The Wraith: A Superhero Novel (The Wraith Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Frank Dirscherl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

In a world not far removed from our own, a city lies ravaged. Crime overruns its streets; its citizens are helpless. Crimelord Robert Latham, to the world-at-large a legitimate businessman, holds the city in his sway. Fear and intimidation rule throughout. One man stands above the rest, willing to fight for freedom. That man is The Wraith. The Wraith, the city's bogeyman, is known to exist only by a very few, and seen by even fewer. Those that do know of him, especially Latham, know to fear him, for his fury at those who commit evil has no bounds. By day, the Wraith is the reclusive billionaire Paul Sanderson, a man more mysterious and less seen than his night-time counterpart. Sensing the desperation of Latham and that his own time may be limited, Sanderson readies a replacement, a man deemed worthy to continue in his stead, whether that man likes it or not. That man is Michael Reeve, an honest cop, someone similarly fighting for justice in a city where very little justice remains. It's a struggle for Reeve to come to terms with his new identity and the destiny handed to him by someone he has only heard of but never seen. Those around him are pulled, unwittingly and seeringly, into his nightmare. In desperation, Latham calls in someone to finish the job, to ensure Metro City finally becomes his, completely and utterly. Enter the Cobra, a creature whose origins have been lost in the mists of time. A creature whose sole purpose in life is to destroy-and conquer. Can the new Wraith save his city even while he struggles to save his own soul? "I love the coloring job and specially the 'glowing' eyes on the chest of the character." - Guillermo del Toro, Director, Blade II & Hellboy (on The Wraith comic book) "I liked the story a lot...it's a very strong debut." - Steve Englehart, Writer of Detective Comics & The Avengers

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I love the coloring job and specially the 'glowing' eyes on the chest of the character." - Guillermo del Toro, Director, Blade II & Hellboy (on The Wraith comic book)

"I liked the story a lot...it's a very strong debut." - Steve Englehart, Writer of Detective Comics & The Avengers

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Coscom Entertainment (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897217285
• ISBN-13: 978-1897217283
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,384,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MODERN PULP WITH A FLAIR, January 20, 2006

By 

Ron Fortier "Air Chief" (Fort Collins, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wraith (Hardcover)

The Wraith is a wonderful throwback to the purple prose of the bloody pulps with a hero clearly descendant from the likes of the Shadow and the Spider. A fast, action packed thrill ride with great character, both noble and villainous. Slam-bang kick off to a super new series. One I'm anxious to follow.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Super Reader, July 31, 2007

By 

Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wraith: A Superhero Novel (The Wraith Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

A short, pulp, superhero novel. Metro City is a worse-than-Gotham cesspit apparently built for political reasons. Michael Reeve is an honest cop.

A confrontation between The Wraith, and a crimelord goes wrong, and The Wraith ends up on his doorstep.

Next thing, he wakes up in a different house, in a different body - and Reeve is then apparently the wraith. Presumably transferred by the mystical 'Eyes of Judgement' amulet. The Wraith is a Batman-level hero, with this added Ghost Rider/Spirit of Vengeance power to make people experience all the evil they have done.

There is a grieving girlfriend, and some other honest cops out to solve his disappearance.

When The Wraith appears again, crimelord Latham hires a super-assassin to deal with him. Nasty methods has this man, as he starts an assassination campaign to bring out The Wraith, and kills anybody he feels like.

Amusingly, The Cobra has a henchman named Khan.

There is a final desperate confrontation, on an airship.

Clearly more adventures to come wit how this is set up.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Wraith - what a read!, July 17, 2006

By 

Bobby Nash "Writer: Evil Ways" (Bethlehem, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wraith: A Superhero Novel (The Wraith Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

I became familiar with Frank Dirscherl's The Wraith from the comic book of the same name. When the first Wraith novel came out I just had to read it. I was not disappointed. The Wraith is a fast paced thrill-ride. I'm looking forward to the upcoming sequel.