Hero (novel)
- For other uses, see Hero (disambiguation).
| Hero | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Author(s) | Perry Moore |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | Hyperion |
| Publication date | 2007 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 432 |
| ISBN | ISBN 1423101952 |
Hero (2007) is a Lambda-winning first novel by openly gay film producer and novelist Perry Moore. The fantasy novel is about a teenage superhero, Thom Creed, who must deal with his ex-superhero father's disgrace, his own sexuality, and a murderer stalking the world's heroes.
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[edit] Plot summary
Thom Creed is a high school basketball star. His mother abandoned the family and his father is a former masked crimefighter who retired in disgrace following a national incident and now works as a lowly worker in a factory. Thom's own superpowers are beginning to manifest themselves, as is his homosexuality. But Thom must keep his powers a secret, for fear of further disgracing his father and risking his hometown's homophobic wrath.
But as Thom's sexuality becomes more troublesome, he decides to run away from home. He immediately becomes mixed up in a battle between some villains and The League, and does well enough to be invited to try out for the team. Thom is accepted as a trainee, and assigned to work with a group of other probationary heroes. The stress of keeping so many secrets from his father exacts a painful toll.
Soon, however, the world's superheroes begin dying under mysterious circumstances. In order to solve the mystery, Thom must reunite with his fellow outcast trainees and deal as well with society's prejudices when his secrets are revealed.
[edit] Genesis and future books
Moore said he wrote the book after being upset by a Marvel Comic in 2005. In X-Men: Age of Apocalypse #2, the gay character Northstar was killed by Wolverine (in this continuity Northstar was a villain though he is a hero in Marvel's primary continuity). Moore believed that having one of Marvel’s biggest superheroes murder its most prominent gay character sent the wrong message to readers.[1] Moore subsequently created a list of 60 GLBTQ superheroes who have met with torture, rape, disembowelment, decapitation, had their genitalia disfigured or removed, or retconned as heterosexual.[2][3] His growing awareness of the poor treatment of GLBTQ superhero characters led him to write Hero to present a more positive image.
[edit] Critical reception
Reviews of Hero have been mixed. For example, Publishers Weekly applauded the book for its subject matter and for expanding the genre of gay literature into superhero fantasy. But ultimately, the review noted, "the novel misses its mark, with an abundance of two-dimensional characters and contrived situations. ... While some may be glad to see a gay hero come out of the closet just in time to save the world, others may wish the situations felt less clichéd."[4] The Advocate similarly equivocated in its praise. The gay newsmagazine applauded Moore's original superhero characters and Moore's decision to avoid making Thom Creed an outcast. The review also pointed to wittily-written descriptions of Thom masturbating to Internet porn, coming out to his father, and his first kiss. "But otherwise his play-by-play writing style can seem a bit choppy, especially in the story's more poignant moments," the review noted. Nevertheless, "Hero is a quick, at times shallow, but satisfying novel, the kind we all wanted while growing up and hopefully the first in a new genre of young adult literature."[5] In a very brief review, Entertainment Weekly called the book "pulpy" but with good punch, and rated it an A-minus.[6]
People magazine was unequivocal in its praise for the book. It called the novel compelling, funny, and touching, and the characters enigmatic.[7] The Times (London) review on the publication of the U.K. edition was also largely positive. "Thom is devoid of the grossly stereotypical attributes that comic books link to their gay characters' sexual preference" and "The book is entertaining, though in contrast to its rich core tackling deep social issues, the writing is light..."[8]
Despite the somewhat reserved praise, in May 2008, Hero won a Lambda Literary Award as the best LGBT Children's/Young Adult novel of the past year.[9]
[edit] Sequels, and film and television adaptations
Moore told The New York Times in 2007 that he planned a series of book sequels featuring Thom Creed.[1]
There were many reports that the book might be adapted for other media. Moore said in 2007 that a motion picture adaptation was in the early stages.[1] Moore announced in May 2008 that the book might be made into a television program. "It looks like we’re going to do a TV series. There were two networks that we pitched, and we got two offers."[10] Variety confirmed in November 2008 that Moore and Marvel Comics' Stan Lee were officially developing a television show based on Hero for the cable network Showtime.[11] The show was to be executive produced by Lee and Gil Champion (the president of POW Entertainment, a company co-founded and co-owned by Lee), while Moore would co-produce and serve as screenwriter.[11]
Lee revealed in April 2010, however, that Showtime had decided against producing the series. "Showtime finally didn't commit and we're now exploring our options," Lee said.[12] Moore expressed his intent to bring the novel to television. "'Hero' will see its day onscreen. I'm not sure how or where or who will make it possible, but like all the best heroes, you have to have faith. And when it does, it will be another step forward. And some folks will think, 'Damn, it's about time someone thought of doing that.'"[12]
Moore died on February 17, 2011.[3] At the time of his death, Moore's father said that in early 2011 his son had been working on turning Hero into a television series on the Starz cable television channel.[13] It is rumored that actor James Duke Mason will play Thom Creed in the event of a TV/film adaptation.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c George Gene Gustines, "A Novelist’s Superhero Is Out to Right Wrongs," New York Times, September 3, 2007.
- ^ Perry Moore, "To the Bat Closet," Harper's, October 2007.
- ^ a b Hevesi, Dennis. "Perry Moore, Author of Book About Gay Superhero, Dies at 39." New York Times. February 18, 2011.
- ^ "Children's Book Reviews," Publisher's Weekly, September 10, 2007.
- ^ Steven Gaughan, "Gay Teen to the Rescue," The Advocate, August 15, 2007.
- ^ McKindra, Fred. "Hero (2007). Perry Moore." Entertainment Weekly. September 7, 2007. Accessed 2011-10-22.
- ^ "Hero by Perry Moore." People. September 10, 2007.
- ^ Nir, Sarah Maslin. "Meet Perry Moore, caped crusader for gay superheroes." The Times. May 2, 2008.
- ^ "Lambda Literary Awards Announce Winners." Press release. Lambda Literary Foundation. May 29, 2008.
- ^ "Is America's First Gay Superhero Coming to TV?" New York Magazine. May 22, 2008.
- ^ a b "Showtime Enlists Gay Superhero." Variety. November 12, 2008.
- ^ a b Gustines, George Gene. "Out of the Closet and Up, Up and Away." The New York Times. April 16, 2010.
- ^ "Virginia Beach Native and 'Narnia' Producer, Perry Moore, Found Dead at 39." WTKR-TV. February 18, 2011. Accessed 2011-02-18.
[edit] External links
- Perry Moore Web site, with more stories featuring Thom Creed
