Customer Reviews

It's Superman

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For everyone who has ever read a comic book here's a story you must hear. Tom De Haven's brilliant imagining of the early years of the iconic man of steel begins with "Our version of the story opens on the last Saturday of May 1935 with the arrival of Sheriff Bill Dutcher at the police station in Smallville, Kansas."

For most that year, 1935, brings to mind the Depression and the attendant gloom, hopelessness that settled over our country. Times were especially tough in Kansas where a young farm boy, Clark Kent, watched as the once fertile earth turned dry. Oh, they can still make a living but it's a meager one.

However, like many high school boys Clark is swept up in personal problems - maintaining his grade average and wondering about himself, the things that make him different.

Life is almost the opposite in New York for Columbia student Lois Lane. She has a boyfriend, photographer Will Berg who soon finds himself accused of murdering his pawnbroker. He's innocent, of course, but has been framed by villainous politico Lex Luthor. Innocent or not Will is forced to run and who should he meet as he skedaddles across the country? Of course, Clark. What a pair they are as they crisscross the U.S.

Clark learns a lot from his more sophisticated pal but not quite enough to prepare him for New York City, the tempting Lois Lane, and the challenges of leading a double life.

Author De Haven mirrors a Depression ravaged America with painterly accuracy and engenders smiles as Clark comes to terms with who he is and what he might accomplish.

What more can be said about voice performer Scott Brick? He has garnered every professional honor - 18 Earphone Awards, an Audie Award for best science fiction, and an AudioFile magazine Golden Voice award. He expertly carries us through the coming of age and coming out of one of the most popular comic heroes of all time.

Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke