Superfolks follows Indigo (David Brinkley), a retired top superhero whose powers return amid a midlife crisis. Mayer uses broad satire and dark humor to undercut superhero conventions. Initially misunderstood, the novel has been re-evaluated over decades and is now often cited in conversations about the genre's shift toward deconstruction. The book contains explicit and controversial material and is aimed at adult readers.
One of the funniest and most subversive superhero novels
Robert Mayer's Superfolks remains a bracingly funny and acidic take on the superhero mythos. First published in 1977, the novel imagines a near future in which most classic costumed heroes have retired, been killed, or faded from public view.
Premise and tone
The story centers on Indigo, once the world's greatest superhero. Now living under the name David Brinkley, he has left heroics behind for an office job, a wife, and the ordinary annoyances of middle age. As Indigo's powers begin to flicker back to life during a midlife crisis, Brinkley must choose between his settled domestic existence and a return to the chaotic streets of New York.
Mayer writes with broad, often dark humor. The book mixes slapstick and literary parody with adult themes and moments of real emotion. It includes satirical riffs on familiar archetypes - zany villains, a provocative take on Peter Pan, and an intentionally controversial send-up of iconic sibling heroes - so readers should be prepared for explicit material and edgy subject matter.
Historical reception and influence
When it first appeared, Superfolks puzzled critics and found a limited audience. Over time, readers and writers have reassessed the novel for its prescient deconstruction of superheroes. Later creators who helped shift comics toward darker, more self-aware stories cited similar impulses; Grant Morrison has written an introduction for a modern reissue, and contemporary artists have produced new covers and packaging for later editions.
Superfolks is frequently mentioned in discussions about the evolution of superhero storytelling alongside works such as Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns, and its tone can be seen echoed in some mainstream media that satirize heroism. Claims that it directly inspired specific works (including the Pixar film The Incredibles) appear in fan and critical commentary but deserve careful sourcing. 1
Should you read it?
If you like books that skew a beloved genre with irreverence - mixing goofy comedy, adult content, and moments of melancholy - Superfolks is worth trying. It's a book best approached as an adult satire that helped anticipate later, more mainstream deconstructions of the superhero idea.
Content warnings
The novel contains sexual content, dark humor, and themes that some readers will find provocative or offensive. It is not suitable for young readers.
Editions and reprints
Superfolks has been reprinted several times since 1977; later editions include new introductions and modern cover art. Readers looking for a current trade paperback or e-book edition should check major booksellers or library catalogs for the most recent imprint. 2
- Confirm details of modern reprint(s) of Superfolks: publisher(s), year(s), and whether St. Martin's Press issued a reprint.
- Verify that Grant Morrison wrote the introduction/foreword for a specific reissue and cite the edition.
- Confirm whether Mike Allred produced a specific cover for a reissue and identify which edition.
- Check reliable sources for claims about Superfolks' influence on Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and The Incredibles; identify statements by creators or scholars supporting or disputing direct influence.
- Confirm the original publication year (1977) and original publisher (Dial Press) from bibliographic records.