Customer Reviews

Smallville: The Visual Guide

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Much like other original WB shows such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Charmed", "Smallville" became a sleeper hit that has evolved into a genuine cult TV phenomenon. These show about Superman's early life in his hometown of Smallville, pre-tights" has been blessed with outstanding performances and even better writing. Superman purists may object to the messing with accepted canon but so what...a great show is a great show.

If you're familiar with DK Books' visual guides then you'll be familiar with what the book is all about. The guide spotlights the many characters, places, events, and storylines from the first five seasons of the show. The introduction includes a full, four page, fold-out map of the town of Smallville noting its most important sites such as the Kent Farm, Luthor mansion, and Smallville High School. The first major event covered is the meteor shower which first brought the infant Kal-el to Earth, as well as distributing the green kryptonite rocks which in years to come would spawn a myriad of mutations and humans with extraordinary abilities.

We'll see a young Clark (not to mention a young Tom Welling) as he first explores his great powers, using them to play the hero many times over. We meet Clarks friends Pete Ross, the plucky Chloe Sullivan, Lana Lang, Lois Lane,and, of course, Lex Luthor. There's wonderful section on the fabulous Luthor Mansion along with it's many secrets and security measures. I also miss Chloe's Wall of Weird and the many Kryptonite-enduced baddies from the first couple of seasons such as the shape-changing Tina Greer, Chrissy Parker who could stay forever young by sucking the life from her victims, and Jordan Cross who could foresee any person's future death.

There are also sections on the Kawatchee Caves, Kryptonite, The Fortress of Solitude, Jor-El, Brainiac, The Kents, and much, much more. The book features hundreds of full-color photos from the show and is the perfect companion for the Smallville fan. DK never fails to deliver fantastic books and the Smallville Visual Guide is no different.

Reviewed By Tim Janson

I've never bought a Visual guide before, but I'm such a huge fan of Smallville that I had to give it a try. I was not disappointed. With well laid-out pages and big bright pictures, this book is a feast for the eyes. At the beginning of the book there is a big fold out that displays a Smallville Map. The book covers the whole series up through Season 5. It goes over each character, including one time characters such as Mikhail Mxysptlk, Bart Allen, Perry White and Arthur Curry. Other features include pages detailing the Kawatche Caves, Clark's Origins, Kryptonite, The Elements, and the Clark and Lana relationship. Plus much more. Some of the written blurbs are a bit corny, but overall it is a fun book. Also, if you know Smallville backwards and forwards, most of the information will not be new. If you are a devoted Smallville fan, this is one to add to your collection.

This is best guide for the Smallville Universe. Great character breakdowns and detailed story lines and a book that no SMALLVILLE FAN should be without. Missed something from the show....IT'S HERE !

Enjoy!
John

I love the show Smallville and when I saw this book I had to have it. The book has everything Smallville. The descriptions are accurate and the color pictures in the book are fantastic!!! I would recommend any Smallville fan to buy this book. Highly recommended!!!

Personally I just love the DK visual guides, I think they are excellent books well worth the money, and the Smallville guide is no different. Featuring the only map of the town (so far) and some wonderful shots from the series, the guide manages to cohesively pull together various strands from the series and present them in a fun and interesting way. Light reading for any Smallville fan, but the map makes this a must get.

I really enjoyed this visual guide to Smallville. Not only are the photographs in vivid color, but the information it gives about the characters are really insightful. Anything you wanted to know about the people of Smallville you can find in this book. This is a must-read for avid fans!

With the TV show Smallville currently winding down its ninth season and contracted for a tenth, it seems as if this book (which covers only the first five seasons) is extremely outdated. However, the redeeming factor is that in seasons six-present, the quality of the show has deteriorated to the point of almost being unwatchable. Thus, this book is still a fine way to remember all that once was good about one of the most creative shows on television.

The hallmark of the guide is its large format with big color pictures. The Superman character (as well as his enemies and surroundings) have always been filled with great color, and this book captures it incredibly. As you leaf through the pages, you will find yourself instantly transported back to when you were watching those very episodes.

In the annals of TV history (at last for the past two decades), I put Smallville right behind the "Holy Trinity" of LOST, 24, and The X-Files in terms of action, drama, mystery, and compelling characters. This book will allow you to see what Smallville was like at its peak, before it turned inward on itself and lost its creative genius. For however many seasons the show ends up running, this book will be my "official" record of the great memories/experiences I had watching it.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a great guide with wonderful pictures. Any Smallville fan will think it's worth the purchase!

and the show is 2 and with this guide it gives you great facts and information that a true smallville fan would want.

This was an awesome pick up for a Smallville fan like me. It gives some great insight and provides a nice review on characters and places that those familiar with the Smaillville universe have come to know. I even took this with me one time to an autograph session where Allison Mack who plays Chloe was at and she signed the section about her character for me. A must have for Smallville fans. The only bad thing is there was never an updated version for the later seasons. This one only goes through half of the life of the show. If they ever printed a version that went through season 10 that would be super!