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Smallville #1
Strange Visitors
As a teenage boy trying to hide his special powers, Clark Kent just wants to be a "normal" high schooler and fit in with the rest of his all-American town of Smallville, Kansas. But ever since the deadly meteor shower that rained down on Smallville and brought young Clark -- a child refugee from the destruction of his home planet -- the town has become increasingly populated by strange creatures and deadly superfoes. And there is only one person who has the growing power to stop them all and see that justice will prevail -- the young man who will soon wear the S.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
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401 people want to read
About the author
Roger Stern
1,546 books110 followersRoger Stern is an American comic book author and novelist.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 28, 2012
If you are looking for chronological order in the book series, this book follows after the following:
1) Arrival (book form of the pilot)
2) See No Evil (taking place between episodes "X-Ray" and "Cool", and is Clark's first encounter with an invisible meteor-freak as well as well as Clark's first dealings with a costume- in the guise of filling in as the lead in the school musical).
3) Flight (Follows after "See No Evil" and is before episode 5 "Cool". Clark encounters his first meteor-freak who has not turned evil due to the radiation poisoning of Kryptonite. She is also reminiscent to Hawkgirl or a female version of Angel off of X-Men).
4) Animal Rage (I haven't read this one yet, so I do not know if this story takes place between episodes 4-5, like the previous novels, or if this one takes place after those episodes and still before "Strange Visitors" or follows after it)?
So Strange Visitors is the fourth or fifth book in the Smallville series, if one is reading it chronologically. It also takes place between episodes 14-15. This novel was also written during season 2 and has a lot of eastereggs from that seasons arc and future plots. The following are just some that I noticed:
1) The introduction of the seasons end villain, reporter Roger Nixon.
2) Explanation on how Dr. Hamilton received all of his meteorites to test on.
3) Further examination on the potential on the "healing" abilities of kryptonite or their ability to alter our genes and enhance our cells.
4) Revealing that the government did research the meteorites when they landed in '89 but found nothing of interest. However, when on watches the Chloe Chronicles, we learn in season 3 that information is false. Scientists did find interesting information about the meteorites and this started Dr. Hamilton's research and Lionel Luthor's beginning interest.
5) We see as well Lionel's interest in Smallville and it's meteorites and for shadow to Level 3 at the fertilizer plant.
All and all, some interesting expansion of the Smallville mythos when it comes to the kryptonite storyline which leads into season six's Level 33.1 story arc.
1) Arrival (book form of the pilot)
2) See No Evil (taking place between episodes "X-Ray" and "Cool", and is Clark's first encounter with an invisible meteor-freak as well as well as Clark's first dealings with a costume- in the guise of filling in as the lead in the school musical).
3) Flight (Follows after "See No Evil" and is before episode 5 "Cool". Clark encounters his first meteor-freak who has not turned evil due to the radiation poisoning of Kryptonite. She is also reminiscent to Hawkgirl or a female version of Angel off of X-Men).
4) Animal Rage (I haven't read this one yet, so I do not know if this story takes place between episodes 4-5, like the previous novels, or if this one takes place after those episodes and still before "Strange Visitors" or follows after it)?
So Strange Visitors is the fourth or fifth book in the Smallville series, if one is reading it chronologically. It also takes place between episodes 14-15. This novel was also written during season 2 and has a lot of eastereggs from that seasons arc and future plots. The following are just some that I noticed:
1) The introduction of the seasons end villain, reporter Roger Nixon.
2) Explanation on how Dr. Hamilton received all of his meteorites to test on.
3) Further examination on the potential on the "healing" abilities of kryptonite or their ability to alter our genes and enhance our cells.
4) Revealing that the government did research the meteorites when they landed in '89 but found nothing of interest. However, when on watches the Chloe Chronicles, we learn in season 3 that information is false. Scientists did find interesting information about the meteorites and this started Dr. Hamilton's research and Lionel Luthor's beginning interest.
5) We see as well Lionel's interest in Smallville and it's meteorites and for shadow to Level 3 at the fertilizer plant.
All and all, some interesting expansion of the Smallville mythos when it comes to the kryptonite storyline which leads into season six's Level 33.1 story arc.
February 8, 2025
clark stops a cult mass suicide and eats pie with lex luthor. would have been a slay if the author wasn’t so trigger happy for the italicize button.
September 8, 2024
There were two lines of Smallville tie-in novels - one aimed at a middle-grade audience, the other aimed at young adults. Strange Visitors is the first book in the young adult line and is set during Season 1 - the author even specificizes that it takes place between the episodes "Zero" and "Nicodemus."
Doctor Donald Jacobi, a supposed geneticist, currently the charismatic leader of the "Ascendance Foundation" becomes keenly interested in Smallville after seeing Chloe Sullivan's "Wall of Weird" website. Jacobi's "Foundation" proports to help people "fulfill their destiny" (for a price.) It's giving "faith healing"/cult vibes.
But he's also not wrong in that the meteorites which have landed all over Lowell County do effect the human genotype, which leads to him eventually believing his own spiel and becoming even more obsessed. Several of the townspeople, including Lana's Aunt Nell, fall for Jacobi's charm and begin donating their life savings to his "work."
We also meet a new character, a high school student named Stuart Harrison. Stuart has cancer is facing a grim prognosis. Stuart's parents are understandably desperate to find a way to save their son and also get roped into Jacobi's scheme.
An interesting part of this story is how it shows how different people can fall under the sway of someone like Jacobi for different reasons. Even Chloe falls under his spell, because his interest in her work feels validating and she isn't used to adults taking her seriously.
Unfortunately, the story doesn't really go any further with the concept than that. The plot is uneven and despite the set-up not all that much focus is given to Jacobi and his cult-like operations.
On the positive side, this story has a lot of Season 1 things that I really love, like Lex hanging out and being part of the friend group, and Clark being less moody. There are some nice moments here between Clark and Lex - they play pool, Clark brings Lex one of Martha's pies, and they talk about their families.
Overall, the novel is well written, but the pacing is definitely off. Clark is never inclined to stop Jacobi, even though he thinks he's running a con from the start. Chloe asks Clark and Pete to help her investigate the "Compound," but they never do.
Instead,
Overall, a mixed bag, but there were some bits I really liked. The plot had a lot of potential - you could definitely do something with a meteor-themed cult in Smallville - but didn't ultimately go anywhere. I will never get tired of reading about Clark and Lex's friendship, though.
Doctor Donald Jacobi, a supposed geneticist, currently the charismatic leader of the "Ascendance Foundation" becomes keenly interested in Smallville after seeing Chloe Sullivan's "Wall of Weird" website. Jacobi's "Foundation" proports to help people "fulfill their destiny" (for a price.) It's giving "faith healing"/cult vibes.
But he's also not wrong in that the meteorites which have landed all over Lowell County do effect the human genotype, which leads to him eventually believing his own spiel and becoming even more obsessed. Several of the townspeople, including Lana's Aunt Nell, fall for Jacobi's charm and begin donating their life savings to his "work."
We also meet a new character, a high school student named Stuart Harrison. Stuart has cancer is facing a grim prognosis. Stuart's parents are understandably desperate to find a way to save their son and also get roped into Jacobi's scheme.
An interesting part of this story is how it shows how different people can fall under the sway of someone like Jacobi for different reasons. Even Chloe falls under his spell, because his interest in her work feels validating and she isn't used to adults taking her seriously.
Unfortunately, the story doesn't really go any further with the concept than that. The plot is uneven and despite the set-up not all that much focus is given to Jacobi and his cult-like operations.
On the positive side, this story has a lot of Season 1 things that I really love, like Lex hanging out and being part of the friend group, and Clark being less moody. There are some nice moments here between Clark and Lex - they play pool, Clark brings Lex one of Martha's pies, and they talk about their families.
Overall, the novel is well written, but the pacing is definitely off. Clark is never inclined to stop Jacobi, even though he thinks he's running a con from the start. Chloe asks Clark and Pete to help her investigate the "Compound," but they never do.
Instead,
Overall, a mixed bag, but there were some bits I really liked. The plot had a lot of potential - you could definitely do something with a meteor-themed cult in Smallville - but didn't ultimately go anywhere. I will never get tired of reading about Clark and Lex's friendship, though.
September 4, 2025
Roger Stern's old fashioned prose suits Smallville, and Superman, well. It reads like an episode of season one of Smallville, bringing in that early cast. Good character banter between our main characters, and the villian is just harmless enough to blend in as another "monster of the week" style bad guy.
The book is brought down, somewhat, by the fact that it takes the time to recap, at length, scenes and episodes from early Smallville that anyone who watched the show will most likely end up skipping over. Not Stern's fault, mind you. It's the first book, and it most likely had to be written with a non-watcher in mind.
A "well made burger". Nothing special, but enjoyable.
The book is brought down, somewhat, by the fact that it takes the time to recap, at length, scenes and episodes from early Smallville that anyone who watched the show will most likely end up skipping over. Not Stern's fault, mind you. It's the first book, and it most likely had to be written with a non-watcher in mind.
A "well made burger". Nothing special, but enjoyable.
October 30, 2017
The 2-star rating for this doesn't mean it was all that bad. I review books on my blog at my website so I'm not going to repeat what I've said there. If you're interested in reading that review, simply click here:
Smallville: Strange Visitors review.
One thing I do want to mention is that even though the book was not as good as I would have hoped, Mr. Sterns is a pretty solid writer. So if you see his name, don't be afraid to pick up that book. This book was published some time ago and we can only get better with time—God willing—as writers.
Smallville: Strange Visitors review.
One thing I do want to mention is that even though the book was not as good as I would have hoped, Mr. Sterns is a pretty solid writer. So if you see his name, don't be afraid to pick up that book. This book was published some time ago and we can only get better with time—God willing—as writers.
January 15, 2019
The writing is a lot more juvenile than I remembered from my first time reading it 17(!) years ago, but on the plus side, it's made me want to watch the show again.
July 25, 2025
Muy bueno me dio todo lo que esperaba y más se nota que el escritor si conocía a Superman y sus personajes
August 24, 2016
What It's About: A con artist, Donald Jacobi, sets up shop in Smallville, having heard about all the strange things that have been happening since the meteor shower hit the town in 1989. Using a tent-revival format, he lectures on the healing power of the meteorites, all the while disguising it as science. (And despite what the summary on the back cover would have you believe, Jacobi doesn't have any sort of 'control' over his followers; rather, he's simply charming and charismatic.) // Story takes place in April 2002, sometime after Whitney's dad was diagnosed as terminal but before Mr. Fordman actually died in "Crush".
What I Liked: 1) Clark didn't seem as mopey as he did on the show, even the first season, when this story takes place. He even seemed to have a rather positive outlook on his powers. 2) All the little moments of the Kents actually acting like a family (as opposed to what they were doing in Man of Steel). Although, it did start to get a little old after a while, when those moments actually stopped the plot from moving forward a bit. 3) This book had the feel of one of the better fan fictions out there (but nonetheless, a fan fiction rather than an episode of the show). 4) Chloe and Pete constantly betting on whether or not Clark would make the bus was a nice little throwback to the Pilot. And speaking of the dynamic duo, the little nod to Pete's crush on Chloe was also nice, as was the fact that it was given more weight by his talk with his dad.
What I Didn't Like: 1) Surprisingly, this book contained some PG-13 language, namely a couple of g.d.'s. Not that I was offended, mind you; it's just it was so jarringly different from what you would expect from a kids' book or even the show itself, given what the network would've allowed. Or rather, wouldn't have allowed. 2) This is more a minor gripe than anything, but why did everyone keep calling Pete 'Peter'?! I mean, I can think of only a couple of instances where everyone actually referred to him as 'Pete' in this book. 3) Maybe it's just me, but Lana's aunt Nell seemed a tad out of character in this. Granted, she wasn't in the show a whole lot, but still, I would never peg her as a fainter nor as someone who would fawn over Jacobi like a teenager. 4) As much as I love the Magnificent Bastard, there was no point whatsoever to have Lionel in this story. He and his minions popped up in a grand total of three scenes, and they added nothing to the overall plot. On top of that, Lionel kept talking about some mysterious plans he had for a plot of land Jacobi and his entourage had leased, but those plans were never revealed nor even hinted at. 5) Also pointless: bringing up Jonathan's prejudice against the Luthors. I mean, yeah, it made it feel more like a season one episode, but other than that, added nothing to the story. 6) My biggest complaint (as if it wasn't evident already) would have to be that there seemed to be too many subplots going on and too much filler. There were too many scenes where the writer slowed things down to let Clark introspect or have sweet little moments with his friends and family, and not nearly enough story-progressing.
Warning Label (if any): As I've said, there are a couple of g.d.'s here and there, but overall, it's safe for kids (at least, 8 and up, I'd say) to read. And that goes for us kids at heart. ;)
Overall Verdict: For all my moaning and groaning about the plot, I actually did get some enjoyment as I was reading this book. For that reason, I'm giving it 6 meteorites out of 10.
What I Liked: 1) Clark didn't seem as mopey as he did on the show, even the first season, when this story takes place. He even seemed to have a rather positive outlook on his powers. 2) All the little moments of the Kents actually acting like a family (as opposed to what they were doing in Man of Steel). Although, it did start to get a little old after a while, when those moments actually stopped the plot from moving forward a bit. 3) This book had the feel of one of the better fan fictions out there (but nonetheless, a fan fiction rather than an episode of the show). 4) Chloe and Pete constantly betting on whether or not Clark would make the bus was a nice little throwback to the Pilot. And speaking of the dynamic duo, the little nod to Pete's crush on Chloe was also nice, as was the fact that it was given more weight by his talk with his dad.
What I Didn't Like: 1) Surprisingly, this book contained some PG-13 language, namely a couple of g.d.'s. Not that I was offended, mind you; it's just it was so jarringly different from what you would expect from a kids' book or even the show itself, given what the network would've allowed. Or rather, wouldn't have allowed. 2) This is more a minor gripe than anything, but why did everyone keep calling Pete 'Peter'?! I mean, I can think of only a couple of instances where everyone actually referred to him as 'Pete' in this book. 3) Maybe it's just me, but Lana's aunt Nell seemed a tad out of character in this. Granted, she wasn't in the show a whole lot, but still, I would never peg her as a fainter nor as someone who would fawn over Jacobi like a teenager. 4) As much as I love the Magnificent Bastard, there was no point whatsoever to have Lionel in this story. He and his minions popped up in a grand total of three scenes, and they added nothing to the overall plot. On top of that, Lionel kept talking about some mysterious plans he had for a plot of land Jacobi and his entourage had leased, but those plans were never revealed nor even hinted at. 5) Also pointless: bringing up Jonathan's prejudice against the Luthors. I mean, yeah, it made it feel more like a season one episode, but other than that, added nothing to the story. 6) My biggest complaint (as if it wasn't evident already) would have to be that there seemed to be too many subplots going on and too much filler. There were too many scenes where the writer slowed things down to let Clark introspect or have sweet little moments with his friends and family, and not nearly enough story-progressing.
Warning Label (if any): As I've said, there are a couple of g.d.'s here and there, but overall, it's safe for kids (at least, 8 and up, I'd say) to read. And that goes for us kids at heart. ;)
Overall Verdict: For all my moaning and groaning about the plot, I actually did get some enjoyment as I was reading this book. For that reason, I'm giving it 6 meteorites out of 10.
January 28, 2018
I found out there was a series of Smallville novels several years ago, but have never been able to find any of them. Luckily, Interlibrary Loan is here to save the day again, and I was finally able to read this after all these years.
I am a HUGE fan of Smallville, and am currently re-watching the entire series again. I'm on season three, and so the events of season one are still fresh in my mind and helped to set the tone for this novel. This reads just like an episode of the show, and I had so much fun reading this. I really hope I can track more of these down!
I have two minor complaints, though. First, Chloe mentions her mother in the beginning, and later says something about "hanging out with her parents on a Friday night". Chloe's mom left when she was very young, and she never speaks about her, so that bothered me. Second, Pete is referred to as Peter by several different characters throughout the book. No one has EVER called him Peter on the show. These two things didn't ruin the book for me or anything, but they did stand out as being errors.
I am a HUGE fan of Smallville, and am currently re-watching the entire series again. I'm on season three, and so the events of season one are still fresh in my mind and helped to set the tone for this novel. This reads just like an episode of the show, and I had so much fun reading this. I really hope I can track more of these down!
I have two minor complaints, though. First, Chloe mentions her mother in the beginning, and later says something about "hanging out with her parents on a Friday night". Chloe's mom left when she was very young, and she never speaks about her, so that bothered me. Second, Pete is referred to as Peter by several different characters throughout the book. No one has EVER called him Peter on the show. These two things didn't ruin the book for me or anything, but they did stand out as being errors.
September 29, 2010
A faith healing Preacher is using Kyrptonite to heal people, but something is starting to go wrong.
Reads like an early episode of the TV show, but with less angst and stronger writing.
Tends to be a bit thin with character descriptions, as it assumes you've seen the show.
Reads like an early episode of the TV show, but with less angst and stronger writing.
Tends to be a bit thin with character descriptions, as it assumes you've seen the show.
November 21, 2012
great book! definately a good book.clark is just learning of his alien origin. and he struggles to accept it. also he has problems with his feelings towards lana lang- the girl of his dreams.
July 7, 2013
I read this back in 2001, when I was really into Smallville. Not bad, for what it was.
October 14, 2013
Clark *-*
August 30, 2014
Great book! Still like show better!
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July 3, 2014hi my name is Jessica Nelson please book smallville home 10 buckingham court windsor gardens
June 9, 2013
Nice story. Like how all the characters fit in such a good story. B.
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