FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF DR. BRAIN
by Minister Faust
I love superheroes. Comics, movies, prose - whatever. I think it's terrific that the genre is seeing a revival of sorts outside of the traditional grid medium of comic books and in books and big-screen adaptations. While there aren't many of the former (and we all know the blockbuster status of the latter), I do my best to hunt down what's out there and give it a whirl.
Sometimes, I'm pleasantly surprised (DEVIL'S CAPE by Rob Rogers) by the attention paid to crafting a believable narrative around people flying, shooting beams from their fingertips or controlling marsupials with their minds.
This go-around, the result is a bit more scattershot.
The book itself isn't a traditional narrative. Though it has the "title" FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF DR. BRAIN, the book "in-universe" is actually Dr. Brain's bestselling "Unmasked! When Being A Superhero Can't Save You From Yourself: Self-Help Guide for Today's Hyper Hominids." As such, you get cutaways to Dr. Brain theorizing on the motivations, backgrounds and psychological afflictions of the "Fantastic Order of Justice" members featured in the book's main story.
And that main story, while not new to a comic book fan, is still fertile soil. The most powerful superhero in the world (Hawk King) has died, some argue under mysterious circumstances. The members of his team, many in varying states of mental breakdowns now that they have both defeated all of the traditional villainous forces and have nothing to do, are all forced to turn to Dr. Eva Brain-Silverman for grief counseling and working through their team and interpersonal issues (for the supposed betterment of society). The key members of FOOJ, according to jacket-copy:
OMNIPOTENT MAN–a body with the density of steel, and a brain to match
THE FLYING SQUIRREL–aging playboy industrialist by day, avenging krypto-fascist by night
IRON LASS–mythology’s greatest warrior–but the world might be safer if she had a husband
X-MAN–formerly of the League of Angry Blackmen . . . but not formerly enough
THE BROTHERFLY–radioactively fly
POWER GRRRL–perpetually deciding between fighting crime or promoting her latest album, clothing line, or sex scandal
Most think it ludicrous, acting cold, indifferent or wildly offensive. All have a chance to address their issues over the course of the book, though I will stop short of saying whether any experience true "breakthroughs" other than the physical (as in, through a wall, ceiling, window, teammate, etc.). For me, I could be happy with a story based around these therapy sessions (without the textbook asides and reader exercises) and have Hawk King's death be just a catalyst, not a central plot point.
But that pychobabble is only part of the story. The other is the investigation by X-Man (a black superhero who posits some radical - and very true - theories on all of the other heroes; the author's voice) into the death of Hawk King and who benefits and loses. For those who have read Watchmen, envision a post-Black Panther activist crossed with Rorschach. His character arc, while not a perfect match, has a lot of the same touch-points. Of all the characters, he is given the best attention to detail, the most rounding. It's his story and worldview that ultimately drive the book, and much of the "therapy" really takes a backseat to peeling the layers away from his character and the mystery at the core of Hawk King's death.
And many times, I took umbrage at the way Faust wrote the story because of X-Man's investigation, his reasoning, his cynicism. His main antagonist in the story isn't a villain or cosmic emperor; it's Flying Squirrel, the crotchety old man/golden age hero cross of Batman, Dick Cheney and a generic robber baron. Take the worst from all, mix, write. Faust takes pointed aim at US policy and culture through the bright red bulls-eye that is Flying Squirrel, pouring as much venom in as he hurls out at everyone he thinks is inferior to him (hint: that is a big group). He and X-Man are always at loggerheads about everything, usually with Squirrel parroting stereotypical right-wing hate speak at the free-thinking, eyes-open-to-the-REAL-world underdog hero that is X-Man.
(Those who know me are aware that my personal political beliefs run a little to the right of the middle lane, and it grates on my nerves when no thought is given to balance - or even a neutral presence - in representing modern ideologies. That goes for both sides, as writers who consider left-of-centers all tree-hugging, abortion-crazy, hippy, commie seditionists are as much to blame.)
When I read fiction or watch a movie, I try to absent personal political philosophy so I can enjoy the story. Largely, I was able to do that. For my gripes about the mixed style of the book (self-help Q & A, asides from the therapist, and Dr. Phil-logizing tossed with a superhero mystery), I can see and respect the plot, world-building and satire. What Faust overall has to say about society isn't all that far off the mark. Faust is known for writing about race relations, and whether you think there is a bit of hyperbole behind the allegories, he both knows his stuff and brings an awareness of deep-seated issues that mainstream "cape" stories ignore.
I don't mind seeing a Superman-type portrayed as a few IQ points above a tree stump or the other spandex types as jaded, vapid egoists who would rather kill their fellow heroes than think twice about "why" they did it. Each of the heroes he delves into or name-checks is creatively thought out, the situations that drive the plot very clever at times and the overall depiction of "real world" superheroes closer to the mark than many would like to consider. However, I would have appreciated a little more ideological balance. A viewpoint for the "common" man.
Maybe the problem there is Dr. Brain herself, who I still don't know if I like as a narrator, character or person. In a way, she may be the book's ultimate antagonist, as she can ideally "see" everything and what does she do with the knowledge? Perhaps Faust has written in a "common" man, a regular citizen who, like so many of us, sees the fire spark but fails to look for water until all that's left is a pile of cinders. (Did I give away the ending? No. It all twists around. We know Dr. Brain survives, because she writes the book. Beyond that...who's to say? Enjoy.)
3/5
But that pychobabble is only part of the story. The other is the investigation by X-Man (a black superhero who posits some radical - and very true - theories on all of the other heroes; the author's voice) into the death of Hawk King and who benefits and loses. For those who have read Watchmen, envision a post-Black Panther activist crossed with Rorschach. His character arc, while not a perfect match, has a lot of the same touch-points. Of all the characters, he is given the best attention to detail, the most rounding. It's his story and worldview that ultimately drive the book, and much of the "therapy" really takes a backseat to peeling the layers away from his character and the mystery at the core of Hawk King's death.
And many times, I took umbrage at the way Faust wrote the story because of X-Man's investigation, his reasoning, his cynicism. His main antagonist in the story isn't a villain or cosmic emperor; it's Flying Squirrel, the crotchety old man/golden age hero cross of Batman, Dick Cheney and a generic robber baron. Take the worst from all, mix, write. Faust takes pointed aim at US policy and culture through the bright red bulls-eye that is Flying Squirrel, pouring as much venom in as he hurls out at everyone he thinks is inferior to him (hint: that is a big group). He and X-Man are always at loggerheads about everything, usually with Squirrel parroting stereotypical right-wing hate speak at the free-thinking, eyes-open-to-the-REAL-world underdog hero that is X-Man.
(Those who know me are aware that my personal political beliefs run a little to the right of the middle lane, and it grates on my nerves when no thought is given to balance - or even a neutral presence - in representing modern ideologies. That goes for both sides, as writers who consider left-of-centers all tree-hugging, abortion-crazy, hippy, commie seditionists are as much to blame.)
When I read fiction or watch a movie, I try to absent personal political philosophy so I can enjoy the story. Largely, I was able to do that. For my gripes about the mixed style of the book (self-help Q & A, asides from the therapist, and Dr. Phil-logizing tossed with a superhero mystery), I can see and respect the plot, world-building and satire. What Faust overall has to say about society isn't all that far off the mark. Faust is known for writing about race relations, and whether you think there is a bit of hyperbole behind the allegories, he both knows his stuff and brings an awareness of deep-seated issues that mainstream "cape" stories ignore.
I don't mind seeing a Superman-type portrayed as a few IQ points above a tree stump or the other spandex types as jaded, vapid egoists who would rather kill their fellow heroes than think twice about "why" they did it. Each of the heroes he delves into or name-checks is creatively thought out, the situations that drive the plot very clever at times and the overall depiction of "real world" superheroes closer to the mark than many would like to consider. However, I would have appreciated a little more ideological balance. A viewpoint for the "common" man.
Maybe the problem there is Dr. Brain herself, who I still don't know if I like as a narrator, character or person. In a way, she may be the book's ultimate antagonist, as she can ideally "see" everything and what does she do with the knowledge? Perhaps Faust has written in a "common" man, a regular citizen who, like so many of us, sees the fire spark but fails to look for water until all that's left is a pile of cinders. (Did I give away the ending? No. It all twists around. We know Dr. Brain survives, because she writes the book. Beyond that...who's to say? Enjoy.)
3/5
-Erik
Note: for those looking to read this book, and comic aficionados will want to at least hit up a library, Faust has retitled it "SHRINKING THE HEROES" for e-book (and prospective paper) release. The trade dress is changed (for the worse; stick with art over cheap photoshopping!) and it is listed first and foremost as a political satire of the Bush Administration, as opposed to "what do superheroes do when they've won? Have mid-flight crises." Neither is fully accurate. Were I to run across the new description, it would not have found a place on my shelf. I don't see the aim as Bush so much as those who find enemies to justify a dubious action (that is an historical political motive, and present day one as well) and failing to adequately analyze the roots of societal and political issues.
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