Pete Ross was positioned asSmallville’s childhood best friend of Clark Kent from the beginning of the series. But his comic book story is very different from the series' adaptation. The most visual difference was casting Sam Jones III, an African American, to portray Pete Ross, who has been historically depicted as White in DC Comics.

Pete Ross And Clark Kent Were Not Always Best Friends

While Pete was Clark’s childhoodbest friend inSmallville, their relationship had it’s ups and downs. It escalated to the point of Pete occasionally taking advantage of Clark’s weaknesses, such as slipping some red kryptonite to be in his possession. This caused a rift between Pete and the Kent family for a while. But Pete redeemed himself by proving his trustworthiness in season 3 before his departure, when he endured violence to protect Clark. Pete to Clark:

“You think it’s easy keeping a lid on your secret? I’ve got to think about it every time we’re around other people to make sure I don’t slip. I’ve got to remember to say ‘meteor rock’ instead of ‘kryptonite’. And I always got to cover your unexplained exits.”

Not all of Clark’s childhood friends could hand knowing his secret. In the comics, Pete would learn about Clark’s powers but not reveal to him that he knew. Pete strove to protect Clark’s identity without him knowing. His loyalty was rewarded by the Legion of Super Heroes by being made an honorary member.Smallville’s Pete, however, revealed his struggle to keep Clark’s secret and the harm it caused him. While Pete in the comics remained Clark’s best friend throughout his life, Pete Ross from the series found the weight of Clark’s secret to be too much for him to bear, which negatively affected their friendship. It was a fear that Clark fought to avoid so that he wouldn’t lose his friends.

Pete Ross' Relationship With Lana Lang

The other major difference between these two versions of Pete Ross centers onhis relationship with Lana Lang. InSmallville, Pete expressed no romantic interest in Lana. He instead had a crush on Chloe Sullivan, who at the time had her heart secretly set on Clark. The comics, however, united Pete with Lana despite her brief romantic relationship with Clark.

In one version of the story in the comics, Pete would eventually marry and divorce Lana after the two have a son together, Clark Ross. Pete returned to Smallville to raise his son without Lana. It’s a different love triangle from the one in the series that if adapated would not have changed Clark’s romantic story. This storyline was scrapped with the introduction of Chloe as Pete’s crush. But the idea of Pete Ross possibly being a romantic interest for Lana and competing with Clark for her love would have made an exciting storyline inSmallville.

“I know my strengths. I’m more the power behind the throne, the guy behind the god. The one who makes it all happen.”

Considering the fact that Pete was aware ofClark’s vulnerabilities inSmallville, he could have used this to his advantage in an attempt to woo Lana. Using kryptonite, for instance, to level the playing field in relatively innocuous ways would have added more moments of levity to the drama series. This would also have changed the trajectory of what would become Lana’s tragic love story in the series.

That said, going with Chole Sullivan as a crush for Pete Ross instead may have been the best story decision for Lana rather than Pete. It is because of her tragic love life that she became motivated to save lives as a vigilante. Pete Ross' adaptation in Smallville may have diminished his potential relative to the comic book version. But his departure from theDCUseries led to the strengthening of Chloe and Clark’s relationship.