"Smallville's" latest episode, "Bride," certainly ended with quite a punch to carry the series over into the new year, and the effects of those events will certainly be felt for a while to come. The principal impact however will be the introduction of a group of heroes from the DC future ... none other than The Legionnaires.

Saturn Girl (Imra Ardeen), Lightning Lad (Garth Ranzz) and Cosmic Boy (Rokk Krinn) will all join the series for the 2009 debut episode and will each arrive with a mission from Superman himself. Apparently the Man of Steel will send the trio back in time from the 31st Century to help resolve the current crisis in Metropolis, and while there, will also help Clark take another step closer to his destiny.

Of course this is not the eighth season's first foray into the larger DC universe as Maxima of Almerac already has been introduced and the Justice League are making their presence known in a somewhat semi-regular presence. Both have helped push Clark Kent towards becoming Superman. And like those characters, the Legionnaires will also don a contemporary variation of their comic book attire.

?Legion? was written by Geoff Johns and will air Jan. 15.

"Smallville" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.

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