My novel is now available for download! Check it out for free if you’re a Kindle Unlimited member.
Apparently, I do receive fairly decent royalties based on how far readers make it into the novel. With Amazon, you never know how long something lasts, but I hope you guys consider a download.
Black Hat Blues is the story of a washed up comics professional, facing the end of his career. Exciting stuff, I know.
Well, I’m not here to bore anyone. What if the bitter old man came face to face with his most malevolent creation? And people started disappearing?
Is the fictional comics pro based on any real creator? Well, there is that guy who still only communicates via fax.
And the prolific writer who once referred to Marvel’s editor-in-chief as “subliterate.”
And the living legend whose disdain for modern fanboys is palpable.
And the man who wove a creative tapestry over the course of decades, only to be removed in the middle of a storyline.
And the renowned artist who turned in pages of stick figure drawings, confident his contract allowed the creative expression.
And the creators who self-published an underground parody, later watching it become a worldwide merchandising sensation.
And the idealist writer working on that merchandising sensation who viewed it solely as a means of educating kids on hot-button environmental issues.
And the fiery lefty who was shamed by the internet, told his comic about a minority hero wasn’t “his story to tell.”
And the famous cheesecake artist who caused a stir when he dared present a fully clothed image of a superheroine with her butt in the air.
Seriously, he’s not based on anyone in particular. But all of these things were inspiration, adding some color to the character.
It’s not exactly a superhero story in the prose format, but comics-specific writing is an influence.
I’ve never read Mayer’s SUPERFOLKS, but I imagine it’s treading a similar path. Morrison and Busiek view SUPERFOLKS as revelatory. I’ve also heard complaints it’s poorly written. Don’t know.
I didn’t want the novel to influence what I was doing, but I’ll fully acknowledge other people have tested these ideas before.
Instead of setting a superhero story against the backdrop of a mid-life crisis, it’s more about looking back at the end and reflecting on what you’ve created.
It’s about creativity, and the forces standing against it. About family, what we leave behind, and how much of it even matters.
It’s also about those 1980s half-hour toy commercials, and the moral outrages of today, compared to yesterday’s.
I hope you give it a shot. I wrote it for a general audience, but comics fans, I think, can appreciate it on a different level.
However you feel, please leave an Amazon review. Apparently, a novel needs 15 reviews for Amazon's algorithm to notice, so I do need your help. Thanks!
