NEW YORKTIMESBESTSELLER From the legendary actor and best-selling author: a novel about the making of a star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film and the humble comic books that inspired it. Funny, touching, and thought-provoking, while also capturing the changes in American culture since World War II.

"Wild, ambitious and exceptionally enjoyable."Matt Haig, bestselling authorThe Midnight Library

Part One of this story takes place in 1947.A troubled soldier, haunted from the war, meets his talented five-year-old nephew, leaves an indelible impression, and then disappears for twenty-three years.

Cut to 1970:The nephew, now creating underground comic books in Oakland, California, reconnects with his uncle and,remembering a comic book he saw when he was five,draws a new version with his uncle as a World War II fighting hero.

Cut to present day:A commercially successful director discovers the 1970 comic book and decides to turn it into a contemporary superhero movie.

Cue the cast:We meet the films egotistical male star, the driven leading lady, the eccentric writer/director, the producer, the gofer production assistant, and everyone else on both sides of the camera.

Bonus material:Interspersed throughout are three comic books that are featured in the storyall written by TomHankshimselfincluding the comic book that becomes the officialtie-in to this novels "major motion picture masterpiece."