Book Description
Whether you've recently been bitten by a radioactive insect or just fallen into a vat of mysterious Chemical X, How to Be a Superhero is the only book you'll ever need. Written especially for newly superpowered citizens, this comprehensive handbook will help you:
• Identify and hone your unique superpowers
• Design a costume that says “No” to evil, but “Yes” to fashion
• Navigate all pertinent tax and liability issues
• Find the archenemy who's right for you
Filled with easy-to-use quizzes, helpful sidebars, and step-by-step graphics that will help you master the complexities of the superheroic career, this is the perfect book for lovers of comics and superhero movies as well as those who simply want to learn to use their powers for good.
Customer Reviews:
Your guide.......2006-12-19
This superhero guidebook is brought to you in first person narrative by 'Dr. Metropolis'. You're given a breakdown into the 8 power classes of superheroes (Flight, Super Strength, Psionic, Magus, Invulnerability, Super Speed, Transmutation, Energy Projecting, and Crimefighter) as established by the fictional Bureau of Meta Human Affairs. The Dr teaches you how to pose correctly, establish your headquarters, choose a costume, find a sidekick, join a league/team, and choose your archenemy with the help of quizzes and personality establishments. You also get a bonus chapter on the possibility of turning evil/villainous.
This is a better detailed book than some others and filled with humorous lines throughout. The writing style in first person is quite good and I kept imagining John "J. Peterman" O'Hurley as the narrator's "voice". It adds to the book and you can imagine the sideblock helpful hints being voiced by John Ratzenberger or Kelsey Grammer. A vivid book for one with imagination. Possibly the best "How to be a superhero" book out there. The art could have been better though.
The Greatness is Almost All Potential.......2006-11-14
With an exciting premise, and with other hilarious similar books, "Government Training Manual for New Heroes" and "How to be a Villian" I had high hopes for this book.
I was a bit disapointed to be frank. The quizes weren't very clever and the jokes rapidly staled. I'd recommend one of the other books... (but in my superhero obsession, I'm still not giving this away...)
Jokes from all quarters.......2006-04-01
The best thing about HOW TO BE A SUPERHERO is its refusal to settle for a single type of joke. Sometimes it's a business book, dedicated to helping superheroes refine their evil-battling business plans and making cost-effective additions to the home (or secret lair). Sometimes it's a self-help book with suggestions for those who don't feel as "super" as they used to. Sometimes it's a set of gags for comic book insiders, taking sly potshots at WATCHMEN and other classics. Sometimes it's a mock Zagat's guide, with reviews of supervillains based on customers' "ratings." And then there are just plenty of finely tuned costume-based cracks (which I won't repeat for fear of spoilage). Dr. Metropolis (not his real name, I assume) isn't afraid to dip into the erudite or the vulgar for a joke, but he never strays far from the heart of the matter: that the whole concept of superheroes is hilarious if you don't take it too seriously.
Needs better illustrations!.......2006-03-24
Book is kinda funny, but could have seriously benefitted from the attentions of a better illustrator. The gag just get's old without some more exciting visual support. *yawn*
An Invaluable Aid To The New Enemy of Evil.......2006-02-24
Cosmic Guy, Paragon of Power, my superhero mentor recomended this book to me shortly after careless use of esoteric knowledge turned me into the Avatar of an Ancient Egyptian Goddess. Doctor Metropolis' Guide helped me find my feet in the high rolling, fast moving world of super-crime fighting and I heartily recommend it to the newly super-empowered.
The uninitiated might find the chapters on name creation, costuming, headquarter seeking and hooking up with your very own archnemesis a bit of a giggle but these are things you absolutely *must* know if you're to get ahead in the demanding field of super-crime fighting.
Book Description
From the birth of Krypton in Cleveland to the Caped Crusader, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and more, Up, Up, and Oy Vey chronicles the uncanny story behind the story about the origins of the planet's most famous superheroes. While the Jewish contribution to film, theater, music, and comedy has been well-documented, the Jewish role in the creation of the All-American superhero has not been--until now! The official publication date of this book is June 27, 2006, which is two weeks after the 3rd X-Men movie is released and three days before Superman Returns hits the theaters. Additionally, Geppi's Entertainment Museum will be opening in Baltimore on July 4th as well, and this museum is being touted as a one-of-a-kind, fun, interactive museum. . .with a focus on pop culture in all media, toys, and comic characters.
Customer Reviews:
Good and needed work, but I wish there had been more depth........2007-08-20
As a Jewish comic book fan, I was hoping someone would write a book like this. It describes how much of the comic book genre was created or influenced by Jewish writers and editors. In fact, the only superhero who is a household name who was *not* invented by a Jew is Wonder Woman!
The book also details many Jewish characters in comics. I'd like to point out that they missed a wonderful supporting character who appears in Wonder Woman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told, though the story in question had the character reciting the wrong Hebrew prayer.
My only criticism of this work is that it's written for a younger audience, perhaps preteen, and so doesn't go into as much depth as I would have liked. Still, this book filled a void.
Superman's Four Cornered Cape........2007-08-07
This book addresses an often overlooked facet of the comic industry. Many modern-age superheroes have their histories and moralities based on fundamental precepts within Judaism, and in this book Rabbi Simcha Weinstein makes marvelous use of his knowledge across both subjects to bring the superhero and Torah together. The often overlooked jewish roots of these characters creators' are brought into view and we see many parallels between their own lives and those of the stories they created.
It's written in a fun and interesting format, which will keep you hooked as you discover that not only is Superman a representation of the assimilating Jew, but these are truely modern-day Bible stories.
Highly reccommended for all comic-book fans. If you want to gain a real perspective on the lives of the Golden and Silver Age comic-book creators, and how the idea of the superhero was rooted in foundations laid down over 3,000 years ago.
Good overview of the subject but slightly lacking in depth........2007-04-14
This book is a good introduction to the subject of the influence that Jewish history and culture have had upon the comic book industry. Unfortunately it is doomed to stay an introduction due to its lack of depth and relatively short pieces. It is more or less a collection of short essays on various superheroes and superhero teams, none more than twenty pages long. That it not to say that this is a bad book. One thing I really like about this book is that it covers not just the expected superheroes like Superman and Batman, who are always referred to in Comic Theory books like these, but also heroes that aren't thought of to be studied in conjunction with Judaism like the Justice League, The Incredible Hulk, and the Fantastic Four. It is extremely informative and to pack so much information in such a small space is to be commended but if the reader is looking for an in depth study of religion in comics, specifically Judaism, that goes into great amounts of detail then he should look for something else. However, if one is looking for more of a light read that packs serious, scholarly information in an introductory manner, then this book could not be more on the mark.
A Fun, Informational Romp.......2007-01-02
If you ever wondered the actual origins of the golden era super-heroes and those insightful individuals who created them, this is the book for you! A fun, quick read, who knew that Superman would have his origins in the Golem myth? Great stuff!
Well documented, must read........2006-12-15
This book is a must read for everyone who takes superheros seriously, Weinstein studies the psychology behind each of our favorites icons, and draws the links between their creators and the personage.
Batman, Superman, and all the other heroes are put in the context of their creator's biblical and cultural heritage, and Weinstein does a great job on documenting and arguing that connection
Average customer rating:
- This book has the power to make anybody laugh
- Possibly the funniest book I've read in 40 years.
- Funniest. Book. Ever.
- Just as funny today as when I first read it
- The worst book that I've ever read.
|
How to Be a Superhero
Mark Leigh , and
Mike Lepine
Manufacturer: Nbm Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
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Look Inside Entertainment Books
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ASIN: 1561630519 |
Customer Reviews:
This book has the power to make anybody laugh.......2006-12-02
Excellent, irreverent, stupid, foul-mouthed, and informative. Now YOU can find the right superpower; YOU can turn yourself into a DIY cyborg; YOU can choose the best secret identity; YOU can tackle the most impressive supervillains; and YOU can join the right superteam!
Imagine gaining power over the ant, acquiring stretching powers to make your girlfriend wince, and learning all the right - and wrong - ways of turning yourself into a human torch. With all this and more, you'll have no trouble securing a deal for your own graphic novel.
Just don't get bitten by a radioactive bandicoot. And be careful when cruising for boy wonders.
Possibly the funniest book I've read in 40 years........2005-09-01
I've read several thousand books; for humor, this is easily in the top ten, possibly number one. I would happily pay that fifty-dollar price for a used copy, even though I've read it several times (I mislaid my copy), except I'm married now, to a Russian who thinks superheroes and British/American humor are both stupid. I'll make her buy it for my birthday.
Funniest. Book. Ever........2002-08-27
This is easily the funniest book I ever read. Every page will have at least one part that will leave you rolling in fits of laughter.
If you can find it, BUY IT!
Just as funny today as when I first read it.......2002-03-27
Sure some of the jokes are a little dated, but it still sends me into fits of uncontrollable laughter. The looks I was getting from some co-workers because of the racket I was making and because they read the title of the book is something I will carry to my grave. Too bad it's out of print, they really need to rerelease it. I got my most recent copy from Amazon through a third party selling a used copy and I consider myself lucky to have done so. My first copy was borrowed and never returned. Now I must find some animal to irradiate and force it to bite me so I can get on with it...
The worst book that I've ever read........2001-10-13
This is the absolute worst book that I've ever read (and finished). It was intended to be funny, but it's just pitiful. I'm shocked that other people enjoyed it.
Book Description
'How to Read Superhero Comics and Why' brings literary critic Harold Bloom's thesis that the meaning of a poem is to be found in its relationship with an earlier poem to the study of the modern superhero comic book.
Superhero comic books are traditionally thought to have at least two distinct periods, two major waves of creativity: the golden age and the silver age. Reductively stated, the golden age was the birth of the superhero proper out of the pulp novel characters of the early 1930s, and was primarily associated with DC Comics. Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman are the most famous creations of this period. In the early 1960s, Marvel Comics launched a completely new line of heroes, the primary figures of the silver age: the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, the Avengers, Iron Man, and Daredevil.
An analysis of superhero comic books beginning with Frank Miller's 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns' and Alan Moore's 'Watchmen' drawing on the literary and psychoanalytic theory of Harold Bloom and Slavoj Žižek, 'How to Read Superhero Comics and Why' argues for the recognition of a new age of superhero comic books. Klock builds through a discussion of 'Marvels', 'Astro City', 'Kingdom Come', Alan Moore's America's Best Comics and Grant Morrison's 'Justice League of America' to argue that 'Planetary', 'The Authority' and 'Wildcats' usher in the future of the superhero narrative: a future that will be what Spiderman and the Fantastic Four were in the early 1960s, and what Superman and Batman were in the late 1930s.
Customer Reviews:
Indispensible for understanding the future of superheroes!.......2007-03-22
Geoff Klock's book How to Read Superhero Comics and Why is absolutely essential reading for anyone curious about the ongoing evolution of superhero narratives. The book purposely eschews structural mythology and archetypal interpretation - because that thesis is already covered in a multiplicity of sources - most notably Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology by Richard Reynolds. Instead, Klock's book sets out to interpret the superhero narrative through the lens of Harold Bloom's literary criticism and explain which aspects of the superhero narrative need to be acknowledged and understood in order for the superhero narrative to continue to evolve.
It is commonly understood by superhero fans and scholars alike that superheroes started in what is considered the Golden Age of superheroes with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and others in the late 1930's. The second age of superheroes came with the Silver Age that some believe started with the appearance of the new Flash in the mid-Fifties and peaks with the appearance of the Marvel heroes such as the Fantastic Four, Spider Man, Daredevil, and the Hulk in 1961. Instead of ascribing to the common perception that superheroes just passed through a Dark Age from 1975 to 1995 - Klock posits that the so-called Dark Age was merely a redundant Silver Age - which actually culminates with Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns and Alan Moore's Watchmen. Mostly using Harold Bloom's theories of literary criticism, Klock sets out to help us identify the direction the newest age of superheroes has taken with books like Planetary and Authority over the past ten years.
I'm not setting out to interpret Klock's theories for you here - because that's the purpose of the book. If you're interested in what I pointed out above - then read it. Some of the reviews posted here show a love for the reader's own opinions preventing themselves from comprehending what Klock was even talking about. I am not informed by Bloom's criticisms. However - I am informed by the superhero narrative and have studied every book Klock references in his book to the point of meme-like synchronicity. Anyone that states Alan Moore's Watchmen is not influential - should obviously stick to reading Harold Bloom and leave the superhero narratives to the rest of us - because you don't know what you're talking about. Geoff Klock goes to great lengths to explain how the use of realism and psychology in Watchmen and Miller's Dark Knight Returns influenced comics in the late Eighties and Nineties and laid the framework for every superhero to come. Their influence is still felt today - and if you don't believe that - then you simply must not read superhero comics anymore. However, if you still comb the monthly racks for something to read - then you will know the above statements to be resoundingly true.
The reason Klock seems to avoid Marvel comics is that there were so few Marvel comics in print at the time of the writing that followed Klock's thesis. Klock does describe the place of the mini-seires Marvels - but then moves on following the natural evolution of the superhero narrative - which DID NOT occur in Marvel comics at the time. Likewise, Klock points out in his book that he purposely detailed books that were easily obtainable in trade paperback format or reprints and avoided nascent books that the average reader would have a hard time obtaining.
One of the other "reviewers" complains that Klock focalizes on the writer over the artist - when Klock takes the time to explain the importance of not only the artist - but the colorist as well - and purposely chooses to identify with the writer due to the common practice of recognizing the writer as the progenitor of the superhero narrative - for simplicity's sake alone. This is not a book about comic book layouts and the artform itself. Anyone interested in the artform of the sequential illustration would serve themselves well to track down Scott McLeod's works and Will Eisner's seminal Comics and Sequential Art for a proper lesson - but that is not the stated purpose of Klock's book. Outside of Grant Morrison's metatextual works - the medium of sequential illustration has very little to do with the evolution of the superhero narrative - and no place in the thesis presented herein!
If you are interested in how the Silver Age culminated when the superhero narrative was brought into the real world by Dark Knight Returns and the Watchmen, and you want to see how books like Planetary and Authority have lead the superhero narrative through the real world and into the fantastic world of the newest age of superheroes via metatextual awareness - then this book is for you. How To Read Superheroes and Why is not about superheroes as mythology or archetype. It's not about why some stories are good and others are not. It's not about panel to panel relationships found in sequential illustration. Those theories are neither ignored nor refuted - they are for the most part - not a part of the thesis presented herein. This book is about the evolution of the superhero narrative via metatextual awareness and what superhero narratives need to address in order to keep evolving.
I am not a psychology student or literature major - so I had to keep the dictionary by my side to help me navigate through Klock's book. In the end, it is all worth it, as Klock's work gave me a new set of tools with which to examine the superhero narrative. Klock has given me the ability to recognize which superhero comics are simply regurgitating the tropes of the past - and which ones are pointing the way to the future and beyond.
Highly recommended and absolutely indispensable for anyone that wants to work with superhero narratives.
A must.......2005-01-09
Living in Portugal, and being, well, 47 years old(!), I remember my first dazled look into superhero comics through portuguese translations in brasilian editions (b/w) by Editora Abril when I was just 10 or 11 years old. I collected some of the titles, nevetheless confined to an offer of major superheros like Superhomem (Superman), Batman, Flash, Atomo (Atom), mainly from DC and later on from Marvel (Capitão América, Quarteto Fantástico (Fantastic Four)). But I had a penchant for the american editions in full colour with the striking Jack Kirby artwork from Marvel, like FF, and Giant Size editions (or republishings), as well as the titles of Spider Man, Daredevil, written by Stan Lee and with artwork from (for instance) John Romita or Gene Colan and others great pencillers (that's why I still own some editions of comics like Spider Man #70, the early Captain Marvel (yes!), DD, FF, Sr. Strange, SSurfer, etc., from circa 1969-1970. But as I grew older I got tyred of american comics and began coleccting european adult and mature readers comics, mainly from french and belgian sources, (much late with the exception of some post-modern new classics such as Watchmen, and Frank Miller's Dark Knight. Recently, however, I went to a comic book shop and bought Mr. Klock's book. I read it and I was absolutely appauled by the variety and deepness of new or renewed characters studied by Klock. I was so impressed that I began buying acomic books, mainly writen by Ennis, Morrison, Bendis, Straczinsky, Millar, Waid, Buziek, Kirkman, etc. And till this day I'm really delighted by the rich contours of the genre. I owe it, totally, to Mr. Klock's book, which can be read as a thesis, but also as entertainment, even if you don't know some of the comics described and studied by the author (you certainly will get the same "re-discovery" fever that I got...!).
Highly recommended -but only if you're willing to spend money on comic books...!
Good, but too one-sided.......2004-01-07
This book is an interesting study of superhero comic books, particularly the examination of the Dark Knight Returns, but it is one-sided, as Klock solidifies his argument (applying Bloom's anxiety of influence to superheroes) through a consideration of Crisis on Infinite Earths, an event that took place in the DC Universe.
This causes a problem because Klock overlooks Marvel almost entirely, which is truly ironic in terms of his intentions: he states over and over his dissatisfaction with the "archetype" idea about superheroes, and yet, DC's characters lend themselves to the "arcehtype" idea incredibly well, whereas Marvel has its own conditions under which to consider Klock's theories.
I for one, feel his dismissal of the archetype argument to be ill-founded and not entirely well-thought out, not to mention poorly supported in the text itself. Perhaps his youth contributes, but I think that Klock makes a fundamental mistake in his analysis of superheroes: he is in love with Bloom's theories, to the exclusion of many others. He complains about Joseph Campbell and Jung, but like Campbell himself, gets so caught up in the poetry of his own ideas that he becomes his own demiurge, trapping himself when he could consider the stories from multiple angles, thereby creating a truly revolutionary piece of criticism.
Definitely enjoyable, not exactly the most challenging read, or the most insightful, but worth a read-through. Interestingly, Grant Morrison's seminal Flex Mentallo, relegated to the "further reading" section already surpasses any theories Klock may posit, and the work does so by isolating itself from any one school of thought. Also dissapointing is his rash and entirely too flat reading of Alan Moore's Promethea, perhaps that writers best and most experimental work.
Finally, however, is Klock's demonstration of his ignorance of the language of comic books. He considers the writer, or at least the words to be running the show. He hardly examines the nature of the language, the interplay between word and picture. While a good read, this book also makes one aware of the immense lack of comics criticism. In the back of my mind however, it seems that the comic form is more suited to comment on itself than is the medium of prose.
Fresh insight, but poor taste: way too much Moore.......2004-01-06
4 stars, not 3 stars -- because Klock's use of Bloom's anxiety of influence is a great, novel way of reading comic books. I enjoyed reading (in about 2 days) although there were places where I don't think Klock really made his point well (and I consider myself somewhat informed by Bloom's criticism).
My recommendation is: if you are interested in an intellectual view of comics (90s, and 00s comics) then this book is for you. Moreover, if you like Alan Moore's comics and you want to read an interesting take on them, this is definitely the book for you.
The problem is: I don't like Moore as much as Klock does. I admit that his perspective on Killing Joke, ABC Comics, Miracleman, etc., -- this stuff is good -- but I don't think Moore is nearly as influential as Klock thinks. Yes, Watchmen is an important comic. Yes, it did change the industry back in the 90s. But to take Bloom's theory and say that Moore is the Shakespeare of the comics field, well, that's saying a bit too much. Moore's not all that.
One amazon reviewer above hit the nail on the head: Klock totally avoids dealing with Marvel comics (except to remind everyone how the Fantastic Four are getting grilled by Ellis in _Planetary_). For someone like me who favors Marvel comics over DC (while admitting that DC has been the arena of many original comics in the past decades), this book gets a bit tedious.
Other problems with the book (which the author acknowledges) is his way of focalizing the _writer_ over the artist. I feel that this project was only half-realized. It seems to me that if you going to talk about the future of comics, you have to take into account the blossoming of writer/artists -- and maybe that's why he avoids Marvel and deals more with the DC writer + artist teams. Only at various times does he talk about the layout of the comic page, but overall, the stylistics of the comic book get overlooked by the author which is a shame. It is difficult to talk about sequential art (Scott McCloud gets a lot of credit for boiling it down like he has) -- but this should be the main aim of anyone discussing comics. Yes, Alan Moore is incredible, but so are his artists Bissette, Sprouse, Gibbons, etc.
Bringing up Jack Kirby only to say that he was co-opted by Wildstorm as a character in one of their books isn't going to cut it. If you want to trace influence in comics, it comes from there (or maybe Siegel and Shuster, or Kane, etc.). Klock stresses the importance of the "writer" over characters, but he treats the Fantastic Four as characters with whom the third age (Moore, etc.) struggle to overcome -- why isn't it Lee and Kirby that they're struggliing to overcome? Inconsistencies like this don't help the book -- I also wish the author was more consistent applying Bloom's theory and terminology throughout the chapters (some may appreciate this) -- and at other times he's far too abstruse (where was his editor?).
Overall, this is a good book. Not great. Certainly controversial. I mean, come on: WildC.A.T.S/Aliens crossover is a starting point for the new age of comics? Gimme a break!
Misprision.......2003-11-05
No doubt about it; the superhero comic book genre is in a period of fundamental transition. The safe, juvenile realm of the 1940's Superman, the 1960's Spider-Man, or even the angtsy teen drama of Chris Claremont's mid-1980's X-Men have given way to something deeper and far more relevant. No longer is the genre simply about escapism into fanciful tales of Spandex-clad mortals with extraordinary powers who choose to fight for all that is good and just; this new generation of stories lay bare the most primal of Jungian archetypes and allow their readers to examine themselves and their place in the real world.
That was a pretty dramatic-sounding paragraph; allow me to clarify. Geoff Klock is in many ways picking up where Richard Reynolds left off in 1992's Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology, digging to the very roots of the genre (which, he contends, go back considerably further into the past than 1936's Action Comics #1). Klock expands his overview of the superhero genre to the point where he only makes a few passing references to the big-name comic book houses like Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse, and instead devotes most of his time to smaller-name publishers and less well-known independent titles. About the only exceptions to this are his dissections of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and the standalone superhero series The Watchmen (already covered at length in this reviewer's annotation of the aforementioned Richard Reynolds book). Like Reynolds, Klock cites these titles as pivotal transformations in the history of the genre, but he focuses more on their psychological impact than the stories or characters themselves. He also devotes entire chapters to exploring Kurt Busiek's Astro City, Alex Ross's Marvels, and especially Mark Waid's post-apocalyptic alternate future series Kingdom Come, none of which were previously familiar to this reviewer, and which have proven to be very difficult titles to locate.
It is Klock's contention that superheroes and the study of psychology frequently come into contact with one another; I am put in mind of the palpable sense of outrage among some superhero fan circles in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Some people honestly asked themselves: Where were Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four to protect their beloved New York City in its time of crisis? Why didn't Superman save those people who jumped off the World Trade Center, and why didn't Green Lantern put out the flames with his power ring? More than a few behavioral psychologists now find themselves in the difficult position of having to sort this out for their distraught patients. No question about it: superheroes are very real to many -sometimes so real that a few devoted readers have difficulty sorting out fact from fantasy.
The superhero-psychology overlap recurs partly because so many of the superhero characters represent more than mere wish-fulfillment in their readers; they represent a personification of one or another heroic archetype that is not fundamentally different from the roles once filled by the "superhero teams" of the Greek, Egyptian, or Nordic gods and their respective supporting casts of mortals and semi-mortals.
Unfortunately some of these elements tend to get lost in Klock's account; by skipping over so many of the fundamentals (and curiously ignoring outright the role of any of the characters from the Marvel Comics' "universe"), he periodically seems to lose sight of the overlying message. Ironically he never does seem to get to the "Why" portion of the book's title. The book is actually a bit of a paradox: while the psychology text gets bogged down in several places and, unlike Reynolds, Klock totally avoids the suggestion that modern-day comic book authors borrow liberally from ancient fables, myths, and legends for their story ideas. Yet at the same time he insists throughout that a new form of literature is evolving, one that is allowing us to explore ourselves and our collective consciousness through its reinforcement of larger-than-life heroic archetypes.
A surprisingly difficult read, all told: too much reliance on psychology and not enough attention paid to plain old-fashioned good storytelling. The author's emphasis on titles which (for the most part) are largely unknown, seems to also suggest that the more widely-consumed titles like Superman and Spider-Man don't help to fulfill the author's intended psychological conclusions (hence my use of the word "misprision" for this review's title, a word which ironically surfaces many times throughout Klock's narrative).
Book Description
A mom's work is never done. Between keeping the house clean, doing the laundry, making the meals, and shuttling the family around to soccer practice, ballet recitals, etc. moms have got their work cut out for them! But what about the fun stuff? What about the stuff that will make a child's eyes glitter with anticipation and excitement? And where can a Mom learn these invaluable tricks?
The Mom's Guide to being a Superhero is a mother's one-stop guide for over 100 skills and tricks for adding that extra touch. The book is a humorous, yet highly practical approach to what people need to do in order to spend a full day with a child (let alone three of them). It will be illustrated with line drawings, and will include such skills as:
• Make dresses for Barbie out of pillowcases • Tell a great story starring the kid(s) in the house • Fly a kite • Weave a French-braid and cornrows • Make your own Play-Doh and Silly Putty • Draw five important cartoon characters
Customer Reviews:
What Moms (and Dads) Need To Know.......2006-02-09
If you want some quick ideas of activities to keep the kids occupied, then this is the book for you. Most of the ideas take up only a page or two, but it gets you started. There are more than 150 ideas (from making a puppet theater, to juggling, to catching worms and even building them a home).
You get crafts, skills, recipes, and how to fix things that are important to kids.
If you don't know how to make a paper airplane or mend a plastic toy, then this book may rescue you.
Average customer rating:
- great story, amazing illustrations
- Rave Review From a Teacher
- FINALLY, a children's book with good morales!
- They Are Superhero's
- An amazing children's book
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How to Be a Superhero
Michael D'Agostino
Manufacturer: Not Avail
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Action & Adventure
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General
| Ages 4-8
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SuperHero ABC
ASIN: 1412004802 |
Book Description
Into the world of children's books entertainment
Comes the newest, most amazing team,
With a book about superheroes
That was created out of a childhood dream.
These dreamers and this dream come true
Are guaranteed to make you smile
They have the lyrical and artistic skills
That combine for a simply magical style
Mikie D. is a master of rhyme
With a story that is sure to delight
And The Toonman will dazzle your eyes
With illustrations that are out of sight!!!
You are certain to enjoy the journey
Through their first of many great books,
And you shouldn't judge a book by its cover
But this one's as good as it looks!!!
Follow Little Mikie's adventures
As he finally comes to find out
What it takes to be a superhero
And what being a real hero is all about!!!
As Mikie gets bigger and smarter,
He learns, much to his surprise,
That most superheroes in this world
Don't wear a cape or a disguise
He realizes that there is no need to pretend
Because superheroes are more real than fake,
So if he really wants to be one,
Then there are 5 steps that he must take.
So join Little Mikie on his quest
Through this book that's sure to inspire,
Whether you're defending a country,
Teaching children, or putting out a fire.
Do not hesitate...Don't wait any longer,
Get your copy of How To Be A Superhero today,
And stay tuned for our next amazing creation:
The Blue Achiever is soon on his way!!!
Customer Reviews:
great story, amazing illustrations.......2005-06-07
A wonderful story both with a positive attitude and message. The illustrations compliment the verse perfectly, and are very enjoyable to look at! I would love to see more books with illustrations by this illustrator. I've found other sites with work by this artist such as www.thebigparade.com (click on animal scramble, then on artists}, www.danielgallis.com/windows_project (click on artists, then his window) and www.crayonproject.com !! From one artist to another I congratulate you... Well done!
Rave Review From a Teacher.......2004-01-26
A heart full of love, listening to the adults around you, trying your best, exercising, and eating healthy - these are the real secrets of superheroes. Inspired by 9/11, How to be a Superhero proves that superheroes are all around us ýwith powers more real than fake,ý and superheroes and people have a lot more in common than any of us may normally think. Simply by revealing the humanity of superheroes, the author shows us the heroic possibilities that lay inside ourselves. With humor, rhyme, and illustrations, How to be a Superhero relates to kids on a unique and refreshing level by showing them that their idols, these heroes with superhuman strengths, are not perfect. They have real fears and weaknesses, just like us. We all battle fear with the ýgreatest powerý in our hearts - courage. It is this courage, not magic or other-worldly influences, that brings us the strength to do what is right.
Little Mikie D. has always wanted to be a superhero, sporting a green towel cape, colander headwear, and a plunger sword as he fights invisible enemies in his vivid imagination. He soon realizes, however, that while itýs ok to pretend to be a superhero, what is even more amazing is he can be his own superhero in many real ways. There are superheroes fighting for our country, keeping people and communities safe from harm, helping kids stay healthy, and sharing knowledge in classrooms. Children will learn to believe and take care of themselves and others from this book, which uses a meaningful perspective to teach kids the most important lesson of all ý believing in yourself. They may begin to see themselves as well as those around them as heroic for making a difference in the world we live in, rather than admiring a powerful fist in a comic book. In this book, we can all be superheroes. Now imagine that!
FINALLY, a children's book with good morales!.......2003-09-25
My four-year-old loves this book and it's one of the few that I enjoy reading to him. Nobody's getting vaporized or laser blasted, it's a good message with strong morales. I'd recommend it.
They Are Superhero's.......2003-09-25
Wonderful story. My daughter loves me reading it to her. Can't wait for the next one.
An amazing children's book.......2003-09-25
This is the best children's book I have read in years. It has a very positive message for young children and keeps them entertained at the same time.I would love to see what this author comes out with next.
Average customer rating:
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How to Hire a Superhero: A Guide for Beginners
Rusty Fischer
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Action & Adventure
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Comics & Graphic Novels
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Comic Strips
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0595420346 |
Book Description
Gargantuan Gamma Geek? This is Your Big Chance! Are you the only one at your school who knows all eight of Gamma Man's super powers? (Looking buff in a red and yellow suit doesn't count!) Can't sleep at night because you're too busy chatting on the Gamma blogs? Got a (very) strong opinion about who the next Gamma Man should be? Then WE want YOU! Storyboard Studios is actively seeking contestants for our first ever Pick the Next Gamma Man contest. For details, head on over to www.GammaQuiz.net and fill out a short, little 100-question quiz! (Don't worry; REAL Gamma fans will know ALL the answers!) Enter as many times as you like and, if it seems too much like homework, just remember the grand prize: The contestant who answers the most questions right will win an all-expenses paid trip to Hollywood to pick the next actor for our upcoming sequel, Gamma Man 6! So what are you doing still reading this?!? Your Gamma Duty awaits!
Average customer rating:
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How To Speak Like A Superhero
Steve, Diggs
Manufacturer: Covenant Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Motivational
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Public Speaking
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1892435829 |
Average customer rating:
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Why Can't I...Fly Like a Superhero?: And Other Questions About Movement (Why Can't I)
Sally Hewitt
Manufacturer: Chrysalis Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
How Things Work
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Mechanics
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Mechanics
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
jp-unknown3
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 1930643039 |
Books:
- How to Ruin Your Financial Life
- Hugs & Kisses (Baby Faces)
- Humor and the Presidency
- I'm Not in the Mood: What Every Woman Should Know About Improving Her Libido
- It's A Guy Thing : An Owner's Manual for Women
- Jokelopedia: The Biggest, Best, Silliest, Dumbest Joke Book Ever
- Killed Cartoons: Casualties from the War on Free Expression
- LAbyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the Implication of Death Row Records' Suge Knight, and the Origins of the Los Angeles Police Scandal
- Ladies in Waiting: From the Tudors to the Present Day
- Lady or the Tiger? And Other Logic Puzzles Including a Mathematical Novel That Features Godel's Great Discovery
Books Index
Books Home
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The Government Manual for New Superheroes
How to Be a Villain: Evil Laughs, Secret Lairs, Master Plans, and More!!!
The Superhero Handbook
How To Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion
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