Adam Jay Epstein's Blog

With the release of The Familiars: Circle of Heroes this past Tuesday, we have been circling the blogosphere talking all things heroes. Here's where we've been so far!

Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf

Mundie Kids

The O.W.L.

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Tif Talks Books

Writing on the Sidewalk

And we're not finished! We've still got a few more stops go go next week. So be sure to check back in, as we talk everyday heroes, favorite book and movie heroes, and my personal favorite question so far... what would be our hero theme song?

Electrifying Reviews

Literary Asylum

Page Turners Blog

Reading Tween

Coming in May 2013.

Hogwarts results are in: Batman, Hermione, Neo, King Arthur, Rocky, Lisbeth Salander, Jack Sparrow, and Indiana Jones win!

Things are really getting interesting now. We're moving on to the second round.

Here are all the match-ups (with each remaining competitor's odds of being crowned the ultimate hero).

KRYPTON BRACKET

Luke Skywalker (5:1)
Odysseus (75:1)

Frodo (75:1)
Thor (25:1)

Percy Jackson (50:1)
Lara Croft (100:1)

Wolverine (15:1)
Katniss Everdeen (8:1)


 




GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY BRACKET

Superman (1:1)
Mario (100:1)

Obi-Wan Kenobi (5:1)
Captain America (20:1)




Gandalf (30:1)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (75:1)

Scooby Doo (100:1)
Han Solo (2:1)

MIDDLE EARTH BRACKET

Harry Potter (3:1)
Iron Man (15:1)



 
Princess Leia (10:1)
Spock (100:1)

John McClane (50:1)
Sarah Connor (75:1)

Wonder Woman (5:1)
James Bond (15:1)


HOGWARTS BRACKET

Batman (3:1)
Hermione Granger (30:1)

Neo (50:1)
King Arthur (75:1)

Rocky Balboa (100:1)
Lisbeth Salander (75:1)

Jack Sparrow (15:1)
Indiana Jones (2:1)




Odds to be the last hero standing:

1:1 Superman
2:1 Han Solo
2:1 Indiana Jones
3:1 Batman
3:1 Harry Potter
5:1 Luke Skywalker
5:1 Obi-Wan Kenobi
5:1 Wonder Woman
8:1 Katniss Everdeen
10:1 Princess Leia
15:1 Jack Sparrow
15:1 James Bond
15:1 Iron Man
15:1 Wolverine
20:1 Captain America
25:1 Thor
30:1 Gandalf
30:1 Hermione Granger
50:1 John McClane
50:1 Percy Jackson
50:1 Neo
75:1 Buffy the Vampire Slayer
75:1 Frodo
75:1 Lisbeth Salander
75:1 Odysseus
75:1 King Arthur
75:1 Sarah Connor
100:1 Lara Croft
100:1 Mario
100:1 Rocky Balboa
100:1 Scooby Doo
100:1 Spock

The votes from the Middle Earth Bracket are in... Harry Potter, Iron Man, Princess Leia, Spock, John McClane, Sarah Connor, Wonder Woman, and James Bond are moving on. 
Now for the final first round match-ups, we go to the Hogwarts Bracket!

Batman vs. Lassie





It's the Caped Crusader versus your grandma's favorite Rough Collie in what can only be described as one of the most lop-sided match-ups in the Tournament's entire first round.

Winner: Batman

Hermione Granger vs. Sawyer from Lost








She's Hogwarts precocious Muggle-born wizard. He's the Island's resident bad boy and con man. Can smoldering good looks defeat adorkable magic?

Winner: Hermione Granger

Neo vs. He-Man


 


Will it be The One or the Master of the Universe in this epic showdown? By the power of Grayskull, your vote decides!

Winner: Neo

King Arthur vs. Ben-Hur


 


One wields the mythic sword in the stone. The other is a heck of a Roman chariot racer. It's a duel for the Ages.

Winner: King Arthur

Zorro vs. Rocky Balboa


 





The dashing black-clad masked outlaw steps in the ring with the linguistically challenged Italion Stallion. Who will get the knockout?

Winner: Rocky

Lisbeth Salander vs. Daredevil


 


It's the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the blind, red-suited Man with no Fear. Super hacker versus Super hero.

Winner: Lisbeth Salander

Jack Sparrow vs. MacGuyver


 






The legendary pirate of the Black Pearl goes up against the crafty secret agent in this first round hero smackdown. Will Mac's duct tape and Swiss Army knife be enough to stop Captain Jack?

Winner: Jack Sparrow

Indiana Jones vs. Eowyn


 


The archaelogist with the bullwhip (that doesn't sound nearly as cool as Indy deserves) takes on the Lord of the Rings shield-maiden.

Winner: Indiana Jones

Yesterday's votes are in! Moving on to round 2 are... 

Gandalf
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Scooby Doo
Han Solo

We're moving on to the Middle Earth Bracket with more first round match-ups. 

Harry Potter vs. Scully

It's boy wizard versus FBI special agent. She's skeptical of the paranormal, but Harry's got the magic to make her a believer. Who gets your vote?

   

Winner: Harry Potter

Iron Man vs. Duke (GI Joe)

It's real American superhero and real American hero. The man in the iron suit dukes it out with the man in army fatigues. 

     

Winner: Iron Man

Princess Leia vs. Tarzan
A Rebel Alliance spy takes on the boy raised by apes. Both have gone on heroic adventures, but only one dressed in a loincloth while doing it. 

  

Winner: Princess Leia

Hercules vs. Spock
The son of Zeus meets the son of a Vulcan in this timeless duel. Will it be Roman God or ambassador to the Romulan Empire moving on? 
  

Winner: Spock


John McClane vs. Doctor Who
The smirking NYPD detective tries to handcuff the eccentric time traveling alien. It's yippie kay yay to one of these mother you-know-what'ers.
  

Winner: John McClane


Optimus Prime vs. Sarah Connor
It's the leader of the Autobots battling the savior of the human race. She knows a thing or two about big, angry metal things trying to kill her, so look out Optimus.
   

Winner: Sarah Connor

Wonder Woman vs. Buck Rogers

She's a warrior princess from the Amazon. He's a futuristic space pilot. Can the buxom superheroine lasso a first round win? Your vote decides. 
      


Winner: Wonder Woman

James Bond vs. Blade

It's spy versus vampire hunter as 007 tries to stir up the competition. But only one can survive the Tournament of Heroes!



Winner: James Bond

First, last week's winners: Superman, Mario, Obi Wan, and Captain America.

Now onto the remaining first round match-ups in the Galaxy Far, Far Away Bracket.

Gandalf  vs. Starbuck 

It's the wizard with the Santa Claus beard against Battlestar Galactica's hottie hothead. Who's the hero you want to see move on?

  

Winner: Gandalf

Buffy the Vampire Slayer  vs. Link

Two easy-on-the-eyes blondes battle it out. Sunnydale's resident teen monster fighter takes on the Legend of Zelda's vanquisher of evil. Only one can survive.

   

Winner: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Aragorn vs. Scooby Doo

The Fellowship's mighty warrior battles the Scooby gang's hapless mutt. It's man versus dog. Who's got the more heroic bite?

  

Winner: Scooby Doo

Han Solo  vs. d'Artagnan

A loner who goes by the subtle name Solo faces off against the fourth Musketeer. Your vote decides the winner.
  

Winner: Han Solo

Today, my five and a half year old daughter drew her first pictures of The Familiars. I told her that I would post them on the blog and she had a request to go along with it.

"Hi. My name is Penny. Could you send me a picture of the Familiars that you made? Bye."

Email the pictures to thefamiliarsbook@gmail.com. I think Penny would really appreciate it.

First the winners from our second day of Krypton Bracket match-ups: Percy Jackson, Lara Croft, Wolverine, and Katniss Everdeen.

Today we move into the Galaxy Far, Far Away Bracket.

Superman vs. Mace Windu

It's the man of steel against the purple light saber weilding jedi in a galactic smackdown. Will Mace prove to be Superman's kryptonite? Only your votes will decide.
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Winner: Superman

Mario vs. Jason of the Argonauts

Plumber or sailor... who will take home the crown in this mash up. There will be no power-ups to rescue Mario today and Jason will have to wield his sword without his companions' aid. The Gods can favor only one. 

  

Winner: Mario

Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Aquaman

Will Obi-Wan sleep with the fishes? Or will Aquaman feel the power of the force?


   

Winner: Obi Wan

Captain America vs. Snake Eyes

Both fight for America. But only one can stand. Who will come out bearing the flag? Knowing is half the battle.

  


Winner: Captain America

Welcome back for Day Two of the Tournament of Heroes. The results of Day One are in. Moving on the second round are Luke Skywalker, Odysseus, Frodo, and Thor.

Today we have the remaining four match-ups in the Krypton Bracket.

Percy Jackson vs. Ellen Ripley

The boy descended from Mount Olympus faces off with every alien's worst nightmare. Will the strength of the Gods be enough to stop one very determined woman?

   



<a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6461159/&qu... is the greatest hero of all time?</a>


Robin Hood vs. Lara Croft

This video game action heroine goes searching the world for rare archaelogical treasures. Her opponent steals his treasures from King John's coffers. Only one will enjoy the spoils of this fight.

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<a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6461205/&qu... is the greatest hero of all time??</a>


Wolverine vs. Commander Shepard

With his adamantium claws, this Marvel superhero will slice and dice his way through any villains. But how will he stand up against Mass Effect's commander of the Normandy?

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<a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6461209/&qu... is the greatest hero of all time???</a>


Katniss Everdeen vs. Jack Bauer

This Hunger Games tribute is used to fighting for life. But she's never met a match like Jack Bauer. Especially when she's only got 24 hours to tally more votes.

  





<a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6461212/&qu... is the greatest hero of all time????</a>

We begin in the Krypton Bracket, with four first round match-ups. Remember, your votes determine who will move on.

Luke Skywalker vs. Arya Stark

A light saber-wielding Jedi from a galaxy far, far away takes on a young and nimble sword fighter in her own right, from George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones. Let the duel begin!

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Winner: Luke


Odysseus vs. Captain Kirk

This match-up pits two great travelers, one who journeyed across the Mediterranean fighting monsters, the other warp speeding around the galaxy bringing peace and bedding alien women.

  


Winner: Odyesseus





Frodo vs. Simba

When danger comes to the Shire or the Pridelands, these undersized heroes would surely come to the rescue. And bravery is not all they share... both have hairy feet.

  

Winner: Frodo


Thor vs. Jack Ryan

Does Tom Clancy's CIA operative stand a chance against a Norse God? That depends on your vote.

  

Winner: Thor