[DLQ]⇒ Read In Hero Years I'm Dead Deluxe Edition edition by Michael Stackpole Literature Fiction eBooks

In Hero Years I'm Dead Deluxe Edition edition by Michael Stackpole Literature Fiction eBooks

Download As PDF : In Hero Years I'm Dead Deluxe Edition edition by Michael Stackpole Literature Fiction eBooks

In Hero Years I'm Dead Deluxe Edition edition by Michael Stackpole Literature Fiction eBooks

The sub genre of superhero prose fiction has always been a favorite of mine, even back when there were damn few examples of such -- even fewer that we're not spin offs of established comics characters. One of my favorite short pieces was Mike Stackpole's "Peer Review", which appeared first in a wonderful anthology called, simply, Superheroes! How wonderful to see Stackpole return to that setting for a full novel here!
"In Hero Years, I'm Dead" was Stackpole's first experiment with so-called digital self publishing. It appears that this was all that was needed to change the superhero sub genre into a going concern. These days, there a quite a few authors turning out original cape-and-cowl prose, which pleases this fan no end. This novel, however, stands as an example to all others.
Stackpole's novel is rich in subtlety of characterization -- while still preserving the recognizable four-color brave and bold feel of the superhero comics. This is particularly true of his central hero, who goes through not one but several journeys of self-discovery. Just when he thinks he has finally understood his place in the world, something else comes along to make him realize that he still doesn't really know himself at all. The story works as a superhero saga, as an intriguing mystery, and as the tale of a man's stumbling efforts to find a place in a world that has changed a great deal in the years he has spent away from it. In the process, Stackpole gives new insights on what makes a hero or a villain, and how the lines get very blurry when looked at without the four-color lenses comics readers are asked to wear.
I do hope, in time, Stackpole will get back to some of these characters, as he certainly leaves you wanting to know more about them. In the meantime, if you have not already read "In Hero Years... I'm Dead" I envy you -- you have a real treat coming. This Deluze Edition also contains an essay about how the novel came to be that is worth the price of admission by itself. (But read the novel FIRST! If you get the details and twists in the story spoiled, you'll hate yourself.) Highly recommended!


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In Hero Years I'm Dead Deluxe Edition edition by Michael Stackpole Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

There is a lot to like about this book. The characters are relatable and often iconic, the action is furious and fast, and the mystery is both mysterious and solvable (if you can stop reading long enough to try and puzzle it out; I could not). The themes are solid and fairly easy to spot, and the author presents a (sadly) believable world.

It has flaws as well. The most obvious is a need for two or three more editing passes. Next to that is the level of confusion for the reader - our hero knows things are wrong, but at least he has enough information to not feel like a toddler watching Jeopardy. The reader lacks even that level of background until chapter seven or eight. My final complaint ties back into the editing, specifically name confusion. It is bad enough that multiple characters have similar names, but those names get misused in the text, exacerbating the confusion.

Despite all of that, this was one of the better super stories I took a chance on. The purely human protagonist is less plausible than the super people around him, but it holds together quite well.

Recommended for fans of superheroes and mysteries, with patience for editing errors.
I've been a fan of superhero comics since I was a little kid. I grew up with SpiderSpider and Batman and Superman in my house. Even though I preferred funny animal comics, I read the superhero books and enjoyed them and read all the way through the 70s 80s and 90s. I even read a couple superhero novels over the years.

So when I discovered Mike Stack pole had written a different sort of superhero novel, I had to pick up a copy. It sat in my to read pile waiting to be read. I had been rereading some classic comics and finally decided it was time to read this one.

When I say a different novel I mean different. Sure Batman has the dark and gritty covered, but villains making g plans and posting those plans so heros can bid on what they were going to defend. Heros scoring point to help them grow in popularity. A city that allows crime to happen so heros can save them. Color me curious.

Our hero has no name to start with. He's had so many identities over that names are interchangeable. He is a hero out of time. 20 years he disappeared only to discover a new reality where thing are allowed to happen.

But he's not ready to p,any this game. He's retired. The life he left and the one he came back to are not the same. And someone is trying to break this new system.

Mike does a great job intertwining the tropes of traditional comics and dropping in parody, insight, and a twist all his own. The characters are fun, unpredictable, and wind their way along as best they can. Just when you think the story is going in one direction, BAM! You forced sideways and have to wonder if that was on purpose.

I really enjoyed this book. There were a couple lines that rubbed me wrong, but that could be said of any book. Overall this is a fun and fast read. Highly recommended.

I had read the deluxe edition. What did I get for my extra buck? Oh, just an essay explaining not only the behind the scenes of writing the book but the history, thought process, and little insights that made the story tick.

Do yourself a favor. If you're a fan of superhero comics and have been looking for a different take, pick up this book and give it a go.
The sub genre of superhero prose fiction has always been a favorite of mine, even back when there were damn few examples of such -- even fewer that we're not spin offs of established comics characters. One of my favorite short pieces was Mike Stackpole's "Peer Review", which appeared first in a wonderful anthology called, simply, Superheroes! How wonderful to see Stackpole return to that setting for a full novel here!
"In Hero Years, I'm Dead" was Stackpole's first experiment with so-called digital self publishing. It appears that this was all that was needed to change the superhero sub genre into a going concern. These days, there a quite a few authors turning out original cape-and-cowl prose, which pleases this fan no end. This novel, however, stands as an example to all others.
Stackpole's novel is rich in subtlety of characterization -- while still preserving the recognizable four-color brave and bold feel of the superhero comics. This is particularly true of his central hero, who goes through not one but several journeys of self-discovery. Just when he thinks he has finally understood his place in the world, something else comes along to make him realize that he still doesn't really know himself at all. The story works as a superhero saga, as an intriguing mystery, and as the tale of a man's stumbling efforts to find a place in a world that has changed a great deal in the years he has spent away from it. In the process, Stackpole gives new insights on what makes a hero or a villain, and how the lines get very blurry when looked at without the four-color lenses comics readers are asked to wear.
I do hope, in time, Stackpole will get back to some of these characters, as he certainly leaves you wanting to know more about them. In the meantime, if you have not already read "In Hero Years... I'm Dead" I envy you -- you have a real treat coming. This Deluze Edition also contains an essay about how the novel came to be that is worth the price of admission by itself. (But read the novel FIRST! If you get the details and twists in the story spoiled, you'll hate yourself.) Highly recommended!