How to Be a Superhero: Your Complete Guide to Finding a Secret Headquarters, Hiring a Sidekick, Thwarting the Forces of Evil, and Much More!!

By Barry Neville

A hilarious handbook for newly superpowered citizens offers practical advice on how to identify and develop one's unique superpowers, design a fashionable but effective costume, deal with important tax and liability issues, hire a sidekick, design and decorate a secret headquarters, find a personal archenemy, and thwart the forces of evil. Original

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452285755
• ISBN13: 9780452285750
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

An Invaluable Aid To The New Enemy of Evil

Cosmic Guy, Paragon of Power, my superhero mentor recomended this book to me shortly after careless use of esoteric knowledge turned me into the Avatar of an Ancient Egyptian Goddess. Doctor Metropolis' Guide helped me find my feet in the high rolling, fast moving world of super-crime fighting and I heartily recommend it to the newly super-empowered. The uninitiated might find the chapters on name creation, costuming, headquarter seeking and hooking up with your very own archnemesis a bit of a giggle but these are things you absolutely *must* know if you're to get ahead in the demanding field of super-crime fighting.

Funny

This is a hilarious spoof of the world of superheros written in the form of a self-help book. Imagine if a world famous psychologist, who also happened to be a superhero, reached out to the superhero community in an attempt to help those with super problems. Want to be a super? Try to hang out at toxic chemical dumps. Is your relationship with your archenemy getting soft, or even romantic? Learn to communicate for maximum hate to keep that relationship popping. You'll be laughing out loud as you recognize familiar superheroes being parodied (no real names are give, to protect identities of course). This would be a great gift for anyone who loves comics or superheroes in general. Also it's great if you're planning to join the ranks of costumed superheroes!

Practical Advice for the Aspiring Superhero

Many of us, regarding assorted schoolyard bullies, office tyrants, and annoying in-laws, have naturally thought, "Man, I would certainly enjoy having an awesome superpower with which to smite, annoy, and generally terrorize my enemies and to impress attractive members of the opposite or even same sex." Thankfully, these idle daydreams need no longer be mere fantasies. Follow the advice of Dr. Metropolis and head for your nearest toxic waste dump, poorly-guarded high-tech science lab, or nuclear bomb testing range and get your own powers today! Expose yourself to radiation, Chemical X, a super-serum (whose inventor must immediately be slain by Nazi saboteurs), or beryllium lasers to become transmogrified into a Flight or Speed Class Super Hero, or simply don a cape and mask and start beating up thugs. Whether you're new to the game or an experienced pro, Dr. Metropolis offers useful tips on: --crafting a marketable origin story --developing your superheroic brand identity through cutting-edge and fashionable outfits --choosing the secret lair that's right for your style --padding your resume to gain a berth in your local super legion --working your way up from lowly sidekick to global guardian --practicing action poses for those inevitable moments when you must scream out "Noooo!" or "Why?!!" --attracting and retaining the quality arch-nemesis of your dreams ("You fiend, you killed Mega-Hound!") Regardless of whether you're a brooding lone avenger depending only on your Olympic-level physique, immense fortune, scientific genius, and vast armament of weaponry, or the world's foremost sorceror and wielder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, you can benefit from the good doctor's common-sense advice and personality tests. Plus, the book features numerous excerpts from Mr. Mental's annual guide to super-villains, and is handsomely illustrated throughout. This is definitely a five Ka-Pow! book and a must-have for any serious member of the community of masked vigilantes and science heroes. And for those erstwhile heroes who are beginning to question their conscience and virtue, there's a handy concluding chapter to assist you in your conversion to Pure Evil. Hop on your cybertronic hoverbike and pick up a copy today!

New Hero needing advice

As a human with newly acquired superpowers, I found this book invaluable in my quest to become a Superhero. I especially enjoyed the chapters on writing a secret origin bio, choosing the right costume combinations to enhance my physique and adding a secret headquarters to my existing domicile. You can't go wrong with this book in my opinion and I am sure the next time I am facing my arch enemy, Reduction-in-Force Man­™, I will be well prepared for battle. Two gauntlet covered thumbs up. Go get it and begin a rewarding career as a Superhero thwarting the Forces of Evil. So says Captain Cubicle™.

The best laugh you'll have this holiday season!

Unlike the Worst Case Scenario books, this is written with tongue planted firmly in cheek, and answers burning questions for the would be Superhero such as: Should I buy a secret headquarters or rent? does spandex make me look fat? This is a great gift on its own, or a perfect add on to a superhero DVD (X Men, Spiderman, etc.) or graphic novel gift. And at the price, you can't go wrong.