Identity Crisis by Brad Meltzer

Posted May 5, 2014 by shooting in Uncategorized / 10 Comments

Identity Crisis by Brad Meltzer

Review by Lauren

copy from library; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: New York Times best-selling novelist Brad Meltzer (THE ZERO GAME; THE MILLIONAIRES) unleashes a murder mystery featuring some of the biggest pop icons in the world: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League. When the spouse of a JLA member is brutally murdered, the entire superhero community searches for the killer, fearing their own loved ones may be the next targets. Before the mystery is solved, a number of long-buried secrets will threaten to divide the heroes before they can bring the mysterious killer to justice. IDENTITY CRISIS is an all-too-human look into the lives of superheroes, and the terrible price they pay for doing good.

Review: Part of the reason I picked up this graphic novel (a collection of seven comics telling a full story) is because I recognized the author’s name. I haven’t read anything by Brad Meltzer, but he is someone I wish to check out in the future. As for now, I can say that I have a least read something by him, even if it’s not a novel.

This is another look at a large group of superheroes, many of which I hadn’t heard of or didn’t know much about. As I first started reading I wasn’t sure if this was the best fit for me, but I wanted to keep going and really get in the story. I’m glad I persevered because I really loved ended up loving this story. Told through various points of view (the current Robin, Green Arrow, etc.) this is a story of the superheroes behind the mask. When one of their own loses their wife, everyone is scared for their loved ones and the threat of their superhero identities no longer being safe. As the summary above states, during this time, long kept secrets are brought to life and they threaten to break apart the Justice League and it’s various members.

With all seven comics together, readers are given a full story and I really appreciated the details included in the narrative and artwork. While this isn’t the story I would recommend to novice superhero readers, it’s definitely something to work up to because it provides a realistic look at the men and women behind the suits and masks. These are people, whether they have super powers or not. They have people they love, there are things they fear, and Identity Crisis really delves into these issues and how these men and women (and teens – in the case of Robin) learn to cope and adjust when the darkness enters their private lives.

One of the quotes I really liked in the book comes from Batman, so I thought I would share:

“I chose this life.
I know what I’m doing.
And on any given day, I could stop doing it.
Today, however, isn’t that day.
And tomorrow won’t be either.”
-Bruce Wayne

This was read for the Graphic Novel Reading Challenge

10 responses to “Identity Crisis by Brad Meltzer

  1. This sounds like a great novel! I like watching superhero movies, although I'm not usually a comic book or graphic novel fan. My brother might love this, though, and I love that quote from Bruce Wayne you included. Awesome review 🙂

  2. This one has some good moments, but some really terrible stuff that doesn't fit the characters and led into some bad future developments.

  3. Oh wow…this actually sounds quite interesting Lauren! (I think I say that about every book you review, but I can't help it…you choose some really awesome books!) I'm a huge fan of superheroes, so I'll have to check this one out – the good artwork and the fabulous narration is definitely something I'd enjoy! Thanks so much for sharing and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

  4. I didn't know Brad Meltzer did comics too, I thought he just did Dan Brown style thrillers. This sounds like a cool look behind the mask of superheroes. I love that Batman quote. Great review, glad you ended up enjoying this!

  5. I love how you always have graphic novels on your blog, I feel like I'm living vicariously through you because I've never tried a graphic novel and all the ones you review sound really good! And if I ever read this, I'll probably try to read a few superhero related ones before this one just to familiarize myself 🙂

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