).
Clark’sSmallvillejourney is always entertaining and full of secrets and mysteries. One of the biggest mysteries onSmallvilleis the identity of the Red Queen.
Who Is The Red Queen On Smallville?
Martha Kent (Annette O’Toole) is the Red Queen onSmallville. She has great character development because while at first she simply seems to be a caring parent to Clark, she is revealed to have another identity. She finds her purpose when she learns about Checkmate, the government agency that looks for superheroes and metahumans who are part of the Justice Society of America and the Justice League. Martha knows that she must keep Clark safe, which becomes even more imperative whenClark briefly loses his powers.
When Does Clark Kent Find Out That Martha Kent Is The Red Queen?
Martha’s time as the Red Queen is her biggest arc onSmallville. She also has a prop that is associated with her character. The Red Queen often leaves a red chess piece where she goes because Amanda Waller’s (Pam Grier) alias, the White Queen, uses a white chess piece.
Miles Millar, Alfred Gough
Cast Members
Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kruek, Sam Jones III, Eric Johnson, Annette O’Toole
10
Where To Watch
Hulu
AlthoughClark doesn’t become Superman for 10 seasonsofSmallville, that was a smart choice since the TV series is a clever and moving coming-of-age story. Martha’s time as the Red Queen is an important part of Clark’s transformation into Superman and serves as a reminder that there are always going to be dangerous outside threats to his abilities.
What Happens To The Red Queen?
Martha Kent/The Red Queen goes through a lot inSmallville, starting with the death of her husband Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) in season 5. Jonathan wins the Senate election and has a heart attack right after. Martha replaces him in the Senate and, in season 6, she begins living in Washington, D.C. Martha always knows how to inspire and motivate Clark, like when she tells him:
“Clark, you don’t need a suit the be the world’s hero.”
In season 9, Martha Kent turns into The Red Queen so she can keep Clark away from danger.Smallvilletells Clark’s origin story before he truly becomes Superman and marries Lois Lane, which leads intothe events ofSuperman & Lois. The Red Queen’s biggest mission is to search for the Book of Rao, which can force Kryptonians to leave Earth and live on a different planet. She gets the book from Kryptonian soldier Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman) and most importantly of all, she makes sure that Martian Manhunter (Phil Morris) ruins the Kandorian DNA. Now that Clark has the Book of Rao, he has armor against the Kryptonian clones.
Clark Kent’s Powers In Smallville:
In season 10 ofSmallville, Martha/The Red Queen helps overturn the Vigilante Registration Act, which is another threat to Clark Kent. As Martha says:
My father always said ‘life only asks of you what you’re able to handle.’ Sometimes we can’t do it on our own. That’s why we need to join together in this crusade like a family. So that our united strength shines through the darkness like a beacon."
Martha comes back for theSmallvilleseries finale when Lois and Clark get married. She also wants the couple to have the Kent farm deed in the season 10 episode “Kent.” While Lois and Clark are both moved and flattered by this decision, they know that the best place for them is Metropolis. Most importantly, Martha/The Red Queen gives Clark a suit that has the House of El emblem on it.
Just likethe end of Lana Lang’s arc onSmallville,Martha Kent/The Red Queen’s ending is satisfying. Superman’s suit is, of course, iconic and shows up in every variation of the character. For instance,Superman wears a black suit inJustice League. Martha Kent/The Reed Queen gives Clark Kent a suit that is blue and red, which is the costume that everyone knows.
The Red Queen In DC Comics
The Red Queen in DC Comics is named Edith Wells, whose sister Ainsley is friends with Barbara Gordon (Batgirl). Whilethe Bagirl movie was canceled, she is still an important character, and the Red Queen is a memorable villain in the story. The Red Queen battles Batgirl with nanotechnology in order to get revenge for Ainsley’s tragic death.
