A superhuman child from the planet Krypton wasn't the only thing to fall down to earth 12 years ago and land in Smallville, Ks. With him came a shower of meteorites that glow an omininous green in the center. Now a teenager busy coming to grips with his super powers, Clark Kent witnesses these greeen fragments mutationg his fellow townspeople.
Exploiting the situation is spiritual guru Donald Jacobi, who has convinced the people of Smallville that the green rocks contain the key to eternal health and cosmic strength. Jacobi's business is going well, as he amasses both wealth and and uncanny control over her desperate customers. Only Clark has the power to save the town. But can he stop Jacobi before his power spreads?
Exploiting the situation is spiritual guru Donald Jacobi, who has convinced the people of Smallville that the green rocks contain the key to eternal health and cosmic strength. Jacobi's business is going well, as he amasses both wealth and and uncanny control over her desperate customers. Only Clark has the power to save the town. But can he stop Jacobi before his power spreads?
Superman's saving the world again! Well, not Superman exactly. It's pre-spandex Superman, Clark Kent - and not the Daily Planet reporter, either. This is the Clark Kent of younger days, when he was just getting used to his super-strength and drooling over Lana Lang, not Lois Lane. Welcome to Smallville, Kansas, "Land of the Weird, Home of the Strange". Indeed, it is.
The hit television series on the CW (formerly the WB Network, as it was referenced upon the book's publication) thrives on Kent's expanding arsenal of powers that will be put to use in his future as the powerful Superman, but also focuses greatly on the Kryptonian's only weakness - green meteoric rock known as kryptonite. This original plot based on the series is no different.
When a traveling con duo set up their "revival lectures" in Smallville to attract the crowd living closest to the meteorites the lectures are based on, the town is turned upside down. Lana Lang's aunt Nell is sucked into the lead speaker "Doctor" Donald Jacobi's enlightening speeches, along with the father of cancer patient Stuart Harrison, who considers paying the supposed doctor a visit in hopes of working a miracle on his son. But when a malfunctioning laser triggers a meteorite's emerald core and shocks Stuart, setting off a seizure, the doctor's abilities are placed on a pedestal as Stuart speedily improves and is eventually deemed cancer-free But the ubiquitous Luthors have rightful suspicions about the set-up, especially when plans of a permanent residence in Smallville for the doctor and his "research" are leaked to the public.
Experienced author Stern remains very consistent with the TV series' writing pattern in an almost disappointing manner. Though a major difference is found in the lack of a meteor-infected "Freak of the Week", the story presents little development on integral plot points in the story: Clark's friendship with lex is questioned, but the farm boy's faith holds steady; Clark's ever-present crush on Lana Lang is touched on, but never advanced in even the slightest of ways. Though Stern is specific in noting which episodes the story is based in between ("Zero" and "Nicodemus"), he could've still stretched a little advancement into the story without veering off-course with the series.
A "super" Smallville fan will enjoy and appreciate the consistency and fluidity of Stern's story, but otherwise, it's an episode script lost in the discard pile.
The hit television series on the CW (formerly the WB Network, as it was referenced upon the book's publication) thrives on Kent's expanding arsenal of powers that will be put to use in his future as the powerful Superman, but also focuses greatly on the Kryptonian's only weakness - green meteoric rock known as kryptonite. This original plot based on the series is no different.
When a traveling con duo set up their "revival lectures" in Smallville to attract the crowd living closest to the meteorites the lectures are based on, the town is turned upside down. Lana Lang's aunt Nell is sucked into the lead speaker "Doctor" Donald Jacobi's enlightening speeches, along with the father of cancer patient Stuart Harrison, who considers paying the supposed doctor a visit in hopes of working a miracle on his son. But when a malfunctioning laser triggers a meteorite's emerald core and shocks Stuart, setting off a seizure, the doctor's abilities are placed on a pedestal as Stuart speedily improves and is eventually deemed cancer-free But the ubiquitous Luthors have rightful suspicions about the set-up, especially when plans of a permanent residence in Smallville for the doctor and his "research" are leaked to the public.
Experienced author Stern remains very consistent with the TV series' writing pattern in an almost disappointing manner. Though a major difference is found in the lack of a meteor-infected "Freak of the Week", the story presents little development on integral plot points in the story: Clark's friendship with lex is questioned, but the farm boy's faith holds steady; Clark's ever-present crush on Lana Lang is touched on, but never advanced in even the slightest of ways. Though Stern is specific in noting which episodes the story is based in between ("Zero" and "Nicodemus"), he could've still stretched a little advancement into the story without veering off-course with the series.
A "super" Smallville fan will enjoy and appreciate the consistency and fluidity of Stern's story, but otherwise, it's an episode script lost in the discard pile.
