Comments on: CAPES, COWLS & COSTUMES >> It’s Super, Man!

By: Paul Kupperberg

Paul Kupperberg — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:12:39 +0000

I found in both writing and editing superhero prose fiction, the adherence to comic book continuity is kind of pointless. One hopes the majority of the proposed audience for these books is not fan-based and, therefore, ignorant of the details of current continuity; in a JSA novel I wrote (publication pending), I decided to completely write around a major bit of DC Comics continuity because I didn’t feel it was worth stopping the story dead to explain this convoluted bit f business to the casual reader. On top of that, by the time a novel is written, prepped and published, the established continuity in the comics will have changed. Probably twice! The biggest sigh of relief I’ve ever heard from a writer was when, confronted with a bit of continuity that would have made his entire story seem illogical if forced to incorporate it into the novel, I told him he could ignore it and make sense instead.

By: Rod

Rod — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:40:53 +0000

Agreed. This is a novel that deserves a wider audience, and I don’t think most of its core target are even aware it exists.

By: Neil Ellis Orts

Neil Ellis Orts — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:14:37 +0000

Good review. Troubling, though, that the only response cited passing on the book because it didn’t “fit” into established “continuity.”

By: Paul Kupperberg

Paul Kupperberg — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:58:11 +0000

Yeah, it’s fairly obvious that DeHaven’s got at least a passing acquaintance with the 1941 Superman cartoon, THE MECHANICAL MONSTERS…or is it just that he was so successful evoking that era of the character?

By: RP

RP — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:12:13 +0000

The robots in IT’S SUPERMAN really put it over the top for me. They were totally sweet.

By: Rod

Rod — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:36:02 +0000

I also totally agree about the DeHaven book: http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/sci-fi/its-superman/

By: Paul Kupperberg

Paul Kupperberg — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:32:51 +0000

I totally agree about the DeHaven book. IT’S SUPERMAN somehow left me feeling that THIS was how Jerry Siegel would have handled the character if he’d had the literary chops; a cross between Steinbeck and Dos Passos (hey, I was an English lit major…some old habits die hard). The ending was sort of rough, but then I suppose it’s tough for some writers to make the leap into the rock ‘em-sock ‘em superheroics, and, like you, I feel the rest of the book was so good, I can forgive the lapse. Oh, and I’ll be getting to the Challengers novel…! Thanks, Neil!

By: Neil Ellis Orts

Neil Ellis Orts — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:42:59 +0000

Oddly, even though I bought them at the time of their release, I’ve never read the Maggin books. I have no explanation or excuse. I’ll have to dig them out one of these days . . .

The Lowther book, which I bought in 1995, is a treat. Besides an interesting historical artifact, it’s a fun story. Highly recommended.

For my money, though, the best Superman novel is It’s Superman by Tom De Haven. I ate that one up. It’s set in the 1930s and while I felt it fell apart a bit in the last couple of chapters, I’m not sure any ending could have ruined the pleasure I had for the majority of the book. This was the best treatment, in my opinion, of “timid Clark Kent.” I very much recommend everyone picking this one up.

Of course, you may get around to all of this eventually . . . not to jump the gun . . .

-Neil
who did read the Challengers of the Unknown novel in the 1970s and even did a book report on it for school!

By: Jerry Welch

Jerry Welch — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:26:33 +0000

Hey Paul,

Any chance a new writer can send you a free copy of his first two published books in thanks for your many works?

Email me!

By: Paul Kupperberg

Paul Kupperberg — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:29:45 +0000

The CHALLENGERS and BLACKHAWK books are on my shelf AND my to-do list! Thanks, Jim.

By: Jim Beard

Jim Beard — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:58:06 +0000

Paul, this is commentary that the legion of super-hero prose afficianados like myself have yearned for. More (super) power to you – I am definitely here for the entire ride, pal…especially when you get to some of the more obscure stuff, like the CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN novel or BLACKHAWK.

By: Paul Kupperberg

Paul Kupperberg — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 13:01:23 +0000

Spreadin’ the word about comic book fiction…it’s what I’m here for, Blue!

By: Blue Tyson

Blue Tyson — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:11:00 +0000

Didn’t know there was a newer edition of that first Superman book, thanks!

By: rob!

rob! — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:03:35 +0000

paul-

i always wondered why those books didn’t follow the movie’s stories.

even superman can’t defeat a team of corporate lawyers!

looking forward to more of these, paul.

By: Paul Kupperberg

Paul Kupperberg — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:16:29 +0000

Thanks! Thrilled to be here.

Paul
http://kupperberg.blogspot.com/

By: RP

RP — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:51:42 +0000

Holy cow! Welcome aboard, Paul!

By: Paul Kupperberg

Paul Kupperberg — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:26:04 +0000

How could I have forgotten…Bookgasm readers in general, and its reviewers in particular, are thoroughly-versed in literature!

By: Allan

Allan — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:02:03 +0000

I’ve also edited and written a few in my time

Paul….

You don’t have to tell us that.

http://houseofglib.blog-city.com/bdtom.htm