The Villain's Sidekick

by Stephen T. Brophy

When professional henchman Duke "HandCannon" LaRue runs afoul of the city's protector, Nightguard, and his spritely sidekick Twiliter, during a routine smash and grab job, everything he thinks he knows about villainy, heroism, and making a fast buck is about to get turned on its steel-plated head. The job goes south in a hurry, and his supervillainous employer, Dr. Eye, is none-too-thrilled about it. But those complications are nothing compared to an unexpected custody visit from his six-year-old daughter, the kind of kid who thinks her deadbeat dad hung the moon, not tried to blow it up.

Genres: Superheroes, Fantasy, Humor, Fiction, Comics, Science Fiction, Adventure

104 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2013

About the author

Stephen T. Brophy is a living human male. He resides in the principality of Los Angeles, California USA.

Reviews

[Jonathan Brazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was first introduced to this book, I thought it might fall alongside books such as “Grunts,” by Mary Gentile, books that show a story from the “other side.” Sidekicks of villains rarely have a place in the sun and usually end up in dire straits as the good guys triumph. When I started reading, though, I saw a lot more of Terry Pratchett in it, but if this book is any indication, Stephen Brophy can give the esteemed Mr. Pratchett a run for his money.

This book is taut, well-edited, and well-crafted. Characterization is detailed without being tedious, and the storyline quickly draws the reader in. There is a good deal of literary tension that qualifies this book as a page-turner. On top of that, it is darn funny. The humor, though, does not get in the way of the plot, as it does in so many other books, but rather supports it. While it echoes Pratchett to an extent in the feel of the humor, where Pratchett elicits his humor in action and general observations, Brophy’s humor centers on the personal thoughts and attributes of the protagonist. To me, that brings a deeper relevancy to the humor. I could identify with it.

Duke "HandCannon" LaRue is a bad guy, have no doubt about that. He is an ex-con, a crook, a killer (although he’s killed fewer times than someone might suspect.) He isn’t concerned about what his boss, Dr. Eye, might do with an item he’s sent to retrieve. On the other hand, he dotes on his diabetic cat, Miss Lady, and loves his six-year-old daughter. He has the same problems as so many of us have—an ex-spouse, paying for a mortgage for a house in which he no longer lives, a job that interferes with his domestic life. He may be a baddie, but we can relate to him. I think that is a key to the book, and when Handcannon says he’s a bad dad for something he’s about to do, we’ve all been in that type of situation.

This is a funny book, but it is not just a platform for one-liners. There was nary a weak spot, and I enjoyed every page. This is one of the very best books I’ve read this year, and I give it my highest recommendation.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those court-order anger management classes and the twice-daily NA meetings are really paying off. Looks like Houston's got itself a brand new superhero.

[Donny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this 3.5 if possible. It was a quick read with enough world-building to make me interested in what is next.

[Rachel Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book. It has a little bit of everything! Action, humor, romance and even horror!

[Carolyn Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never thought I be cheering for a villain's sidekick. First time for everything.

This was a truly enjoyable narrative! It takes the time for the reader to walk in the bad guy sidekick's shoes for once. You understand that they have the capacity to love, mature and grow like anyone else. Even while equipped with deadly prosthesis, metal jaws and other cyborg gadgets. There is a redemptive moment that plays out and makes root for HandCannon, his quirky friend as well as his fractured but loveable family.

[Paolo Aceves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most people want to see themselves as the hero of the story, the person whose struggles and suffering move the plot forward and hopes for one day all the hard work and sacrifice will pay off. Not Duke/HandCannon; knowing fully well he is a villain; not only that, he is the sidekick playing second fiddle to Heatwave and under the payroll of The Eye, he has become a criminal with prosthetic "arms" whose been in and out of prison trying to make a living. We meet him while he's battling Night Guard, a Batman like vigilante who protects the city with a sidekick of his ownTwiliter.
After a rough beating he goes home to his cat and a surprise call from his six year old daughter Cornelia. What happens next is a great story where the lines of good and evil become blurred as HandCannon must make sense of the events happening around him while reconnecting with his estranged daughter. Filled with great action, smart sense of humor and high stakes, the only argument one can have against The Villain’s Sidekick is how short this novella is.

[Joshua Hair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Brophy, I congratulate you on a job well done. While far too short, Villian's Sidekick is still a very fun read. As others have mentioned, it's told from the point of view of HandCannon a.k.a. Duke, an amputee war veteran who turned to a life of crime after his disfigured face and body held him back in the real world. Other than the fact that he's a supervillian (or sidekick to one, anyhow) Duke is a normal guy with an ex-wife, a crappy apartment, bills piling up, and anger management classes to keep up with despite his busy schedule. He's far from perfect, flawed in much more than figure and morality, and has a long way to go to be considered an "okay" guy. Mr. Brophy did a fantastic job of forming Duke into a fully-fledged, realistic person regardless of his cybernetic body. Kudos, Mr. Brophy. I look forward to your further work.

[Matt Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superhero movies have become ubiquitous in pop culture, so it's only natural that superhero parodies would be rising along with them. One look at the book cover and short description and you think "Oh great, another Venture brothers rip-off". While it does have that influence, the author creates dialogue and action that make the characters unique. The characters are as bizarre as they are flawed, as human as they are super, and they become very relatable even after a few short pages. This is a book for fans of comic aesthetic but not comic dialogue; there is an obvious wisdom at work behind the events of the story, and it's pulled off beautifully. It nails the perfect balance of self-parody, dry humor and heartfelt-ness in a perfect little package.

[Michael Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a former comic boy geek I loved this book. The author puts a human face to the faceless goons always getting smashed by the good guys. This is no mean feat since this particular goon is huge with a Gatling gun for an arm and a metal jaw. As novella's go this one is up there with some of the best as it packs a lot of plot in only 77 pages.

The author does a great job bringing the excitement of comics onto the pages of a novella. The characters are vibrant and the plot ticks along at a furious pace.

[K.F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing I disliked about this book is that it was so short!

But definitely, if you're a fan of superhero comic books, have feelings for villains, and enjoy badassery performed by bionic men and their adorable 6 year old daughters, this is the book for you.

Well-written, clever, fast-paced, and self-aware. All one can hope for, really.

It was like a particularly delicious piece of candy! Gone too soon...

[Ernesto I. Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on superheroes from the perspective of a villian's henchman. Hand Cannon is a peculiar villian, one that does the job because he feel there is no place for him in the real world and somehow expenses must be paid.
And after a butched job, it falls on him to not only fix the problem and to solve a mystery that curiously will redefine his life, while trying to keep what little he loves in one piece.

[Nan Silvernail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful sneak-peek into what it takes to be an evil henchman. I just don't want to say anything more because I'd hate to spoil the least little morsel of this fun feast. It does contain some mature language, or I'd feel freer about recommending it to just about everyone. A damned fine job from Stephen T. Brophy. Looking forward to finding more gems from this author.

[Andrew Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd read a sequel

A villain turning over a new leaf? Not really. A guys got to eat. But when his daughter comes to visit on a rare visit and he's stuck trying to make up for a partner who betrayed him he might just have to try things a different way. Fans of the Thunderbolts or Magneto will enjoy this short but well crafted tale.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like graphic novels, crime fiction, suspense, dark comedy, pulp, characters with depth and/or just clever writing? Then, this is the book for you. It's hard to put down. The story is gripping, the characters are strong and the dialogue is whipsmart.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading all three books by this author, having won them in a recent Goodreads First Reads giveaway. Very different to my usual genre and made quite a change. These books will remain on my book shelf for my son-in-law to enjoy.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic opening salvo. Wonderful nod to the genre, but with just enough of a new angle to hook you. Bravo.

[Amanda Mahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and fun, I fell in love with the characters and the writing style is snappy. Get it, you won't regret it!

[Ericka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henchmen have feelings too

A nice insight into the surprisingly normal life of a villain. Feed the cat, pick up milk, help overthrow the government... the usual.

[Whitney Zink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast paced and surprising comic novel.The characters were interesting and there was not a single dull moment. Great for a light and breezy afternoon read by the pool.

[Jack Bagdadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and surprisingly touching story. It left me wishing it was longer, but perhaps that means it was just the right length. Hoping for more.

[Jasoches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short read (98 pages long). Very well written story.

[Dana Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not love a supervillain who worries about forgetting to feed his cat while being pummeled by a vigilante superhero? This is a great, quick read that’s vibrant, funny and sweet.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is that it has a different point of view than most stories, first of all, the main guy is a henchman, and it's working for the bad guys. Add that he is divorced and lost custody of her little girl, and he just got his ex to let his daughter visit him, and the story gets really weird, really fast. The first part of the book is kind of boring, the main character is not very interesting and some things about him were kind of boring, but as the book advanced, and the situation changes, the character grows. I liked the secondary characters more, his daughter was adorable and the superhero's sidekick was more interesting. I wanted to know more about them, because I had the feeling they were more interesting than the main character was.

It starts with Handcannon fighting against Nightguard, and thinking that he has to end the fight soon or his cat is going to get hungry. He manages to escape the battle, goes to his house, feeds his cat, and get a call from his daughter that wants to meet him. His ex is not too happy, but since the child insists on getting to know her father, they arrange for a visit. The only problem is that his boss is not happy for the failed job and wants him to finish it, but when he starts investigating, he finds that his partner in the robbery is dead, and he suspects that Nightguard is responsible for his death. He starts investigating and finds Nightguard's secret identity, and uses that knowledge to get to his sidekick. He uses his knowledge of her secret identity to blackmail her into giving him information, and it ends with her confessing she has her doubts about Nightguard allegiance. She tells him how he has been acting suspiciously and together they go to his secret hideout and investigate more.

While they are looking for proof that he has gone to the dark side, Nightguard kidnaps Handcannon's daughter. They spend a long time looking for them, but they don't find him, but his boss calls him and tells him that his men found Nightguard and his daughter. When he goes looking for her he finds all the other henchmen and his boss dead, and his daughter tied up. It was all a trap of Nightguard that wants to kill him to protect his secret identity. It turns out that he never wanted to be a hero and is using an artifact to become more powerful and turn villain. Handcannon with the help of Nightguard's sidekick and his daughter manages to defeat him, and save his daughter.

[Weez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but incredibly funny. As the title implies, the story's protagonist is a henchman - the sort of menacing second-rate goons that comic books, superhero cartoons old James Bond films are crammed with. Nobody gives them much thought. What makes them risk their lives in the service of evil super villains? What do these people do on their days off? Does The Rhino ever go on coffee dates or attend birthday parties? Did Oddjob have any mundane hobbies like collecting stamps? Does the Arkham Asylum offer outpatient treatment programs? I won't reveal any spoilers, but fans of "Venture Brothers" or "The Tick" style of genre spoofs should enjoy this book about an gun-armed, metal-jawed, everyman with an unusual vocation.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really simple and straight forward superhero/villain story.
It isn't terribly original (villain finds redemption, roles are reversed).

But it really isn't bad at all. It reads like the novelization of a comic book, which, if that is what you are in the mood for, really hits the spot. I'd be curious to see what Brophy comes up with next. He shows promise, he'll just have to beef up the plot complexity going forward.

[Walter Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did this story have to be so short?! I'm left with wanting to read more about the villainous HandCannon, his best friend, and his spunky daughter Cordelia.
Stephen Brophy did a great job creating characters that readers will actual care about. I felt like this characters already belonged to the Marvel or DC universe.
This story will have you rooting for the bad guy for a chance.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entry in the ranks of novels having a different take on the superhero genre, and one worthy of a read. Meet handcannon, a villain of sorts. Meet his daughter. Both of them meet trouble. A decent, albeit short, read. Roll on the next chapter....

[susan murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won from goodreads
Handcannon is a war veteran who lost body parts rebuilt with a difference he works on the wrong side of the law.
He has a 6 year old daughter who desperately wants to see him. It's a short story but enjoyable it's a different take on superhero.

[Andrew Donovan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting spin on the villain trope, quite enjoyable

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. Interesting storyline. Cute. But it reads like a fictional story for a high school English class. So many grammar nd spelling errors. But overall a fun quick read.