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Sidekicks!
The most important characters don't always get top billing...
Sidekicks: We know them, and we ignore them. They sit courtside, they wait in the shadows, they ride on the coattails. They have nothing to offer.
Or do they?
Heroes and heroines perform world shaking deeds, but sidekicks? Sidekicks are the unseen glue holding those powerhouses together. They are the backbones. They are the voices of reason.
It's long past time for them to shine.
Here, the fangirls, the trusted associates, the loyal assistants, and the imperiled wards have their moment in the spotlight. Join them as they shake up the world in unexpected and understated ways.
Let the heroes sit this one out. Celebrate the Sidekick!
Sidekicks: We know them, and we ignore them. They sit courtside, they wait in the shadows, they ride on the coattails. They have nothing to offer.
Or do they?
Heroes and heroines perform world shaking deeds, but sidekicks? Sidekicks are the unseen glue holding those powerhouses together. They are the backbones. They are the voices of reason.
It's long past time for them to shine.
Here, the fangirls, the trusted associates, the loyal assistants, and the imperiled wards have their moment in the spotlight. Join them as they shake up the world in unexpected and understated ways.
Let the heroes sit this one out. Celebrate the Sidekick!
- GenresShort StoriesFantasy
358 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2013
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387 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 30, 2013
Basic Premise: 20 Short stories about sidekicks in all their forms, not necessarily just superheroes.
Well, color me impressed. I've always been a bit leery of independent publishing. I felt that if they can't get published by a "real" book company, how good could it be? Well, apparently I was a book snob and am now beginning to embrace my inner hipster in order to give a shot to independent publishers like Alliteration Ink.
There wasn't a stinker in the whole batch, and all stories stayed on theme. That's more than I can say for some of the other short story anthologies I've read over the years, and by "real" publishers. Some of the stories were more serious, some more humorous, but all focused in on the sidekick-the person who does the grunt work while the hero gets the credit. The power behind the power. Black, white, gay, straight, super, and not-so-super sidekicks are all addressed in this volume. With 20 different stories in the anthology, there's a lot of variety in genre and characters.
I actually bought the physical book (it's also available as an e-book), and found it to be a worthy expenditure of funds. It didn't change my life or anything, but the stories were clearly vetted by an expert editor and were thus of good quality. It was well worth the reading time, too, as all of the stories could be easily read in a single sitting. Kudos to to Alliteration Ink for winning a convert to the side of indie publishing! I'll never sneer again.
Well, color me impressed. I've always been a bit leery of independent publishing. I felt that if they can't get published by a "real" book company, how good could it be? Well, apparently I was a book snob and am now beginning to embrace my inner hipster in order to give a shot to independent publishers like Alliteration Ink.
There wasn't a stinker in the whole batch, and all stories stayed on theme. That's more than I can say for some of the other short story anthologies I've read over the years, and by "real" publishers. Some of the stories were more serious, some more humorous, but all focused in on the sidekick-the person who does the grunt work while the hero gets the credit. The power behind the power. Black, white, gay, straight, super, and not-so-super sidekicks are all addressed in this volume. With 20 different stories in the anthology, there's a lot of variety in genre and characters.
I actually bought the physical book (it's also available as an e-book), and found it to be a worthy expenditure of funds. It didn't change my life or anything, but the stories were clearly vetted by an expert editor and were thus of good quality. It was well worth the reading time, too, as all of the stories could be easily read in a single sitting. Kudos to to Alliteration Ink for winning a convert to the side of indie publishing! I'll never sneer again.
Read
April 4, 2013Sidekicks! is about the second string, the background players and the partnerships behind the heroism and villainy and minor and major plots both to gain and thwart control. Despite what the cover art may seem to imply, the tales don't just focus on spandex clad four color warriors. Those are there, but there are also yarns of serial killers, Sheriffs, third world regimes, wizards, assassins and more. If you want variety of genre and style, buddy, you got it here.
I can't go further without mentioning the introduction, by Pseudopod honcho Alastair Stuart. Normally, intros are throwaway background or generic back-patting and, as such, not worth mentioning. But this guy... Lays out a heartfelt, intelligent basis for the whole damn thing with honest wit that manages to pull of a true rarity by being as meaningful as the stories themselves. There's a reason that the analyses on Pseudopod are as much of a reason to listen as the stories they tell there and this man is it.
Patrick S Tomlinson's “Coffee and Collaborators” does a great job of setting the tone with its irreverent manner and statement that the heroes and villains are overpowered dolts that would destroy the world and themselves if their sidekicks did not reign them in. Meanwhile, Donald J. Bingle explores the machinations behind political power that will have you looking at whoever is off to the side of the podium rather than the one behind it with the wondrously named “Second Bananna Republic”. It's impossible to not mention Matt Betts when he appears with a grim tale of what happens when the backup oversteps their bounds and runs the risk of being viewed as the hero in the weird western “The Old West”. And then there's “Hunter and Bagger”, Alex Bledsoe's of serial killers and arrogance that plays out like an old Ananzi story.
As good as those stories are, two truly got what I wanted this anthology to be about. “Hero” may not be the most inspiring title, but Kathy Watness uses this tale of a second rate Wizard and his assistant to underline the main value of a sidekick. Someone to keep the hero grounded, to provide a leg up when needed. The one who may not be able to beat the bad guy or scale the mountain, but gives the one who can the extra push needed. All without intruding or controlling their actions (something that pairs it well with M.E Garber's “Worthy”). Then there is Alexis A Hunter's “The Balance Between Us”, a tale of war and muddled morality where no path is safe or righteous. In such a situation, the right partner can help prevent the worst decisions when the need for a choice between horrors must be made. It isn't about ego or pride or even being right but simply about making it out the other end hoping to be able to live with yourselves. Damn brilliant, both of those stories.
Yes, there are a few tales that fall a bit flat, mostly due to a lack of true narrative to give them a sense of wholeness, but there aren't any that I didn't at least partially enjoy. My biggest problem is the overwhelming amount of “The Sidekick is the Real Hero” stories where in the hero is an egotistical, bumbling fool who only succeeds because of a sidekick that does everything for them (much like Without a Clue did for Sherlock Holmes and Watson). While I get the desire to turn the trope of the weak, ineffectual sidekick on its head, simply saying that the sidekick is really the one who is great and the hero is kinda stupid and always getting into trouble only switches paradigms. This kind of half-way deconstruction doesn't change anything unless a new paradigm is established and kinda bugs me.
Despite that rant, and largely due to some damn fine yarn spinning, I enjoyed myself reading this. I recommend ignoring the bland title and somewhat single minded cover art (pretty though it may be) and give this a whirl. I can pretty well bet you'll find something you like.
I can't go further without mentioning the introduction, by Pseudopod honcho Alastair Stuart. Normally, intros are throwaway background or generic back-patting and, as such, not worth mentioning. But this guy... Lays out a heartfelt, intelligent basis for the whole damn thing with honest wit that manages to pull of a true rarity by being as meaningful as the stories themselves. There's a reason that the analyses on Pseudopod are as much of a reason to listen as the stories they tell there and this man is it.
Patrick S Tomlinson's “Coffee and Collaborators” does a great job of setting the tone with its irreverent manner and statement that the heroes and villains are overpowered dolts that would destroy the world and themselves if their sidekicks did not reign them in. Meanwhile, Donald J. Bingle explores the machinations behind political power that will have you looking at whoever is off to the side of the podium rather than the one behind it with the wondrously named “Second Bananna Republic”. It's impossible to not mention Matt Betts when he appears with a grim tale of what happens when the backup oversteps their bounds and runs the risk of being viewed as the hero in the weird western “The Old West”. And then there's “Hunter and Bagger”, Alex Bledsoe's of serial killers and arrogance that plays out like an old Ananzi story.
As good as those stories are, two truly got what I wanted this anthology to be about. “Hero” may not be the most inspiring title, but Kathy Watness uses this tale of a second rate Wizard and his assistant to underline the main value of a sidekick. Someone to keep the hero grounded, to provide a leg up when needed. The one who may not be able to beat the bad guy or scale the mountain, but gives the one who can the extra push needed. All without intruding or controlling their actions (something that pairs it well with M.E Garber's “Worthy”). Then there is Alexis A Hunter's “The Balance Between Us”, a tale of war and muddled morality where no path is safe or righteous. In such a situation, the right partner can help prevent the worst decisions when the need for a choice between horrors must be made. It isn't about ego or pride or even being right but simply about making it out the other end hoping to be able to live with yourselves. Damn brilliant, both of those stories.
Yes, there are a few tales that fall a bit flat, mostly due to a lack of true narrative to give them a sense of wholeness, but there aren't any that I didn't at least partially enjoy. My biggest problem is the overwhelming amount of “The Sidekick is the Real Hero” stories where in the hero is an egotistical, bumbling fool who only succeeds because of a sidekick that does everything for them (much like Without a Clue did for Sherlock Holmes and Watson). While I get the desire to turn the trope of the weak, ineffectual sidekick on its head, simply saying that the sidekick is really the one who is great and the hero is kinda stupid and always getting into trouble only switches paradigms. This kind of half-way deconstruction doesn't change anything unless a new paradigm is established and kinda bugs me.
Despite that rant, and largely due to some damn fine yarn spinning, I enjoyed myself reading this. I recommend ignoring the bland title and somewhat single minded cover art (pretty though it may be) and give this a whirl. I can pretty well bet you'll find something you like.
April 1, 2013
(disclaimer - the editor is a friend of mine)
Sidekicks, deputies, lab assistants, henchmen...Every hero needs them. But what's in it for them? This collection of short stories in a variety of genres takes a look at the loyalty, ambition, moral sense, common sense and sometimes just sheer stubbornness that drives these "second bananas". Some of them talk openly about why they prefer to stay in what seems like a "subordinate" position. Each one is a very different person with very different motivations for what they do. With very few exceptions, I really found these characters really interesting. I enjoyed finding out what made them tick.
Like any group of short stories, there were some that I liked and some I didn't - so three stars for that. The fourth star is for the concept. Sure, some of the stories were a bit predictable, and I think the first story is the strongest, but there were only 2-3 I ended up skimming through. For an anthology, especially one from a small independent press, that's not a bad percentage.
Sidekicks, deputies, lab assistants, henchmen...Every hero needs them. But what's in it for them? This collection of short stories in a variety of genres takes a look at the loyalty, ambition, moral sense, common sense and sometimes just sheer stubbornness that drives these "second bananas". Some of them talk openly about why they prefer to stay in what seems like a "subordinate" position. Each one is a very different person with very different motivations for what they do. With very few exceptions, I really found these characters really interesting. I enjoyed finding out what made them tick.
Like any group of short stories, there were some that I liked and some I didn't - so three stars for that. The fourth star is for the concept. Sure, some of the stories were a bit predictable, and I think the first story is the strongest, but there were only 2-3 I ended up skimming through. For an anthology, especially one from a small independent press, that's not a bad percentage.
May 5, 2013
A great anthology of sidekick stories in many settings: fantasy, science fiction, supers, modern crime, etc. Any anthology is going to have some stories strike better chords than others, and probably the stories that resonated most with me won't be the same for other readers. But I enjoyed the diversity of the stories, the innovative thread that tied them together, and the ones that did strike the best chords with me made the anthology at the price rate five stars.
September 30, 2013
Full disclosure: I purchased this book because one of my closest friends is a contributing author. That being said, I was excited to get it, as it looked like something I would generally enjoy anyway! It was all that I wanted, and more- the wide array of "sidekicks" portrayed in this anthology was truly impressive. I expected basically all superhero stuff, but no- not at all. From political revolutions to out-of-work sidekicks to shapeshifters, this really ran the gamut of what to expect from a sidekick. Stories exciting, heartbreaking, and filled with intrigue populate this anthology- and I enjoyed pretty much every single one!
February 18, 2014
When I first picked up the book, I was expecting just a series of superhero sidekick short stories. This book has those, but it also has much, much more. The stories contained within cross a plethora of genres (there are capes aplenty, but knights, wizards, henchmen, and soldiers too) and take what it means to be a "sidekick" to some really interesting, and often unexpected places. There are many great twists and surprises here, but most importantly, each story is formed around a complex, compelling character (or characters) whose perspective and personality elevates their story to something truly special.
May 8, 2013
As I've said before, there should be two tiers to the ratings: How much I liked it and How well it was written.
Each story in SIDEKICKS! was well written, with a wide range of tones and a variety of definitions of "sidekick". Anyone who enjoys action heroes and comics/graphic novels will be particularly pleased with this collection.
I bought the book for a variety of reasons, and I wasn't disappointed. I liked it, I just didn't way like it.
Each story in SIDEKICKS! was well written, with a wide range of tones and a variety of definitions of "sidekick". Anyone who enjoys action heroes and comics/graphic novels will be particularly pleased with this collection.
I bought the book for a variety of reasons, and I wasn't disappointed. I liked it, I just didn't way like it.
May 19, 2015
A really clever and broad ranging collection of short stories. I like that they spread the definition of sidekick a little, and explored different aspects/methods of sidekicking (from romance to the evil/good divide to sidekicking for sidekicks). Very cool, very enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews