E. Paul Zehr

Forewarning: Based on the cover, it's easy to mistake this book for a graphic novel, but it's not; it's a novel with some illustrations. There is a lot of discussion of comic books and graphic novels in the text, though, so comic book fans may still enjoy the book.

I like the premise of Project Superhero, and its combination format of diary, interview letters, and illustrations is interesting. The yearlong Superhero Slam project assigned to Jessie and her classmates in the book is a great idea and would make for an interesting school year; I'd like to see more classes doing such long-term, interdisciplinary projects that really challenge the kids to think and research and debate. Unfortunately, Project Superhero reads too much like the actual notes of a research project and not enough like a compelling story.

Since the main character is 13, I'm not sure if Project Superhero will wind up classified as a middle grade or a young adult book. Either way, I don't think its intended audience will find it to be a very exciting read. For the middle grade level, Project Superhero doesn't have enough action--most of the text is Jessie's musings, thoughts, and interviews, which may inspire some "What makes a hero?" musings of their own in readers, but doesn't hold a young reader's attention very well or make them wonder what will happen on the next page. For the YA level, Project Superhero doesn't have enough character development--the only real character is Jessie; two friends and a sister are in the book, but barely. There are some friendship frustrations and changing relationship dynamics involved with the two friends, but the friends and day-to-day events are so briefly mentioned that it's easy for readers to figure out what's going on but hard for them to become invested enough to care.

The topic is intriguing, though, and Project Superhero's biggest asset is the real letters from true-life heroes. For kids interested in superheroes or who want to be heroes in their own ways, Project Superhero is still a good read.

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley.… (more)

Battling bad guys. High-tech hideouts. The gratitude of the masses. Who at some point in their life hasn't dreamed of being a superhero? Impossible, right? Or is it?

Possessing no supernatural powers, Batman is the most realistic of all the super heroes. His feats are achieved through rigorous training and mental discipline and with the aid of fantasitc gadgets. Drawing in his training as a neuroscientist, kinesiologist, and martial artsit, E. Paul Zehr explores the question: Could a mortal ever become Batman?

Zehr discusses the physical training necessary to maintain bad-guy-fighting necessary to maintain bad-guy-fighting readiness while relating the science underlaying this process, from strength conditioning to the cognitive changes a person would endure in underaking such a regimen. In probing what a real-life Batman could achieve, Zehr considers the level of punishment of consummately fit and trained person could handle, how hard and fast such a person could punch and kick, and the number of adversaries that individal could dispatch. He also tells us what it would be like to fight while wearing a batsuit and the amount of food we'd need to consume each day to maintain vigilance as Gotham City's guardian.

A fun foray of escapism grounded in sound science, Becoming Batman provides the background for attaining the realizable-though extreme-level of human performance that would allow you to be a superhero.

E. Paul Zehr is a professor of neuroscience and kinesiology at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, where he is also a biomedical research scholar. He holds black belts in both empty hand and armed martial arts. For more information about finding your inner superhero, visit www.becomingbatman.com.

'As a kid, I wanted to be batman but always ended up more like the Joker. I only wish I could have read Dr. Zehr's fascinating book then, so that I would have known exactly what it takes to become a real superhero.'-Bradford W. Wright, author of Comic Book Nation

'When I walk, every once in a while someone notices they can't hear my footsteps. Do you know why? Dr. E. Paul Zehr knows. I'm training to become Batman. Most of the population wouldn't understand this...but beneath and entwined in the soul of many men is a hero-in-the-making. Training for that moment that will, thankfully, never come. The moment when he must be a hero. The moment he trained for. They'll never hear me coming. In this book Dr. Zehr knows exactly what our giddy souls are doing. Here he tells our secret.'-Neal Adams, Batman illustrator

'If you really want to become Batman, having a billion dollars in start-up funds and a subterranean lair is just the beginning. Dr. Zehr's thoroughly researched and thoughtfully imagined exploration into the real-life rigors of costumed crime-fighting shows just how DC Comics' Dark Knight-the original self-made hero-could realistically transform a mere human body into something no less than superhuman. Consider it required reading for anyone seriously contemplating donning cape and cowl.'-Scott Beatty, author of The Batman Handbook

Contents

Foreword, by James Kakalios
Preface
Part I Bat-building blocks-Exploring what Batman became by beginning where he started
Cahpter 1 The'before' batman: How buff was Bruce?
chapter 2 Guess who's coming for dinner: Bruce's twin brother, Bob, and the human genome
Chapter 3 The stress of life: Holy hormones, Batman!
Part II Basic batbody training-Laying the foundation for Batman's physical prowess to be later exploited by his skill
Chapter 4 Gaining strength and power: Does the bat that flies the highest or the fastest get the worm?
Chapter 5 Building the batbones: Brittle is bad, but is bigger better?
Cahpter 6 Batmetabolism: What's for dinner on the dark knight diet
Part III Training the batbrain-Batman on the path to mastery of the martial arts
Chapter 7 From Bruce Wayne to Bruce Lee: Mastering martial moves in the batcave
Chapter 8 Everybody was kung fu fighting: But what was Batman doing?
Chapter 9 The caped crusader in combat: Can you kayo without killing?
Part IV Batman in action-Knight moves with Batman when he acts as the caped crusader
Chapter 10 Batman bashes and is bashed by bad boys (and girls): What can he break without getting broken?
Chapter 11 Hardening the batbody: Can sticks and stones break his bones?
Chapter 12 Gotham by twilight: Working he knight shift
Part V A mixed batbag-Pondering possible pitfalls along the path to bathood
Chapter 13 Injury and recovery: How much banging until the batback goes bonk?
Chapter 14 Battle of the bats: Could batgirl beat Batman?
Chapter 15 The aging avenger: Could the caped crusader become the caped codger?
Chapter 16 The reign of the bat: Can you really become Batman and remain Batman?
Appendix: Batman's training milestones
Bibliography
Index… (more)