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Once Crowded Sky
Once Crowded Sky | Tom King
4 posts | 6 read | 1 reading | 6 to read
A tour de force debut novel from a former CIA counter-terrorism officer, "A Once Crowded Sky" fuses the sensibility of bombastic, comic-book-style storytelling with modern literary fiction to bring to life a universe of super men stripped of their powers, newly mortal men forced to confront danger in a world without heroes. The superheroes of Arcadia City fight a wonderful war and play a wonderful game, forever saving yet another day. However, after sacrificing both their powers and Ultimate, the greatest hero of them all, to defeat the latest apocalypse, these comic book characters are transformed from the marvelous into the mundane. After too many battles won and too many friends lost, The Soldier of Freedom was fine letting all that glory go. But when a new threat blasts through his city, Soldier, as ever, accepts his duty and reenlists in this next war. Without his once amazing abilities, he's forced to seek the help of the one man who walked away, the sole hero who refused to make the sacrifice--PenUltimate, the sidekick of Ultimate, who through his own rejection of the game has become the most powerful man in the world, the only one left who might still, once again, save the day.
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blurb
GondorGirl
A Once Crowded Sky: A Novel | Tom King, Tom Fowler
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If you're a huge comic book fan you probably know who Tom King is, but back in 2012 he also wrote what is, arguably, the best comic book novel of all time. He was doing a signing at Motor City Comic Con today, so I snuck away from the booth to meet him. He was thrilled that I had an ARC of the book and was utterly delightful. I very rarely wait in lines to meet celebs at shows, but this was a good exception.

TieDyeDude Very cool! I haven't heard of this book, but it sounds interesting. 6mo
36 likes3 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Anton
Once Crowded Sky | Tom King
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A Once Crowded Sky reads like Watchmen by way of Jack Kirby. It has all the meta insight of the former, but captures the spirit of the Silver Age instead of getting bogged down in the grim & gritty 'realism' often found in post modern superhero tales. That's why it's my #septembowie pick for #heroes. @Marchpane

Marchpane Oh, this sounds great - stacking it 😊 7y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk Definitely want to read this! 7y
5 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Anton
Once Crowded Sky | Tom King
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Pickpick

This week's Batman #1 was a pretty spectacular issue. While the cliffhanger ending didn't really grab me, Batman's attempts to save a crashing plane were tense and well-written. Also well-written is A Once Crowded Sky, current Batman writer Tim King's superhero novel. Both are worth checking out.

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Christy2318
A Once Crowded Sky: A Novel | Tom King, Tom Fowler
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Picked out by son for me based on cover. "It's about superheroes Mom." I suspect that comic fans might not enjoy but I liked it. Star-Knight "We're not supposed to know our own stories. Knowing that kills you."

8 likes3 stack adds