Chapter 1: Sam Clay is reminiscing about his comic book career. When the book starts, Sam's name is Sammy Klayman. He is 17 years old, short and Jewish. Joe Kavalier, Sam's Czech cousin is dumped onto Sam's bed in an apartment in Brooklyn, NY. Sammy finds out that Joe speaks passable English and is an artist. Joe wants Sam to get him a job as a commercial artist. Joe is concerned about his family that is still in Prague, and he wants to get them out as soon as possible. Joe wants a cigarette and puts one together from the butts that lie in a plant on the porch. Joe rolls a cigarette, and Sam plans how Joe can be part of his scheme for success. (read more)