Heroes in the Night Featured in La Crosse Tribune!

A recent edition of the La Crosse Tribune featured an article by Mike Tighe on La Crosse, WI Real Life Superhero Electron (with guest appearance by Rochester, MN's Geist)-- two of the many RLSH discussed in my book, Heroes in the Night.

To the right of the article you'll find a lengthy sidebar that talks about Heroes in the Night and offers my insight on some "RLSH 101."

You can read the article HERE.

Electron

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HEROES IN THE NIGHT, available for pre-order at IPG///BARNES & NOBLE///AMAZON///POWELL'S///INDIEBOUND
GOODREADS///FACEBOOK
Book available OCTOBER 1, 2013!

HERO PROFILE #4: DC's Guardian

L-R: Knight Owl, Heroes in the Night author Tea Krulos, DC's Guardian

Operates out of: Washington DC/ Southern California

Activities: Charity events, children's hospital and classroom appearances

Comic book inspiration: Captain America

Author's notes: Since this Thursday fell on the 4th of July, I thought it would be appropriate tp profile the star-spangled DC's Guardian. I asked him if he had a message he'd like to share with Heroes in the Night readers today and he sent me this exclusive 4th of July address:

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  “When in the course of human events. . .” These words, written in an age of faith, courage, and resolve...for the generations that would follow.  237 years have gone by. Many lives have been lost to keep these words alive around the world. A beacon that-- whether you believe it or not-- still holds the wonder and imagination of those who do not want to be controlled...but to be self sufficient...self reliant...to succeed...or fail on their own...but on their own, nonetheless. Our founding fathers put down these ideals in an iron clad agreement, most losing all for the generations that would follow.9 died during the revolution. 5 captured by the British. 18 had their homes looted or burned down. Some lost everything they owned. 2 wounded in battle, 2 were the fathers of sons killed or captured…"Our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." It was not just rhetorical hogwash. Many people through the ages have died for this cause. . .those in the military even give up their civil liberties for the safety and security of others.The words are argued over daily, but fewer even read them anymore. ”With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” The world changes each moment. I firmly believe as it may change, fundamental truths do not...yesterday...today...and as many tomorrows as may be allowed.Truth is truth. We should not allow it to be hidden-- remember-- what we tolerate today, those who come after will embrace. You choose life, liberty. . .or the loss thereof. --DC
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  HEROES IN THE NIGHT, available for pre-order at IPG///BARNES & NOBLE///AMAZON///POWELL'S///INDIEBOUND
  GOODREADS///FACEBOOK
  Book available OCTOBER 1, 2013!
  

  
  

HERO PROFILE #3: Phoenix Jones

Phoenix Jones. Photo by Lucien Knuteson

Location: Seattle

Team Affiliation: Rain City Superhero Movement

Activities: Crime patrols, charity events

Favorite food: Skittles

Author's notes: PHOENIX JONES! Opinion on the "Guardian of Seattle" differs sharply. Some say he is the best thing to happen to the RLSH movement, some say he is the worst. He's had many memorable controversies over the last couple years: May Day, Mutual Combat, and the Pepper Spray Incident (I witnessed that one first hand!) I think Phoenix Jones is passionate and dedicated to his mission, but he sometimes gets himself in over his head.

Phoenix Jones is featured in a couple chapters of my book. I presented his story in an objective way, and after reading about him, I'm sure you'll draw your own conclusions.

Links:

Check out Phoenix Jones live on patrol at his Ustream Channel HERE

Phoenix Jones's wife, Purple Reign, spearheads a campaign against domestic abuse called the Purple Reign Campaign.


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HEROES IN THE NIGHT, available for pre-order at IPG///BARNES & NOBLE///AMAZON///POWELL'S///INDIEBOUND
GOODREADS///FACEBOOK
Book available OCTOBER 1, 2013!

HERO PROFILE #2: Zetaman

Photo by Pierre-Elie de Pibrac

Status: Retired

Location: Portland, OR

Team Affiliation: The Alternates

Activities: Charity events and fundraisers, homeless hand outs, neighborhood patrols

Special power: Amazing comic book creations

Author's notes: I met Illya King (who used to be known as Zetaman) twice in my travels. He had a turbulent falling out with the RLSH community and he was candid enough to share his experiences with me. King continues to do charitable events sans costume and draws a superhero satire comic called Naked Man Comics, which often parodies Zetaman and his fellow RLSH.

I was surprised and delighted when King sent me a plug for my upcoming book...Naked Man Comics style. It's posted below and here's a link to it on his website.Thanks much to Illya King for creating a well threaded ink version of me and to his alter ego Zetaman who shared my adventure with me!

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HEROES IN THE NIGHT, available for pre-order at IPG///BARNES & NOBLE///AMAZON///POWELL'S///INDIEBOUND
GOODREADS///FACEBOOK
Book available OCTOBER 1, 2013!

HERO PROFILE #1: The Watchman

The Watchman Photo by Pierre-Elie de Pibrac

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Team affiliation: The Challengers

Activities: Neighborhood crime patrols, charity events

Favorite comic book superhero: Superman

Author's Notes: I couldn't start the new Heroes Profile with anyone but The Watchman. He's a local RLSH and the reason I got started on Heroes in the Night. I had heard a news blurb and thought the topic would be interesting to write on and so I began searching for a local RLSH. I found The Watchman. Over the last few years I've stayed in touch with him on a regular basis and have joined him on quite a few of his adventures, as well as seeing his team, The Challengers, evolve.



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HEROES IN THE NIGHT, available for pre-order at IPG///BARNES & NOBLE///AMAZON///POWELL'S///INDIEBOUND
GOODREADS///FACEBOOK
Book available OCTOBER 1, 2013!

Heroes in the Night Blog is Back!

Hello, Real Life Superhero fans! I took a break from the blog here for awhile to finish up Heroes in the Night. I've been slowly reviewing the final proofs of the book with my publisher (Chicago Review Press) and it looks great! In the photo here you can see me holding an advance reading copy-- this is basically a mock up that the marketing people use to get some advance publicity. The real thing will be available October 1, 2013 (see links below for pre-order info) and we got lots of fun stuff ahead-- book excerpts, in store appearances, all that great stuff. I'm also working on my second book. I'm not ready to talk much about that yet, other than to say it will document another interesting group of people.

I also think it's a good time to "reboot" the blog here. Hey, if DC Comics can do it with the "New 52," why can't I? Weekly Hero Profiles will start over at number 1, with the first running a week from today and carrying on every Thursday for an unspecified duration. Some of these will be people I've already profiled in the past, some will be new mystery men and women. I'll also be updating with news on the book, media and bookstore appearances, excerpts, and the occasional RLSH news flash.

This is a fun and exciting time for me and I'm glad to share it with you. I'll see you next week for our first new Hero Profile.


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HEROES IN THE NIGHT, available for pre-order at IPG/// BARNES & NOBLE///AMAZON///POWELL'S///INDIEBOUND
GOODREADS///FACEBOOK
Book available OCTOBER 1, 2013!

HEROES IN THE NIGHT BOOK COVER!

Plus PRE-ORDER INFORMATION!

This is a proud day for me and I'm pleased to be able to release the cover of my book Heroes in the Night: Inside the Real Life Superhero Movement, a secret I've guarded as vigorously as a superhero's secret identity up until now. Here it is:

The photos, l-r, top-bottom: Seattle superhero Phoenix Jones (with myself in the background making an Alfred Hitchcock/ Stan Lee style cameo appearance) Milwaukee RLSH The Watchman, early RLSH prototype Terrifica, who patrolled bars in Manhattan, and Zetaman, of Portland, Oregon.

More book info:
Publication date: October 1, 2013, Chicago Review Press.
272 pages. 22 black and white photos, 25 color photos, 10 black and white illustrations.
Paperback: $16.95 (CAN $18.95)
E-pub/Adobe pdf/ Kindle: $13.99

Want to pre-order a copy?

Amazon link HERE

Barnes & Noble link HERE

Powell's link HERE

Independent Publishing Group link HERE (book description is up, but not pre-order option)

Information for Indiebound coming soon!

I've also set up my Goodreads author page, so please stop by. I'd be honored if you'd hit the "become a fan" button and add Heroes in the Night to your "to read" list. My Goodreads page is HERE

I'll be posting more updates as I get them and this summer the blog will swing back into action with some new Real Life Superhero profiles, a book excerpt, books news, and more!