How the Supervillain Stole Christmas

Spandex and Superpowers #1

by Charles Payseur

Rex Devious (Dr. Devious to meddlesome do-gooders everywhere) can go toe-to-toe with superheroes without blinking an eye. So picking out a Christmas present for his new boyfriend should be no problem. After all, he and Sanjay seem perfect for each other. But with a terrible track record for finding gifts that won’t scare his potential partners away, Rex is paralyzed with insecurity. Until, of course, he decides to change tactics. Instead of having to pick out that perfect present, why not just destroy Christmas altogether? If his nemeses (or his conscience) can’t stop him first, he might just become the supervillain who stole Christmas.

Genres: M M Romance, Holiday, Christmas, Short Stories, LGBT, Contemporary, Science Fiction

30 pages, ebook

First published December 1, 2016

About the author

Charles Payseur is an avid reader, writer, and reviewer of speculative fiction. His works have appeared in The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy, Lightspeed Magazine, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies, among others, and many are included in his debut collection, The Burning Day and Other Strange Stories (Lethe Press 2021). He is the series editor of We’re Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction (Neon Hemlock Press) and a multiple-time Hugo and Ignyte Award finalist for his work at Quick Sip Reviews. When not drunkenly discussing Goosebumps, X-Men comic books, and his cats on his Patreon (/quicksipreviews) and Twitter (@ClowderofTwo), he can probably found raising a beer with his husband, Matt, in their home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

One would think that being a villain would presume said villain would hate all things holiday cheer, thus automatically being a grinch about such things. Oh, if only it were that simple of an explanation!

Dastardly Rex Devious’s innate ability to create diabolical schemes and weapons sometimes gets in the way when his genius translates into gift giving. Rex’s thoughtfulness has not ever been appreciated, so it’s understandable that when his boyfriend Sanjay mentions exchanging presents, Rex goes into full panic mode. Perhaps if the blasted day was annihilated, he wouldn't have this problem...

I quite enjoyed this cheeky world full of villains and superheroes, where it’s just another day in the life as these adversaries constantly battle to thwart and challenge each other. Throw in some unwanted repercussions when Christmas tries to get destroyed, and this was a highly enjoyable alternate reality that was quirky fun with some sexy goodness!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 hearts

This was great! I love superhero stories especially when they’re super corny and this one was absolutely perfect!

“I’m so sorry,” Rex said. “I’m guessing that’s Firebrand and Scream Queen here to destroy the device that will cause a massive earthquake, splitting California off from the rest of the country, unless the President grants me sovereignty of these islands and a hundred billion dollars.”
“Oh,” Sanj said. “I’m sorry. Do you need me to go?”

Rex or ‘Dr Devious’ was hilarious. He was all sneaky plans and evil laughs and I enjoyed him immensely. He was also a super sweetheart, not that he’d want to hear that. His biggest hang up with Christmas is that he spends so much time and effort building these elaborate machines for presents, and his partners don’t always… appreciate them.

Sanjay was not as fleshed out, but he was sweet and he really liked Rex, so he was alright with me.

The romance did take a back seat to Rex’s evil plans, but the sex scene at the end was hot and…. oddly funny.

Super enjoyed this one and will definitely read it again next year!

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so people might not know this about me, but I'm a giant nerd at heart. I am in love with superheroes and now villains thanks to Mr. Hugh D'Ambry!!!! I am a super huge fan of anything weaponry with a NATOR in it. I binge watch episodes of Phineas & Ferb without the kids around, and Teen Titans Go. I'm also an X-Men, Supernatural, and anything PNR related fangirl. So to read a holiday novel about a super villain and a commoner just made me jolly little night!

 



 

I just wanted to use this gif as an example of a NATOR weapon. LOL. Rex is a super villain that everyone knows in Metro City, and this holiday season that guy that he's dating and liking Sanjay asks him to his Christmas Work Party. Shouldn't be bad right? Wrong, immediately Rex gets anxiety thinking of all the times he's given exes presents that have gone wrong. Presents that he thinks they would appreciate since they are personal and things he's created. He's panicking and then Audrey opens her big mouth. I kinda want an Audrey of my own. She's the equivalent of Jarvis from Iron Man. If you still are clueless (Shame on you) then she's an A.I. system he created and functions with. Rex kinda beats himself up about how to end Christmas. In the midst of this time a couple of Super heroes comes and destroys his weapons. I liked Rex's sense of humor about them, and his ability to be reasoned with. I thought Sanjay was a cool guy, we really didn't get to spend much time with him, but overall I think he liked Rex for Rex. I would have like to see this atleast 100 pages just to get a better feeling for Sanjay. It was a cute little novella, with just the right kind of destruction, and douchebaggery with good vs evil. If you like things of this nature then its recommendable for you! If not, then give it a shot, you never know what you might find!!

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 absolutely (accidentally) adorable stars.

Rex was adorable in that flawed-logic-but-still-good-natured kind of way. He wanted to make Sanjay happy at Christmas no matter what it cost, and if making Christmas never happen (because he thought he couldn’t find a proper gift) was the answer to making sure Sanjay didn’t have a crappy Christmas, then so be it.

This book absolutely defied all logic, but it was still completely adorable. Every time Rex came up with a devious plan to destroy Christmas, a superhero would intervene and somehow make his invention of misfortune bring about joy and happiness. It was really heart warming and almost had me wishing that the pairing for this book was between a villain and a hero… perhaps in the future?

Rex was crazy, Sanjay was cute. I wish I’d have gotten to see a little more of their interactions together, but overall, this was a really adorable story about a man who just wants to make his partner happy at Christmas and is struggling with how to do that.

I remember reading another short by Charles Payseur in a previous DSP anthology (also about superheroes) and I wasn’t his biggest fan. But this one was great and it actually has me looking forward to seeing his other works! 4 Stars from me, highly recommended.



Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.

[Jenni Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sufficiently adorable!

Well, this was just too adorable for words! I loved the whole supervillain and superhero storyline. It was over the top and ridiculous - just how I like it.

Rex is a supervillain, complete with secret island lair and everything. He's really digging Sanjay though they have only been dating for just a short while. Sanjay is so sweet and loving and is even understanding when Rex's villainous life gets in the way of their time together. Everything seems to be going great until Sanjay brings up Christmas. You see, Rex is a terrible gift giver. Every gift he has given to a significant other in the past has ended in disaster as well as an end to the relationship. He doesn't want to lose Sanjay too so he's understandably terrified of the upcoming holiday.

But does he seek out advice for giving the perfect gift to Sanjay? Of course not! Rex instead decides that since he is such crap at giving gifts and he'll surely lose Sanjay come December 25th, he'll just destroy Christmas altogether. He is a supervillain after all. They do nothing by halves.

This was a funny, imaginative tale that kept me entertained throughout. It was a sweet story and I enjoyed it so very much. Although a short story, it felt complete. I have no complaints. I recommend it to anyone who likes a fun holiday read.

[Serena Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superheroes have been around for a while, and of course they exist to fight villains and save the world, but stories from the point of view of the villains – and in this case a supervillain – are relatively new and fairly rare (at least as far as I know). I love the humor of a supervillain trying to do his job – destroying the world - and being regularly stopped by all kinds of superheroes. It’s the world as we know it seen upside down, and that makes for fun reading.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's a supervillain to do when his plans to destroy Christmas fizzle out due to those meddlesome do-gooders like Tech Knight and Jaq Frost?

Yes, occasionally he tried to blackmail world governments or blot out the sun itself, but didn’t he deserve love too? Didn’t he deserve to actually have a relationship last to the New Year?

I loved the sweet and the snarky of those short Christmas novella. 4 stars.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so ridiculous and over the top that I quite enjoyed it. I never got the feeling it was taken too seriously. Sanjay asks about Rex"s day as a supervillain as he would if he worked in the mall. And like all good cartoon villains, Rex's plan to ruin Christmas either backfire or are foiled by random superheroes, who end up giving him dating advice. So for sheer ridiculous fun, it works great.

[Chris, the Dalek King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Supervillain Rex Devious is not a fan of Christmas. Not for religious, political, or moral reasons–he just despises having to buy gifts for whomever he is dating at the time. Not because he is against gift-giving on the whole, but because he just sucks at picking out thoughtful and meaningful gifts that don’t send his lovers running (or to the hospital). So when his newest boyfriend starts to make comments about Christmas parties and such, Rex panics a little bit. He really likes Sanjay, he doesn’t wanna do anything to chase him off (or send him to the hospital). So, in order to avoid the whole thing (without doing anything so silly as actually talking about his feelings or other such nonsense) he sets out to do what supervillains do best: destroy things. Specifically, Christmas.

This was wholly charming.

Really. It was just so lighthearted and fun that it was a pleasure to read from start to finish. I love how bad Rex is at destroying Christmas and yet he still never gives up. Some people like their superheroes to be all action-y and man-pain…but I’m more the kind of guy who likes his supers to be massive failbots. It is usually more entertaining that way. His banter with the superheroes and his AI were great as well.

All in all I recommend this short for those who enjoy the lighter side of supervillain/hero set. It was very light, but also had a well written romance in there as well. I’ll have to remember to keep an eye on this author for the future. Anyone who can meet my (not very) exacting superhero needs is someone to watch.

Also, I want me some penguin butlers. That is absolutely a thing I need now.


This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.

[Sara]

4 Hearts

ACK! This was so freaking adorable!

I won’t say much about it as the blurb set it up wonderfully but Rex, our unsure super hero, was so sweet with his worries about getting Sanjay the perfect gift and then trying to destroy Christmas and failing. His epiphany about the holiday and who he would spend it with led to one hell of an amazing present and OMG I WANT ONE! Totally want one.

The end was super sweet and made me giggle. What a fun and new twist to a holiday story.

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We Unicorn's are reviewing the Dreamspinner 2016 Advent Calendar every Sunday, Jizzmas gang bang style on the blog with the unis who are Santa Jizzians and the Grumpicorns. Check out the rest of the reviews for this story here...

[Melanie~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the campy madness of Rex Devious trying to destroy the Christmas holiday. He couldn't suffer the disappointment of giving his new boyfriend a gift that, if past relationships and gift-giving were to be judge, would cause him to end their relationship. It was sweet to know how much Rex liked Sanjay and wanted to NOT disappoint him with his complicated and elaborate and possibly inappropriate gift ideas. The ultra-comic-y world-building was a delight to read in this short story.

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25*

[ItsAboutTheBook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review can be read at It's About The Book

I expected to like this one more than I did. I think in theory it’s unique and kind of clever. It had it’s moments but ultimately Rex’s motives were selfish because Sanjay liked celebrating Christmas traditions. Yes I know he’s a bad guy. His reasoning for wanting to do away with Christmas is he has ruined relationships in the past because he’s bad at selecting presents for his significant others. This year he doesn’t want to repeat that mistake with Sanjay because it would mean the end of them as a couple in Rex’s mind. He’s not very good at what he does however because everything he does seems to make Christmas a little bit more magical.

It was also a little weird that he was buddies with the superheroes who have to stop him whenever he does his super villain deeds. It could have been an interesting dynamic but given this was a short it just was what it was. I did like the rich Bruce Wayne angle of this story and the computer friend was pretty funny. This story had a very Scrooge vibe to it with a supehero/supervillain twist. It wasn’t bad but it felt like a short that fell flat to me. Too bad I like the premise.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun holiday story, clearly inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but with supervillains and superheroes and ridiculous hijinks. This is more of a world where heroes and villains exist but the heroes destroy villains machines to foil their plans, then fly off to allow the villains to plot another day. Not so much a doom and gloom and beat-em-up thing going on, which worked for the nice light-hearted theme of Christmas.

Rex does not love Christmas as it has always ruined his relationships. The thing is, he's really hitting it off with his new boyfriend Sanjay. But Sanjay has bought him a gift and Rex's gifts always drive people away. So the obvious thing is to just destroy Christmas! The ways he goes about 'destroying' Christmas are generally not that destructive, aiming at the symbolic elements to Christmas but no people. As every plan is foiled Rex becomes more despondent, but the overriding theme is his fear that he will lose Sanjay which makes this story so very sweet. From the amusement of the foiled plans, to the little things Rex does to make things better for Sanjay, to the way it ends, this story was sweet, cute, and fun. It was an enjoyable little read that will brighten your day!

[Nikyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on The Blogger Girls

This was such a cute story! I loved that Rex has such insecurities about his relationship with Sanjay and getting him the perfect gift. I loved that he cared so much for Sanjay and didn’t really know how to show it. I also liked the little super villain plots he had and how they were all thwrated by superheroes. And I liked that even though there were superheroes and super villains, they weren’t complete enemies.

However, while I really enjoyed the story and getting to see Rex trying to figure out a great gift for Sanjay, I didn’t feel like we really got a lot of the relationship between Rex and Sanjay. I wanted to see more of them together, more of them getting to know each other. As it were, there was only a few moments when they were together.

In the end, I really enjoyed this story. I loved how fun it felt and getting to see Rex go

[Miss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute, especially with the penguin theme. It's very short, but hopefully the other installments in the series will flesh out the world and characters more. As it is, Rex is an adorkably unsuccessful Supervillain who seeks to destroy Christmas before he gives his new boyfriend, Sanjay, a poorly thought out, Supervillainous Christmas gift because such gifts have always led to the ending of Rex's other relationships. By the intervention of others or Rex's own miscalculations in device design, his creations meant to destroy Christmas make it better instead. Through that, he is able to think of and create the perfect Christmas gift for Sanjay. Seriously adorable.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fun little romp when in the search for the perfect Christmas gift gets a bit crazy. Sometimes its seems it would be better to ditch the holiday all together than end up with a gift that doesn't work.

[Lada · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's boring when the so-called supervillain was just a fool.

[Stella ╰☆╮╰☆╮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars Review Coming Soon @STRW

[Elaine White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book – How the Supervillain Stole Christmas
Author – Charles Payseur
Star rating - ★★★☆☆ (3.5)
No. of Pages – 30
Cover – Nice
POV – 3rd person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Yes.
Genre – Christmas, Holiday, Superhero/Supervillain, Science Fiction, Romance


** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine



WARNING: There may be SPOILERS ahead!


This was a cute little Christmas short, but I felt like something were missing, that meant I couldn't give it a higher rating. Rex was an intriguing supervillain and I liked that we got to see him acting out some supervillain tricks, while also talking about previous victories and failures. Even though there were a few glimpses of Superheros, they didn't have a disproportionate amount of time given to them which was refreshing.

I did feel that the title was a little misleading, since *SPOILER* Rex never manages to actually steal Christmas. In fact, by the end of the story he's done a Grinch-esque 180º twist from hating Christmas to celebrating it with those he loves.

The romance between Sanjay was cute, but tame. I didn't see much chemistry, outside of a few stolen kisses and the final sex scene. Which, in a similar was, didn't quite fit with the story. I found that the romance was given less attention than it could have had, since the whole story was about Rex and Sanjay's relationship; some memories or a few more meetings would have been nice, just to equal out the emphasis on the budding relationship. The sex, however, felt a little too clinical and well set up. I think the story didn't really need it in detail; just the suggestion of them going into the bedroom would have been enough, since there was nothing else that could have been interpreted as 18+ in the rest of the story.

~

The story was cute, Christmassy and sweet. I just felt that a few things were missing.

~

Favourite Quote

“It felt odd to say it aloud, like it was some plea to the universe to just...let this one work. Yes, occasionally he tried to blackmail world governments or blot out the sun itself, but didn't he deserve love too? Didn't he deserve to actually have a relationships last to the New Year?”

[Heather York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I read Charles Payseur's newest entry in this novella series, The Werewolf Before Christmas just a couple of weeks ago and it was obviously my introduction to his Spandex and Superpowers universe. I love it! I love superhero movies but I will admit that it is not a genre/trope that I read but after reading these that may change.

I think what really intrigues me most about this entry was again, we got to see the supervillain as the center of the story. Rex has not had much luck when it comes to his past relationships and Christmas gift giving so naturally, as a supervillain his solution is to stop the holiday this year instead of finding a gift for his new boyfriend, Sanjay. Apparently, that is easier said than done. I won't give anything away but let me just say this: How the Supervillain Stole Christmas was a delightfully fun, clever, sexy, and surprisingly romantic way to begin my holiday weekend. Whether you read this during the holidays won't matter because you'll be entertained whether Santa is coming down the chimney or lazying away on a weekend getaway in July.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was right up my alley! A little scifi, a little Supervillain/hero and a whole lot of sweet. I wish this story was longer.

[Julesmarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually pretty cute.

Rex was super sweet, and all of his evil plans going awry was well done.

Some Favorite Quotes:
"Christmas?" he asked, hoping his voice didn't betray his fear. Christmas. Why was it always Christmas?

the grin on Rex's face widened into one only a supervillain could manage, a manic tide of genius and ambition and the pure joy of creation.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bumbling supervillain Rex never seems to pull off his plan to destroy....California, the UN, Christmas.
And finding the right Christmas present for his boyfriend Sanjay is taxing.
A bit too daft for my full enjoyment but Rex's bungling was amusing - he does need to employ KISS.

[Tori Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny!

[JustMe]

DNF 35 %

[Lillian Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing and adorable. Although all I could see when I thought of Rex was the Supervillain from Phineas and Ferb.

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736...

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars rounded up. I enjoyed the characters and the superhero references where silly enough to make me smile while reading.