Despite a litany of tragedies, Hal Creed managed to keep food on the table, a book in Thom's hand, and his head held high.

Teenager Thom Creed just wants to make his father proud. While I didn't consider it as mind-blowingly awesome as the Smugglers did, it was still an enjoyable, unique, and emotional read. I was already intrigued by the idea of a boy having to struggle with two secret identities - (his superheroic one as well as his sexual one), but the 10-rated review from The Booksmugglers sealed the deal. The Word: Chalk this up as another winning suggestion from The Booksmugglers. Justice: The most powerful of the superheroes, and leader of the League - a mix between Superman and the Martian Manhunter. Goran: Mysterious Eastern European immigrant, with whom Thom shares a strange connection. Ruth: An elderly, chain-smoking precog who gives Thom crusty but sensible advice. Golden Boy: The super-speedy leader of Thom's team in the League. Typhoid Larry: Another teammate, he has the ability to give people diseases. Miss Scarlett: One of Thom's teammates, and a flaming bitch. He now slaves away at a factory to provide a solid home life for his son. Used to be a famous non-powered superhero, until a crucial mistake cost him his hand, his standing in the League, and the lives of thousands of innocents. If Thom joins the League, he'll have to keep his heroics a secret from his father and his homosexuality a secret from everyone.

His Angst: When Thom discovers he has superpowers, the same superheroes who turned their backs on his father want Thom to join their team. The son of a disgraced superhero, he just wants to live a normal life, play basketball, graduate high school and make his father proud.

Hero by perry moore