This is a glorious revisioning of the Superman story that takes place in the Great Depression years and culminates at the time of the printing of the first Superman comic in 1938.
In this version, the Kents have no idea where Clark came from, they simply know that he is unique. Without an awareness of his alien origin, and with roots only in the hick farming town of Smallville, and with a very average intelligence at that, Clark is overwhelmed when he first leaves Smallville and enters the world of Hollywood and then New York. The reason he wears glasses is that they make him look more intelligent.
His insecurities are exposed when he considers encountering the criminal mastermind, Lex Luthor. He thinks to himself, "Because no matter how strong he is or how fast or how far he can see, he is still a farm boy, as Lois rightly called him, a twenty-year-old wheat from Kansas who never figured out the mysteries of the slide rule, who can't fathom electricity or the principles of music theory, much less radio transmission, and who is utterly mystified by the atom, the X-ray, and the salinity of the ocean. So just how is a guy like him supposed to take on and best somebody like Lex Luthor, a grown-up, a millionaire, a genius who evidently can snap his fingers and make whatever he wants or doesn't want vanish into the air?" (278)
His first encounter with Lex unleashes his insecurities as Lex tries to convince Superman that he needs Lex - that he can't make it on his own. Furthermore, Lex attempts to convince Superman that since he isn't like other humans, he must join Lex, who has convinced himself that he is unlike humans himself - indeed, that he is far superior!
Lex's complete lack of conscience is displayed just before he pulls the plug on a dying henchman. Attempting to convince him that there is no afterlife, Lex tells him, "Think about it, Stick. Why would God surround himself in heaven with billions of idiotic human beings when he can have anything he wants? ... Why would he do such a thing? It's just not logical" (211). Lex then proceeds to kill his partner.
For a Superman fan there is plenty here to enjoy. I loved the part when a friend attempts to dissuade Superman from wearing a cape and Clark responds, "I think they're great. Way better than neckties" (237). Amen!
There is a touching scene where Clark's dying father convinces him to continue using his gifts for the good of the world. Clark is frustrated by his inadequacies. He says, "But I feel like a big phony." Pa Kent responds, "We all feel like that, son. Just go on out and do the best you can."
It was a joy to encounter anew the rise of Superman, especially the insecurities. The author successfully allows us to identify with the most powerful - and in my opinion, the greatest - superhero of all time! This book and The Last Days of Krypton would make great gifts for any Superman fan!
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