Book Review: The Rules of Supervillainy by C.T. Phipps
In the vast universe of superhero stories, my exposure was pretty limited – confined mostly to the comic books I devoured as a youngster. So, venturing into C.T. Phipps' Rules of Supervillainy, my expectations wavered between hopeful intrigue and muted skepticism. However, much to my surprise and sheer delight, I found myself immersed in a narrative that was not just thrilling, but also rib-ticklingly humorous.
Our protagonist, Gary, is the epitome of the everyman - your typical average Joe. Yet, fate, with its twisted sense of humor, catapults him into a whirlwind of superhuman adventures when he accidentally receives the cloak of a deceased superhero. This isn't just any cloak; it takes on a persona of its own, evolving into Cape – a sidekick with a conscience, or rather, the conscience for Gary. Phipps crafts Cape with such wit and sharpness that it effortlessly stands out as one of the most memorable sidekick characters I've ever come across. The cloak's sarcastic retorts, served with a side of deadpan humor, caught me off guard more than once, evoking genuine, hearty laughter.
Gary, while blessed with this newfound power and an uncanny cloak-sidekick, is far from the quintessential superhero. He's a clumsy, often misguided dreamer, who dreams of becoming a supervillain. It’s this very combination of power and absurdity that makes him a character so irresistibly endearing.
C.T. Phipps' Rules of Supervillainy isn’t just about Gary and Cape. The narrative offers readers a roller-coaster ride through a zany world inhabited by an array of colorful characters such as the Ice Cream Man, The Type Writer. From superheroes with their chiseled personas to villains with their dastardly agendas, every character shines in their unique shade of crazy. Among them is Mandy, Gary's wife, who grounds the narrative with her pragmatic and often sarcastic worldview. As the voice of reason (and often exasperation), she offers readers an anchor in this mad, mad world. Her jabs at Gary's antics are both hilarious and endearingly real. I couldn't help but draw parallels to how my own spouse might react if, one day, I woke up with superpowers and a cloak with a penchant for sass.
Now, while the story in itself is brilliantly conceived and executed, my experience was amplified manifold because I chose to devour it in its audio form. This brings me to Jeffrey Kafer, the narrator of the audio edition. Kafer's narration is nothing short of genius. Every character, every scene, every witty one-liner is rendered with such perfection that it breathes life into Phipps’ world. Kafer’s impeccable timing and delivery made even the snarkiest of comments resonate, leading to many a moment where I found myself laughing out loud and snorting.
In conclusion, C.T. Phipps’ Rules of Supervillainy is more than just another superhero story. It’s an ode to all the Garys in the world, the everyday individuals who dream big, stumble often, but push through with heart and humor. A must-read – or in my case, a must-listen – for anyone seeking a hearty blend of adventure and comedy.
