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Steven Universe: Crystal Clean is a graphic novel by KaBOOM! Studios that was released on May 5, 2020.
Synopsis[]
An all-new original graphic novel inspired by the world of the Cartoon Network Emmy® Award-nominated series, Steven Universe™ as Steven and the Crystal Gems must discover the truth behind the mysterious vandalism on the boardwalk!
STEVEN MUST SAVE THE SUMMER!
Steven and the Crystal Gems are recruited by Mayor Dewey to help clean up the boardwalk before their new summer festival - but who is behind these acts of vandalism? As Steven and his friends investigate, they'll discover the culprits are their own kind of monstrous mess. Saving the day will be a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it!
Writer Taiya Perper and artist Selena Bejarano present an all-new original graphic novel story inspired by the world of the Cartoon Network Emmy® Award-nominated series, Steven Universe™.[1]
Plot[]
The Crystal Gems (excluding Peridot, who is still taking time to recover due to Lapis' departure), decide to finally clean up the Crystal Temple, as they haven't had time to do so due to their adventures. After finishing, they go out to the beach to have fun, only to find the shore covered in a green substance. This frustrates Beach City residents like Yellowtail and Kofi, who direct their anger towards the Gems, questioning their negligence and even possible involvement in the matter.
Steven and the Gems are forced to address the problem and clean up the beach, only to discover that the situation repeats itself the next day. It is then that Steven notices the presence of an entity resembling him, composed of the very same green substance. Realizing that was the perpetrator, Steven and the Gems chase Steven's doppelganger all over Beach City. The creature ends up splattering everyone except Steven with its green substance in their eyes minus Steven, who covers himself with his shield.
Steven then chases the creature as it heads towards Steven's father's car wash, where the creature turns into a monster and aims at Greg. Greg, who was using a power washer to clean the floor, splashes the creature with water on reflex. The creature then falls apart, revealing that it lacks a gem.
Returning to the temple, the Gems discuss on the situation with Peridot, who laments once again Lapis' absence and how useful she would be in this situation. The Gems then contemplate employing a water-based weapon, which leads Steven to the idea of using his father's power washer. Recognizing the need for a more mobile water source, the group ventures to Sky Spire in search of a Cloud Crystal, a crystal capable of generating water from atmospheric vapor.
After a successful acquisition, Peridot makes a new maching using the pieces of the power washer and the crystal, turning into into a multifunctional device used by Steven dubbed the "Pressurized Hydro-Kinetic Crystalline Device" (P.H.K.C.D. for short). With this new equipment, Steven confronts one of the goo monsters, accidentally splattering Ronaldo as he was passing by. Apologizing for the mishap, Steven learns from Ronaldo about the peculiar taste of the green substance, resembling avocado with an unusual aftertaste.
Gathering again with the citizens of Beach City at Fish Stew Pizza, the Gems seek information about nearby avocado farms or factories to trace the origin of the green substance. Despite their inquiries, no clues emerge until Kiki recalls a nearby farm from when Guacola got announced in Beach City.
Dewey, appearing visibly nervous and forcing a smile, tentatively suggests that the source of the issue might simply be buried cans on the beach sand, prompting him to propose adjourning the meeting, a suggestion agreed upon by Nanefua. As they depart, Steven discovers a note in his pocket instructing him to meet at midnight by the manhole behind the Big Donut, stipulating that he should come alone. Though considering safety, Steven opts to bring Peridot along, citing her apparent impartiality and willingness to support his decisions, regardless of their potential danger.
Descending into the sewer, Steven and Peridot encounter Buck, who divulges his knowledge regarding the source of the monsters. He reveals that following his father's electoral defeat, Dewey, while searching for alternative employment and relying on their savings, struck a deal with Guacola to house a poorly constructed storage silo on their property in exchange for rent, a situation possibly linked to the emergence of the monsters. Buck confesses that he kept this information concealed to spare his father embarrassment. Their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of one of the goo creatures, prompting a hasty retreat. Buck suggests reconvening the following morning to locate the silo.
The next day, Steven, accompanied by Peridot, expresses concerns about facing the corrupted gem responsible, drawing parallels to her failure with Lapis. Steven reassures her, emphasizing her capability to aid the corrupted gem, thing which seems to give Peridot some resolve.
Joined by Buck, armed with water guns, Steven and Peridot converge on Buck's house and head towards the silo. There, they discover the corrupted gem ensnared in Guacola, revealed to be a cracked Lapis Lazuli. The situation escalates as the monster spawns various clones of them, outnumbering them.
Dewey and the Gems arrive, armed with water ammunition and chastise the trio for not asking for help. As the battle intensifies and ammunition depletes, Garnet and Amethyst fuse into Sugilite and attack the monster. During the fight, Sugilite seems to recognizes the creature's voice, prompting her to suddenly apologize. Steven askss Pearl what's happening, and she reveals that Lapis Lazuli must have been a Crystal Gem who issued an SOS during the Rebellion while Garnet, Pearl and Rose were fighting away. Upon arriving at the scene, they unfortunately find no one and realize that they must have already shattered and buried her so that Rose couldn't find her and heal her. Overcome with grief, Rose begins to cry on the floor, inadvertently healing Lapis. Pearl suggests that Lapis must be harboring resentment for her perceived abandonment.
The goo monster then traps everyone in the goo, rendering all immobile while Sugilite struggles to fight the monster. Steven uses the P.H.K.C.D. to liberate himself, and, suggested by Peridot, Steven enters the monster utilizing the machine's turbo mode. Inside the monster, Steven manages to heal Lapis' gemstone remaining fracture and bubbles it away.
Features[]
Characters[]
- Amethyst
- Garnet
- Pearl
- Steven Universe
- Unknown Lapis Lazuli (debut; antagonist)
- Guacola Monster
- Guacola Clones
- Peridot
- Sugilite
- Rose Quartz (flashback)
- Four unnamed Homeworld Gems (flashback)
- Yellowtail
- Vidalia
- Onion
- Kofi Pizza
- Kiki Pizza
- Nanefua Pizza
- Bill Dewey
- Harold Smiley
- Jamie
- Greg Universe
- Buck Dewey
- Ronaldo Fryman
- Peedee Fryman (cameo)
- Jenny Pizza
- Marty (flashback)
Objects[]
- Pressurized Hydro-Kinetic Crystalline Device (P.H.K.C.D.)
- Cloud Crystal
- Guacola
- Guacola Silo
Locations[]
- Beach City
- Crystal Temple
- Fish Stew Pizza
- It's a Wash
- Sewers
- Dewey's House
- Sky Spire
Trivia[]
- The events of the book take place after "Raising the Barn", as Lapis' absence is a major plot point.
- The book contains numerous references to the 2003 platformer Super Mario Sunshine.
- P.H.K.C.D. is a reference to F.L.U.D.D.
- P.H.K.C.D. is used to clean up Guacola in the same manner as F.L.U.D.D.
- They share a very similar appearance.
- P.H.K.C.D. is controlled with a control stick and a trigger, just like F.L.U.D.D.
- Both devices have swappable nozzles switched out with the X button.
- Guacola dissolves on contact with water, similarly to the goop in Super Mario Sunshine.
- Steven's Guacola clone is a reference to Shadow Mario, a goop clone of Mario that vandalizes the town.
- Steven is blamed for the clone's actions and forced to clean up the mess, much like Mario in Super Mario Sunshine.
- Steven travels through the sewers in the same way as Mario.
- P.H.K.C.D. is a reference to F.L.U.D.D.
- Ronaldo sings along to what is presumably the theme song of Koala Princess.
- Steven, Peridot, Buck Dewey, and the Crystal Gems fight Guacola clones of themselves, much like they fight Water Clones of themselves in "Ocean Gem".
Product details[]
- Age Range: 8 - 11 years
- Grade Level: 4 - 6
- Series: Steven Universe
- Paperback: 144 pages
- Publisher: KaBOOM! (May 5, 2020)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 168415507X
- ISBN-13: 978-1684155071
- Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches
Gallery[]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Steven Universe Original Graphic Novel: Crystal Clean - Book Depository, Retrieved December 26, 2019