Four years ago, I made a video about the one thing every good writer needs to create their own superhero universe. I was watching many of my favorite comic book characters become shells of their former selves. Characters that had once been larger-than-life heroes were being stripped of the things that made them great. The... Continue Reading →
We have thousands of superheroes in comics, movies, television, and books. Decades of stories. People think they know what a superhero is. I don't think they do. I think a lot of people get it wrong. If you have powers, a costume, and a cool name, you must be a superhero, right? Not necessarily. Those... Continue Reading →
Spider-Man, Sacrifice, and the Meaning of Responsibility There is a common trope in superhero fiction, and in heroic fiction in general, where the main character believes they have to face the world on their own. They become the lone wolf. The solitary hero who keeps everyone at arm's length, both physically and emotionally. They carry... Continue Reading →
The Doctrine of Superhero Fiction Most people think superhero stories are about costumes, flying, or cool powers. They aren't. Those things are just the "decorations." True superhero fiction is actually about obligation. It is the story of people who have a job they can never quit, and a burden they can never put down. If... Continue Reading →
Comic books today aren’t being written with the future in mind. They’re not focused on telling great stories; they’re creating collectibles. These books are made to be bought, bagged, and displayed, not read and remembered. As long as the cover looks amazing, most buyers don’t care what’s inside. This is clear from the rise of... Continue Reading →
As a writer, I found the inspiration for my books in the pages of comics. I was captivated by the super heroics, the vibrant costumes, and, of course, the storytelling. While the narratives didn’t always make perfect sense and characters occasionally acted out of character, I chalked that up to different writers interpreting them in... Continue Reading →
For decades, comic books have been the dominant way to experience superhero stories. But just like comics evolved from pulp magazines, superhero novels are the next logical step in storytelling. Superheroes have always thrived by adapting to new formats. Now, they’re entering a medium that offers limitless potential. The Limits of Comics Are Holding Superheroes... Continue Reading →
WARNING: Spoilers ahead for my book DEADLOCK. When I was growing up reading comics, you could always tell who the good guys were and who the bad guys were. Sure, there were a few antiheroes running around, but for the most part, there was never any doubt. When I started writing my superhero fiction series,... Continue Reading →
How Studios Use 'Toxic Fandom' to Deflect Criticism and Protect Their Bottom Line Over the past several years, a growing divide has emerged between fans of popular TV and movie franchises and the studios in control of them. These studios are churning out vast amounts of content for their streaming services—but content is not art.... Continue Reading →
If I fit in anywhere. I’m writing this hoping I don’t sound like I’m complaining or being ungrateful. I’m extremely grateful to everyone that has supported me in my short writing career. This is me venting hoping I can talk myself into a lightbulb moment and find the answers I’m looking for. That’s the preamble.... Continue Reading →
stephenhudler.com 