superpowers – Kristen Brand

9 Superheroines who don’t have Superpowers (and don’t need them)

Wonder Woman has the power of the gods. Captain Marvel can punch a hole in a spaceship. The Scarlet Witch…can sometimes do magic, or probability manipulation, or telekinesis/telepathy. It’s confusing.

In my current novel, I’m writing a main character who takes on magic and monsters with no powers of her own, so today, I want to look at the heroines who face supervillain, aliens, and gods with nothing but their wits and years of training. Some of them are super popular, but I want to spotlight a few lesser-known characters, too, so let’s get started. Continue reading 9 Superheroines who don’t have Superpowers (and don’t need them)

5 Supernatural Superheroes who Deserve more Spotlight

October is finally here, and that means a month filled with jack o’ lanterns, witches, and ghosts.

Although, to be honest, I don’t limit that spooky energy to October. I get my fix year-round by reading paranormal fiction. There’s something about things that go bump in the night that I just can’t get enough of in stories, especially when it comes to the heroes who fight them.

Comics has no shortage of the supernatural, and it’s one of favorite niches in both the Marvel and DC universes. Though I have my complaints about the Doctor Strange movie, I love that it introduced magic to the MCU, and Legends of Tomorrow got twice as awesome when they started fighting demons and introduced John Constantine.

Those two characters along with Blade, the Scarlet Witch, Zatanna, and a few others are what I consider the A-list of magical/supernatural superheroes. (Though I don’t think Zatanna has had a live-action appearance since Smallville. She really needs her own movie.) Today, I want to shine a spotlight on some paranormal superheroes who may be less popular but are all awesome characters who deserve more attention. Continue reading 5 Supernatural Superheroes who Deserve more Spotlight

The Black and Blue Blog Tour: Guest Post by Nancy O’Toole Meservier

Hey super-readers. I featured Nancy O’Toole Meservier’s debut superhero novel, Red and Black, when it came out last August. With the release of the sequel, Black and Blue, Nancy’s here with a guest post that I hope you enjoy.

One of the possible topics Kristen gave me for this guest posts was to talk about some of the inspirations for the Red and Black series. And while I could touch on the various comics, books, movies, or superhero TV shows that have influenced me, the truth of the matter is the series would have never existed if it weren’t for the video game, City of Heroes. Continue reading The Black and Blue Blog Tour: Guest Post by Nancy O’Toole Meservier

How to Write a Series of Superhero Fiction

I’ve made some mistakes.

I’ve also written some pretty good stuff, in my totally-not-biased opinion.

If nothing else, now that I’ve finished The White Knight & Black Valentine Series and am the author of five superhero novels, I’ve learned a lot. And, like the veteran superhero imparting her knowledge to her young sidekick, I’m here to pass on what I’ve learned so you can do better than me. Continue reading How to Write a Series of Superhero Fiction

Book Spotlight: The Vigilantes: Books 1 – 3 by Trish Heinrich

I forgot if I’ve raved about Serpent’s Sacrifice, the first book in the Vigilantes Series by Trish Heinrich, on this site before. (I really ought to write a proper review of it at some point.) If you bought the Heroes & Villains boxed set that Hero Status was a part of over the summer, it was the first novel there.

It’s a great retro superhero story set in the 60s, and if you liked the canceled-before-its-time TV show Agent Carter, this series might help fill the hole in your heart. The main character, Alice, AKA the Serpent, kicks some serious @$$ despite being the only member of her team without superpowers. Her relationship with her intimidating old lady mentor, the previous Serpent, reminds me a bit of the Bruce/Terry dynamic in Batman Beyond–which is a big compliment, if you’ve never watched that cartoon. Continue reading Book Spotlight: The Vigilantes: Books 1 – 3 by Trish Heinrich

Book Spotlight: Red Wrath by Gerhard Gehrke

I’m always on the lookout for cool new superhero books, so when Gerhard Gehrke contacted me about his new novel, Red Wrath, I was super interested (pun intended). Then I heard the premise described as “What if the Punisher tried to take out Superman?” and immediately put it on my to-read list.

A female protagonist who sounds totally badass? Check.
An interesting twist on the superhero genre? Check.
The most metal title I’ve ever heard? Double-check.

Check out the blurb below and let me know what you think. Personally, I can’t wait to read it.

Continue reading Book Spotlight: Red Wrath by Gerhard Gehrke

New Superhero Fiction (September 2018)

You’ve probably read Kill Them All by now. (And if you haven’t, then you should get on that.) As you’re waiting for Superhuman Disaster to come out and that cliffhanger to be resolved, here are some of the coolest-looking new superhero novels to keep you occupied.

As usual, I haven’t read all of these books personally, so check out the reviews and samples before buying. And happy reading!

Explosive Arsenal (Full Metal Superhero Book 6)

by Jeffery H. Haskell

Aliens, megalomaniacs, and power-mad mages, Amelia should be so lucky. Luke is gone, stolen by the mysterious red gem. With no way to track him, she must stand up to the other threats she faces. Someone out there has her tech, and they used it to outfit a group of cold-blooded mercs that tried to kill her. Then there’s Tempus. A new threat which appears to be able to travel through time. Amelia won’t go down easy, however. The Full Metal Superhero always has a trick up her sleeve. Is this one threat too many for our armored heroine? Continue reading New Superhero Fiction (September 2018)

10 Female Supervillains (who are Cooler than most Heroes)

Superheroines can be powerful role models for girls. They show that women can be brave, smart, and control their own stories, which is an excellent lesson for both girls and boys. I can only imagine the impact movies like Wonder Woman and comics like Ms. Marvel and Moon Girl have on kids. Superheroes have always been beacons of hope, symbols of what humanity could achieve if we strove to be better. Though they may be fictional, superheroes can truly change the world.

But supervillains have more fun.

So if you’re in the mood for destroying the world rather than saving it, here are ten of my favorite female supervillains—and let me tell you, it was hard to narrow the list down to just ten. These ladies are powerful, brilliant and terrifying, and while they’d probably murder us in real life without a second thought, they’re super fun to read about. Continue reading 10 Female Supervillains (who are Cooler than most Heroes)

New Superhero Fiction (July 2018)

The last of this summer’s superhero blockbusters may have already hit theaters, but there are plenty more superhero novels ready to hit your tablet, phone, or e-reader. Here are some of coolest titles I came across in July. As usual, I haven’t read all of these books personally, so check out the samples and reviews before downloading. And happy reading!

Sorceress Super Hero

by Darius Brasher

The mess all started when I punched a 400-year-old fairy reality TV star in the throat.

Things got really weird from there.

Before I could blink, I was fighting wererats, getting kidnapped by superheroes, stealing a cape inhabited by the ghost of a magical genius, and trying to save the world alongside a 2,000-year-old immortal who wields a piece of Noah’s Ark. All while struggling to not get evicted or fired from my job.

That was just Monday. Tuesday is shaping up to be busier. Continue reading New Superhero Fiction (July 2018)

New Superhero Fiction Releases (May 2018)

Hi again, super readers. This post took forever to put together, because there are so many awesome-sounding superhero novels that came out this month. And we’ve got a little bit of everything, whether you’re looking for dark or comedic tones, teenage or adult protagonists, romance or pure action.

You know the drill by now: please read the samples and reviews before purchasing, because I haven’t personally read everything on this list. And if you’d like to share your own recommendations, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Happy reading!

Power: Arca Book 3

by Karen Diem

After successfully rescuing her brother from a serial killer and stopping a plot to use a magic butter knife to massacre thousands, Zita Garcia is ready for a return to her regular life: illegally climbing skyscrapers, hiding her superpowers, and grudgingly earning a paycheck to cover all those bills piling up.

Unfortunately, her least favorite supervillains are rampaging around in a bloody crime spree, outmaneuvering and outgunning the authorities. Enlisting her friends to help, even the one sulking in his dad’s basement, she’s got to stop the bad guys and their latest evil plan before anyone else dies. Even if Zita isn’t sure what they’re doing, other than it involves Brazil.

And maybe dinosaurs. Continue reading New Superhero Fiction Releases (May 2018)