How to Be a Superhero

by Mark Edlitz

How to Be a Superhero takes the reader behind the scenes of the most popular superhero movies and television shows of the past seventy years. The book includes 35 penetrating interviews with actors and actresses who have played the world's greatest superheroes, supervillains, antiheroes and sidekicks, as well as 70 photographs. "To be, as Chris Reeve put it, 'a temporary custodian' of these stories (myths really) is a very subjective experience. To be taken into the minds and thought processes of others who have had that experience is a fascinating journey. How to Be a Superhero really takes you into what it means not only to the people who play them, but into the minds of superheroes." - Richard Donner, director Superman "Edlitz's impressive knowledge of not just superhero movies and TV shows, but of the comics that they're based on, enables him to ask incisive questions that get the actors talking about their super-roles in a way not many interviewers can do. The book is a unique take on the superhero phenomenon." - Danny Fingeroth, author of Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us about Ourselves and Our Society "Mark Edlitz's How To Be A Superhero delivers rare insights into the mindset of the men and women behind the world's most beloved heroes and villains. A supremely fun read." - David Hayter, screenwriter of X-Men, X-Men 2 and Watchmen

Genres: Comics, Nonfiction

588 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 2015

About the author

Mark Edlitz's is the author of HOW TO BE A SUPERHERO, a book about superheroes and the actors who play them.

His writings have appeared in The Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times' Hero Complex, Moviefone, Sirius/XM Radio's Slice of SciFi and Empire magazine online.

Mark wrote and directed the award-winning independent film The Eden Myth.

He also directed and produced Jedi Junkies, a film about extreme Star Wars fans.

Mark's second book THE MANY LIVES OF JAMES BOND will launch in October.

Reviews

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Be a Superhero is an excellent fangirl/fanboy concept - getting the own words behind the people who played superheroes we either grew up on or experience for the first time today. Batman, Superman, The Flash, and a host of other heroes are covered with in-depth chapter introductions, followed by interviews with the actors, some years old and others more recent. Accompanied by these interviews are pictures of the stars, over 70 to flesh out text.

The usual questions focus on the actor's feelings on initially being offered the role, what it was to be in the suit, how they were treated in the suit, what it did for their future career, and of course their personal thoughts on the superhero.

Adam West opens up the book, using a lot of humor and going in-depth with his answers, letting us know he still wears 'bat-jammies' every night, likely tongue in cheek (hopefully or not hopefully?)

Some of the other interviewees were just as funny, especially some lines such as Jackson Bostwick on playing Captain Marvel (that entire interview was one of the best):

On speaking of dating and ending the evenings: "However, toward the end of the evening I assure you, kinky or not, they would all be howling, "Shazam!" Just kidding!

The questions and answers pertaining to the costumes were interesting. Some felt like it changed the way they felt emotionally, while others like Nicholas Hammond described how uncomfortable the suit could be, especially with the heat, but points out how it was interesting that behind a mask you could really get into a role hidden and how that was an intriguing experience, how masks could be freeing.

Then you get some interviews like for John Newton as Superboy who goes deep, philosophical, and introspective on approaching life, personality, the character, and lots of details on the psychology of why superheroes appeal so much to us. He even includes a thought-provoking quote which inspired him, "On the last day of your life, Hell is meeting who you are and not who you could have been."

I've never been a big fan of certain heroes, like Captain America, but learned a lot about him through the book:

Matt Salinger goes on to say that "Superman was a superhero. I don't look at Captain America as a superhero because he wasn't super-human. He was extra-human." Most of the answers of the interviews were honest, insightful, and many of them surprising. As an example, Matt Salinger says Captain America hurt his career more than helped it.

I especially loved the interview with Dean Cain because I'm a fan of everything Superman (the writer makes a note that Dean shone more brightly as Clark than Superman). He says season five didn't happen because Terry was pregnant and couldn't continue work (didn't know that.) He gushes about how much he liked Clark Kent as a character and that unlike so many other comic characters who come from a dark place, he comes from goodness, but that Clark Kent as the man was more interesting to him. He makes an intriguing note:

For me, Clark Kent was the real character and that's really who he is, and Superman is what he did.

(On the other hand Tim Daly says he sees Superman as a sad being from a distant, dead planet, and that Clark Kent is a sad guy who can't be himself, has unrequited love, and knows he can do more but can't. Interesting reading those two interviews back to back...)

Also was happy to see James Marsden since I'm a fan (although haven't seen his particular work with Cyclops)

I was ridiculously excited about Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor on Smallville since that's my favorite villain and I think he brought perfection to the role in Smallville. The writer opens up differences on Lex Luthor's history with Superman, to Smallville's ideas on it, wrapping up with the ending conversation between the two on the series finale and how much this helps propel and transform Clark into that final line to cross on who he is meant to be.

He notes that he didn't have as much hope for the show when he first heard about it because of the network and concept but wanted to go forward when he saw some of the script; he says he thinks Smallville is the first show that gave the network some credibility. He brings up the importance of having Lex be a credible, three-dimensional person who has vulnerability and kindness which slowly evolves and was against rushing the "evil" transformation to keep it interesting and convincing. I happen to agree with that and, considering how long the show went on, wish they had slowed it down as well.

I was also interested in his response on leaving the show:

"I didn't quit the show. The contract was for six years and I worked on it for seven years. That always bothered me. I've never quit anything in my life. I don't quit. Ever. After I did my seven years, I did an extra twenty-two episodes. I felt that I was too old now and that they could've wrapped up this story easily. It should have been wrapped up after six years - seven years tops. But for purposes of monetary gain, they decided to go year after year."

The book is a good one and must-get for superhero fans. I do wish more villains would have been included or some of the big names with movies, but I realize that's not always possible.

The book also wraps up with quotes and sources on such noticeables as Robert Downey Jr. and Christian Bale at the end.

Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jen La Duca · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Be a Superhero by Mark Edlitz’s is a wonderful collection of knowledge. It showcases photos and interviews with the actors and actresses who have portrayed some of the most well-known superheroes and villains in TV and movies. As a female child of the 80’s I didn’t have much knowledge surrounding the original superhero. I remember Superman (of course) and watching reruns of Batman, I loved when he and Robin showed up on Scooby-Doo : I was surprised then to discover it was these interviews, with the actors and actresses who played some of the original superheroes that I enjoyed most. In today’s world where Marvel and DC Comics are taking over the universe it was fun reading about and seeing pictures of the actors who originated many of these roles. I found that Edlitz’s questions were smart and insightful thus allowing his subjects to give equally candid and thoughtful answers. Also entertaining was gaining insights from some of the people behind the characters; like learning the real reason why Stan Lee’s Spiderman is one of the only Superhero’s to wear a mask that completely covers his face. You have to read if you want to know why!

The inclusion of some “non” superheroes was, in my opinion, an added treat. In the section titled “Not All Heroes are Super”, Edlitz’s includes insights and interviews with actors whose roles fall outside the realm of your standard superhero. The legendary Leonard Nimoy, who played Sci-Fi’s most iconic superhero, Spock, was by far my favorite interview. This section also features several of the actors who donned the famous James Bond suit, as well as the most recent “non” superhero, Agent Phil Coulson.

How to Be a Superhero is a must have for any die-hard comic book fan and true TV/movie buffs! With its June 1st release date it will make an exceptional Father’s Day gift for husbands, dads, brothers and sons; I already have two on pre-order :)

**I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the publisher, Bear Manor Media and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review**

[Paul Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a nutshell, this book is about interviews with actors who’ve played superheroes, sidekicks, villains, antiheroes, and others. . . and it’s 588 pages long, so you can say it’s thorough.
After an intro where the author tries to prove the point that everyone loves superheroes, we go right into the interviews, but it isn’t just all the people who have played Superman and Batman and Spiderman; there’s Flashes and Captain Americas and Hulks, plenty of women. . . even Howard the Duck shows up. Not so much in Sidekicks and Supervillains, but for me the best part was Not All Heroes Are Super, which includes Spock, James Bond, even Agent Coulson. The book closes with questions for some of the creators: comic book artists, movie directors, screenwriters, TV series creators, even Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer. The interview with Stan Lee might be worth the price of admission alone.
Just like another book I recently reviewed on character actors, it’s the same questions over and over, though these are somewhat more pointed to the subject. Still, there are some unconventional questions that pop up every once in a while, and the best parts are when the interviewees appreciate them, especially if they’d never thought of it themselves. I’m not sure how much this would appeal to the causal movie fan, but if you enjoy superhero comic books, TV shows, or movies, this will probably be worth your while.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some might effusive high star ratings going to such a one-note book as a bit dubious, but the approach behind this volume justifies its length and the contents deserve the rating. It's pretty much a sustained transcript of lots of interviews with people who have performed in cinema and TV franchises where their character has a certain cachet of global esteem – while 95% of it is superheroes and –villains, we get a fair chunk of Bond too. It successfully captures the author's ethos, that of discovering what effect the iconic characters have on those who play them – the look, the cloaks, the powers. Some of the questions are a bit cheesy, and at least one of the female respondents gets fed up with nagging about the look of her performance, but on the whole it's a great study. It brings you to the theme from a very different angle, and while it might be the result of a very bland dissertation, it has more than enough relevant detail, important documentation and warmth to make it really quite readable. It might feel a little repetitive – that's because it is – but to the genre fans it will be a must-read.

[John Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, I am very grateful for the actors who portrayed the heroes and the people who helped make the films and the tv shows so the small children in all of us can appreciate bringing two deminsional characters on paper to life. Loved the interviews and insights from everyone who contributed.

Only thing missing (for me at least) are the actors from the live action Ninja Turtles movies from the Ninties, and the actors from the Mighty Morphin era of the Power Rangers (a whole book can be done on all the seasons to date, but the MMPR is where it started here in the States).

A GREAT book that I would highly recommend!

[Tabby Shiflett · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
A pretty decent collection of mostly original interviews with actors and actresses who have played superheroes, supervillains, and sidekicks in films and TV shows (up to last last year). It's not comprehensive, but the author includes a wide spectrum. Incorporates good interview questions and lots of interesting tidbits are provided. I'm glad a Leonard Nimoy interview is in this book! Good for film/TV history readers.

Net Galley Feedback

[Kristine]

i skimmed and read the actors and (much fewer) actresses interviewed who i was more familiar with. some good stuff.