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Sep 15, 2015 Issue #54 - August/September 2015 - CHVRCHES By Zach Hollwedel

Jon Morris’ knowledge of comic book history is immediately and readily apparent in his delightful-and insightful-accounting of some of the medium’s most “half-baked heroes.” In The League of Regrettable Superheroes, Morris wittily breaks down the shortcomings of a hundred different caped and costumed vigilantes whose collective kryptonite proved to be the test of time. The book is divided into three sections-one for each major age of comics (Golden, Silver, and Modern)-with a preface explaining the zeitgeist of the genre at the time. Through these chapters, and under Morris’ erudite guidance, the trends, current events, and social dictates that molded the art form over the past 80 years spring to life, as do the heroes whose creators sought (and failed) to capture readers’ evolving tastes. Modern fans have likely never heard of 711, a lawyer wrongfully imprisoned who springs himself free each night to fight crime and then dutifully returns to his cell the next morning. Or Mr. Muscles, who should have used a spotter to make it to his third issue. Thanks to Morris’ unmatched comprehension of comic books and his natural, flowing, and quite often hilarious writing style, neither these, nor 98 other heroes need remain forgotten. (www.quirkbooks.com)

Author rating: 7.5/10