In a touching tale of love, loss and navigating a secret identity with a secret identity, Hero is a well-crafted, interesting take on the saturated superhero genre, that manages to tell an effective story that is engaging and feels personal, unlike pretty much all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A genre-beating plotline with exciting dialogue, intense emotion and character development that rivals many other stories, this tale is a fresh take that is bound to be enjoyable to all. Filled with diverse and unique characters, both comedic and powerful moments and easter eggs to your heart’s content, Hero redefines what should be expected from a superhero story, to an extent that I hope the boffins at Marvel put down their convoluted timeline for just one second and pay attention.
Relying on common lived experiences for many LGBTQ+ people, Thom’s character development and the challenges he faces are so symptomatic of the world we live in that you would be hard-pressed not to empathise with him throughout, selling a story that otherwise can be a little tongue-in-cheek. It is also notable for positive representation of several other types of people, including one character with a colostomy bag. These issues, handled appropriately and with care, are evident of the author’s genuine and thoughtful approach that echoes loudly throughout this story.
There were many occasions throughout the story that I sat back in satisfaction, having found an unseen clue that allowed me to work out what was about to happen and who was responsible, only to have this bitterly snatched away when it was revealed I was incorrect, but in such a way that Hero draws you in even further than you thought possible, having already been engaged with the goings on of hero auditions. I found myself, like with many great books, often by the likes of Agatha Christie, second-guessing everything I thought I knew. This is bound to be replicated with almost any reader as you navigate this 400-page tome, never knowing what to expect next.
Hero is not like other superhero stories – this feels personal, powerful and well-written. Free from the bounds of pre-existing entity, continuity and the monotony of an entire cinematic universe to contend with, this story is a fresh, exciting take on the genre with high stakes and high emotion. Connecting with our cadre of characters is an easy, joyful experience, twists are unexpected, and it’s this unpredictability but with assured quality that sets this book apart from many others, and makes it a satisfying, enjoyable experience to read.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Hero (ISBN: 978-0-552-55586-9) was published in 2007. A copy is available to borrow from the LGBTQ+ Lending Library in the LGBTQ+ Lounge
