Supervillains – Kristen Brand

Turn Back the Pages: Secret Six

Turn Back the Pages is a feature where I spotlight a comic that is not fresh and new. It may have come out a few months ago or even a few years ago. Maybe it was hyped and popular, or maybe it was an underappreciated gem. Whatever the case, it’ll be a great comic that’s well worth a read.

Ah, villains. Some, we love to hate. Others, we hate to love. And some, we just can’t get enough of because despite their poor decisions, twisted moral code, and tenuous grip on sanity, they’re just so darn charismatic and fun.

Enter the Secret Six.

Continue reading Turn Back the Pages: Secret Six

New Superhero Fiction of 2019 (Part 2)

Hey, super-readers. It’s been a while since I’ve posted a new superhero fiction roundup, so here’s a giant mega-post with ~~twelve~~ thirteen new books! I’m tempted to call it “New Supervillain Fiction,” since the villains almost outnumber the heroes. But I love a compelling, complex supervillain, so bring on the bad guys.

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

(And here’s Part 1, if you missed it.)

How to Become a Henchman, A Novel: The Henchman’s Survival Guide

by J Bennett

Welcome to Big Little City, a semi-reality town where everyone who isn’t already a hero or a villain wants to become one.

Well, almost everyone… Alice just needs to keep her head down, earn her college degree, and then she’ll finally be able to escape this crazy place and find a real job. Too bad a super scary villain just blew up the restaurant where she works and her paycheck along with it!

Now Alice finds herself running low on funds and employment options. Her tuition bill is due, and the university doesn’t take promises or tales of woe.

As luck would have it, one of the town’s most famous villains is holding henchmen auditions. The gig would earn Alice the money she needs; all she has to do is betray every instinct and play the “Fame Game” she despises.

Oh, and she’s also got to beat out the other competitors who might just kill for the limited henchmen spots. Continue reading New Superhero Fiction of 2019 (Part 2)

Summer Getaway: A White Knight & Black Valentine Series Short Story

Dave set their suitcases on the dresser and stretched, still stiff from the flight. He surveyed the cozy bedroom, taking a moment to appreciate the view of the mountains out the window.

“This is nice,” he said to Val.

“I need to have it redecorated,” she called back from the bathroom, where she was touching up her make-up before their dinner reservation. “Everything’s horribly out of date—which I guess I should’ve expected. I haven’t used this place in years.”

Dave was just happy to visit one of her properties on a vacation and not as a safehouse to hide in while someone was trying to kill them. He pulled off his watch, wanting to wear a nicer one for dinner, and opened the top draw of the nightstand to put it in.

He stopped, watch still in hand, and stared down for several moments. Continue reading Summer Getaway: A White Knight & Black Valentine Series Short Story

Older Characters in Superhero Media

Readers of The White Knight & Black Valentine Series sometimes ask me why I chose to make my heroes “older.” The superhero genre doesn’t have an age limit: it includes heroes from children to seniors. Just look at the Power Pack or the Justice Society of America. Like most media, though, I’d say it skews young, and the genre has its roots in teen heroes and superpowers as a metaphor for puberty.

With the explosion of live-action superhero films and television starring actors who are human rather than ink on page and therefore age, we’re seeing a few more characters on the older half of the spectrum. Except when CGI makes them look younger. Oh, and those aging actors are rarely women.

But we’re all growing older (unless you’re reading this from a Lazarus Pit), so let’s take a look at those awesome elders of superhero media who don’t let age stop them from saving (or destroying) the world. Continue reading Older Characters in Superhero Media

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

Superhuman Disaster is in stores now!

Today’s the day! Superhuman Disaster is out in the world for everyone to read!

I can’t believe the final book in The White Knight & Black Valentine Series is finished. It hasn’t sunk in yet, and I’ll have to post my reflections on the series later next week. But for now, let’s get to the good stuff! Here are the links:

Download the ebook to your Amazon Kindle or Kindle app here.

Or choose from a variety of retailers here.

I worked hard to give every character a great sendoff and am happy with the results. I hope you are, too. Happy reading! Continue reading Superhuman Disaster is in stores now!

Cover Reveal: Superhuman Disaster

Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates! You’ve probably noticed it’s been pretty quiet around here lately. That’s because I’ve been spending every spare minute trying to finish Superhuman Disaster. I’m still hoping to get it out in December, in which case it’ll release on the 31st, but I may not make it. If that happens, I’ll post an update and announce the exact day in January it’ll come out.

In the meantime, enjoy the cover and blurb! Continue reading Cover Reveal: Superhuman Disaster