Book Reviews
Book Reviews - "Smallville" Titles
Smallville: City
Writer: Devin GraysonCover Design: Don Puckey
Book Design: Charles A. Sutherland
Published by: Aspect and Warner Books (March 2004)
Reviewed by: Aaron Thall
Lex Luthor is summoned to Metropolis by Lionel to oversee several important matters while he is away. Inviting Clark along, the two friends soon arrive, and Lex begins introducing Clark to big city life.
Unfortunately, unbeknownst to the pair, danger lurks around every corner. A psychopathic would-be alien hunter is stalking them, convinced that one of them is an alien. And Lionel's absence soon stands revealed as having to do with a Yakuza plot to extract money from the senior Luthor... a plot with Lex square at the center.
However, Clark is having his own run-ins with the Yakuza as he tries to help people in a community far larger than Smallville, and these run-ins are going to cost lives, no matter what the future Superman does.
When the threats converge, it will take everything Lex and Clark have to survive this little excursion... including, perhaps, Clark's greatest secret.
Story - 5: Grayson's greatest achievement in this novel would have to be a realistic display of how someone from a small town would react to big city life. Clark's sense of being overwhelmed works, simply because there's so much to do to save the city in comparison to Smallville. It's a big job, and he isn't ready for it.
The Lionel Luthor subplot in the story is fascinating as, for once, Lionel's not in complete control. Lex's ultimate victory over him is truly a sight to behold.
The alien hunter side story is fascinating as well, as the man, Agent Green, becomes increasingly murderous and deranged. His confrontation with his suspected alien is obvious, but amusing all the same.
Add in the nods to Superman history (Maggin Street, anyone?), and this is a satisfying novel. Plus, not much Lana. Means Neal will be happy. A good end to the adult line of Smallville novels.
Cover Art - 5: Lex and Clark, together. Just like in the story. Simple, but effective and gets the point across that it's their tale to tell.
Book Reviews
Comic Book Novelizations: Movie Novelizations: Non-Fiction/Reference Books:- The Gospel According to the World's Greatest Superhero
- The Man From Krypton
- The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes - Volume 3: Superman
- Superman on Film, Television, Radio and Broadway
- Beyond Lois Lane
- The DC Comics Action Figure Archive
- Superman vs. Hollywood
- Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman
- Flights of Fantasy: The Unauthorized but True Story of Radio & TV's Adventures of Superman by Michael J. Hayde
- Our Hero: Superman on Earth by Tom De Haven
- Superman On Earth: Reflections of a Fan by Gary D. Robinson
- DC Super Heroes: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book by Matthew Reinhart
- The True Adventures of the World's Greatest Stuntman by Vic Armstrong
- The Ages of Superman: Essays on the Man of Steel in Changing Times
- Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero by Larry Tye
- Superman is an Arab by Joumana Haddad
- Superman is Jewish? by Harry Brod
- 100 Things Superman Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die by Joseph McCabe
- Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon by Ian Gordon
- DC: Women of Action by Shea Fontana
- Is Superman Circumcised?: The Complete Jewish History of the World's Greatest Hero by Roy Schwartz
- Adapting Superman: Essays on the Transmedia Man of Steel by John Darowski (Editor)
- Superman: Last Son of Krypton
- Superman: Miracle Monday
- The Further Adventures of Superman
- It's Superman! by Tom De Haven
- DC Universe: Last Sons
- DC Universe: Trail of Time
- Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson
- Enemies & Allies by Kevin J. Anderson
- DC Super-Pets! by Picture Window Books
- Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop
- Dear Super-Villains by Michael Northrop
- Fallout (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond
- Double Down (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond
- Triple Threat (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond
- Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena
- Super Sons: Escape to Landis by author Ridley Pearson and illustrator Ileana Gonzales
- House of El - Book One: Shadow Threat by author Claudia Gray and illustrator Eric Zawadzki
- House of El - Book Two: The Enemy Delusion by author Claudia Gray and illustrator Eric Zawadzki
- Smallville: Strange Visitors
- Smallville: Dragon
- Smallville: Hauntings
- Smallville: Whodunnit
- Smallville: Shadows
- Smallville: Silence
- Smallville: Curse
- Smallville: City
- Smallville: Arrival
- Smallville: See No Evil
- Smallville: Flight
- Smallville: Animal Rage
- Smallville: Speed
- Smallville: Buried Secrets
- Smallville: Greed
- Smallville: Temptation
- Smallville: Sparks
- JLA: Batman - The Stone King
- JLA: Wonder Woman - Mythos
- JLA: The Flash - Stop Motion
- JLA: JLA - Exterminators
- JLA: Green Lantern - Hero's Quest
- JLA: Superman - The Never-Ending Battle
- Superman Returns: Strange Visitor
- Superman Returns: Novelization
- Superman Returns: Coming Home
- Superman Returns: Earthquake in Metropolis!
- Superman Returns: I am Superman!
- Superman Returns: Be A Hero!
- Superman Returns: Thank You, Superman!
- Superman Returns: The Movie Storybook
- Superman Returns: The Visual Guide
- Superman Returns: The Official Movie Guide