Writer Alex Segura is not only a Miami-native, but he's also an alumni of Miami Dade College! He's written mystery novels and comic books for Marvel and Archie. His latest book, Alter Ego combines both mystery, murder and comic book history. But, did ya' know, it's actually book two in a comic/mystery series?
We have both books available for check-out in the Library and here are some thoughts on the first, Secret Identity. No spoilers but not all thumbs-up…
This is my second pass at a review of this novel; the first was turning much too harsh for such a nice guy. See, I kind of know Alex Segura. We're both from Miami (obviously), went to the same college, and we worked together a little bit about two years ago on a comic-con project. So, I'm gonna sheath my claws, but still be honest:
In Secret Identity, Alex Segura serves up an okay premise in a setting with a lot of potential - the chaotic, creative, and sometimes duplicitous world of comic book publishing. Sadly, all of this is handled in a oddly awkward and insecure way, as though the author couldn't find the confidence needed to fully tell the tale.
Maybe Segura failed to get a grip on his main character (who never rises above a collection of traits), maybe he felt overwhelmed at the attempt of recreating mid-70's New York with any realism and authenticity, maybe he was swamped by so many industry anecdotes and references he wanted to pack into the story that the pressure of it all just got to him.
What we get is an unfocused, tenuous take that is over-written and self-conscious - neither Noir mystery, nor slice-of-life. Soap-opera at best, and there is a tradition of this in comics, so… shrug Ultimately, it reads like a draft that needs more polish.
It's a shame, as other writers have successfully worked this territory in recent years, from Meghan Molin's Golden Arrow mysteries, to Alan Moore's recent What We Can Know About Thunderman (included in his book Illuminations, available here in the Library!), and the history and chicanery and larger-than-life personalities that characterize comics in America are ripe for exploration. Segura clearly knows the history, as the book quickly becomes more of an Easter-egg hunt for comic fans, than a compelling piece of fiction.
I will say this - the “Legendary Lynx” is a pretty cool character; the new woman superhero that Segura's MC, Carmen Valdez is determined to get published in comics, even if it kills her (and it just might…) . I would buy this comic, particularly if set in the 70's like here in this novel and capturing the energy and "relevance" of comic books during the period. There is a gutsy, gritty vibe to the Lynx that I do like very much (there are even cool illustrated pages taken right from the Lynx comic included in the book),
But Carmen herself just never rises above 2-D - we know she's Hispanic, we know she's queer, we know she's struggling hard in a very male-dominated industry. But we never get to know her. Round about chapter 7 or so, Carmen flashes back to a writing class she attended, in which the instructor lectured on letting characters come to life, letting them become so real that they take over the story. Good advice - the irony is that Mr. Segura didn't seem to trust himself enough to take it.
Have you read this book? Get it here in the Library! Do you agree with the review above, or disagree? Share your thoughts!