Book Jacket

 

rank 675 (-32)
word count 73237
date submitted 07.09.2009
date updated 09.09.2009
genres: Fiction, Thriller, Science Fiction,...
classification: moderate
incomplete

Joe Average

Duncan R. MacMaster

 

Joe Average, finally, a hero for the rest of us.

 

This novel is about comic book fantasy meeting brutal reality. It stars Ken Burton, the most extraordinary ordinary man in the world. Since an encounter with a meteorite as a child he's become everything you need to be a comic book superhero. He's faster than a speeding bullet, and bullet proof, as powerful as a locomotive, and forget about leaping over tall buildings, he can fly too. The problem is that he lives in the real world, not a comic book, and doesn't have the looks, the physique, or the charisma of a superhero. But he's not going to let his shortcomings stop him from trying to make the world a better place, and hopefully win the heart of his unrequited love. But things don't go according to plan, and when politicians get involved everything goes to hell fast. Soon Ken loses everything he holds dear, and has to face certain death to prove to the world, and to himself, that it takes more than power to be a real hero. Please forgive the underlining instead of italics, a publisher insisted on it for some archaic and arcane reason. Enjoy.

 
 

tags

, action, adventure, comic-book, multi-genre, satire, slipstream, superhero

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64 comments

 

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Jedward wrote 78 days ago

Oh, this is wonderful! Even though I no longer own a comic book, I believe that the most genuine heroes are superheroes! How many times did I try to fly through the air when I was a kid? Never did succeed, but this book renews my ambitions! This is a book I would love to have written, but you beat me to it, with superhuman writing! Congratulations!
Shelved with pleasure! Best of luck, jedward (Brünnhilde)

gillyflower wrote 83 days ago

This is such a brilliantly funny book, it's hard to focus on anything else about it. '...a caffeinated hamster on a wheel,' 'like a third eye that didn't need glasses,' 'a live action Dilbert cartoon,' - I could go on quoting forever and keep on laughing. But, of course, there's even more to this book. First rate character drawing gives us the fat - no, stocky - superhero Ken; the now beautiful Mina who still sees a thin gawky girl looking out of the mirror at her with bottle-bottom glasses; and the various members of the security committee, each differentiated beautifully and each such an exact caricature of the modern politician. Add to all this the plot, full of promise and imaginative ideas; and a first class style, not only really funny, but fast paced, clear, and capable of excellent descriptive passages ( 'Ken's living room, like the rest of his apartment, was small, with tightly crammed bookshelves, and furnished in a style he called 'thrift-shop utilitarian' ') for example; and some very skillful action scenes. You have to love this book. Hoping to be able to read it in published form very soon. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

JohnnySix wrote 131 days ago

I really enjoyed this, sir. I've always dug the idea of a flawed superhero -- they all seem a bit "Abercrombie and Fitch" to me, and I always kinda wondered why the good-looking people got all the superpowers. I read the first couple of chapters, and found it amazingly entertaining and quite funny in parts -- my only complaint is I have nothing to complain about. On my shelf, of course.

Daisy Anne Gree wrote 137 days ago

This is tremendously fun, especially for a comic book nerd like me! I love it. Shelved.

Jupiter Echoes wrote 18 days ago

BACKED

I get very little from comments about my own book, nowadays. Some people like it, some don't. Some people are too frightened to leave genuine feedback, while others seek to enforce their own style upon me. I want to get to the Ed's Desk to get professional comment. I would rather spend 30 quid than do all this reading and backing. I have got everything I want out of Authonomy community already. So I am backing your book so that you can reach the Ed's desk and get professional feedback, instead of the platitudes and devious backings that account for 80% of backing you receive. Only 20% of comments are genuine, and will add value to your work.

Now, who am I not to back you? I am not godlike. Your work might be flatly written, unoriginal or even down right bad. It could be wonderful. But in my experience, only you can be honest with yourself about your writing... and that is what matters.

So, I am backing you so you can reach the Ed's desk.


There you are.

BACKED
Hope you reciprocate.

TheatreGirl wrote 48 days ago

Your style is polished and the story is comic, and at times pseudo-serious - which is really funny, in my opinion. The plot is off-beat enough to make it truly exceptional - I love the fact that if Kenny wasn't a superhero, he'd probably be a total loser. :) Although you described the meteor scene so well, there is that feel of comic genius behind the seriousness, and somehow a kid getting hit with a meteor made me laugh. Unique phrasing - everything about this feels unique.
Backed,
Lizzi
(Central Park Sentinel)

paxie wrote 49 days ago

Duncan

A racy little Dick Lit book....... I write Chic Lit, so I can say that...
the thick glasses metaphor made me laugh......my dad used to say about one of our neighbours...
'You'd need good eyesight to see out of glasses that thick' ha ha ha...

odds thinner than she was........brilliant line ....

I saw no need for the 'underscore' your writing if descriptive and powerful enough for the reader to appreciate when something needs special attention....

Also.....BOOM ! ............Boom! is a strong word....no need for caps.........I had quite a few caps in mine, so many people left comments, telling me they were off putting, that I changed the bloody thing just to give people something else to moan about.......

a volume that belied her thin frame....(conflicting).... Then she belted out an off the richter scale scream....???

Brilliant premise , great story telling.....Best of luck with this....shelved with the very best wishes.

AlanMarling wrote 51 days ago

Dear Duncan MacMaster,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. Your first paragraph is both hilarious and endearing. I then skipped to chapter seven to cover new ground and was rewarded by an ex-footballer irate over teammates accusing that his coke use cost them the Super Bowl. You had me smiling through the next paragraphs as the jokes and stunning similes continued. Great active verbs too: “Cocaine rocketed up his nose and hit his brain like a lightning bolt.” Your greatest strength lies in your ability to put yourself into the shoes of someone who is not only ridiculously irrational but downright funny because of it. The next scene between the two news commentators was a romp as well.

In my fallible opinion, you could make your story even better by cutting one mention of “cocaine made him feel like a god on earth,” as he says this twice.

This small matter aside, I enjoyed your story. Bravo! Backed.

Best wishes,
Alan Marling

S Richard Betterton wrote 53 days ago

Yes, this is good, very good. Great pace and excellent humour, plus some really memorable lines.
My favourite line so far (about Stubby): 'Not knowing the full story, never knowing the full story really.' Class!
Cheers, backed.
Simon

Andrew W. wrote 62 days ago

Joe Average

Hi Duncan,

I've had a bit more time now to read through this and I knew my initial impressions were right. The ordinary extraordinary hero, a superhero for our age. Affectionate, humorous and action-packed, it drags us straight into the story and it doesn't hang about. I love the confidence of your writing, the aplomb of it, the way each character, however much a bit part they have, is three dimensional and just a little quirky. You have wonderful inventive and fresh ways of describing things and an excellent sense of comic timing. You capture with your quirky metaphors the essence of the sentiment you are trying to convey.

You have managed, in prose, to create a comic book theme that runs through all the pages that I read. The machinations of politicians add a further dimension to this story, a nod perhaps the Pixar's Incredibles, who also suffered from the vagaries of political interference. A great book for modern times, humorous, warm-hearted and satirical. I don't know how you do it, but I'm damned glad you did.

Best wishes and good luck
Andrew W
(Sanctuary's Loss)

Andrew W. wrote 62 days ago

What a great idea, have started reading and will continue tomorrow...but easily interesting and well written enough to back - A

John Booth wrote 62 days ago

Okay, this is marvelous fun. I've read superherocomics most of my life and this reminded me of so many -shelved.

I didn't spot anything to help I'm afraid, I was having too much fun reading it

All the best with this

John Booth (Shaddowdon)

John Harold McCoy wrote 64 days ago

Hi, Duncan. Found this while perusing the books. The pitch is very well done in my opinion. Gives us an excellent idea of what to expect. Looks good so I thought I'd give it a read.
Great opening for the book. Sets the tone and made me want to continue. Very nice writing in my opinion and the story develops along very well. The characters are believable, as is the dialog. And your descriptive work is excellent. It seem kind of a familiar idea but you presented it uniquely and entertainingly. I think it should be noticed so I'll back it. On my shelf and the best of luck with it.

John Harold McCoy - Bramwell Valley

Nik Vincent wrote 76 days ago

This is really rather lovely. It seems to me to be written for a younger audience and the YA label is popular here, so it might open up your readership and give you more hits.

I couldn't find much wrong with the prose that a tidy-up couldn't fix. You really don't need the underlining though; the context works for you, so no need for visual emphasis.

Shelved for being good of its kind,

Adelie High (Naming Names)

InternetG33k wrote 77 days ago

Hi Duncan,

I'm here for my return read. This reads like a graphic novel (and I've loved GN since the days we still called them comic books), and I mean that in a very good way. I think your pacing is great, and you do an excellent job of mixing the drama of the meteor accident with humor (with many more deft touches of levity throughout). I only have two suggestions - the first is about your pitch. In a burst of great presumptuousness, I've made the following tweaks -

Joe Average. Finally, a hero for the rest of us.


This novel is about comic book fantasy meeting brutal reality. It stars Ken Burton, the most extraordinary ordinary man in the world. Since an encounter with a meteorite as a child he's become everything you need to be a comic book superhero. He's faster than a speeding bullet, and bullet proof, as powerful as a locomotive, and forget about leaping over tall buildings, he can fly too.

The problem is that he lives in the real world, not a comic book, and doesn't have the looks, the physique, or the charisma of a superhero. But he's not going to let his shortcomings stop him from trying to make the world a better place, and hopefully win the heart of his unrequited love.

However things don't go according to plan, and when politicians get involved everything goes to hell fast. Soon Ken loses everything he holds dear, and has to face certain death to prove to the world, and to himself, that it takes more than power to be a real hero.

Please forgive the underlining instead of italics, a publisher insisted on it for some archaic and arcane reason. Enjoy.


One punctuation change in your short pitch, one "but" exchanged for a "however" and one block of text broken up into many. Hope you don't mind the cheek.

My only other suggestion would be to consider breaking up Issue #1 into two Issues - I'd recommend at the point where it says, "Hopper kissed his wife goodbye.... President waiting." Other than that, this was great fun to read, and it has lept over tall buildings straight on to my shelf.

~Traci
Tangled Web

MickR wrote 78 days ago

Duncan,
Excellent start, and great premise. A super-hero that looks like a sidekick.
I hope this catches on, so all those kids who don't have matinee idol looks can relate to greatness.
Well done,
MickR - the nightcrawler

Jedward wrote 78 days ago

Oh, this is wonderful! Even though I no longer own a comic book, I believe that the most genuine heroes are superheroes! How many times did I try to fly through the air when I was a kid? Never did succeed, but this book renews my ambitions! This is a book I would love to have written, but you beat me to it, with superhuman writing! Congratulations!
Shelved with pleasure! Best of luck, jedward (Brünnhilde)

Onthedottedline wrote 82 days ago

This is a clever reworking of Superman - the geek with super powers - except that we all laugh out loud on every page at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. It takes a lot of intelligence to write a comic novel as good as this, and for sheer inventiveness, you take first prize. I'd love to seen a screenplay version. Backed with much enthusiasm. Best wishes, Tony.

gillyflower wrote 83 days ago

This is such a brilliantly funny book, it's hard to focus on anything else about it. '...a caffeinated hamster on a wheel,' 'like a third eye that didn't need glasses,' 'a live action Dilbert cartoon,' - I could go on quoting forever and keep on laughing. But, of course, there's even more to this book. First rate character drawing gives us the fat - no, stocky - superhero Ken; the now beautiful Mina who still sees a thin gawky girl looking out of the mirror at her with bottle-bottom glasses; and the various members of the security committee, each differentiated beautifully and each such an exact caricature of the modern politician. Add to all this the plot, full of promise and imaginative ideas; and a first class style, not only really funny, but fast paced, clear, and capable of excellent descriptive passages ( 'Ken's living room, like the rest of his apartment, was small, with tightly crammed bookshelves, and furnished in a style he called 'thrift-shop utilitarian' ') for example; and some very skillful action scenes. You have to love this book. Hoping to be able to read it in published form very soon. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

Laurie Gonda wrote 84 days ago

I think you have a brilliant concept and a very well written story. I'm sorry I don't have any helpful feedback but I really can't see that you need any. This should do really well. I love your style.

Kristin Yates wrote 85 days ago

Great, great fun.

My favorite lines: "It folded up faster than the French army." And "All I wanted was a simple cup of coffee with a pretentious name."

The poor schlub (zaftig, at that) who finds himself in possession of extraordinary powers is not a new idea, but your clever lines and subversive social satire jack it up to a level that's new and fresh and vastly appreciated by this reader.

Kristin

Francis Albert McGrath wrote 87 days ago

Ken Burton reminds me of Hancock, another reluctant superhero. This reads well - dialogue is excellent, and the story is nicely paced. Shelved.
Frank

chrisalys wrote 88 days ago

This was a really good pitch, not completely unique because i have read a similar plot but if you write it as well as this it makes no difference in my book as it's a very saleable story line. The comic aspect of it is well delivered and the story flows effortlessly.
Well done, backed with pleasure
Chris (inside out)

Jane Alexander wrote 88 days ago

I know you're not around much but wanted to check this out as I really liked the pitch. Turns out I really liked the book too (well the two chapters I read before my eyes started going blurry). Great opening (thought at first it was going to be a children's book) - love the purple eyes and the way you keep that going through....It's such a simple line but it really grounds this character and makes him stick.
Some lovely throwaway lines in here too - the one about the coffee shop line made me smile) but you don't let clever smart-ass comments get in the way of the flow - you ease them seamlessly into the narrative.
Yes, I like this a lot.
Backing it with pleasure.
Jane
WALKER

Nick Poole2 wrote 90 days ago

yeah, Like this and we fantasy writers have to stick together.

This is a modern variation on Spider-man (and to a lesser extent superman - he was never a nerd really, was he?). Ditko's spidey was always and still is my favourite.

I think Kenny & Mina have a lot of mileage.

J.L. Ivy wrote 90 days ago

This is fantastically fun and entertaining. It would make a marvelous movie. I love Mina and Ken.

Backed.

J.L. Ivy
Unlikely Angel

Ayrich wrote 101 days ago

Joe average isnt stereotypical drivel. It works well in this flawed world. Nicely done.

DMC wrote 102 days ago

Duncan
A unique and entertaining slant on the superhero. I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time. Bravo!
Good luck and best wishes
David
Green Ore

Billy Young wrote 131 days ago

I thought this was going to be like the Will Smith movie but was glad to see that it wasn't. Other than a couple of typos this is very good and amusing in some places. I like how you break the story up to build a wider picture as the story twists beyond the Ken's imagination. WLed to shelf.

JohnnySix wrote 131 days ago

I really enjoyed this, sir. I've always dug the idea of a flawed superhero -- they all seem a bit "Abercrombie and Fitch" to me, and I always kinda wondered why the good-looking people got all the superpowers. I read the first couple of chapters, and found it amazingly entertaining and quite funny in parts -- my only complaint is I have nothing to complain about. On my shelf, of course.

Elaina wrote 134 days ago

A fun read indeed! Shelved!

Awash wrote 135 days ago

My not-so-closet-geek came out and played with this one. This is the type of story I would buy "for my boys" and insist on reading it before they did "to make sure it's okay." It's fun and moves quick enough to keep the comic fans' interest. You know your audience well. Shelved (of course).

Amanda

Daisy Anne Gree wrote 137 days ago

This is tremendously fun, especially for a comic book nerd like me! I love it. Shelved.

ML Hamilton wrote 138 days ago

Duncan,

Great first chapter. Action packed and tense with an added touch of humor. Your two mcs are delightful and I love that they aren't the typical hero types.

I did notice quite a few grammatical errors. One that threw me was "as her clambered up the rock". I wasn't sure what that mean, but I think you meant "he". You also have a shift of POV (a lot of head jumping) from Kenny to Mina. That was distracting. Other than that, it was a fun first chapter.

On my shelf,

ML

soutexmex wrote 138 days ago

Read the first couple of chapters. Short pitch brilliant, long pitch needs some work. SHELVED!

I look forward to your comments on my book. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau File

Rayo Azul wrote 139 days ago

GReat start and I like the mix of hero and zero. Thoroughly enjoying the read and as I am only on Chapter Three there's a lot more still to enjoy. Shelved.

Cheers

Rayo

felicity potbottle wrote 139 days ago

Great stuff - a different kind of superhero. I'll back happily.

Bob Steele wrote 140 days ago

Joe Average is a fun read and will do well with its target audience. Backed.

Suzanne Adams wrote 140 days ago

A very novel novel. Personally I not into comic-books but my husband's a cartoonist so I'd definitely buy this for him!

nillan wrote 140 days ago

Duncan,
This is great fun. I felt like returning to my childhood reading it. I am certain this book will be very popular. Good luck with it. Shelved.
Nillan
Blue-eyed in Luhya-land (I hope you will find time to take a look at it)

Cas P wrote 141 days ago

Hi Duncan.

This is great fun and what a brilliant premise! Endless scope for a fantastic read with a superhero forced to live in the real world.
You start well, showing Kenny to be a totally normal boy; on the cusp of being interested in girls yet still young enough to play 'Star Trek'.
I also liked Mina, the way she was clearly engrossed in her telescope yet caring enough about Kenny to be frightened for him.
You did a good job of making them 'real'.
You also have some great descriptive touches, broken glasses like a halo, his body sprawled like a failed sacrifice - great writing.
'You're not Superman..' Clearly Mina's about to be proved wrong!

Only a couple of nits:
shoulders, who were barking mad...*which* were barking mad..
flashlight as her clambered up...as *he* clambered.

I'd definitely read more of this so it's going on my shelf.
Cas.
KING'S ENVOY

Freeman wrote 141 days ago

This is well written and moves at a good pace.
A couple of minor nitpicks. You use ‘like’ twice in the same sentence in 2nd para.
‘he[r] clamber up the rock’
You mention at the beginning that Mina wears glasses but don’t mention Kenny does until his are broken by the meteorite. Meteor is usually used to describe a shooting star and if it is big enough to reach the ground it becomes a meteorite.
‘an armour piercing bullets.’
I liked the idea of the taser to fix the bruises. This is a great fun read and I am happy to back it.

Tony

klouholmes wrote 143 days ago

Hi Duncan, I was laughing so much that I kept losing my place reading. This is superbly written and crafted. I noted a few of the things I admired in your writing: “wide grassy gash through the heart of the forest”, the first zit a third eye, “failed sacrifice on a broken altar.” Adding to this fine writing the hilarious protagonist and the recent Metropolis, you've constructed an irresistible read. I especially Mina’s outfit and the reactions of people to the flying fat man. The portrayals of the General, Trask, the terrorist – none of it failed. Excellent and I want to read more! Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

T.L Tyson wrote 143 days ago

I really like this, glad you came by my thread.
It is funny, exciting and so enjoyable.
Something I would love to curl up with and devour, unfortunaly reading on the computer gives me a headache and so i could only read the first chapter. Will definitly be by for more though!
Backed-TL Tyson-Seeking Eleanor

AndreaPearson wrote 143 days ago

Great line: "The odds of that happening were thinner than she was"

This is so much fun! I really like both Mina's character and Ken's character. Very endearing!

Shelved.
Andrea
The Key of Kilenya

marion wrote 144 days ago

Tremendous impact - especially the last few paragraphs! I really enjoyed the pace, the characters and the premise. I would buy this - my grandson would love it - and so would I. Backed as you know M

Marko wrote 146 days ago

Read the first chapter of 'Joe Average', Duncan. Liked it. On my shelf for further reading.

Marko (Brief Encounters)

KJKron wrote 146 days ago

It's hard not to like Ken and Mina from the start. You create a sexual tension and we're left wondering if someone their age will be able to recongize it. Of course you trick us. Is that the cause of Ken's power? You leave us with a cliff hanger at the end of chapter one - the entire chapter is from Ken's POV until the end - and I'm left wondering - is Ken OK, as Mina worries? But chapter two is fun. The surprising abilities and the relationship between them is enough to make me curious to read on. You have me hooked. Shelved.

Kenneth Rogers Jr. wrote 147 days ago

Duncan, if only I could explain to you the joy I have from reading this story. Superheros, comic books, and the literary hero its self has been such a large part of my life I wrote my literary thesis on the evolution of the literary hero from the novel to the comic book. I can't wait to buy this and place it on my real bookshelf at home. Love it! Love it! Love it! Shelved for all to enjoy.
Love and Fear: The Diary of Oliver Lee
Kenny

Keefieboy wrote 147 days ago

Duncan, has this been up on Authonomy before under a different guise? I don't know, I just had a kind of deja-vu that I've read it before.

Not to worry - it's a great read. Charming, gentle humour, great premise and good characterization. So I have to back it.

Couple of things in chapter 1: as her clambered -> he | I couldn't make any sense of 'shortly distracted'.

Elinor Evans wrote 148 days ago

This is very, very funny and extremely well written. You are a master of the original simile and turn of phrase. The pace is great, Kenny is delightful and this is surely a book which should be published.
Backed,
Elinor
In it for the Holidays

Elvis McPherson wrote 149 days ago

An intelligent story about superheroes is tough to pull off, a story about ordinary superheroes tougher still, but you've managed to do it in style with the chapters you've posted so far. Happy to back this superior comic book.

PD Allen wrote 149 days ago

Kenny is a marvelous creation. This is a joy to read.

If I were you, I would change the underlines back to italics. You can do this easily using the search function in microsoft word. Open the find window, click on more, then click on format.

PD Allen ~Murderer's Sky

mikegilli wrote 149 days ago

Shelved..Fun and easy to read. Just needs the illustrations.
I found one little mistake.
.Granny's advice Ch I...Better to have.. not best to have.
Wishing yopu all the best with this........ZAP...OW!..............Mikey

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