Customer Reviews

Cyber Age Adventures

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

True heroism is not about flying at the speed of sound or walloping the bad guys with expert martial arts ease or blasting through concrete with fist-propelled laser beams. No, true heroism comes from within, and the 'within' is all-too-human... all-too-real. This is what CyberAge never fails to tap into: the human reality, the power we all have and that we can all grasp onto, if only we choose to do so. The fantasy of these stories is undeniable, but the gritty realism hidden beneath is what makes them breathe, what makes them move... what makes them important. A must read!

I checked this out on a lark, in the mood for something light and harmless. Instead I found an absorbing series of stories about a diverse cast of characters. It's superheroes for grownups, superheroes who have problems with their parents or their friends or their jobs or their car payments that are as real, and sometimes more dangerous, than their problems with the supervillain of the week.

I was really impressed with this anthology. The authors show a lot of talent and a lot of promise, and they've made a credible attempt to make the superhero genre into a literary experience -- without sacrificing innovating new powers or exciting fight scenes. It's definitely worth a look.

Have you ever tried to find superhero based novels that are the author's creation? That aren't based on anything you see on the comic books stands? Well then look no further. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Cyber Age. With a constantly changing website, gorgeous artwork, and some damn friggin' good stories, Cyber Age Adventures is definately one of the few good works of superhero fiction out there. But this is a review on the book. =) Although I didn't find the three chapter method to be necessary, these stories were originally posted as a 3-part story with the website/fan mail. But the flow of each one is still very well done. Each hero has his or her flaws that make him or her just a little bit more human in nature. And the use of the super abilties in new and interesting ways make it for an even more interesting read. For superhero fans out there, I'd recommend this in a heart beat. For those that like superheroes, but don't want to buy monthly, overpriced comics, then grab this book while you can.

Bad.


That would about sum this up. The majority of the writing in this book is not competent, let alone publishable. That is even publishable in a game supplement sort of sense. The names of the guilty are not on each story, but I suspect one of the writers may be more competent than the rest.

The ideas or plots for the stories are generally decent enough, barring the odd complete clone, and half a bonus point for the stuff at the back. This includes some newspaper report mockups, and some actual reports of real-life heroism, which was a nice touch.

Cyber Age Adventures : The Swan - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Run For Your Life - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Crucible - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Preventive Measures - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Mother and Child Reunion - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Best Served Cold - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Arachnid - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : The Minuteman's Final Hour - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Survival Instinct - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Jade Tiger - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : Jade Tiger The Continuing Adventures - Frank Fradella
Cyber Age Adventures : H*ll in August - Frank Fradella


Said hero takes down a rifleman.

2 out of 5


Fast femme fatale issues.

3.5 out of 5


Super powered conflict here.

There are three editors/authors listed on this book. If they are taking it in turns to write stories here it wouldn't surprise me. However, it looks like only one of them can write at all, so far, if that is the case.

Seeing it doesn't list who is who, I just picked the first one to use.

1 out of 5



Two old superhumans try to enforce their no superheroes allowed mandate on literally, Newcomer.

2 out of 5


A hero that can predict the future saves a city by stopping a superstrong Behemoth.

2 out of 5


Permafrost, although young, was the wrong target for a rapist.

2.5 out of 5


An alien flees to Earth, because he doesn't have enough arms. Not enough to be called Arachnid, either. Super-linguists can't count.

2.5 out of 5


Litigation crazy USA catches up with very aging very first hero.

3 out of 5


A vampire decides to lend a hand with the good guys, but eventually she is found out.

2.5 out of 5


Mystical east meets st*nky city west.

2.5 out of 5


Trying to banish someone to the underworld won't work if they have it in them already.

2.5 out of 5