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## HEADING: MEMORY LANE Smallville's Erica Durance is just the latest actress to play Lois, the Man of Steel's iron-willed girlfriend By Michael Davis D own through the de- cades, Lois Lane has changed almost as often as Clark Kent went to that Daily Planet broom closet. Now comes a new Lois in sultry Cana- dian actress Erica Durance, who plays her as an inquis- itive newcomer to Small- ville seeking answers to get answers, regardless of what is truth, justice and the American way. As it's been for more than 50 years of Superman Superman mythology that are many, thanks to a Double L. The differences between the Lois common among actresses who have played a town that never stays quiet for long. her cousin Chloe's disap- pearance. By season's end, she'll add some crackle to the consequences. ## LEFT COLUMN 1996 DANA DELANY (VOICE) INCARNATION: WB's day- time adventure Superman: The Animated Series DEFINING QUALITIES: Delany played Lois as an updated version of Rosalind Russell. "She's fast- talking, snappy, full of spunk and tough." REPORTING CHOPS: A no-nonsense investigator with attitude. "It's clear that she's very good at her job and the equal of any man," Delany says. THE STYLE: Great gams, arched brows and an uptown 'do. "I only wish I looked like Lois," says Delany, recalling this lavender blazer and white pleated skirt. "And lavender eyes to match!" LOVE LIFE: Had a big-time crush on Superman but kept things strictly business with Clark. 2004 ERICA DURANCE INCARNATION: WB's Smallville DEFINING QUALITIES: Notably nosy into every- one's business. "She's willing to take people on and just say what's on her mind," Gough says. Plus has issues with her military father, a great Santini type, "who wanted a son and got a daughter." REPORTING CHOPS: This combat-trained high schooler "is curious and tenacious but hasn't really thought about being a journalist," Durance says. THE STYLE: A wardrobe befitting a WB hottie. LOVE LIFE: The Army brat disses Tom Welling as just a farm boy. But there are sparks (Clark's duck naked when they first meet). -Additional reporting by Shawna Malcom TV GUIDE 41 ## RIGHT COLUMN PHYLIS COATES INCARNATION: Played Lois on the first season of The Adventures of Super- man on TV, continuing a role she created for the theatrical film "Superman and the Mole Men." DEFINING QUALITIES: Competitive to a fault, this sweater-natured Lois was a magnet for trouble. Easily vexed by Clark's frequent disappearances. REPORTING CHOPS: Constantly violated one of the iron principles of journalism: Cover the story, don't become the story. Blew many a deadline while sealed in a vault filled with knockout gas. THE STYLE: Buttoned-up single brunette who favored hats and wool suits that seemed to say, "Don't touch me." A little chilly this one. LOVE LIFE: Had it bad for Superman. Had zero for "Mr. Kent," who also wore his hat indoors at times. 1952 NOEL NEILL INCARNATION: Played Lois in suc- ceeding years of The Adventures of Superman. DEFINING QUALITIES: Competitive to a fault, this sweater-natured Lois was a magnet for trouble. Easily vexed by Clark's frequent disappearances. REPORTING CHOPS: Constantly violated one of the iron principles of journalism: Cover the story, don't become the story. Blew many a deadline while sealed in a vault filled with knockout gas. THE STYLE: Shopaholic in the Dowdy Department woman with a nose for news and kiss-me lips. Don't-knock-first-style earned her byline scoops and a boundless curiosity about flying alien men. 1953 MARGOT KIDDER INCARNATION: The four films of the Christopher Reeve-era Superman series DEFINING QUALITIES: An assertive, tabloid Lois who was ambitious and insecure. "Lois wanted to succeed on her own and not admit that she needed a man," Hatcher says. "In her heart she did." REPORTING CHOPS: "This Lois liked winning," says Paul Levitz, president and publisher of DC Comics. "She was very much in the [news] game." THE STYLE: Yuppie business attire that still man- aged to show off what Superman fan Jerry Sein- feld might describe as her "spectacular" assets. LOVE LIFE: Flirty banter with Dean Cain, but once the characters hooked up, romance fell to Earth. 1978 TERI HATCHER INCARNATION: The dramedy Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman DEFINING QUALITIES: A beguiling perfectionist who was curious and tenacious but hasn't really succeeded on her own and not admit that she needed a man," Hatcher says. "In her heart she did." REPORTING CHOPS: "This Lois liked winning," says Paul Levitz, president and publisher of DC Comics. "She was very much in the [news] game." THE STYLE: Yuppie business attire that still man- aged to show off what Superman fan Jerry Sein- feld might describe as her "spectacular" assets. LOVE LIFE: Flirty banter with Dean Cain, but once the characters hooked up, romance fell to Earth. 1993