Potential superheroes

Over the years, the universe of Smallville introduced a number of benevolent metahumans, who are original to Smallville. While some of them (ex. Alicia Baker, Kyla Willowbrook, and Daniel Kim) passed away, most were merely forgotten about. However, the fate of these characters might have been hinted at by dialogue. In Absolute Justice, Part 2, Doctor Fate (who could see the future) informs Clark Kent that him becoming Superman (and people looking up at him in the sky) will lead to everyone embracing a Silver Age of heroism. In Continuity, Superman tells the world that the world's (benevolent) metahumans will always rise up to protect them. It is possible that includes the characters listed below. In some cases, they were last seen promising to use their powers for good (ex. Kyle Tippet), or were already using their powers to try and help other people (ex. Nick Yang, who saved Andrea Rojas from Lex Luthor's henchmen, and attempted to take down Level 33.1).

It should be noted that adaptations of DC Comics and Marvel Comics have a history of inventing their own superheroes (or creating new versions of existing ones, through elements like gender or race swapping): The Adventures of Superboy (1988-1992) created Hector Hornsby/Microboy. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997) created William Waldecker/Resplendant Man, Lois Lane/Ultra Woman, and Vixen (a super-powered android, who looked like a white woman. Instead of a black woman, using a magic totem). X-Men: Evolution (2000-2003) created Evan Daniels/Spyke and X-23. The Arrowverse shows (2012-2023) created a high number of their own superheroes: John Diggle/Spartan, Alex Danvers/Sentinel, Jefferson Jackson/Firestorm (technically, a pre-existing character, but Jefferson was not Firestorm in the comics), Sara Lance/White Canary, Curtis Holt/Mister Terrific, Thea Queen/Speedy (partly inspired by Mia Dearden), Ryan Wilder/Batwoman, and so on. Additionally, both Marvel and DC Comics have a number of superheroes (ex. Bloodwynd, Aurora, Tundra, Belphegor, and Sandstorm) and villains, whose real name was never established.

Smallville was centered on Clark Kent's journey, leading up to him becoming Superman, and ushering in the Silver Age of heroism, rather than taking place during said Silver Age. In their original appearances, Bart Allen and Arthur Curry were just two people with super-powers. They only developed their heroic personas in their return appearance, in the Season Six episode Justice. Had Smallville ended after Season Five, them becoming Impulse and Aquaman would have been an unseen event. Mia Dearden was a recurring character in Season Nine, but did not become Speedy until the Season eleven comic book series.

Note: this category also includes reformed villains (who are indicated to still have their powers), like Greg Arkin. And the Human/Kryptonian hybrid Max (who has the potential of one day developing Kryptonian powers). However, it does not include benevolent (metahuman/alien/magic) characters, who are deceased. Nor benevolent metahumans, who lost their powers (like Jordan Cross).