Working Class Hero: The Autobiography of Billy B., a Hyper Human, Book One

by James Robert Smith

The general population refers to them as “Odds”, people who suffer from AOHD (Adult Onset Hyper-Development Disorder). Such people wake up one day to find that they’re suddenly super-human. They can do things like leap tall buildings. Lift bulldozers over their heads. Read minds. Throw fireballs. Melt steel with a thought. Fly at supersonic speeds, and so on. And what happens? Uncle Sam makes them sign up with the Feds and punch a clock. Or else.

Now, for the first time, we get the real deal, the true story. As told from the inside, Severed Press presents WORKING CLASS HERO: The Autobiography of Billy B., a Hyper Human.

Genres: Superheroes, Fiction

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2017

Reviews

[Sumayyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Super Tale

Mike Evans wakes up one morning feeling terribly ill. As it turns out, Mike is suffering from a condition known as AOHD, adult hyper something or other, which basically means that Mike now has super powers. Employed by The Agency as one of Charlotte, NC's protectors, Mike, under the name Billy B, fits super criminals. Strange hypers are showing up with unexplained, organized missions, and Mike has to stop them while trying to keep his wife happy, his son entertained, and the general population unaware of his true identity.. A few different plots are in progress, and some of the exposition, particularly in the beginning, feels redundant. A decent read, with an ending that leads right into a sequel. Warning for ableist slurs. 3.5 stars.

[BattleBacon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book deserves 5 stars for the story, and maybe it was just my copy, but it definitely needs the heavy hand of an editor. The grammar and punctuation mistakes ruined the immersion for me.

I don't say that lightly. It takes a lot. But when you start misspelling the names of main characters or have a paragraph suddenly finish on the bottom of the page and have 3/4 a page of blank space in the middle, it gets hard to swallow.

[Mixon Trammell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a few pages in it becomes clear this book is more “woke”, anti police garbage. A desperate attempt to prey on stereotypes. Did not finish.

[Mark Masztal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in to Working Class Hero by James Robert Smith with an open mind, not sure what to expect from a writer who I mostly associated with horror novels. I was very surprised to have read a thoughtful, exciting real-world look at super-heroes (hypers) and how their newly acquitted powers changes and disrupts their ordinary lives. Billy B is our hero, a working class laborer, not unlike the writer, who finds himself gifted with new abilities and the responsibilities that they bring. The book was full of exciting, colorful characters who have their own agendas and own problems. Well written, could have used a bit more editing, but an exciting trip inside the ind of a man who has now become a super man.

[Michael Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

WORKING CLASS HERO is James Robert Smith's best novel since the Hollywood-optioned THE FLOCK.

James expertly weaves blue collar superhero sensibilities into our modern world. The characterization is outstanding, and the world building is first rate as always.

The concept of regulated super heroes working for the government, and non-regulated super heroes as "outlaws" is a lot of fun. This juxtaposition allows for some fine entertainment and thrilling scenarios.

I was highly entertained by this novel, and the sensitive depiction of Bill B. Billy is an alpha 2.0, with a powerful level of self-awareness, a rare thing in a super hero tale. Mostly we get the brawn or snark in super hero books or films. We get much more in Working Class Hero.

James twists and turns the reader through heroes, villains, and various agencies, resulting in a gripping read and a very satisfying conclusion.

Highly recommended.

[C Patrick Daily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent example of Supers fiction. The world is created quickly with little exposition and you understand how the Supers and their world interact very quickly, so you can just focus on the action and not get bogged down in long complicated descriptions of the way things work. Excellent world building!