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The Bedazzlers
Godwin Zane (aka. Monochrome) thinks he's a hero. The press don't agree.
When an enormous rift in time and space opened over Manhattan, Zane used his magma powers to melt the machine generating it and save millions of lives. Unfortunately, he's an asshole, so the rift opening over Zane Tower was all the proof Americans needed to blame him.
In order to clear his name and prove himself a hero once and for all, Zane forms a superhero team called the Bedazzlers. The other members of the team are being bribed or blackmailed into service, and they hate him. But they'll have to overcome that if they're going to save a world facing extreme traffic, sea monsters, and a shortage of Hamilton tickets.
When an enormous rift in time and space opened over Manhattan, Zane used his magma powers to melt the machine generating it and save millions of lives. Unfortunately, he's an asshole, so the rift opening over Zane Tower was all the proof Americans needed to blame him.
In order to clear his name and prove himself a hero once and for all, Zane forms a superhero team called the Bedazzlers. The other members of the team are being bribed or blackmailed into service, and they hate him. But they'll have to overcome that if they're going to save a world facing extreme traffic, sea monsters, and a shortage of Hamilton tickets.
246 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2017
2 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Martina Fetzer
10 books26 followersMartina is a technical writer by day and a creative writer by night. She holds an M.A. in English from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in Emotional Whiplash from the Joss Whedon School of Fiction. She grew up reading comic books and watching stand-up, and now writes genre-bending sci-fi and fantasy stories. She likes her humor like she likes her font colors: #000000.*
*Her hobbies include writing alienating hex code jokes.
*Her hobbies include writing alienating hex code jokes.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 20, 2021
The Bedazzlers by Martina Fetzer is what happens when a superhero team starts up, but with a more cynical outlook than DC or Marvel would ever give the story.
Goodwin Zane (also known as Monochrome) is gray (yes, in color), a billionaire, and shoots magma. He also has an ego the size of the world. Because of his ego (and horrible personality) the press hates him. He’s a superhero (in his mind), but not according to the press. They blame him for everything that goes wrong, including giving many in the world powers when a portal opens above his building (not his fault). So, he starts a superhero group named after his favorite movie.
He offers bonuses to powered employees, and either bribes or extorts the others to join. He ends up with what looks to be a group with the worst powers ever. There’s a guy with spikes (either Porcupine guy or Cactus Jack depending on who you're talking to), a girl who has to hold someone’s hand or die, a cyborg (who’s husband’s soul lives in him as well), a writer who he designs a set of super armor for, the sorcerer supreme of this dimension (and his only friend), and Blanche, a woman who loves to knit sweaters for cats and is so white she blinds everyone who looks at her.
Oh, and those super teammates of his… they hate him.
Overall, this book is well written, and I enjoyed it. The wording and editing were professional and done well. I could picture everything in my mind, and I didn’t skip forward or have to reread anything.
I’ll be honest, when I saw the cover, I thought this was for kids. Be aware, it’s not. These are adults and many themes are approached. There’s a good diversity, which I enjoyed, and everyone has an issue. Especially Monochome who is trying to grow. It’s slow, but he’s trying (in his mind).
I recommend this creative book to anyone who likes comics, superheros, and jerks trying to be better. It’ll meet and exceed your expectations.
Goodwin Zane (also known as Monochrome) is gray (yes, in color), a billionaire, and shoots magma. He also has an ego the size of the world. Because of his ego (and horrible personality) the press hates him. He’s a superhero (in his mind), but not according to the press. They blame him for everything that goes wrong, including giving many in the world powers when a portal opens above his building (not his fault). So, he starts a superhero group named after his favorite movie.
He offers bonuses to powered employees, and either bribes or extorts the others to join. He ends up with what looks to be a group with the worst powers ever. There’s a guy with spikes (either Porcupine guy or Cactus Jack depending on who you're talking to), a girl who has to hold someone’s hand or die, a cyborg (who’s husband’s soul lives in him as well), a writer who he designs a set of super armor for, the sorcerer supreme of this dimension (and his only friend), and Blanche, a woman who loves to knit sweaters for cats and is so white she blinds everyone who looks at her.
Oh, and those super teammates of his… they hate him.
Overall, this book is well written, and I enjoyed it. The wording and editing were professional and done well. I could picture everything in my mind, and I didn’t skip forward or have to reread anything.
I’ll be honest, when I saw the cover, I thought this was for kids. Be aware, it’s not. These are adults and many themes are approached. There’s a good diversity, which I enjoyed, and everyone has an issue. Especially Monochome who is trying to grow. It’s slow, but he’s trying (in his mind).
I recommend this creative book to anyone who likes comics, superheros, and jerks trying to be better. It’ll meet and exceed your expectations.
December 20, 2017
This is a funny, smart, well-crafted novel about people with powers (that aren't exactly "super") coming together as a team because they were coerced into doing so by an eccentric billionaire obsessed with good public relations. Hijinks ensue!
Godwin Zane, AKA Monochrome, saved the world from annihilation but inadvertently caused some people to develop powers in the process. Instead of praising his heroism, the public largely blames him for the whole incident. A self-centered jerk, Zane isn't able to convince the world otherwise alone, so he assembles a team of powered individuals to undertake heroic deeds, all in the name of improving his image.
Fetzer continues to build upon the satirical worldview she introduced in Time Binge and elaborated in Time Purge. While those books are not required reading to enjoy The Bedazzlers, they do provide backstory for several of the characters. Plus, they're both really funny! I highly recommend both.
The Bedazzlers features many of the superhero tropes we've come to expect, but treated a little differently. Sometimes subverted, sometimes twisted, and sometimes played for laughs, Fetzer navigates the cliches and genre norms masterfully.
Returning characters Brooks, Smith, and Zane are given opportunities to grow alongside the new, well-developed cast. Character backstories and individual story arcs are given just enough attention to make the reader care while not belaboring the point. While satire is definitely in the driver's seat, there is plenty of heart to be found in this book, too.
Martina Fetzer continues to impress with another fast-paced, funny, smartly written adventure. I'm already looking forward to the next one!
Godwin Zane, AKA Monochrome, saved the world from annihilation but inadvertently caused some people to develop powers in the process. Instead of praising his heroism, the public largely blames him for the whole incident. A self-centered jerk, Zane isn't able to convince the world otherwise alone, so he assembles a team of powered individuals to undertake heroic deeds, all in the name of improving his image.
Fetzer continues to build upon the satirical worldview she introduced in Time Binge and elaborated in Time Purge. While those books are not required reading to enjoy The Bedazzlers, they do provide backstory for several of the characters. Plus, they're both really funny! I highly recommend both.
The Bedazzlers features many of the superhero tropes we've come to expect, but treated a little differently. Sometimes subverted, sometimes twisted, and sometimes played for laughs, Fetzer navigates the cliches and genre norms masterfully.
Returning characters Brooks, Smith, and Zane are given opportunities to grow alongside the new, well-developed cast. Character backstories and individual story arcs are given just enough attention to make the reader care while not belaboring the point. While satire is definitely in the driver's seat, there is plenty of heart to be found in this book, too.
Martina Fetzer continues to impress with another fast-paced, funny, smartly written adventure. I'm already looking forward to the next one!
October 3, 2017
I don't always care for independent Press books they can drag on and feel unpolished at times. With The Beddazzlers this was not the case. This was a fun ride from start to finish. It is high praise when a book can get me to actually laugh out loud this book did it a few times. The last book that did that was Good Omens.
If you like super heroes and comedy you can't go wrong with picking up this book.
If you like super heroes and comedy you can't go wrong with picking up this book.
February 11, 2023
This book is marketed as a spin-off from the series about Brooks and Smith, but check the author's website for the best reading sequence because it gets confusing to read just the B&S books, and then circle back to this one.
August 29, 2023
4/5 because not enough Eddie. Still a fun read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews