Book Cover from Amazon
A Hero By Any Other Name, an anthology by Silence in the Library publishing company
BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON
What does a sidekick do after retirement? What does a super villain do when he meets an evil greater than himself? Is it power that defines a hero, or something else? All of these questions and more are answered in A Hero By Any Other Name, a collection of stories by some of today’s best-known science fiction and fantasy authors. These riveting adventures delve into the lives of some not-so-conventional superheroes, sidekicks, and villains. This isn’t all tights-and-fights, but a look at heroes that will forever alter your perspective on those who choose to live behind a mask. Includes stories from Aaron Allston, Michael A. Stackpole, Janine K. Spendlove, Maxwell Alexander Drake, Bryan Young, Jean Rabe, R.T. Kaelin, Maggie Allen, and Ron Garner.
MY REVIEW
As with most anthologies, some unevenness in the caliber of the writers and stories exists. The first of the nine stories “Retreads” (by Aaron Allston) is 60 pages long and represents 25% of the book and is an excellent story. If you like hero stories in prose, this particular gem is worth the entrance price.
The stories about someone other than the “main” hero – the sidekick, the villain, someone nearly ready to be a hero, someone retired from heroing. The best of the stories are those with mystery and thriller overtones: the aforementioned Retread and “Mortar’s Ovation” (by Jean Rabe). The comic book geek in me loved “A Marvelous New World” (by Maggie Allen) where con-geeks prevent an alien invasion – and “Stupendous Sparkle” (by Janine K. Spendlove) a surface superhero story which is also a very good character study in the difference between people who change the world and people who will follow others. Of the 259 pages, I really, really enjoyed 128 – so about half.
The other five stories had various things I didn’t like about them. “The Kid” (by Maxwell Alexander Drake) and “Changing the Game” (by Bryan Young) both had endings offending my American pre-disposition to happily-ever-after – doesn’t make them bad stories – and maybe having them included made the short stories when the good guys win all the better, because sometimes they don’t win. “Need to Know” (by Michael A. Stackpole) was derivative – I think it was either a homage to vintage stories or a sarcastic commentary. I didn’t get it in either vein; those that do will like this story. “All-Star” (by R. T. Kaelin) and “Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow” (by Ron Garner) were okay, but neither was thought-provoking like the thrillers or amusing like the geek nods.
Overall, a solid anthology with some excellent stories. The Con-geeks stopping the alien invasion, a sidekick who follows a true hero, the steam-punk era detective investigating a transvestite murder (yes, really!), and an invulnerable, but broken hero, soldiering on. These stories should find a place on your shelf if you like heroes by any other name.