Vespers

Twelve-step culture has room for everyone who needs it, including superhumans, according to this work, a strange mélange of superhero visuals, supernatural powers and earnest debates over religious philosophy. In the world Caputo creates, superheroes, much like pop celebrities, frequently turn to drugs, alcohol and other vices. Our heroine, Vesper, has set up a very special 12-step group at her home, where cosmic drifters can find a haven. A rock star who can fly—or rather spiritually "float" on souls—and communicate telepathically, Vesper includes a number of similarly gifted misfits in her circle: Dyspro, a man who has no memory of how his body became both ulcerated and extremely strong; Denizon, a ninja fighter who wears a body suit to hide his scarred exterior; Kinesis, who has telekinetic and telepathic powers; and Kelly, a centerfold model with an anger management problem. The devil, a hero named Angel and all the creepy-crawlies of the nether world also make appearances. The action is loosely centered around Kelly, who cannot accept the existence of God, the devil and hell. Of course, the devil makes good use of this broken vessel, possessing Kelly and attempting to destroy her friends. With its manic b&w drawing style, typical 12-step obsession with nonspecific spirituality and ironic delight in stereotypically drawn superheroes often too hideous to look at, this title may be best appreciated as a thoughtful work of high camp. (Oct.)