Spring Break
'Government Manual' Instructs Necessities Of Heroicism
Melissa Bruen
Issue date: 10/21/05 Section: Focus
The book goes into the importance of finding prime real estate and servants, who are either trustworthy or too stupid to realize the importance of your night life. It also goes into the highly controversial subject of whether or not superheroes should ever reveal their true identities.
The rest of the book discusses how to decide whether or not a sidekick is right for you. While sidekicks are helpful, they often get too attached and get extremely offended when you want to spend a night crime fighting solo. Remember to lay down the law up front. Good sidekicks will listen and respect the rules you give them. The best sidekicks will end up ignoring you, which in the end proves effective when they show up to rescue you at the last moment. The most important thing to remember when it comes to sidekicks is that they "must not be better than you are at anything."
The authors dedicated a small part of the book to people who are not up to the challenge of crime fighting solo, but rather want to audition for a job as another's sidekick.
Another similar aspect that needs consideration is whether or not you will join other superheroes in a union, like the Fantastic Four, or whether you will remain solo, like Batman.
One of the most stressful parts of establishing yourself as an official superhero is deciding who to dedicate your life fighting against. Do not underestimate the importance of finding a nemesis. After all, in the end it will not matter that you are decked out in spandex with a giant belt embellished with your logo, matching boots and a hot ride if you are not making the world a better place by stalking an evildoer.
Overall, "The Government Manual For New Superheroes" deserves four stars for being humorous and satirical, reminding people of their childhood dreams and for giving some people the passion to make their superhero dreams come true.
The rest of the book discusses how to decide whether or not a sidekick is right for you. While sidekicks are helpful, they often get too attached and get extremely offended when you want to spend a night crime fighting solo. Remember to lay down the law up front. Good sidekicks will listen and respect the rules you give them. The best sidekicks will end up ignoring you, which in the end proves effective when they show up to rescue you at the last moment. The most important thing to remember when it comes to sidekicks is that they "must not be better than you are at anything."
The authors dedicated a small part of the book to people who are not up to the challenge of crime fighting solo, but rather want to audition for a job as another's sidekick.
Another similar aspect that needs consideration is whether or not you will join other superheroes in a union, like the Fantastic Four, or whether you will remain solo, like Batman.
One of the most stressful parts of establishing yourself as an official superhero is deciding who to dedicate your life fighting against. Do not underestimate the importance of finding a nemesis. After all, in the end it will not matter that you are decked out in spandex with a giant belt embellished with your logo, matching boots and a hot ride if you are not making the world a better place by stalking an evildoer.
Overall, "The Government Manual For New Superheroes" deserves four stars for being humorous and satirical, reminding people of their childhood dreams and for giving some people the passion to make their superhero dreams come true.