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Aspect, March 2004, 5.99, 257 pp. ISBN 0446613622 In 1989, a meteor shower hit Kansas changing the landscape of Smallville. The Kents found the toddler they adopted and named Clark and concealed his spaceship among the meteorites on their farm. At sixteen Clark Kent knows he is different from every other being on the planet but he still tries to fit in. His friend Lex Luthor, who lost his hair in the meteorite shower, invites Clark to take a trip to Metropolis with him. A scientist who had a psychotic breakdown thinks he's Agent Green. He believes an alien lives in Kansas and it is his duty to capture him. He bugs the room that Clark and Lex are temporarily residing in. While he spies on them, the Yakuza (the Japanese mafia) kidnaps Lex in order to blackmail his father into paying the money he owes them. Clark knows he must help his friend escape from the Yakuza and the fake government agent without revealing his powers because as much as he likes Lex, he does not trust his pal. One of the best features of the Smallville series is that Clark is just as confused and unsure of himself as most sixteen-year-olds are. There is plenty of action in SMALLVILLE CITY but the best parts are when Clark questions his role in life and why he was sent to earth in the first place. His pondering about himself and those around him makes him seem real. His relationship with Lex is fascinating and it would be interesting if Lex remains a true friend (comic book aside) when an adult Clark becomes the superhero he is meant to be. Harriet Klausner | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - guardian of justice Spying & Investigations Yes What is main char. doing? - rescue mission/escape from confinement Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a teen Main Adversary Identity: - an organization Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Earth setting: - current (early 21st century) Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript |
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