They are a fairly regrettable lot, although I will always have a soft spot for ROM, Spaceknight! ( )

Amusing fun read but it does make some jokes at the expense of some characters or creations without considering either their whole context or what the characters became under better writing.

So fun with a grain of salt as I for one embrace the idea that nearly any idea has some redeeming features for the right author. ( )

A fun read, but one I found easier to swallow in small chunks over an extended period to help mitigate the unceasing onslaught of wackiness. It wasn’t necessary to be familiar with all the “regrettable” characters featured. (Those I was familiar with made me embarrassedly question the depths of my own enjoyment back when I was originally reading their comic adventures.) Eventually, the characters’ origins, eccentricities, and motivations all began to run together in my mind. Thankfully, the regular bits of snark doled out by author Jon Morris were finely balanced enough with the absurdity of the subject to keep me reading. ( )

A cute read, perfect for stocking stuffers, comic fans, and those who aren't apt to pick up books. This little book contains summaries, pictures and quotes from the comic book industries most "regrettable" superheroes. As the introduction states, "We call these second-tier (or lower) superheroes "regrettable," but it's important to remember that none of thesecharacters are inherently bad. Sometimes, the only factor that kept them from succeeding was bad timing, an unstable marketplace, or merely being lost in the crowd."Author Jon Morris explores some of the truly odd, overlooked, and underappreciated superheroes that are now largely forgotten. That cast includes: Doctor Hormone, Lady Satan, Rainbow Boy, Thunderbunny, and more. A quirky, quick, enjoyable read. ( )

Morris has put together a compendium of weird and failed superhero characters from the across the 75 year history of the genre. Some of these characters are just unfortunate attempts to cash in on a trend like Skateman, NFL Superpro, and US 1 the trucker superhero. Others border on outsider art like Fletcher Hanks intensely odd creations Fantomah and Stardust the Super Wizard, or Madame Fatal the cross-dressing crime fighter. Some appear to be self-conscious parody like Squirrel Girl and Fatman the Human Flying Saucer. The saddest entries are the attempts by once great creators to catch lightening in a bottle again, like Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Funnyman who fights crime with clown props.

It is easy to mock these oddball attempts at superheroes, but I can't help but think that if Spider-Man had been cancelled back in 1962 his concept would seem just as bizarre as the Red Bee or the Ferret.

Disclaimer: review copy provided by LibraryThing.