Book: Superboy volume #1: Smallville Attacks written by Jeff Lemire and illustrations by Pier Gallo and Marco Rudy (Issues #1-11)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Review:
I read the single issues and not the trade edition. These were the only 11 issues before the Superboy series was rebooted for the new 52.
I thought this was a good series. The reader got to see Conner living with Martha Kent, try to create a normal life in Smallville but weird (yet interesting) things just kept happening. In these issues Conner as well as Superboy made a few new friends: Simone Valentine, Lori Luthor and Psionic Lad but his old friends also showed up from time to time. Even one of Clark Kent's old friends, Pete Ross showed up a few times. The mysterious Phantom Stranger also showed up.
The weird things started right from the beginning in the first issue with Parasite showing up resulting in a fight between him and Superboy which ended up spilling into the streets of Smallville. The weird continues when Poison Ivy showed up asking for help in the second issue, because something or someone was disrupting the plant life. After locating the source of the disturbance, of course Ivy changes her tune (Conner really should have known better) and betrays Superboy. But never fear Simone Valentine to the rescue, his rescue attempt was funny. After that Superboy was able to take care of the problem.
After the introduction of Psionic Lad in issues 3 and 4, Superboy wanted to help with the Smallville rebuilding efforts by having a Superboy vs. Kid Flash charity race. I like this issue because you got to see the infamous Super vs Flash race but with the younger generation. But you just have to see who won the race, that's the best. Issue 6 was a continuation of the "Reign of Doomsday" arc (a cross-over from Action Comics). Issue 7 had Superboy and Psionic Lad checking on a space ship and coming into contact with something that leads to the worst day ever for Superboy.
The last four issues "The Rise of the Hollow Men" arc gave the reader a clear understanding of what was really the cause of all the strange and weird things happening in Smallville. It's surprising what was really going on in that small town. The reader also found out the real reason why Psionic Lad was in Smallville.
I like that this Superboy series had a lot of plot twists and mysterious things happening. It was a unique take on Smallville and the Superboy story. This was such a fun series and I wish it had not been canceled because Conner had grown into a wonderful character and he had established a life outside of the Teen Titans and being a superhero while in Smallville. Which is why I love the last page with Superboy sitting on the water tower with his three new friends happy about his future.
Despite the weirdness going on in the series it had a genuine warmth and pleasantness throughout it. You can tell the writer really cared about all the characters in which the series felt new and different yet still held true to the Superboy story.
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