How Superman & Lois Season 3 Proved Kevin Smith Wrong

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https://www.looper.com/1300812/super...-theory-wrong/

BY DANNY BOJIC/UPDATED: JUNE 4, 2023 2:07 PM EST

With the introduction of Onomatopoeia in Season 3, "Superman & Lois" once again set itself apart from the rest of the Arrowverse. Not only did the show prove it could bring obscure comic book characters to life, but it also proved Onomatopoeia creator Kevin Smith wrong in the process.

Onomatopoeia is a serial killer that targets non-powered superheroes like Green Arrow and Batman. He doesn't have any powers or abilities that set him apart from his prey, but the criminal speaks the onomatopoetic sound effects written in comic books, like "BAMF," "BOOM," or "THWIP." Onomatopoeia has his fair share of controversial appearances. Once, while in disguise, the villain managed to gain Batman's complete trust — weird enough already — and the Dark Knight admitted to them that he soiled himself while on patrol one night. It's all just incredibly bizarre.

In "Superman & Lois," Onomatopoeia (Daya Vaidya) is a sonic villain that mimics sounds, like gunshots and distressed civilians, to distract Superman (Tyler Hoechlin). In the show, the character is also depicted as a woman. The changes are straightforward, but they help bring Smith's serial killer to live-action, something he never thought possible. In a 2007 interview regarding Onomatopoeia, Smith said, "I think it works great in print and on a comic book page. I don't think that character would translate very well outside of that," going so far as to say it simply wouldn't work cinematically.

Onomatopoeia was a long time coming on Superman & Lois

Bringing a villain like Onomatopoeia to life on "Superman & Lois" was no small feat. As mentioned, even Kevin Smith, the character's creator, thought it was impossible to adapt them to live-action, but the series got it done. Interestingly, Onomatopoeia's arrival was suggested back in Season 1, but cracking the code on how to adapt the comic-based villain kept them from appearing until Season 3.

"Jai Jameson, one of the writers on staff, pitched Onomatopoeia very early season one," producer Todd Helbing told ComicBook.com. "It's a villain where, like, 'How do we translate that to television?' Right? We didn't have a firm [sic] grap on it right away. It took a while, but it percolated in all our minds. And then when we got to this season, it seemed to fit perfectly with what we wanted to do." Helbing suggested that their version of Onomatopoeia will have more depth than the ones fans read in the comics, saying, "So we certainly hope Kevin [Smith] enjoys it."

ComicBook.com eventually got a hold of Smith to get his thoughts on the character, saying his character's live-action introduction was a massive surprise to him. Although he's fought hard to ensure the villain isn't used without his involvement, "Superman & Lois" managed to include him without working with Smith. While he seems happy that Onomatopoeia is getting his time in the spotlight, he hopes the series properly credits him and Phil Hester, offering to direct an episode if the show continues using Onomatopoeia. "[I]f the character continues, I hope that they at least call me to direct an episode with Onomatopoeia in it. Because I have been [sic] know to direct stuff from time to time. Not well, mind you, but still."