An aging, flabby, power-fading super-hero is forced out of retirement by a government conspiracy and deadly threats from his past, only to discover that the world is a much darker, more cynical and dangerous place that the one he remembers from his heyday. Lashings of sex, violence and cod-psychological drama... any comic fans who grew up in the late 80s and 90s will now be crying "been there, done that, bought the T-shirt".

But wait - Robert Mayer's novel (minus the graphic) was originally published in 1977...

Read the full review at my blog. ( )

Love this book. What would it really be like to be a superhero and live a regular life? It's a hoot. ( )

http://www.flymf.com/NewLook/FFOK/Rev... ( )

A satire that is the story of an aging Superman analogue. The various major dc heroes perhaps do exist in his world, but analogous versions abound, as well, particularly a warped Marvel family analogue, complete with allies and enemies - some of whom were produced incestuously and recorded on the Saturn sexometer.

The protagonist almost discovers that there is a dangerous conspiracy at work, and he has to summon the enthusiasm to get out of suburbia and do something about it, whether his costume fits or not.

This book obviously had some influence on Busiek, Moore, Morrison, etc., and writers of that type, and what they ended up doing with Astro City, Miracleman, Watchmen and other titles.

When I first read this as a kid I had no idea who Walter Cronkite was, or other such American pop culture references, so that sort of thing may detract a little from the work now, but at least you can look 'em up on the internet, easily.

Definitely worth a look as a seminal work, even though obviously satirical.

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2006/1... ( )