Review by Frank Plowright
This is a very different Clark Kent from the one usually seen in flashbacks growing up in Smallville. For a start, his adoptive parents are African American, and this is a Clark not afraid to use a small portion of his powers to become the star of the school football team. It’s not the only difference. When a class are told the answers to a prize-winning contest lie within a box on a table, Clark thinks nothing of cheating, seeing the test as his way out of dull Smallville to the glamour of Metropolis.
When he arrives in Metropolis Lex Luthor is waiting to show him around. Lex’s family corporation has sponsored the contest, and he’s also entered, but under an alias, arriving as a finalist on his own merits, so he gives a speech about wanting to prove himself without advantages.
At this point readers familiar with the Superman mythos will be puzzling about the clever ethical reversal writer Brandon Reichs has achieved. This Lex might not be telling the truth, but we’ve definitely seen Clark cheat. While big-eyed is the style adopted by artist Jerry Gaylord, he’s skilled enough to accentuate Clark’s sense of wonder as he sees Metropolis, and to show the differences between dull small town and attractive big city, to a teenager at least. He’s also good at conveying the different moods teenagers experience.
Clark & Lex is written to ensure readers pick up on things Clark for all his powers doesn’t notice. He does realise Lamphard, the person running the contest is sinister, but not greatly concerned as they’re employed by Lex’s corporation and seem to defer to Lex. The various tests associated with the contest occupy a fair chunk of the book, and we’re shown someone dampening Clark’s abilities, indicating to smarter readers that the contest organiser is aware Clark has them in the first place.
The finale begins as the kids start to realise perhaps the purpose of the contest isn’t to determine which of them earns an internship at the Daily Planet. It’s mystery also primed to engage readers, and that’s well handled. Not as well delivered is Lex’s gradual change from immediate friend to unreasonably jealous rival, although it plays into Clark re-assessing his own values, and is eventually explained.
Clark & Lex is a mystery to keep readers guessing throughout, and after the initial shock of a selfish Clark and a friendly Lex becomes what readers expect by the end. A little more space given over to the ending might have been nice, but as a young adult story this pushes most essential buttons.
