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| The Entertainment Review |
| By: Tom Dehaven Publisher: Chronicle Books |
only made worse by communism, fascism, socialism and a bunch of other –isms. It seems as though none of these It
is 1935 and America, and the rest of the world, is in the middle of a depression. It is a Great Depression that is
different policies are working very well. The only hope that the leaders of Europe and America can offer is war, an
inevitable World War that is only a few away from happening.
In the plains of Kansas things are just as bad as around the rest of the world. The Dust Bowl stretches from Texas to
Illinois and threatens to turn the Great Plains of North America into “The Great American Desert,” the name given to
the area in the early 19th century. However, things could be a lot worse. At least in Kansas people are still able to
farm the land, though it may not be as fertile as it once was. Also, though many people may not be buying the crops
that are being farmed, those farmers know that they will be able to eat for another day.
Clark Kent, a farm boy living in Kansas during the Dust Bowl lives in the small town of Smallville, isn’t worried about
the problems that are happening around the world because he has problems of his own. His high school graduation
is quickly approaching and he must maintain a “B” average for the school year. He is very shy around the girls of
school and his mother is sick, possibly dying. Also, there are a few other facts about himself that he would rather
have other people never know about him.
Meanwhile, in New York City, an 18 year old girl named Lois Lane has her own problems to deal with. She is in
graduate school at Columbia, after skipping a few grades. Her roommate has recently moved in with her boyfriend,
leaving Lois to cover the full rent by herself. Meanwhile, Lois’ own boyfriend, Willi Berg wants Lois to help him
financially with his problems. Her father is over protective of everything Lois does and her journalism professor may
be coming on to her, though she isn’t really sure.
Anyone who knows anything about Superman know that these two kids are destined to meet and eventually be
together, however the full story has never been told. Readers will be able to see the future when Willi gets framed
for the murder of a pawnbroker by a real murderer, New York City council member Lex Luthor. Willi is forced to
change everything about his appearance, his name and leave town to become a photographer for a group of WPA
writers that are touring the Midwest.
Clark and Willi meet and set out to see America together. Along the way they ride the rails, see people at their best
and at their worst. They see the real effects of the depression on America. Eventually the two end up in California
where Clark gets a job as a stunt man for movies since he seems to be indestructible.
Readers will instantly be pulled into this book, despite all of the information that people already know about the Man
of Steel. Everyone knows that Clark is no ordinary boy and that Lex Luther is evil, but the book does not take this for
granted. The book is filled with excitement, danger and character development. This is a great book for anyone that
is a fan of Superman and his history.
is 1935 and America, and the rest of the world, is in the middle of a depression. It is a Great Depression that is
different policies are working very well. The only hope that the leaders of Europe and America can offer is war, an
inevitable World War that is only a few away from happening.
In the plains of Kansas things are just as bad as around the rest of the world. The Dust Bowl stretches from Texas to
Illinois and threatens to turn the Great Plains of North America into “The Great American Desert,” the name given to
the area in the early 19th century. However, things could be a lot worse. At least in Kansas people are still able to
farm the land, though it may not be as fertile as it once was. Also, though many people may not be buying the crops
that are being farmed, those farmers know that they will be able to eat for another day.
Clark Kent, a farm boy living in Kansas during the Dust Bowl lives in the small town of Smallville, isn’t worried about
the problems that are happening around the world because he has problems of his own. His high school graduation
is quickly approaching and he must maintain a “B” average for the school year. He is very shy around the girls of
school and his mother is sick, possibly dying. Also, there are a few other facts about himself that he would rather
have other people never know about him.
Meanwhile, in New York City, an 18 year old girl named Lois Lane has her own problems to deal with. She is in
graduate school at Columbia, after skipping a few grades. Her roommate has recently moved in with her boyfriend,
leaving Lois to cover the full rent by herself. Meanwhile, Lois’ own boyfriend, Willi Berg wants Lois to help him
financially with his problems. Her father is over protective of everything Lois does and her journalism professor may
be coming on to her, though she isn’t really sure.
Anyone who knows anything about Superman know that these two kids are destined to meet and eventually be
together, however the full story has never been told. Readers will be able to see the future when Willi gets framed
for the murder of a pawnbroker by a real murderer, New York City council member Lex Luthor. Willi is forced to
change everything about his appearance, his name and leave town to become a photographer for a group of WPA
writers that are touring the Midwest.
Clark and Willi meet and set out to see America together. Along the way they ride the rails, see people at their best
and at their worst. They see the real effects of the depression on America. Eventually the two end up in California
where Clark gets a job as a stunt man for movies since he seems to be indestructible.
Readers will instantly be pulled into this book, despite all of the information that people already know about the Man
of Steel. Everyone knows that Clark is no ordinary boy and that Lex Luther is evil, but the book does not take this for
granted. The book is filled with excitement, danger and character development. This is a great book for anyone that
is a fan of Superman and his history.
