What do you think?
Rate this book
Old Guy: Superhero
Meet Oldguy: your regular aging superhero whose powers have dwindled over the years, and whose very mechanics are seriously fizzling. In seriocomic misadventures, Oldguy valiantly attempts to continue his former heroism in a somewhat wry version of Faulknerian endurance, defeating his enemies time and again—if not through superhuman abilities, then at least by “outliving the sons-a-bitches.” With its comic book-style illustrations, Oldguy inhabits a space all to itself—not strictly a poetry collection, not quite a graphic novel—hybrid sure to visually and aurally delight.
- GenresPoetry
88 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2019
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
William Trowbridge
35 books7 followersWilliam Trowbridge holds a B.A. in Philosophy and an M. A. in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Ph.D. in English from Vanderbilt University. In April, 2012, he was appointed to a two-year term as Poet Laureate of Missouri.
His poetry publications include six full collections: Put This On, Please (Red Hen Press, 2014), Ship of Fool (Red Hen Press, 2011), The Complete Book of Kong (Southeast Missouri State University Press, 2003), Flickers, O Paradise, and Enter Dark Stranger (University of Arkansas Press, 2000, 1995, 1989). He has also published three chapbooks, The Packing House Cantata (Camber Press, 2006), The Four Seasons (Red Dragonfly Press, 2001), and The Book of Kong (Iowa State University Press, 1986).
His poems have appeared in more than 30 anthologies and textbooks, as well as in such periodicals as Poetry, The Gettysburg Review, Crazyhorse, The Georgia Review, Boulevard, The Southern Review, Columbia, Colorado Review, The Iowa Review, Prairie Schooner, Epoch, and New Letters. He has given readings and workshops at schools, colleges, bookstores, and literary conferences throughout the United States. His awards include an Academy of American Poets Prize, a Pushcart Prize, a Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference scholarship, a Camber Press Poetry Chapbook Award, and fellowships from The MacDowell Colony, Ragdale, Yaddo, and The Anderson Center.
He is a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Northwest Missouri State University, where he was an editor of The Laurel Review/GreenTower Press from 1986 to 2004. Now living in Lee’s Summit, MO, he teaches in the University of Nebraska low-residency MFA in writing program.
His poetry publications include six full collections: Put This On, Please (Red Hen Press, 2014), Ship of Fool (Red Hen Press, 2011), The Complete Book of Kong (Southeast Missouri State University Press, 2003), Flickers, O Paradise, and Enter Dark Stranger (University of Arkansas Press, 2000, 1995, 1989). He has also published three chapbooks, The Packing House Cantata (Camber Press, 2006), The Four Seasons (Red Dragonfly Press, 2001), and The Book of Kong (Iowa State University Press, 1986).
His poems have appeared in more than 30 anthologies and textbooks, as well as in such periodicals as Poetry, The Gettysburg Review, Crazyhorse, The Georgia Review, Boulevard, The Southern Review, Columbia, Colorado Review, The Iowa Review, Prairie Schooner, Epoch, and New Letters. He has given readings and workshops at schools, colleges, bookstores, and literary conferences throughout the United States. His awards include an Academy of American Poets Prize, a Pushcart Prize, a Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference scholarship, a Camber Press Poetry Chapbook Award, and fellowships from The MacDowell Colony, Ragdale, Yaddo, and The Anderson Center.
He is a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Northwest Missouri State University, where he was an editor of The Laurel Review/GreenTower Press from 1986 to 2004. Now living in Lee’s Summit, MO, he teaches in the University of Nebraska low-residency MFA in writing program.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 12, 2016
This is one of the funnest things in poetry I've seen in a long time. The poetry comic, Trowbridge pioneering new forms. Oldguy fits this concept so well, and the execution as a comic is beautiful. At the same time, and in a delightfully humorous way, Trowbridge makes us see the warmth in our own bumbling, the effect harsh reality has on our hopes and dreams. Trowbridge's humor always has a depth to it one may not realize on first glance, and this is no exception. It's a heck of a lot of fun, but there's some heavy stuff in here too. Got to check this one out.
July 20, 2016
Oldguy: Superhero was an absolutely delightful read. (My 9-year-old and his grandpa thought it was hilarious and sometimes sad too.) In this poetry collection delivered as a comic book we learn the origins of OldGuy and travel along on a few misadventures too. A beautifully executed comic. I will have to collect them all.
September 5, 2020
Definitely something unique and ingeresting to read. Quite short, too. Everyone told me this was hilarious and that I just HAD to read it. I didn't really see what was so funny, but I did find myself smiling and shaking my head at times. I showed it to my boyfriend and I think he enjoyed it much more than I.
March 15, 2020
William Trobridge's poetry has led me to "Oldguy: Superhero" which reminds me a bit of myself "Oldguy: Superhero Broods on Unwanted Hair" strikes a bit too close from home. Some smiles, one or two good laughs. Not as good as "Captain Underpants."
July 31, 2016
Written in comic book style with brief essays and drawings this chronicles the life of a senior citizen superhero who has seen his better days and must rely on a different skill set to accomplish his goals. Some swearing.
November 9, 2019
I love these poems and love having them all in one place. It’s a good mix of old friends and new ones. The art is great too. Just love the whole thing all around.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews