Review: Confessions of a D-List Supervillain by Jim Bernheimer

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Although strongly suspected I would before I began reading just by the back of the book blurb:

“Being a supervillain means never having to say you’re sorry…Unless it’s to the judge or the parole board. Even then, you don’t really have to. It’s not like it’s going to change the outcome or anything.”

  --I really enjoyed this book.

The main character, Calvin Stringel (or Mechani-Cal), makes the story work. He’s a second-string villain thrust into the limelight by cataclysmic events, and struggles to survive enemies from every corner, aiming at him through motives both subtle and overt.

Stringel is both pragmatic and petty, brilliant yet bumbling—a survivor just trying to make it through, sometimes to the next meager payoff (or paycheck if you’re a ‘good guy’). Even through his tarnished reputation and flawed worldview, I couldn’t help but root for him—even when the rest of the world wasn’t.

In a supervillain(sort of)/superhero(depending on your definition) vs. all comers that one might relegate to a graphic novel or comic book, the author does a superb job bringing the story to life in novel form. The dialogue and description, punctuated by Stringel’s thoughts and sometimes bumbling intentions, paint the picture and keep the story flowing with just enough time to ponder before the next conflict, twist or crisis—right up to the end.

Bernheimer’s book is one I strongly recommend picking up if you enjoy action, humor, and a twist or three wrapped up in a good story. It's available in print, ebook and audio.

For more information, check out Jim Bernheimer's Website
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