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The following story contains MINOR SPOILERS for the seventh season of "Smallville" on The CW.

How can your cousin be older and younger than you? On "Smallville," it's all a result of traveling from your home planet, according to SciFi Wire.

Kal-El's older relative Kara (also his cousin in the comics), who will be portrayed by Laura Vandervoort, was also sent from Krypton to Earth. However, when she reaches Smallville, she's actually younger than Clark. How does this happen?

"On Krypton, I was older than him," Vandervoort said during the recent Comic-Con International in San Diego, courtesy of SciFi Wire. "He was a baby. We were both sent to Earth, and I got trapped in suspended animation and didn't age. I come out of my ship looking for a baby, and see this 6-foot-3-inch beautiful man, and I don't believe that is him."

The age gap then becomes more of a generation gap, the actress said.

"It's an interesting dynamic because he's older on Earth, and I'm older on Krypton," she said. "On Earth, he is telling me how to control my powers and be human and respect people."

Since she was old enough to remember their homeworld, Kara will help Clark begin to better understand his roots.

"I am explaining Krypton to him, things he didn't even know about his mother, who I was very close to," Vandervoort said.

Signed to appear in seven episodes so far, the actress will probably be recognized by many viewers in her guest roles on other television shows including SciFi Channel's "The Dresden Files" and "CSI" on CBS.

How is she handling bringing a well-known comic-book character to life?

"I am just finishing the first episode 'Bizarro,'" Vandervoort said. "The first day I was shaking in my boots, literally. I was wearing boots. But I'm not in the suit. I come in something else, which you will see.

"She wants to fit in, so she puts on the short shorts and the belly shirts because she thinks that's what girls should be wearing, but she comes back to her own stuff."

"Smallville" will begin airing new episodes on The CW beginning Sept, 27, at 8 p.m. ET.

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