Responsible-Bunch316 t1_jdzqtk3 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 11:44 AM

Are superhero books a thing? Not comic books, but actual books, and also not anything marvel/DC related.

I figure there might be some of that subject matter in YA or middle grade, but I've written one for the adult market and was wondering if there's much precedent for that

upforgrabs21 t1_jdzrjp5 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 11:51 AM

I haven't read any of these, but after going through the list, I'll have to check some out:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/auks2i/20_recommended_superhero_novels_from_sanderson_to/

To be honest, it's not something I have sought out, as I'm a big comic book fan, but definitely sounds like something that I'd be interested in.

Responsible-Bunch316 t1_je2ht3p wrote on March 28, 2023 at 10:51 PM

Wow, thanks. Gonna have to look into these myself. I agree that it's a really niche field. Hence why I'm very worried about pitching anything like that. I do have a more traditional fantasy in the works so worst case scenario I can use that and come back to the superhero stuff with more clout.

Repulsive_Dust_9228 t1_je8c8qi wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:33 AM

When I was in middle/high school, I read the Jack Blank books. The first Accidental Hero was good. I tried reading some by the author Lucas Flint, but didn’t get hooked into them. Curious by the books as well.

jstnpotthoff t1_je7zf2f wrote on March 30, 2023 at 1:48 AM

Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman is a great book. I'm sure there are others.

Edit: I just saw that it's #1 on the list linked to in the other comment. I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoyed it.

hereforrslashpremed t1_je8j47s wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:40 AM

There are some, but off the top of my head the only ones I've read that I can think of are: the Renegades series by Marissa Meyer (YA but more upper YA) and Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots. The latter is adult and deals with the bystander victim who gets hurt when a superhero does his hero thing- it's a good read!