Soon I Will Be Invincible

April 16, 2007
The realm of comic book heroes and villains gets a dose of realism in this whimsical debut from game design consultant Grossman. The story shifts between the perspectives of Doctor Impossible, a brilliant scientist turned world's greatest menace, and Fatale, a lonely cyborg and the newest addition to the venerable group of heroes known as the Champions. Though he's been out of commission for a while, Doctor Impossible hatches a scheme to knock the planet out of orbit ("As the Earth grows colder, my power becomes apparent, and the nations submit," he reasons). Meanwhile, Champions leader Corefire goes missing, and Fatale has to learn the ropes of superherodom as the conventional climactic showdown (at Doctor Impossible's secret lair) draws near. However fantastical, the characters (including a "genetic metahuman" and "an elite fairy guard") are thoughtfully portrayed, with Fatale—stuck in a perpetual existential crisis—bemused over the Champions' purpose, and Doctor Impossible wondering "whether the smartest man in the world has done the smartest thing he could with his life." Grossman dabbles in a host of themes—power, greed, fame, the pitfalls of ego—in this engrossing page-turner, broadening the appeal of an already inviting scenario.

Starred review from June 1, 2007
Doctor Impossible is a supervillain with impenetrable skin, a 300-plus IQ, and the same traumatic high school memories that most people have. He is still plotting to take over the world after being incarcerated for the 12th time. Attempting to thwart the Doctor's nefarious plans are the Champions, a team of the world's most powerful and beloved superheroes, plus a few new hires. One of these is Fatale, a cyborg who can bend iron and smash through walls but can't quite feel like part of the team. Debut novelist Grossman's diabolically brilliant idea is to combine the well-loved cliché s of the superhero genre with a contemporary-realist style that answers nagging questions, e.g., Where do supervillains get all the stuff to build their doomsday devices? Can somebody with a metal exoskeleton sit in a regular chair? What happens if you use an unstoppable weapon on an invincible foe? And do evil geniuses just want to be loved? Grossman is a freelance game-design consultant and a doctoral candidate in English literature. Highly recommended for all public libraries; the excellent cover art by noted book designer Chip Kidd is sure to attract readers to this fun and thought-provoking book. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 3/15/07.]Jenne Bergstrom, San Diego Cty. Lib.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 30, 2007
The world's greatest superhero, CoreFire, has gone missing just before the world's greatest villain, Dr. Impossible, has escaped again from prison. As the fragile alliance among the superhero team, the Champions, begins to unravel, its newest member, Fatale, a female cyborg with an inferiority complex, isn't sure which side she is on. With all the action (and sometimes cheesy dialogue) of a comic book with a bit more detail, development and description, this audiobook proves to be yet another steppingstone in the evolution of the subgenre of superhero fiction. J. Paul Boehmer voices the story from the firsthand point of view of Dr. Impossible with all the self-possession, and egotistical and borderline-deranged attitude one could expect from an evil genius. Coleen Marlo delivers an excellent account of Fatale, adding softness to the externally hard and cold character. Her inflections throughout Fatale's inner dialogue easily turn listeners' sympathies to the half-metal humanoid. Whooshing sound effects carry listeners from one chapter to the next in a fashion that fits or invokes an old-time radio series. Simultaneous release with the Pantheon hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 16).