The Government Manual for New Superheroes [Paperback]

Matthew David Brozik (Author), Jacob Sager Weinstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

The government provides manuals for new home-owners and new motor vehicle operators, but what's a new superhero to do? Ka-POW! The Government Manual for New Superheroes rushes in to save the day!

The Government Manual for New Superheroes is a hilarious, mock-official handbook that offers thorough, accessible, and completely zany advice for anyone who has always dreamed of donning a skintight spandex uniform and leaping across the rooftops of their cities. Going well beyond tights and capes, this manual provides insight into choosing a name, constructing a costume, choosing the right supertools of the supertrade, establishing a base of operations, maintaining a secret identity, taking or becoming a sidekick, joining a superheroic team, and even finding that special someone who gives meaning to a superhero's life--a nemesis.

Extra features include a roster of superhero unions, a registration application, several useful charts and tips, and even a list of other government-sponsored periodicals for further reading. Destined to become a cult classic, The Government Manual for New Superheroes is an essential guide for every aspiring superhero.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740754629
• ISBN-13: 978-0740754623
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #697,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If it weren't for this book, I would be a much less effective superhero., September 21, 2005

By 

Aaron M. Vehling "aaronvehling" (Minneapolis, MN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Government Manual for New Superheroes (Paperback)

I first realized I wanted to be a superhero was when I discovered that I could emit painful, intrusive thermal deathrays from the palms of my hands.

I thought about how the police are essentially incapable of stopping crime; but my deathrays - my deathrays could really do a number on a perp.

The problem was I lacked any knowledge as to how to go about becoming a registered superhero. What should my name be? What do I wear? Should I carry a utility belt or pray for a Walgreens to be close by at all times?

Defeated and confused, I walked around my fair city contemplating keeping my secret hidden forever. On my way home, I stumbled into Border's books to sit for four hours reading books I'd never buy. This is how I found The Government Manual for New Superheroes.

From this book I learned everything I would ever need to know to be a competitive, valuable member of the superhero persuasion. I learned how to create a wonderful looking costume from some Dior I stole off some stuffy old aristocrat. Insignia, masks, tips on keeping my identity secret - it was all there.

All prospective superheroes need to buy this book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Aimed At The Super Powered But Still Valuable, February 23, 2006

By 

Queen Cobra, Goddess of Truth and Justice (Altamont Springs, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Government Manual for New Superheroes (Paperback)

The authors of this government manual admit right off that it is aimed at the Caped Crimefighter class of superhero, those who set out to fight evil with nothing but their expertise in martial arts and/or genius for inventing useful gadgetry. However it also has some useful tips for those of us who've gained strange powers through the bite of radioactive animals, scientific experiments gone awry and the like.

The illustrations are rather hilariously dated, but this is a government publication after all.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Parentheses saves the day!, March 17, 2006

By 

Parentheses Man - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Government Manual for New Superheroes (Paperback)

I have to say that without this book, I would never have discovered my secret identity as The Parentheses (Not the same as my associate Grammar-man) and taken my rightful place in the universe as a superhero. Without this books' much-needed guidance, one will be left wondering how to come across a secret headquarters (getting those permits is often tricky), what organizations to join (some can be very selective and you must make an informed choice), how to get a sidekick (particularly, how to get a sidekick who can actually do something useful), how to BE a sidekick (if you're unsure about the whole being a superhero thing), and how to court and win over that perfect villan (perhaps even steal him/her/it from another superhero's spandex-covered fist).

This book is a must-buy. I command you to get it.