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Superhero: A Novel
“A uniquely nuanced and engaging perspective on the oddness of Hollywood...Superhero goes inside baseball in all the best unbiased, at times ridiculous, and wonderfully, uncomfortably accurate. It begs to be read because it is so damned good.” —Amanda Seyfried
A-list actor Peter Compton and producing partner Marci Levy exist in the rarefied air of Hollywood’s elite. Their status as a married power couple is unmatched, their presence in any room transformative and god-like. But as their private jet lands in Atlanta to begin production on a tentpole superhero movie, even their privileged position will come under threat by the massive pressures of such an undertaking.
Compton, a self-educated recovering addict, sees the role of Sparta comics superhero Major Machina as the opportunity to transcend his already stratospheric platform. As director Joel Slavkin, Oscar-winning DP Javier Benavidez, and a crew of hundreds arrive in Atlanta to begin shooting, it doesn’t take long for the production to be embroiled in the tension and egos that drive the film. But when video of Peter’s disastrous on-set behavior goes viral, Peter and Marci’s partnership will be challenged as it never has before. As the stakes grow ever higher, it may just take a superhero to save them.
With his signature wit and razor sharp dialog, Tim Blake Nelson invites the reader to walk alongside him as he enters the closely-guarded world of industrial strength cinema.
A-list actor Peter Compton and producing partner Marci Levy exist in the rarefied air of Hollywood’s elite. Their status as a married power couple is unmatched, their presence in any room transformative and god-like. But as their private jet lands in Atlanta to begin production on a tentpole superhero movie, even their privileged position will come under threat by the massive pressures of such an undertaking.
Compton, a self-educated recovering addict, sees the role of Sparta comics superhero Major Machina as the opportunity to transcend his already stratospheric platform. As director Joel Slavkin, Oscar-winning DP Javier Benavidez, and a crew of hundreds arrive in Atlanta to begin shooting, it doesn’t take long for the production to be embroiled in the tension and egos that drive the film. But when video of Peter’s disastrous on-set behavior goes viral, Peter and Marci’s partnership will be challenged as it never has before. As the stakes grow ever higher, it may just take a superhero to save them.
With his signature wit and razor sharp dialog, Tim Blake Nelson invites the reader to walk alongside him as he enters the closely-guarded world of industrial strength cinema.
- GenresMedia Tie InFiction
424 pages, Hardcover
Published December 2, 2025
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123 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 23, 2025
Let's get what I disliked about "Superhero" out of the way. The most galling is the insufferable main character, Peter. He wasn't a love-to-hate character; I suspect we're actually supposed to have some respect and admiration toward him. Certainly the characters who encircle him, even while sharing how rude, egocentric, and annoying he is, enthuse about his intelligence, his magnetism, his talent—none of which was apparent to me. The tendency of most of the characters to break into soliloquys littered with multisyllabic words annoyed me as well. Then near the end the story veers off into a musing about the ethics of AI that brought the proceedings to a halt.
But I kept reading for the insider look at how a big-budget movie gets made and for the assorted secondary characters, each of whom is much more interesting and three-dimensional than Peter. If you want a novel that shows how the entertainment sausage is made and have a high tolerance for obnoxious protagonists, "Superhero" might be for you.
Thank you, Unnamed Press and NetGalley, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
But I kept reading for the insider look at how a big-budget movie gets made and for the assorted secondary characters, each of whom is much more interesting and three-dimensional than Peter. If you want a novel that shows how the entertainment sausage is made and have a high tolerance for obnoxious protagonists, "Superhero" might be for you.
Thank you, Unnamed Press and NetGalley, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2025
Superhero
by Tim Blake Nelson is a witty, biting, and surprisingly emotional peek behind the Hollywood curtain of filmmaking these days. Although, Nelson himself refrains from calling it satire, the novel instead becomes a richer, part dark comedy, part elegy, about ambition, ego, and what happens when art collide with commerce today.
A-list actor Peter Compton and producing partner Marci Levy exist in the rarefied air of Hollywood’s elite. Their status as a married power couple is unmatched, their presence in any room transformative and god-like. But as their private jet lands in Atlanta to begin production on a tentpole superhero movie, even their privileged position will come under threat by the massive pressures of such an undertaking.
Compton, a self-educated recovering addict, sees the role of Sparta comics superhero Major Machina as the opportunity to transcend his already stratospheric platform. As director Joel Slavkin, Oscar-winning DP Javier Benavidez, and a crew of hundreds arrive in Atlanta to begin shooting, it doesn’t take long for the production to be embroiled in the tension and egos that drive the film. But when video of Peter’s disastrous on-set behavior goes viral, Peter and Marci’s partnership will be challenged as it never has before. As the stakes grow ever higher, it may just take a superhero to save them.
This was my first introduction to Tim Blake Nelson behind the typewriter, as I am used to seeing the actor on screen in major Marvel motion pictures. You may know Nelson as Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk (2008) and Captain America: Brave New World (2025) or may as Delmar O'Donnell in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Wade Tillman / Looking Glass on the Watchman TV Series (2019). However, Nelson is a talent author in his own right.
With his history in the film industry, Nelson writes with the authority of someone who has been there. The descriptions of each section of the book feels authentic and specific. The characters, especially Peter Compton and Marci Levy, are flawed and endlessly followable as they both chase relevance and redemption. Nelson features a bit of humor, but also a bit of misery, showing that the author clearly loves making movies even as he discusses the absurdity of the industry that makes them.
While at times I felt the pacing wained a bit, and a few of the transitions between satire and drama felt abrupt, the book's overall feel always pulled it back together. Beneath the gossip and meltdowns is a sincere beating heart, one that understands the costs of creating something meaningful in a business that focuses a lot on the numbers of an opening weekend release.
Superhero by Tim Blake Nelson is as much for film buffs, especially those fans of comic book movies, as it is for those who have wrestled with compromise, creativity, or even the need to matter. The novel is a funny and unexpectedly moving book which proves that Tim Blake Nelson has as much to say on the pages of a story as he does on the big screen.
Superhero hits bookstores everywhere on December 2, 2025 from Unnamed Press. Be sure to check out Tim Blake Nelson on the Capes and Tights Podcast for Episode 255.
NOTE: We received an advance copy of Superhero from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
A-list actor Peter Compton and producing partner Marci Levy exist in the rarefied air of Hollywood’s elite. Their status as a married power couple is unmatched, their presence in any room transformative and god-like. But as their private jet lands in Atlanta to begin production on a tentpole superhero movie, even their privileged position will come under threat by the massive pressures of such an undertaking.
Compton, a self-educated recovering addict, sees the role of Sparta comics superhero Major Machina as the opportunity to transcend his already stratospheric platform. As director Joel Slavkin, Oscar-winning DP Javier Benavidez, and a crew of hundreds arrive in Atlanta to begin shooting, it doesn’t take long for the production to be embroiled in the tension and egos that drive the film. But when video of Peter’s disastrous on-set behavior goes viral, Peter and Marci’s partnership will be challenged as it never has before. As the stakes grow ever higher, it may just take a superhero to save them.
This was my first introduction to Tim Blake Nelson behind the typewriter, as I am used to seeing the actor on screen in major Marvel motion pictures. You may know Nelson as Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk (2008) and Captain America: Brave New World (2025) or may as Delmar O'Donnell in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Wade Tillman / Looking Glass on the Watchman TV Series (2019). However, Nelson is a talent author in his own right.
With his history in the film industry, Nelson writes with the authority of someone who has been there. The descriptions of each section of the book feels authentic and specific. The characters, especially Peter Compton and Marci Levy, are flawed and endlessly followable as they both chase relevance and redemption. Nelson features a bit of humor, but also a bit of misery, showing that the author clearly loves making movies even as he discusses the absurdity of the industry that makes them.
While at times I felt the pacing wained a bit, and a few of the transitions between satire and drama felt abrupt, the book's overall feel always pulled it back together. Beneath the gossip and meltdowns is a sincere beating heart, one that understands the costs of creating something meaningful in a business that focuses a lot on the numbers of an opening weekend release.
Superhero by Tim Blake Nelson is as much for film buffs, especially those fans of comic book movies, as it is for those who have wrestled with compromise, creativity, or even the need to matter. The novel is a funny and unexpectedly moving book which proves that Tim Blake Nelson has as much to say on the pages of a story as he does on the big screen.
Superhero hits bookstores everywhere on December 2, 2025 from Unnamed Press. Be sure to check out Tim Blake Nelson on the Capes and Tights Podcast for Episode 255.
NOTE: We received an advance copy of Superhero from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
December 13, 2025
For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Superhero by Tim Blake Nelson is a dark humor novel about the trials and tribulations of making a superhero movie while navigating Hollywood’s cinema machine where millions of dollars and many careers are at stake. Mr. Nelson is a character actor whose face will be familiar to any cinephile.
Power couple Peter Compton, A-list actor and recovering addict, and Marci Levi, wife and producing partner are about to make the next huge superhero movie, Major Machina. They are in for making millions and having their star rise, as well as elevating Sparta’s cinema glazy to another level.
Production, however, is quickly becoming a disaster. Peter has no faith in the director, the cinematographer is an artist, and his ego clashes with Peter’s and the whole set is tense. Once Peter’s meltdown goes viral, the video and the response threaten the movie, it’s investors and Peter and Marci’s marriage.
This is a novel written with talent, self-confidence, and authority of an insider. In an industry where big money and big egos collide with artistic talent things are simply bound to clash at some point.
Superhero by Tim Blake Nelson is a dark comedy of how a movie of such scale even comes to fruition. The author does not minimize the role of the hundreds (thousands?) of people it takes to bring such a feature film extravaganza to your local movie theatre.
Each one of the characters gets their own history and identity, which explains their motivation and the way they view the production. We view the work through the artists’ eyes, as well as through the eyes of business and the decisions, as well as compromised each has to make. While the compromises are painful, the reader certainly understands why, and the circumstances which they were made under.
I thought the stories of ego and ambition reflect everything I heard, read, and saw when it comes to the entertainment industry in general, and the movie industry specifically. The flawed characters bring those points to the forefront of the story.
The novel, I thought, was a bit too wordy in some places, while I appreciated the author’s great talent, a rant going on for several pages, intellectual or not, just grinded the pacing to a halt. I very much enjoyed the offshoots, side stories, and nuanced character histories.
This is an entertaining, clever, and engaging book. I felt like a fly on the wall of entertainment getting an engaging perspective from all sides of the moviemaking industry.
Superhero by Tim Blake Nelson is a dark humor novel about the trials and tribulations of making a superhero movie while navigating Hollywood’s cinema machine where millions of dollars and many careers are at stake. Mr. Nelson is a character actor whose face will be familiar to any cinephile.
Power couple Peter Compton, A-list actor and recovering addict, and Marci Levi, wife and producing partner are about to make the next huge superhero movie, Major Machina. They are in for making millions and having their star rise, as well as elevating Sparta’s cinema glazy to another level.
Production, however, is quickly becoming a disaster. Peter has no faith in the director, the cinematographer is an artist, and his ego clashes with Peter’s and the whole set is tense. Once Peter’s meltdown goes viral, the video and the response threaten the movie, it’s investors and Peter and Marci’s marriage.
This is a novel written with talent, self-confidence, and authority of an insider. In an industry where big money and big egos collide with artistic talent things are simply bound to clash at some point.
Superhero by Tim Blake Nelson is a dark comedy of how a movie of such scale even comes to fruition. The author does not minimize the role of the hundreds (thousands?) of people it takes to bring such a feature film extravaganza to your local movie theatre.
Each one of the characters gets their own history and identity, which explains their motivation and the way they view the production. We view the work through the artists’ eyes, as well as through the eyes of business and the decisions, as well as compromised each has to make. While the compromises are painful, the reader certainly understands why, and the circumstances which they were made under.
I thought the stories of ego and ambition reflect everything I heard, read, and saw when it comes to the entertainment industry in general, and the movie industry specifically. The flawed characters bring those points to the forefront of the story.
The novel, I thought, was a bit too wordy in some places, while I appreciated the author’s great talent, a rant going on for several pages, intellectual or not, just grinded the pacing to a halt. I very much enjoyed the offshoots, side stories, and nuanced character histories.
This is an entertaining, clever, and engaging book. I felt like a fly on the wall of entertainment getting an engaging perspective from all sides of the moviemaking industry.
December 15, 2025
Captivating behind-the-scenes blockbuster movie saga.
I was surprised to see the author's name, an actor I have always enjoyed, but settled to this quickly, finding him a very capable and verbose writer. This is his world. And this is Marvel by another name.
Intriguing from start to finish, it takes us through the entire journey of a new superhero movie, here in the Sparta Comic Galaxy, from inception and casting/preparation to filming and the premiere.
Including the perspectives of the lead actor, himself a former drug addict and prisoner, the director, producers, cinematographers, their personal histories show us how they came to Major Machina and how they will ultimately interact on the set.
It's compelling, it really is. So many flawed personalities, so much ego and passion and hard work. There's philosophy and deep thought and a lot of considering what movies and this sort really mean. And when tragedy strikes, implications for the future of film-making which are clearly worrisome for the characters and our writer are also forefront.
This felt overlong at times, but was never less than a good read. In itself, the material is ripe for its own filmed version.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
I was surprised to see the author's name, an actor I have always enjoyed, but settled to this quickly, finding him a very capable and verbose writer. This is his world. And this is Marvel by another name.
Intriguing from start to finish, it takes us through the entire journey of a new superhero movie, here in the Sparta Comic Galaxy, from inception and casting/preparation to filming and the premiere.
Including the perspectives of the lead actor, himself a former drug addict and prisoner, the director, producers, cinematographers, their personal histories show us how they came to Major Machina and how they will ultimately interact on the set.
It's compelling, it really is. So many flawed personalities, so much ego and passion and hard work. There's philosophy and deep thought and a lot of considering what movies and this sort really mean. And when tragedy strikes, implications for the future of film-making which are clearly worrisome for the characters and our writer are also forefront.
This felt overlong at times, but was never less than a good read. In itself, the material is ripe for its own filmed version.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
October 9, 2025
ARC - made it about 15% through the book and couldn’t continue. Sorry to be the Debbie downer on the first review of an unpublished book. I’m sure this will hit with other folks - just not for me.
October 31, 2025
Unnamed Press provided an early galley for review.
Nelson has a long career (over 35 years) in TV and film, including a couple super-hero flicks. So, this story for his second novel is written from a place he knows. He has spent a lot of time around a Hollywood set and all the various people who work there. No doubt, he knows from whence he draws his inspiration and references.
The challenge, for me, is that this novel is very dialogue heavy. Pages will go on with back and forth between two characters (often with no reminding dialogue tags or character actions to help remind us who is who). In one scene several page scene, one character describes to another the inner workings of a film camera. While this certainly works for a script where what the characters are saying often carries the action, it loses me when I am reading it in a book. I need lots of descriptions (setting, body language, etc.) to break up the talky-talky. Otherwise, I start to zone out. That happened several times in the first quarter of the book alone.
Still, I stuck with the book for two reasons: 1) to see how things played out for these flawed characters and 2) for the thinly-veiled commentary on Marvel Studios. Nelson covers the ground in both of these areas, along with quite a bit of inside references to the whole film making business. I have to admit that the story took some turns I was not expecting in the final act.
In the end, I feel this one will do well with the right audience.
Nelson has a long career (over 35 years) in TV and film, including a couple super-hero flicks. So, this story for his second novel is written from a place he knows. He has spent a lot of time around a Hollywood set and all the various people who work there. No doubt, he knows from whence he draws his inspiration and references.
The challenge, for me, is that this novel is very dialogue heavy. Pages will go on with back and forth between two characters (often with no reminding dialogue tags or character actions to help remind us who is who). In one scene several page scene, one character describes to another the inner workings of a film camera. While this certainly works for a script where what the characters are saying often carries the action, it loses me when I am reading it in a book. I need lots of descriptions (setting, body language, etc.) to break up the talky-talky. Otherwise, I start to zone out. That happened several times in the first quarter of the book alone.
Still, I stuck with the book for two reasons: 1) to see how things played out for these flawed characters and 2) for the thinly-veiled commentary on Marvel Studios. Nelson covers the ground in both of these areas, along with quite a bit of inside references to the whole film making business. I have to admit that the story took some turns I was not expecting in the final act.
In the end, I feel this one will do well with the right audience.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews