SUPERMAN OF SMALLVILLE

Clark Kent gets his start saving the day.

Thirteen-year-old farm boy Clark Kent has always shown hints of his special abilities: strength, flight, speed, and an innate sense of right and wrong. Clark uses them to patrol his hometown of Smallville to help those in need, flying off before anyone can get a good look at him. The townsfolk are all abuzz: Who is Superman? Clark is delighted to be helping people, but his parents want him to keep his powers under wraps. Clark juggles his powers, his chores, and his schooling in this brightly colored graphic novel. Longtime fans of the last son of Krypton will be a bit bored by the proceedings (10 seasons of the Smallville TV show covered similar territory quite effectively), but newcomers will find plenty to enjoy. The action is smartly rendered and the humor is good natured. Other characters from the Superman comics and mythos make appearances here, all of them presented with respect to all the history that comes with them. With a long-running property like Superman, it may be daunting for some looking for an entry point, particularly for younger readers. This is a good one.

A beginner-friendly introduction to the Man of Steel.