bleary's review against another edition
5.0
There was a war, and the geeks won.
Even after Tim Burton's excellent Batman movies, and Bryan Singer's very good X-Men movie, superhero comics were still thought of as something for kids or adults who had missed a step in their cultural development. But somewhere between that and the first Iron Movie, everything changed. And what changed is this: a bunch of very smart people who grew up loving comic books had reached maturity. They became the dominant cultural voices of our time. And they used their position to announce that comics were cool.
Last Night A Superhero Saved My Life is a lovely collection of essays that straddles both of these realities. The authors are all successful writers, including luminaries such as Neil Gaiman and Jodi Picoult. In times past, some of those writers may have felt compelled to add caveats about the artistic merit of comics, or justified their love for superheros by talking about how comics led them to proper novels.
The closest we get to that here is an essay by Wonder Woman fan Carrie Vaughn, who releases some pent up rage, first at her fellow pre-schoolers who criticised her inaccurate playtime portrayal of the mighty Amazonian hero, and later at the college professors who told her that all genre fiction is not real fiction. Apart from that, there's no question in this book that DC and Marvel might not be as important as Shakespeare and Chaucer.
Wonder Woman features more than any other hero, which is maybe unsurprising in a genre that generally likes to stuff its female characters in a fridge. A generation of girls learned a lot from her, although there still seems to be some confusion about how she ran around in that bustier without popping out and giving herself a black eye. Jodi Picoult did, we learn, attempt to give Wonder Woman some straps when she was writing the comic, but DC refused.
Wonder Woman, Superman, Thor, and a few other characters like Underdog all appear in the capacity of joy. Because most comics in the 70s and 80s were about joy, starring clean-cut heroes with a simple morality. Some of the writers in this book discuss how these wonderful characters inspired them to believe in their dreams and themselves.
And then there are the other writers. The X-Men fans. The Batman fans. They're the ones who explain why genre fiction is often so important.
It's amazing and saddening how many of them tell the same story: I was a child, and I trusted adults to care for me, and they didn't. Some failed through neglect, others were more malicious. The only thing that kept me going were these stories, tales of heroes who lurk in the shadows and stop the bad guys. Heroes who had messed up childhoods too, and survived, and lived good lives.
The mythology of Gotham or the mutants is every bit as developed as any major text, and has a big advantage over the Bible: it's alive, and being constantly rewritten. These stories might seem like trash to some people, but to others they contain truth, hope, philosophy, insight, humour, catharsis and occasionally a full epiphany.
Sometimes they have been the only source of light when everything else in the world has been dark. The most moving stories in this volume are about how these superheroes have reached out through the garishly-coloured panels and literally saved someone's life.
It's not all gloom, and there are funny and moving stories of how comics have influenced first loves, led to wreckless childhood adventures, acted as imaginary friends, and provided valuable lessons about life and morality. Superhero comics are a multifaceted cultural entity that offer meaning on an archetypal level, adaptive to the reader's internalised contextualised expectations which develop circumstantially.
Or, as they say in comics, superheroes are here when we need them. No matter what.
Even after Tim Burton's excellent Batman movies, and Bryan Singer's very good X-Men movie, superhero comics were still thought of as something for kids or adults who had missed a step in their cultural development. But somewhere between that and the first Iron Movie, everything changed. And what changed is this: a bunch of very smart people who grew up loving comic books had reached maturity. They became the dominant cultural voices of our time. And they used their position to announce that comics were cool.
Last Night A Superhero Saved My Life is a lovely collection of essays that straddles both of these realities. The authors are all successful writers, including luminaries such as Neil Gaiman and Jodi Picoult. In times past, some of those writers may have felt compelled to add caveats about the artistic merit of comics, or justified their love for superheros by talking about how comics led them to proper novels.
The closest we get to that here is an essay by Wonder Woman fan Carrie Vaughn, who releases some pent up rage, first at her fellow pre-schoolers who criticised her inaccurate playtime portrayal of the mighty Amazonian hero, and later at the college professors who told her that all genre fiction is not real fiction. Apart from that, there's no question in this book that DC and Marvel might not be as important as Shakespeare and Chaucer.
Wonder Woman features more than any other hero, which is maybe unsurprising in a genre that generally likes to stuff its female characters in a fridge. A generation of girls learned a lot from her, although there still seems to be some confusion about how she ran around in that bustier without popping out and giving herself a black eye. Jodi Picoult did, we learn, attempt to give Wonder Woman some straps when she was writing the comic, but DC refused.
Wonder Woman, Superman, Thor, and a few other characters like Underdog all appear in the capacity of joy. Because most comics in the 70s and 80s were about joy, starring clean-cut heroes with a simple morality. Some of the writers in this book discuss how these wonderful characters inspired them to believe in their dreams and themselves.
And then there are the other writers. The X-Men fans. The Batman fans. They're the ones who explain why genre fiction is often so important.
It's amazing and saddening how many of them tell the same story: I was a child, and I trusted adults to care for me, and they didn't. Some failed through neglect, others were more malicious. The only thing that kept me going were these stories, tales of heroes who lurk in the shadows and stop the bad guys. Heroes who had messed up childhoods too, and survived, and lived good lives.
The mythology of Gotham or the mutants is every bit as developed as any major text, and has a big advantage over the Bible: it's alive, and being constantly rewritten. These stories might seem like trash to some people, but to others they contain truth, hope, philosophy, insight, humour, catharsis and occasionally a full epiphany.
Sometimes they have been the only source of light when everything else in the world has been dark. The most moving stories in this volume are about how these superheroes have reached out through the garishly-coloured panels and literally saved someone's life.
It's not all gloom, and there are funny and moving stories of how comics have influenced first loves, led to wreckless childhood adventures, acted as imaginary friends, and provided valuable lessons about life and morality. Superhero comics are a multifaceted cultural entity that offer meaning on an archetypal level, adaptive to the reader's internalised contextualised expectations which develop circumstantially.
Or, as they say in comics, superheroes are here when we need them. No matter what.
bethebookworm's review against another edition
2.0
Some of the articles were fun, most especially the one about how Manhattan and Spiderman are made for eachother. Overall however I'd rather read about superheros than about people thinking about superheros.
pantsreads's review against another edition
3.0
Much like with any collection of works from a variety of authors, there were some really amazing essays in this book and a couple of duds. Still, super (heh) interesting to read about the effect superheroes have had on other nerds' lives.
Check out my full review on FYA.
Check out my full review on FYA.
vanessakm's review against another edition
4.0
This book was completely off my radar until it jumped out at me from the library's new releases shelves. I expected it to be a fun, slightly glib collection of why the assembled writers love comics. And while some of the essays (like Jim Di Bartolo's homage to Superman) are that, it's more. So much more.
Superheroes-and by extension, pop culture-got some of these people through REALLY bad times: abuse, extreme poverty, various demons, internal and otherwise. It's humbling what they chose to share here. Several essays made me laugh, others made me cry like a bitch. Jamie Ford's essay seemed like he was going the wistful but funny route till he got to the end and effortlessly sucker punched me--and I loved it. Delilah S. Dawson's essay made me want to hug her, Carrie Vaughn's made me want to high five her. Brendan Deneen's story about getting a fan mail answer from Matt Wagner (and how that changed his life) was perfectly sweet. I want Leigh Bardugo to be my best friend because, girl, I GET YOU!! Anthony Breznican and Alethea Kontis' stories....I'm just glad that I read them at home because I bawled uncontrollably. There's a real variety here, always delivered with glorious hardcore fanboy/girling.
My count is that Batman won the most hearts and minds in this collection, followed by Wonder Woman and Superman. The top is rounded out by various X-Men.
I'm not going to list everything, but these essays were amongst my favorites:
I tried to restrain myself to my very favorites, and I still listed 12 essays. That's over half of the essays in the collection! This was clearly a passion project of the editor, Liesa Mignogna, who contributed one of my favorite essays about growing up with a truly amazing single mom and a passion for Batman (Mignogna further demonstrates her bona fides by making her author photo a picture from her Batman-themed wedding. I love this woman!) (And her mom!)
(As a random aside, I was surprised to see Jodi Picoult's name on the book cover. Apparently, she's written some Wonder Woman comics. There's your left-field trivia for the day.)
If you love comic books, this is a no-brainer. But even if you don't, I predict you'll like it or maybe love it. Maybe so much that you'll want to buy your own copy. Reader, I did.
Superheroes-and by extension, pop culture-got some of these people through REALLY bad times: abuse, extreme poverty, various demons, internal and otherwise. It's humbling what they chose to share here. Several essays made me laugh, others made me cry like a bitch. Jamie Ford's essay seemed like he was going the wistful but funny route till he got to the end and effortlessly sucker punched me--and I loved it. Delilah S. Dawson's essay made me want to hug her, Carrie Vaughn's made me want to high five her. Brendan Deneen's story about getting a fan mail answer from Matt Wagner (and how that changed his life) was perfectly sweet. I want Leigh Bardugo to be my best friend because, girl, I GET YOU!! Anthony Breznican and Alethea Kontis' stories....I'm just glad that I read them at home because I bawled uncontrollably. There's a real variety here, always delivered with glorious hardcore fanboy/girling.
My count is that Batman won the most hearts and minds in this collection, followed by Wonder Woman and Superman. The top is rounded out by various X-Men.
I'm not going to list everything, but these essays were amongst my favorites:
"On the Hulk, You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry" by Delilah S. Dawson
"Dented Hearts: A Story of Iron Man" by Anthony Breznican
"The Weight of Four-Color Justice" by Christopher Golden
"Daredevil, Elektra, and the Ninja who Stole my Virginity" by Jamie Ford
"Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Gambit and Rogue" by Karina Cooper
"How I Spent My Summer Vacation with the Judas Contract" by Brad Meltzer
"All the World is Waiting for You" by Carrie Vaughn
"We are not Amazons" by Leigh Bardugo
"Weapon X" by Ron Currie
"Becoming Bethany: A Life in Seven Deaths" by Alethea Kontis
"Swashbuckle My Heart: An Ode to Nightcrawler" by Jenn Reese
"The Hero I Needed" by Liesa Mignogna
I tried to restrain myself to my very favorites, and I still listed 12 essays. That's over half of the essays in the collection! This was clearly a passion project of the editor, Liesa Mignogna, who contributed one of my favorite essays about growing up with a truly amazing single mom and a passion for Batman (Mignogna further demonstrates her bona fides by making her author photo a picture from her Batman-themed wedding. I love this woman!) (And her mom!)
(As a random aside, I was surprised to see Jodi Picoult's name on the book cover. Apparently, she's written some Wonder Woman comics. There's your left-field trivia for the day.)
If you love comic books, this is a no-brainer. But even if you don't, I predict you'll like it or maybe love it. Maybe so much that you'll want to buy your own copy. Reader, I did.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
Gosh! I read a book for grownups! And I really liked it! I bought this as I was preparing to run our library's recent comic con event, because I was in a superhero mood, and I liked it a lot. Each author writes an essay about how a particular superhero character, or a relationship in comics, really affected them. Some of the writers were able to get through a horrible childhood or adult trauma with the help of an escape into the comics; some just really admired the morals and ethics of their favorite characters and used them as role models in their lives; some got dating advice or how-not-to from the comics! Some of the essays are funny, some are very literary, while others are downright sad. But they all have a common thread of admiration for superheroes, even when they grow up to no longer believe in them, and I enjoyed getting their perspectives on the characters I was familiar with--Batman, Superman, Nightcrawler, Wonder Woman--but also others I had to look up (including a funny one called Fin Fan Foom, the "dragon who wears pants"!! Ha!!). Great read.
onceandfuturelaura's review against another edition
4.0
An anthology of authors writing about what superheroes -- mostly Batman -- meant to them. The essays go from a bit banal (side eye at DC for a particular hiring choice) to brilliant and devastating. The closing essay grapples with The Killing Joke and was particularly powerful.
Does a nice job of demonstrating how important it is to see ourselves in our stories. Of having characters to emulate and love. Sometimes that's Nightcrawler. Bamf!
Does a nice job of demonstrating how important it is to see ourselves in our stories. Of having characters to emulate and love. Sometimes that's Nightcrawler. Bamf!
ricksilva's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of essays connect the mythology of superheroes with the lives of the writers, broken down into themes such as childhood, gender, writing, love, and trauma. Essayists include top-selling authors Neil Gaiman, Jodi Picoult, and Brad Meltzer, all of who have had success in comics as well as prose writing.
I enjoyed the insights into the lives of the authors, many of whom discussed their influences from the world of comics during various eras in comics history where I was also following comics.
Some of the material felt familiar, especially some of the thoughts on the Batman, who has been analyzed by many different writers over the years. More interesting to me were some of the essays focusing on less known characters, including Matt Wagner's Grendel, John Byrne's Next Men, Underdog, and even Marvel's somewhat obscure cosmic entity the In-Betweener.
As far as the essays themselves, among my favorites was Anthony Breznican's "Dented Hearts", about Iron Man and a family history of heart disease. "Becoming Bethany" by Alethea Kontis recounts a year in which the author lost seven friends and family members, some deaths expected and some not, and relates the process of grieving to John Byrne's invulnerable Bethany from Next Men. Jenn Reese, in "Swashbuckle My Heart", told the story of her love for X-Men character Nightcrawler set in her teenage years against a background of domestic abuse.
As someone who has lived in geek and fandom culture my whole life, the essays give fascinating glimpses into the minds of some very creative people, while expounding on themes familiar to generations of comic book readers.
I enjoyed the insights into the lives of the authors, many of whom discussed their influences from the world of comics during various eras in comics history where I was also following comics.
Some of the material felt familiar, especially some of the thoughts on the Batman, who has been analyzed by many different writers over the years. More interesting to me were some of the essays focusing on less known characters, including Matt Wagner's Grendel, John Byrne's Next Men, Underdog, and even Marvel's somewhat obscure cosmic entity the In-Betweener.
As far as the essays themselves, among my favorites was Anthony Breznican's "Dented Hearts", about Iron Man and a family history of heart disease. "Becoming Bethany" by Alethea Kontis recounts a year in which the author lost seven friends and family members, some deaths expected and some not, and relates the process of grieving to John Byrne's invulnerable Bethany from Next Men. Jenn Reese, in "Swashbuckle My Heart", told the story of her love for X-Men character Nightcrawler set in her teenage years against a background of domestic abuse.
As someone who has lived in geek and fandom culture my whole life, the essays give fascinating glimpses into the minds of some very creative people, while expounding on themes familiar to generations of comic book readers.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Comic-Inspired
The Most Fist-Pump Worthy: “We Are Not Amazons” by Leigh Bardugo, “Swashbuckle My Heart: An Ode to Nightcrawler” by Jenn Reese
The Most Eye Roll-Inducing: “Weapon X” by Ron Currie, Jr.
The Most Educational: “Spider-Manhattan” by Scott Westerfeld
Bonus Factors: Superhero Adoration
Break Glass In Case Of: Seeking Nerd Solidarity
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Comic-Inspired
The Most Fist-Pump Worthy: “We Are Not Amazons” by Leigh Bardugo, “Swashbuckle My Heart: An Ode to Nightcrawler” by Jenn Reese
The Most Eye Roll-Inducing: “Weapon X” by Ron Currie, Jr.
The Most Educational: “Spider-Manhattan” by Scott Westerfeld
Bonus Factors: Superhero Adoration
Break Glass In Case Of: Seeking Nerd Solidarity
Read the full book report here.
sionna's review
4.0
*I received this book through netgalley in exchange for a honest review*
Once again, I've fallen for a book without reading the synopsis first. So, imagine my confusion when I think I'm going to be reading some short stories involving Superheros in people's lives but in actuality it is non-fiction about superheros affecting people's lives.
I thought, "Oh great... this will be interesting." Add an eye roll and only a pinch of sincerity and that is how I was feeling. I still wanted to give it a shot.
So, I started with the introduction... and was actually interested.
Then came the essays and yes, some were a bit boring or not to my taste. Yet, there are so many beautiful pieces here. So, many sad stories... I also cried on multiple occasion. Not to fear though, because there are also funny stories or a mix of the two in one.
These stories are about the importance of Superheros' in a person's life or moments in time. These essays seem to be written from the heart and... and I had/ have so many feelings.
This is a book I think I might read again somewhere down the line. The messages are clear and meaningful in the setting presented.
I definitely want torecommend this book to people.
Who is your favorite Superhero, and why?
Once again, I've fallen for a book without reading the synopsis first. So, imagine my confusion when I think I'm going to be reading some short stories involving Superheros in people's lives but in actuality it is non-fiction about superheros affecting people's lives.
I thought, "Oh great... this will be interesting." Add an eye roll and only a pinch of sincerity and that is how I was feeling. I still wanted to give it a shot.
So, I started with the introduction... and was actually interested.
Then came the essays and yes, some were a bit boring or not to my taste. Yet, there are so many beautiful pieces here. So, many sad stories... I also cried on multiple occasion. Not to fear though, because there are also funny stories or a mix of the two in one.
These stories are about the importance of Superheros' in a person's life or moments in time. These essays seem to be written from the heart and... and I had/ have so many feelings.
This is a book I think I might read again somewhere down the line. The messages are clear and meaningful in the setting presented.
I definitely want torecommend this book to people.
Who is your favorite Superhero, and why?