Adam Graham's Blog: Christians and Superheroes - Posts Tagged "superhero"
The Rise and Fall of the Superhero Marriage, Part One: The Fantastic Marriages
The earliest superheroes were not married and for the most part, romance wasn't on their mind. Superman, Batman, and the like were more concerned with doing the hero thing. The same could be said of the Green Hornet, the Shadow, the Lone Ranger, Sherlock Holmes, Nick Carter, and many characters from the same era.
They were single minded in their pursuits. In the case of superheroes such as Superman, it was a single minded pursuit of justice and crime-fighting that left little time for romance.
Some of this lack of interest in the opposite sex probably fueled some unjustified charges of homosexuality against some comic book characters.
However, romance of sorts came to comics. As Superman waged a never-ending battle against the forces of evil, Lois Lane waged a never-ending battle to get Superman to marry her. This happened in the comics and on TV but all turned out to be a dream. Those annoying wake up calls didn't stop Lois. She even got her own comicbook in 1958 that pursued that goal.
It was mostly playful stuff right of a sitcom with Lois Lane much like Sisyphus constantly rolling a stone uphill only to have it roll back down saw her schemes go awry.
The Fantastic Marriage
In 1960s, the Superhero world changed for with the introduction of the Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four were first and foremost a family team from the beginning. They had amazing superpowers but they were real people as well. Like any family, they fought and had personality conflicts but beneath it all, they cared for each other. The team was made of Reed Richards, his girlfriend Sue Storm and her brother Johnny, as well as ex-football star and pilot Ben Grimm. They are hit with Cosmic rays and become (respectively): Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Girl (later Invisible Woman), The Human Torch,and the Thing.
While Sue's affections wavered during the course of their adventures with her crushing on Sub-mariner and Ant Man, she did end up marrying Reed in Fantastic Four Annual #3.
Lee had really captured the need for human companionship and marriage even among superheroes and he used it a lot in his work. It also occurred in the FF as Ben Grimm's rock hard personality is softened by the loving blind woman Alicia Masters. Not every romance story worked as well.
Other Superhero nuptials occurred in the 1960s including the Flash to Iris West in 1968, and another two superhero wedding between Marvel characters Yellow Jacket (aka Hank Pym) and the Wasp (1969).
However, as Stan Lee took a break from the torrid pace of writing, one character who had been on the road to matrimony was thrown off of it. Marvel killed off Spider-man's love interest Gwen Stacy because they didn't know what to do with the relationship other than marriage, which they weren't ready to pursue.
Other marriages weren't made to last as Superhero divorces started to occur. Hank Pym struck his wife in anger culminating a series of events that had him drummed out of the Avengers and leading to his divorce from the Wasp.
Other marriages broke up, but just as in the real world, marriages continued to happen. After years of heartache, heartbreak and frustration, Spider-man proposed to Mary Jane Watson leading to the marriage in Spider-man Annual #21, a marriage that fans would come to love and one editor at Marvel would come to hate. (More on that in the next post.)
Finally, Superman himself got married. There had been Superman marriages before but in the twisted continuities of multiple alternate Earths and various characters on Earth One and Earth Two in the pre-Crisis DC Universe, it really is hard to track who was married to who.
The series tracked with Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman which was built on the growing relationship between the two characters. In the TV series, Clark was portrayed as a virgin who saved himself for marriage. While a lot of crazy stuff went wrong in the TV show, one has to admire their dogged determination to get married despite clones, witches, and all these sorts of obstacles.
There are three big superheroes that have the highest name recognition: Superman, Batman, and Spider-man. By the mid-1990s, whatever craziness happened in the rest of the Superhero world, two were quite happily married in the comic books. However, that wouldn't last for long.
To be Continued....
They were single minded in their pursuits. In the case of superheroes such as Superman, it was a single minded pursuit of justice and crime-fighting that left little time for romance.
Some of this lack of interest in the opposite sex probably fueled some unjustified charges of homosexuality against some comic book characters.
However, romance of sorts came to comics. As Superman waged a never-ending battle against the forces of evil, Lois Lane waged a never-ending battle to get Superman to marry her. This happened in the comics and on TV but all turned out to be a dream. Those annoying wake up calls didn't stop Lois. She even got her own comicbook in 1958 that pursued that goal.
It was mostly playful stuff right of a sitcom with Lois Lane much like Sisyphus constantly rolling a stone uphill only to have it roll back down saw her schemes go awry.
The Fantastic Marriage
In 1960s, the Superhero world changed for with the introduction of the Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four were first and foremost a family team from the beginning. They had amazing superpowers but they were real people as well. Like any family, they fought and had personality conflicts but beneath it all, they cared for each other. The team was made of Reed Richards, his girlfriend Sue Storm and her brother Johnny, as well as ex-football star and pilot Ben Grimm. They are hit with Cosmic rays and become (respectively): Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Girl (later Invisible Woman), The Human Torch,and the Thing.
While Sue's affections wavered during the course of their adventures with her crushing on Sub-mariner and Ant Man, she did end up marrying Reed in Fantastic Four Annual #3.
Lee had really captured the need for human companionship and marriage even among superheroes and he used it a lot in his work. It also occurred in the FF as Ben Grimm's rock hard personality is softened by the loving blind woman Alicia Masters. Not every romance story worked as well.
Other Superhero nuptials occurred in the 1960s including the Flash to Iris West in 1968, and another two superhero wedding between Marvel characters Yellow Jacket (aka Hank Pym) and the Wasp (1969).
However, as Stan Lee took a break from the torrid pace of writing, one character who had been on the road to matrimony was thrown off of it. Marvel killed off Spider-man's love interest Gwen Stacy because they didn't know what to do with the relationship other than marriage, which they weren't ready to pursue.
Other marriages weren't made to last as Superhero divorces started to occur. Hank Pym struck his wife in anger culminating a series of events that had him drummed out of the Avengers and leading to his divorce from the Wasp.
Other marriages broke up, but just as in the real world, marriages continued to happen. After years of heartache, heartbreak and frustration, Spider-man proposed to Mary Jane Watson leading to the marriage in Spider-man Annual #21, a marriage that fans would come to love and one editor at Marvel would come to hate. (More on that in the next post.)
Finally, Superman himself got married. There had been Superman marriages before but in the twisted continuities of multiple alternate Earths and various characters on Earth One and Earth Two in the pre-Crisis DC Universe, it really is hard to track who was married to who.
The series tracked with Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman which was built on the growing relationship between the two characters. In the TV series, Clark was portrayed as a virgin who saved himself for marriage. While a lot of crazy stuff went wrong in the TV show, one has to admire their dogged determination to get married despite clones, witches, and all these sorts of obstacles.
There are three big superheroes that have the highest name recognition: Superman, Batman, and Spider-man. By the mid-1990s, whatever craziness happened in the rest of the Superhero world, two were quite happily married in the comic books. However, that wouldn't last for long.
To be Continued....
Seeking a Cohort for the Coming Comic Revolution
The world of comics is changing. It's been coming from years, the Internet has been full of web comics. The experiment has become such an item that Mark Waid, current writer for Marvel's Daredevil and Hulk titles (and previous writer for noted series such as The Flash) has actually established Thrill Bent as an experimental comic site and published his own web comic Insufferable.
Of course, in terms of self-publishing and selling a comic, that's been a challenge, as new technologies like the Kindle Fire allow readers to enjoy comics on the tablet. This is a great time as well with Comixology digital comic story beta testing a feature that will allow artists to post and sell their comics write alongside the mainstream comics.
I'd love to have my character Powerhouse to be part of that revolution. While most comics are probably going to be known for being "grittier," Powerhouse would be unique with a Christian focus, and more family friendly superhero ideal.
Of course, to do this, I need an artist as a partner. I'm looking for someone who is talented, with great imagination and is gifted, dedicated, and committed. They also have to share the values and vision behind the series.
I'm looking for a partner in this venture, not an employee, so this will be a great opportunity for the right artist with a 50-50 split of profits.
Our first project will be adapting
Tales of the Dim Knight as a limited edition digital comic for the Kindle fire and hopefully Comixology. Beyond that, the sky's the limit. With emerging technology, there's so much that we can do to create something truly positive and fun. So, if you're interested email me.
Of course, in terms of self-publishing and selling a comic, that's been a challenge, as new technologies like the Kindle Fire allow readers to enjoy comics on the tablet. This is a great time as well with Comixology digital comic story beta testing a feature that will allow artists to post and sell their comics write alongside the mainstream comics.
I'd love to have my character Powerhouse to be part of that revolution. While most comics are probably going to be known for being "grittier," Powerhouse would be unique with a Christian focus, and more family friendly superhero ideal.
Of course, to do this, I need an artist as a partner. I'm looking for someone who is talented, with great imagination and is gifted, dedicated, and committed. They also have to share the values and vision behind the series.
I'm looking for a partner in this venture, not an employee, so this will be a great opportunity for the right artist with a 50-50 split of profits.
Our first project will be adapting
Tales of the Dim Knight as a limited edition digital comic for the Kindle fire and hopefully Comixology. Beyond that, the sky's the limit. With emerging technology, there's so much that we can do to create something truly positive and fun. So, if you're interested email me.
Sample Saturday:Superhero Father and Son Bonding Time
How does a mighty hero spend time with his kids? It's usually fairly typical for Dave Johnson, but there are a few extra special times as shown in Fly Another Day:
Powerhouse dashed toward the tank barreling at him. He grabbed it by its big gun, flung it around the Nevada dessert, and smashed it on the ground repeatedly.
The immobile tank lay upside down, and it’s wheels slowed. It looked a like an oversized tortoise that had fallen on its back. Powerhouse grabbed the machine in the middle and tore it apart like it was Reynolds rap.
Powerhouse super-imagined his armor contracting into a metal square on his chest. He stood in blue tights with the gold Powerhouse lightening bolt on the metal plate on his chest. His helmet remained and continued to blow cool air into his face. Powerhouse dashed across the desert.
A low-orbiting, rectangular spaceship swooped after him. He spun and fled the other way as fast as he could run. The sand, hills, and cacti blended into a big blur. He was nowhere near as fast as the Flash, but he was surely breaking a world record ten times over. Good enough.
His lungs started to burn. Powerhouse panted. He had to stop.
He glanced back behind him at the ship overhead, right on his tail. Gotta keep running.
Powerhouse sped up. He passed miles of desert. His legs ached. His throat matched his surroundings. He peered at his watch. He’d been going half an hour. It had to be enough. He slowed and came to a gradual stop. He breathed in, out, nice and slow.
The spaceship landed and Derrick and James got out.
James eyes’ were wide. “That was so c-cool.”
Derrick nodded. “Yeah, Dad. I timed it. For the first five minutes, you were going 1500 miles an hour. I could barely keep up in the spaceship. Then you slowed down to 800 miles an hour."
Powerhouse nodded. “I could practice so I don’t slow down so much, but I don’t know how I’d use it practically. I have my rocketpack.”
Derrick shook his head. “Dad, your rocketpack only goes 250 miles an hour. You’re way faster when running on the ground.”
“Too many obstacles on the ground in the city. I’ll keep working on it.”
Derrick waved back at the spaceship. “Come inside and rest.”
“Right away, son.” Powerhouse yawned.
Showing off for the kids was harder than fighting crime. Still, it was worth it to spend time with them.
Powerhouse plodded into the ship and plopped in a plush captain’s chair on the bridge of the stealth spaceship.
Derrick settled into the navigator’s chair. “One more thing, Dad.”
That was it. “One more thing, Derrick Johnson. Who am I?”
“I mean Powerhouse. Zolgron gave me some information that he said you need to memorize. He wanted to be that sure you got it because he’s in Tahiti.” Derrick reached into a bag and pulled out a folded document of some kind. “City of Seattle Map.”
Powerhouse touched the map and his head was filled with a complete scale map of the city. “Very cool.”
Derrick tossed him another map. “City of Seattle sewer map.”
Powerhouse touched it. His mind filled with the layout of the Seattle sewer system. “Always handy to have.”
Derrick reached into the satchel. “Greater Seattle area phone book.”
“That’s good.” Powerhouse touched it. His body jolted and numbers zipped through his head. It figured. That always happened with big books.
Derrick reached in and pulled out half a dozen books. “And here are some martial arts books we got from the library.”
“Super!” Powerhouse grabbed them. Karate instructions and illustrations wrote themselves onto his brain’s hard drive.
He added Judo, Akido, and then Kung Fu. He grabbed the fifth book.
Pictures of delicious pastries filled his mind.
Huh?
Powerhouse gaped at the cover. “The Betty Crocker Desert Cookbook.”
“Oops.” Derrick flinched. “That must have been on the wrong shelf.”
Powerhouse grabbed the last book and acquired knowledge of Tae Kwon Do.
His head throbbed. Rubbing it, he moaned.
“W-what’s wrong?” James asked.
“Information overload. It’s like an ice cream headache, only worse and without getting to eat the yummy ice cream.”
Powerhouse closed his eyes and imagined one of the confections in Betty Crocker’s book. A peach cobbler with ice cream, plates and a knife appeared on his lap. Powerhouse cut off a slice and lifted it toward his mouth.
He waved at the kids and the cobbler. “Have some.”
Derrick took a place, cut off a piece of the cobbler, and put it on his plate. He pressed a button on the spaceship’s control panel. “I’ll get us back to camp.”
James snatched up the remaining plate and sliced himself a piece of the cobbler, too. “D-dad, you okay?”
“Yes, son.”
Derrick glanced at his brother and slipped sound-proof earphones on.
James sighed and swallowed. “D-dad, you’re not a d-dork. I’m s-sorry.”
“You’re forgiven, son.” Powerhouse smiled. “From what I’ve heard, most sons your age think their dads are dorks.”
“Heard? Didn’t you?”
“My father died when I was four.”
“Oh.” James blinked. “Y-you never mentioned it.”
“Not a happy memory.” Powerhouse’s chest constricted.
“Well, y-you’re cool.”
That alone made the whole trip worth it. “Son, have another piece of cobbler.”
Fly Another Day is available free today for the Kindle and also available in Paperback or as an Audible download.
Powerhouse dashed toward the tank barreling at him. He grabbed it by its big gun, flung it around the Nevada dessert, and smashed it on the ground repeatedly.
The immobile tank lay upside down, and it’s wheels slowed. It looked a like an oversized tortoise that had fallen on its back. Powerhouse grabbed the machine in the middle and tore it apart like it was Reynolds rap.
Powerhouse super-imagined his armor contracting into a metal square on his chest. He stood in blue tights with the gold Powerhouse lightening bolt on the metal plate on his chest. His helmet remained and continued to blow cool air into his face. Powerhouse dashed across the desert.
A low-orbiting, rectangular spaceship swooped after him. He spun and fled the other way as fast as he could run. The sand, hills, and cacti blended into a big blur. He was nowhere near as fast as the Flash, but he was surely breaking a world record ten times over. Good enough.
His lungs started to burn. Powerhouse panted. He had to stop.
He glanced back behind him at the ship overhead, right on his tail. Gotta keep running.
Powerhouse sped up. He passed miles of desert. His legs ached. His throat matched his surroundings. He peered at his watch. He’d been going half an hour. It had to be enough. He slowed and came to a gradual stop. He breathed in, out, nice and slow.
The spaceship landed and Derrick and James got out.
James eyes’ were wide. “That was so c-cool.”
Derrick nodded. “Yeah, Dad. I timed it. For the first five minutes, you were going 1500 miles an hour. I could barely keep up in the spaceship. Then you slowed down to 800 miles an hour."
Powerhouse nodded. “I could practice so I don’t slow down so much, but I don’t know how I’d use it practically. I have my rocketpack.”
Derrick shook his head. “Dad, your rocketpack only goes 250 miles an hour. You’re way faster when running on the ground.”
“Too many obstacles on the ground in the city. I’ll keep working on it.”
Derrick waved back at the spaceship. “Come inside and rest.”
“Right away, son.” Powerhouse yawned.
Showing off for the kids was harder than fighting crime. Still, it was worth it to spend time with them.
Powerhouse plodded into the ship and plopped in a plush captain’s chair on the bridge of the stealth spaceship.
Derrick settled into the navigator’s chair. “One more thing, Dad.”
That was it. “One more thing, Derrick Johnson. Who am I?”
“I mean Powerhouse. Zolgron gave me some information that he said you need to memorize. He wanted to be that sure you got it because he’s in Tahiti.” Derrick reached into a bag and pulled out a folded document of some kind. “City of Seattle Map.”
Powerhouse touched the map and his head was filled with a complete scale map of the city. “Very cool.”
Derrick tossed him another map. “City of Seattle sewer map.”
Powerhouse touched it. His mind filled with the layout of the Seattle sewer system. “Always handy to have.”
Derrick reached into the satchel. “Greater Seattle area phone book.”
“That’s good.” Powerhouse touched it. His body jolted and numbers zipped through his head. It figured. That always happened with big books.
Derrick reached in and pulled out half a dozen books. “And here are some martial arts books we got from the library.”
“Super!” Powerhouse grabbed them. Karate instructions and illustrations wrote themselves onto his brain’s hard drive.
He added Judo, Akido, and then Kung Fu. He grabbed the fifth book.
Pictures of delicious pastries filled his mind.
Huh?
Powerhouse gaped at the cover. “The Betty Crocker Desert Cookbook.”
“Oops.” Derrick flinched. “That must have been on the wrong shelf.”
Powerhouse grabbed the last book and acquired knowledge of Tae Kwon Do.
His head throbbed. Rubbing it, he moaned.
“W-what’s wrong?” James asked.
“Information overload. It’s like an ice cream headache, only worse and without getting to eat the yummy ice cream.”
Powerhouse closed his eyes and imagined one of the confections in Betty Crocker’s book. A peach cobbler with ice cream, plates and a knife appeared on his lap. Powerhouse cut off a slice and lifted it toward his mouth.
He waved at the kids and the cobbler. “Have some.”
Derrick took a place, cut off a piece of the cobbler, and put it on his plate. He pressed a button on the spaceship’s control panel. “I’ll get us back to camp.”
James snatched up the remaining plate and sliced himself a piece of the cobbler, too. “D-dad, you okay?”
“Yes, son.”
Derrick glanced at his brother and slipped sound-proof earphones on.
James sighed and swallowed. “D-dad, you’re not a d-dork. I’m s-sorry.”
“You’re forgiven, son.” Powerhouse smiled. “From what I’ve heard, most sons your age think their dads are dorks.”
“Heard? Didn’t you?”
“My father died when I was four.”
“Oh.” James blinked. “Y-you never mentioned it.”
“Not a happy memory.” Powerhouse’s chest constricted.
“Well, y-you’re cool.”
That alone made the whole trip worth it. “Son, have another piece of cobbler.”
Fly Another Day is available free today for the Kindle and also available in Paperback or as an Audible download.
Sample Saturday: Getting Rid of An Assassin the Easy Way
Some times there are ways to avoid a superhero battle when you're just not in the mood as we read in this excerpt from Tales of the Dim Knight:
A car engine roared outside. Dave peeked between the living room blinds. A guy in a black leather catsuit, carrying a laser rifle, climbed out of a washed-out, slate blue Toyota with a dented-in passenger side door.
Dude, he was really not up for a superhero battle today. Dave sighed, ran to the kitchen, changed into Powerhouse, and tore out the back door into the yard. He flew over the house to the front yard. Cat Guy fired a beam of energy at Powerhouse.
He dodged left and glared at Cat Guy. “What do you want?”
“I’m here to kill you.” Cat Guy fired continuous laser streams at him.
Powerhouse dodged. “Why?”
“Because someone’s paying me.”
“What will you do with the money?”
Cat Guy stopped firing and lowered his weapon. “I’d buy a sports car and go to Hawaii.”
Powerhouse landed. “Tell you what. How about you don’t kill me, and I give you a sports car and fly you to Hawaii?”
Cat Guy stared, gaping. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I just really don’t want to be bothered. I’m busy playing Legos.” Powerhouse super-imagined the Toyota turning into a red Lamborghini.
Cat Guy jumped in the car and whistled. “This is all right. How about Hawaii?”
A small jet engine winked into existence on the back of the car. Powerhouse pointed. “This will carry you all the way there.”
Cat Guy hesitated. “What’ll I tell the mob? I don’t want any cement shoes, man.”
Powerhouse transformed Cat Guy into Red Hawaiian Shirt Guy. “Tell them I took your clothes and car and threw you across the ocean.”
Red Hawaiian Shirt Guy waved. “Thanks, man.”
“Have a good trip.” Powerhouse activated the jet engine and the car soared into the sky. He flew back behind the house and changed into mild-mannered janitor Dave Johnson.
Read more exciting er-action in Tales of the Dim Knight available for 99 cents on the Kindle through Sunday.
Short Story: Crisis of the Multiple Powerhouses, Part One
Powerhouse hurtled towards the ground at top speed as he smashed through the underground bunker shattering and mortar as he stood in the stinking filth of the underground lair.
“Fournier!” Powerhouse stuck a heroic pose in his metallic armor with rocket pack on his back. “I’m here in your filthy lair.”
A voice came from a box. “I’m sorry, I just signed the lease on this thing. I should have known better than to rent from a swamp monster.”
“Never mind that, villain. Where is Major Speed?”
“You have more pressing problems to deal with. You’ll be defeated.”
Powerhouse rolled his eyes. “You’re going to use your silly forcefield again.”
“No, you see, the only thing that can defeat Powerhouse is an alternate version of him from another dimension. I have the portal. Every single choice anyone makes creates an alternate universe, and there are an infinite number from which I can draw someone who can defeat you.”
Fournier leered. “Meet your evil self.”
In a flash of light, a muscular version of his alter ego, Dave Johnson appeared carrying a tire iron and swung it at him.
Powerhouse dodged, tripped the guy, and imagined him tied up. “Yeah, that was a challenge.” He glared down at his evil twin. “What did you do that for?”
Evil Dave cursed.
Powerhouse slapped him. “What would grandpa say?”
“The geezer died in a plane crash when I was two, and my old man died when I was four. Then my old lady made off with the geezer’s dumb comic collection and left me.” Evil Dave cursed his whole family.
“Why did you attack me?”
“You look like some stupid superhero. The only comic character I’ve ever liked is the Joker. He inspired me to get into a life of crime. I want to see the whole world burn!”
Powerhouse shuddered. His grandpa lived until he was ten and left him his love of heroes to give him a good example. “It’s too bad.”
Evil Dave cursed.
Powerhouse grunted. Evil Dave at least would never acquire superpowers. A guy with a long criminal record couldn’t pass the security check to work for the FBI and get the warehouse cleaning job that allowed him to get the powers.
A floating hologram of Fournier appeared wearing his lab coat and suit. Fournier straightened his pink bowtie “Behold, the next evil incarnation!”
A version of Dave in a power suit walked out, staring blankly. “What am I doing here? Mother will be most disappointed in me.” He stared at Powerhouse “My word, you are a rarity: a superhero I haven’t gotten murdered.”
Powerhouse blinked. “Murdered? With what?”
“Editorial demands. I’m a horrible person, and most displeasing to everyone. Mother tells me this all the time.”
“Mother? I’m you from an alternate universe. My mother provided minimal supervision and then ran out when I was eighteen.”
“You are so fortunate. Mother was taking that course until I turned eleven. At a yard sale, she bought a book that taught her how to mold me after her ways. When I won the lottery, mother invested the winnings and turned me into a billionaire for her own evil purposes. She caught me reading comic books and vowed to purge me of the habit by making me owner of a comic company and having me issue editorial mandates that were horrendous. Captain America was killed by a gunman when being brought to trial on preposterous charges. Spider-Man sold his marriage to the devil and was replaced by one of his chief villains. Mother also made me force numerous comics featuring everyone talking incessantly about their feelings, calling it character development.” Powersuit Dave fell to his knees and hugged Powerhouse’s legs.
“Please let me stay here. I want to live in a universe where Spider-man isn’t Doctor Octopus.”
So do I. Powerhouse sighed. “Um, I have bad news.”
Fournier’s hologram re-appeared but this time he was wearing a green and purple jump suit, his head was shaved and he was standing against a psychedelic window. “Okay, third time’s the charm.”
Powerhouse objected. “Villain, watch your mouth. That’s a cliché And have a care, I know a certain villain who wouldn’t appreciate you stealing his look.”
Out of the portal appeared a man in a bulletproof black suit, an emerald colored dress shirt, and emerald dress shoes. “Who dares bother the Dark Spirit of Justice?” He sniffed and covered his nose. “And who died in here?” Air fresheners appeared all over the lair.
Continued here
“Fournier!” Powerhouse stuck a heroic pose in his metallic armor with rocket pack on his back. “I’m here in your filthy lair.”
A voice came from a box. “I’m sorry, I just signed the lease on this thing. I should have known better than to rent from a swamp monster.”
“Never mind that, villain. Where is Major Speed?”
“You have more pressing problems to deal with. You’ll be defeated.”
Powerhouse rolled his eyes. “You’re going to use your silly forcefield again.”
“No, you see, the only thing that can defeat Powerhouse is an alternate version of him from another dimension. I have the portal. Every single choice anyone makes creates an alternate universe, and there are an infinite number from which I can draw someone who can defeat you.”
Fournier leered. “Meet your evil self.”
In a flash of light, a muscular version of his alter ego, Dave Johnson appeared carrying a tire iron and swung it at him.
Powerhouse dodged, tripped the guy, and imagined him tied up. “Yeah, that was a challenge.” He glared down at his evil twin. “What did you do that for?”
Evil Dave cursed.
Powerhouse slapped him. “What would grandpa say?”
“The geezer died in a plane crash when I was two, and my old man died when I was four. Then my old lady made off with the geezer’s dumb comic collection and left me.” Evil Dave cursed his whole family.
“Why did you attack me?”
“You look like some stupid superhero. The only comic character I’ve ever liked is the Joker. He inspired me to get into a life of crime. I want to see the whole world burn!”
Powerhouse shuddered. His grandpa lived until he was ten and left him his love of heroes to give him a good example. “It’s too bad.”
Evil Dave cursed.
Powerhouse grunted. Evil Dave at least would never acquire superpowers. A guy with a long criminal record couldn’t pass the security check to work for the FBI and get the warehouse cleaning job that allowed him to get the powers.
A floating hologram of Fournier appeared wearing his lab coat and suit. Fournier straightened his pink bowtie “Behold, the next evil incarnation!”
A version of Dave in a power suit walked out, staring blankly. “What am I doing here? Mother will be most disappointed in me.” He stared at Powerhouse “My word, you are a rarity: a superhero I haven’t gotten murdered.”
Powerhouse blinked. “Murdered? With what?”
“Editorial demands. I’m a horrible person, and most displeasing to everyone. Mother tells me this all the time.”
“Mother? I’m you from an alternate universe. My mother provided minimal supervision and then ran out when I was eighteen.”
“You are so fortunate. Mother was taking that course until I turned eleven. At a yard sale, she bought a book that taught her how to mold me after her ways. When I won the lottery, mother invested the winnings and turned me into a billionaire for her own evil purposes. She caught me reading comic books and vowed to purge me of the habit by making me owner of a comic company and having me issue editorial mandates that were horrendous. Captain America was killed by a gunman when being brought to trial on preposterous charges. Spider-Man sold his marriage to the devil and was replaced by one of his chief villains. Mother also made me force numerous comics featuring everyone talking incessantly about their feelings, calling it character development.” Powersuit Dave fell to his knees and hugged Powerhouse’s legs.
“Please let me stay here. I want to live in a universe where Spider-man isn’t Doctor Octopus.”
So do I. Powerhouse sighed. “Um, I have bad news.”
Fournier’s hologram re-appeared but this time he was wearing a green and purple jump suit, his head was shaved and he was standing against a psychedelic window. “Okay, third time’s the charm.”
Powerhouse objected. “Villain, watch your mouth. That’s a cliché And have a care, I know a certain villain who wouldn’t appreciate you stealing his look.”
Out of the portal appeared a man in a bulletproof black suit, an emerald colored dress shirt, and emerald dress shoes. “Who dares bother the Dark Spirit of Justice?” He sniffed and covered his nose. “And who died in here?” Air fresheners appeared all over the lair.
Continued here
Book Review: Faillstate Legends
Failstate: Legends by John W. OtteMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The teenage superhero Failstate (Robin Laughlin) won his won his Vigilante license as a result of a reality TV show and returns to his hometown of New Chayton facing a brand new challenge: the emergence of zombies on the streets of New Chayton.
Unfortunately, while New Chayton is allotted several licensed heroes, Failstate is the only one available. His liaison officer with the government agency that regulates costumed vigilantes invites a swarm of licensed heroes to New Chayton to assist in the challenge. Can the sixteen year old stand up in the company of legends (including the most legendary hero of all?)
The book works quite well, but is perhaps best in the character development department. Failstate, unlicensed heroes Gauntlet (aka Robin’s brother Ben), and Veritas (aka Mike) all were in the first book. All three characters are changing but in a realistic and believable fashion. It's great to see how the relationship between Gauntlet and Failstate evolves throughout the book.
I also have to give kudos to Otte for a couple new characters. I loved the vigilante Kynetic (Kyn) and Etzal’el was a character I thought I wouldn't like but I actually found to be really fun. Either one of these would be great for a spin-off book.
The story itself is very well-written and fast-paced with a lot of plot developments on its way to the final conclusion. Failstate: Legends has everything you’d expect in a superhero story and all of its well done with plenty of battles, intrigue, and a good deal of suspense get thrown into the mix.
I'm not a fan of zombie stories usually, but the zombies in Legends were a macguffin for our heroes and villains to have a plot around rather than the central point of the story.
The negatives of the story are few. We find out that Failstate's name is a bit of a misnomer as his power doesn't actually create a Failstate, which I guess would be kind of like finding out Spider-man had been by a radioactive ladybug. I'll also admit the set up for the final battle between Failstate and the main villain did stretch suspension of disbelief a little bit, but the stunning conclusion to the story more than makes up for it.
Finally, some people will have a problem with the fact that (without giving away the ending) the VOC (the agency that regulates superheroes in Failstate’s universe) was really incompetent and poorly managed, with the left hand does know what the right is doing, power is abused, and government funds are embezzled and mismanaged with little to no oversight. However, I merely give the book points for realism.
Overall, Failstate Legends is a well-crafted story that continues the coming of age saga with a likable hero, a great supporting cast, and a well-done plot which provides a couple good life lessons along the way.
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Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis Released
The newest story in the Adventures of Powerhouse saga has been released. It's time for Powerhouse's biggest adventure yet, Ultimate Mid-life Crisis. Details are below:
What happens when a superhero endures a midlife crisis?
As Powerhouse, Dave Johnson has become a local legend in Seattle but choruses of voices advise him that he’s wasting his time defending the Emerald City. He’s urged to take on more ambitious goals like defending New York, being a full-time comic book executive, or becoming a bat-breaking evangelist. These questions are pushed into the background when Powerhouse is confronted with an unprecedented crime wave launched by the interdimensional warlord Varlock as part of his effort to help King Bel conquer the Earth.
At the same time, Naomi Johnson secretly possesses her husband’s super powers. When her work slows down during the summer, the Johnson children depart to summer camp, and Dave is never home due to the crime wave., she assumes a new identity in Wyoming as Marie Dubois and becomes a vigilante known as Justice Woman. In the course of this, she confronts her unfulfilled hopes and dreams, and her unresolved anger.
While Powerhouse is pushed to the point of physical and mental collapse by Varlock’s scheme, Naomi has to decide whether she’ll go back to her old life or chart a new course. How she decides will affect her, her family, and the entire world.
Ultimate Mid-life Crisis is available for the Kindle as well as other ebook readers.
More details to come in future days.
What happens when a superhero endures a midlife crisis?
As Powerhouse, Dave Johnson has become a local legend in Seattle but choruses of voices advise him that he’s wasting his time defending the Emerald City. He’s urged to take on more ambitious goals like defending New York, being a full-time comic book executive, or becoming a bat-breaking evangelist. These questions are pushed into the background when Powerhouse is confronted with an unprecedented crime wave launched by the interdimensional warlord Varlock as part of his effort to help King Bel conquer the Earth.
At the same time, Naomi Johnson secretly possesses her husband’s super powers. When her work slows down during the summer, the Johnson children depart to summer camp, and Dave is never home due to the crime wave., she assumes a new identity in Wyoming as Marie Dubois and becomes a vigilante known as Justice Woman. In the course of this, she confronts her unfulfilled hopes and dreams, and her unresolved anger.
While Powerhouse is pushed to the point of physical and mental collapse by Varlock’s scheme, Naomi has to decide whether she’ll go back to her old life or chart a new course. How she decides will affect her, her family, and the entire world.
Ultimate Mid-life Crisis is available for the Kindle as well as other ebook readers.
More details to come in future days.
Book Review: Showcase Presents the Atom, Volume 2
Showcase Presents: The Atom, Vol. 2 by Gardner F. FoxMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book collects Issues 18-39 of the Atom's solo series and it's a solid fun run of Silver Age stories. The book features two guest appearances by the Earth 2/Golden Age Atom as well as an appearance by Zatara and Hawkman.
The plots are fun and inventive, for the most part with some good scientific research put into the concepts as befits a story about a great scientist. It's amazing all the ways that the Atom's powers are used and how proficient he's gotten with them in this book. While the characterization isn't great, there is some nice sweet romance between the Atom and his intended Jean Loring.
Overall, this is another great volume about a truly underrated Silver Age superhero.
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Christians and Superheroes
I'm a Christian who writes superhero fiction (some parody and some serious.)
On this blog, we'll take a look at:
1) Superhero stories
2) Issues of faith in relation to Superhero stories
3) Writing Superhe ...more
On this blog, we'll take a look at:
1) Superhero stories
2) Issues of faith in relation to Superhero stories
3) Writing Superhe ...more
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