Super Prose?

[Emerald Warrior]

I'm wondering if anyone here has read some of the novels that Marvel and DC have put out in recent years.

What were the best ones you've read?

What were the worst?

Has Image done this?

I recall a series called the Wild Cards or some such thing that got some decent press.

Has anyone tried to submit a pitch to the big guys for a novel?


Thanks,

C. William Russette

[pi0trov]

I haven't read much, but I did recently read Inheritance (http://www.amazon.com/DC-Universe-Inheritance-Dc/dp/0446616575/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3593078-2810058?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181794704&sr=8-1), from DC's new novel series. I picked it up mainly because Devin Grayson wrote it, and I wanted to see how she fared as a prose writer, since I'm a big fan of her comic work.

It's pretty thin on plot, but the characterization is really good, and it's worth reading just for the best damn origin stories I've ever read for Robin and Speedy. Seriously, they should be canon...

DC's been putting out a bunch of these new DC Universe novels - I also picked up Helltown (http://www.amazon.com/DC-Universe-Helltown-Dc/dp/0446616583/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3593078-2810058?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181794767&sr=1-1), by Dennis O'Neil, but I haven't got around to that one yet.

There's a new series out by Vicki Pettersson based around pseudo-superheros with powers based on the zodiac. It was recommended to me by a friend who knows I like comics and sci-fi/fantasy, although she normally reads more fluff fantasy (usually with sexy vampires and the like), so I can't really vouch for her opinion. My fiance just started reading the first book, The Scent of Shadows (http://www.amazon.com/Scent-Shadows-Sign-Zodiac-Book/dp/0060898917/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3593078-2810058?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181794826&sr=1-1), so I'll probably read it after she's done and see if it's any good.

The absolute best "novel about people with super powers" I can recommend, however, is Fortress of Solitude (http://www.amazon.com/Fortress-Solitude-Jonathan-Lethem/dp/0571219357/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3593078-2810058?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181794873&sr=1-1) by Jonathan Lethem. It's a gritty, semi-autobiographical account of what would really happen if a kid actually found a ring that gave him powers. Great Stuff!

[Ron Phillips]

Wild Cards really wasn't a comic based novel. It was very super-heroesque. In fact a lot like the Heroes TV Series in that people from all over discover that they have powers and they split into good and evil factions.

It's actually an anthology (I think) series created by Roger Zalazny or George RR Martin. It's pretty old, but a classic.

I can't say I've actually read any of the comic based novelizations. :( Tempted at times to pick up one, but my reading list is pretty dense these days.

[Biofungus]

The only one that I read was the Death of Superman. It was kind of off putting, and for some reason I recall there being *two* Godzilla references in it...

[APFuchs]

The last mainstream one I read was No Man's Land by Greg Rucka, the novelization of the DC maxiseries.

I also spend a lot of time reading indy superhero prose books like Rush and the Grey Fox, The Wraith, Knightseeker and Shadow Fox. I also write my own series called The Axiom-man™ Saga (http://axiomman.blogspot.com), which currently has one book out and two more due for release on July 27.

Regarding pitching your own idea, last time I talked to a "name" about this, he said it was pretty much an issue of who you know and being asked to write a DC or Marvel book on invite-only.

A.P. Fuchs

[pi0trov]

Regarding pitching your own idea, last time I talked to a "name" about this, he said it was pretty much an issue of who you know and being asked to write a DC or Marvel book on invite-only.
That's not to say that if you have an idea, there's no reason you can't write a novel featuring your own super-creations (like you yourself are in fact doing! :) ). In fact, it might be even easier for a first time author to get a major book deal for a super-hero based novel and call it Science Fiction or Modern Fantasy than to get the same story off the ground as a indy comic series. It'd probably also be easier to turn a profit....

Also, I just remembered another new book I saw the last time I was at Borders: Soon I Will Be Invincible (http://www.amazon.com/Soon-Will-Be-Invincible-Novel/dp/0375424865/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3593078-2810058?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181878064&sr=8-1). It looks pretty darn funny, although I rarely buy hardcover novels anymore unless they're $5 bargain books or my absolute favorite authors, so I'm thinking I'll wait for the paperback or look at the library for this one.

[ChrisK]

http://www.firteen.com/articles/80sbabes/NFLSuperPro/fans.jpg

[Biofungus]

http://www.firteen.com/articles/80sbabes/NFLSuperPro/fans.jpg
Is that... NFL Superpro?

[J. Alexopoulos]

No Mans Land by Rucka was pretty descent. I actually got drawn into the DC Universe. All thanks to some decent writing.

Kingdom Come by Maggin on the other hand S.U.C.K.E.D. I couldn't even make it through. Very boring and shallow, reaffirming all my beliefs about DC comics.


I thought WildCards was pretty good. I only read the first volume, but it was interesting.

[Paul Sanderson]

Super prose? Best stick with the best super prose around - The Wraith series of books, which can be found here (http://www.the-wraith.com/books.html) :D

[ponyrl]

Super prose? Best stick with the best super prose around - The Wraith series of books, which can be found here (http://www.the-wraith.com/books.html) :D
Git yo butt back out on that block and MAKE MY MONEY! :man:

Does Wayne Brady gotta choke a bitch?

:laugh:

[Mic. Gee]

I read a lot of Marvel's Ultimate anthology series and two spiderman--no three novels back in the 90s. I read an Iron Man one , Fantastic Four/ Silver Surfer(i read ultimate silver surfer too) I stayed clean for a few years but then I broke down and started on a Peter David Hulk one around 2002/2003. Never finished it.

The stories were better executed in prose than in their comics for. Even when it came down to writers who worked on the comics too like David Michelinie . I can't imagine those stories aging well. They were ok. It's just that I'll never go near anything like those again.

[YoSoyJu]

I read a lot of Marvel's Ultimate anthology series and two spiderman--no three novels back in the 90s.

Why would you type this sentence? Was it for dramatic effect? Do you not have a backspace button? Does your typewriter have internet access?

[Mic. Gee]

stfu

[YoSoyJu]

I'm sorry If I offended you, but I just found it funny that someone would type that. I wanted to share my thoughts with others.