David Brinkley est un extraterrestre doué de super-pouvoirs qui depuis 9 ans n’a pas remis sa tenue d’encapé. Il vit désormais dans une banlieue entouré de sa femme enceinte et de ses deux enfants ; qui ignorent tout de son ancienne (?) double identité.
Mais des événements vont chambouler sa vie.
Super-Folks est un roman, pour l’instant seulement disponible en anglais, qui mérite l’attention de tout fans d’histoires de super-héros et de tout amateur de bonne histoire.
Avant de vous parler plus directement de ce roman, je me permets de le contextualiser dans un billet mis en ligne aujourd’hui. Alors si d’aventure vous voulez en savoir plus sur l’Âge de bronze et les comic books relevant ou plus simplement vous replonger dans les années 70, c’est par ici que ça se passe. 
[quote]Before there was WATCHMEN, there was SUPERFOLKS…
David Brinkley used to be a hero, the greatest the world had ever seen–until he retired, got married, moved to the suburbs, and packed on a few extra pounds. Now all the heroes are dead or missing, and his beloved New York is on the edge of chaos. It’s up to Brinkley to come to the rescue, but he’s in the midst of a serious mid-life crisis–his superpowers are failing him.
At long last this classic satire that inspired comic books like Watchmen and Miracleman is back in print. It’s a hilarious thriller that digs deep into the American psyche.
Review
« What if you were a superhero going through a mid-life crisis? Your tights are in a bunch. You’ve lost your hair. Your powers have a mind of their own… You’ll never look at superheroes the same way again! »
- Stan Lee, comic legend and creator of Spiderman, X-Men, and The Fantastic Four
« What Robert Mayer has done, and done with real aplomb, is carry off a smart satire and a very funny novel while at the same time caring enough about his characters that the reader’s investment is respected and paid dividends. Without being derivative, it reminds me of early Vonnegut–Vonnegut through Cat’s Cradle–as well as the first couple of the Hitchhiker’s Guide. It’s always satisfying when an influential but neglected work–in any genre, in any field–is « rediscovered » and given its proper credit. » - Tom de Haven, author of Funny Papers, Derby Dugan’s Depression Funnies, and Dugan Under Ground
« Superfolks is an irreverent look behind the mask of superheroes wrapped up in a cutting lampoon of late 70’s attitudes. » – Paul Dini, writer and producer of Batman: The Animated Series
« Superfolks was the book that showed me you could do more with superheroes than adolescent power fantasies. Without Superfolks I doubt there’d have been an Astro City. »
- Kurt Busiek, Multiple Eisner Award-Winning Creator of Astro City
« …sharp, funny, and ultimately moving, with a plot that could be the R-rated version of the current hit movie The Incredibles… a cult novel that inspired a generation of comic book writers and anticipated books like The Fortress of Solitude and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. » - Kirkus
« Infectiously funny. »
- Los Angeles Magazine
« It is gorgeous. It is splendid. It is funny as hell… He writes like an angel. »
- Newsday
« What if you were a superhero going through a mid-life crisis? Your tights are in a bunch. You’ve lost your hair. Your powers have a mind of their own… You’ll never look at superheroes the same way again! »
- Stan Lee, comic legend and creator of Spiderman, X-Men, and The Fantastic Four
(Stan Lee, comic legend and creator of Spiderman, X-Men, and The Fantastic Four )
« What Robert Mayer has done, and done with real aplomb, is carry off a smart satire and a very funny novel while at the same time caring enough about his characters that the reader’s investment is respected and paid dividends. Without being derivative, it reminds me of early Vonnegut–Vonnegut through Cat’s Cradle–as well as the first couple of the Hitchhiker’s Guide. It’s always satisfying when an influential but neglected work–in any genre, in any field–is « rediscovered » and given its proper credit. » (Tom de Haven, author of Funny Papers and Derby Dugan’s Depression Funnies )
« Superfolks is an irreverent look behind the mask of superheroes wrapped up in a cutting lampoon of late 70’s attitudes. » (Paul Dini, writer and producer of Batman: The Animated Series )
« Superfolks was the book that showed me you could do more with superheroes than adolescent power fantasies. Without Superfolks I doubt there’d have been an Astro City. » (Kurt Busiek, Multiple Eisner Award-Winning Creator of Astro City )
« …sharp, funny, and ultimately moving, with a plot that could be the R-rated version of the current hit movie The Incredibles… a cult novel that inspired a generation of comic book writers and anticipated books like The Fortress of Solitude and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. » (Kirkus )
« Infectiously funny. » (Los Angeles Magazine )
« It is gorgeous. It is splendid. It is funny as hell… He writes like an angel. » (Newsday )
About the Author
Robert Mayer is a former, award-winning journalist. He lives in New Mexico. During a mid-life crisis, he got in touch with his inner superhero and created Superfolks, his first novel, which was originally published in 1977.[/quote]
