Jim must have a thing for Kristin Kreuk or Stacy Haiduk.

Good question. Lana seemed prominent, but not gauche like Jimmy Olsen or Lois Lane would have been. I suppose the other advantage of Lana is that she always seemed more shallow and venal than most of Superman's friends, don't you think? So if you were an Excrucian looking for a pawn, she's probably better raw material than other recognizable DC comics supporting cast members. (And all the recognizable ones are Superman or Batman pals, pretty much.)

Perry White was out there to find - in a day-care center, reincarnated - but the search didn't end up going in his direction. And Batman is in hell and therefore was theoretically accessible: he fell all the way and can't climb out.

Shame about Batman. Too bad he doesn't know to buy everyone in hell a drink.

Anyway, wasn't Lana constantly getting involved with magic badness in the old Superboy comics? I thought she was quite appropriate.