It's a Bird

Author: Steven T. Seagle

First line: It didn't look like the rest of the letters on the report.

Why you should read this book: If it's a superhero comic, it transcends the boundaries of the medium in the same way that Superman transcends the limitations of mere mortals. Steve is a comic book writer who's been offered the sweetest cherry in the industry-- the chance to write the man of steel--but the dark secrets in his family's closet sour him on fantasy and inspire only the most cynical and bleak reimaginings of the hero from Krypton. With growing anger toward his editor, his girlfriend, his family, and the legions of men, young and old, who still cling to the idealized perfection of the four-color Superman of their dreams, Steve deconstructs the myth of Kal-el and finallly confronts the lies of his family's past.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You figure criticizing Superman is just plain unamerican.