Bowden P. (Trey) - , reviewed on 2/24/2011 + 260 more book reviews

I'd have sworn I wrote a review of this one. Time to rectify the matter. And no, I haven't read it recently, but it made a strong and favorable impression on me.

I picked this one up from PBS back in 2009 or so based on recommendations by acquaintances and fellow bibliophiles at rpg.net. It was completely worth it.

I loved it. For the voice and eye for the period. Makes me want to go get my copy of The Continental Op out and re-read it. I particularly enjoyed the strong sense of period that it got across and the way it made the character's (well-known and otherwise) into fleshed-out inhabitants of the Depression era. The book features more than just Lois Lane, Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen (though Jimmy gets sneaked in there in a very neat way), but lots of historical figures as well.

It was oddly fun for a book on Superman's origin to be set during the era he was actually created. Partly for the author's eye for detail and feel. Part of it is because that detail, the other is that De Haven approaches Superman not ironically, or with sacrosanct reverence, but as larger than life and makes it work. What really makes it work is that he's respectful while he's doing it.

Likes: Eye for detail; feel for the period; inclusion of historical characters; respect for the characters; willing to work with the origin in a new way.

Dislikes: Covers old ground.

Highly recommended for comic book and Superman fans.

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