Superheroes and Comic Book Club discussion

Please discuss this month's book here.

Use spoiler tags if you have spoilers!

Thanks for featuring the book. I hope you enjoy it.

I'm really not sure what to think about this. Transgender is a sensitive topic. And I am by no means one to judge something related to it in any way. So, is it simply a plot device here? Or is it an exploration of how transgender people feel being born in another body? Or is it a discussion of sexism? Being neither transgender nor a woman, I would be interesting in hearing other views. Just like, having recently read to Kill a Mockingbird, I am ill-equipped to analyze it from an African American's point of view. And I thought there might be more about what it is like to suddenly be a woman in comparison to having been a man.

From a purely narrative point of view, I thought it was a well-written and interesting story. Good enough for a Goodreads, 3-star "I Liked It".

So, I can recommend it based on story - but have to allow you to read it for yourself to figure out the rest.

It's interesting, though, how many of the characters are exactly like their DC counterparts - as if the story was originally fan fiction converted to a novel. Aquaman, King of Atlantis is Lord Neptune, King of Pacifica; Flash is Velocity Man; Superman is Apex Man; Batman is Midnight Spectre - all with many of the same powers and weaknesses and backstory. For example, the Superman character - Apex Man - is Stan Shaw, who works as a reporter, and is in love with fellow reporter Kate King. And his weakness is something green (gamma rays in this story). And when they make the change, Batman is almost literally changed into his sidekick, Robin (well, a female version of Robin). With the actual name of Robin. Superman is basically changed into Supergirl (even with the cousin schtick).

Jim wrote: "I'm really not sure what to think about this. Transgender is a sensitive topic. And I am by no means one to judge something related to it in any way. So, is it simply a plot device here? Or is it a..."

No this wasn't originally fan fiction, but the references were intentional and as you can see I made them as obvious as possible. I had some fun too with the sexism that's rampant in comics concerning female heroes: the beach ball breasts, the extremely low-cut costumes, the fact they're called GIRL instead of Woman even though they're adults.

I am reading the second book in the series now and enjoying it; I am glad the focus has now switched to Starla because I did not think we got to see her evolve like the others in the first book. Also enjoying the banter between Robin and Melanie and how their relationship has grown even though Robin is fighting it every step of the way.