Fallen Superheroes
Softcover
Photography and concept by Eric Curtis
Written by Scott Allen Perry & Adam Mock
Medallion Press
Release Date: May 2, 2012
Cover Price: $29.99

Ever wonder about all those other heroes and villains that just never made the team? Those slightly less than stellar superheroes who nobody can manage to take seriously? Or maybe the older ones that sort of disappeared into retirement? Well, Eric Curtis sure did. And he managed to sneak up and photograph several of them, too!

All of these photos, and the stories to go with them, are brought to you in Fallen Superheroes. Tread lightly, these may not be members of the Avengers or the Legion of Doom, but they might be dangerous (probably accidentally though).

This book was hilarious. No, let me rephrase that…it was HILARIOUS!!! This was perhaps the funniest book I have received in years. Every joke we have every thought of is represented here in glorious color for our mocking enjoyment. With aptly named characters like 420BLNT, Plutonica, and Nimrod to behold, we delve deeply into the subculture of the second stringers. Just as I am sure the southern states would appreciate The American Angler (a heroic fisherman), 9 Juan Juan (an inmate with the ability to “call for help”) is most definitely beloved of the West Coast. That said, the hero Healing Feet must have mainly foot fetishists as followers and, most likely, lots of them.

I really enjoyed the photography in this book, but the real entertainment comes from the snippets that Scott Allen Perry and Adam Mock have concocted to complete this recipe for mirthfulness and merriment. While I would definitely say that some of the characters are funnier than others, I was downright shocked to see Andy Dick as one of the models in the book. But every single hero in this book has a great written piece to go with them and I enjoyed them all.

As I read through this mishmash of B grade heroes and mutants, I am reminded of one thing…how much fun it is to be a comic nerd. While everyone else might just stare at them and giggle, we comic nerds are comparing these “heroes” to some of the characters we have seen in our monthly comics over the years. Imagining how many of them that Joel Schumacher might try to wedge into another Bat-nipple movie. All of this shoots through your head faster than a speeding bullet as you read. And you know what? It really made my night.

I love that someone could take the time to compile this for my enjoyment. Sure, they probably wrote/photographed it for more than just me, but I like to think it was geared up for me to enjoy. But being the magnanimous individual that I am, I would love for you to share in the fun. Therefore, it is my decree that this book is worthy of purchase. And when you are done, loan it to your cheapskate friends so they, too, can enjoy it. This is a perfect Christmas gift for your comic loving friends, by the way. I bet you know several geeks that would love it, don’t you?

Yeah…that’s what I thought.