The weird and wonderful stories of the ancestors of todays comic-book and cinematic superheroes.
Superhumanshumans whove evolved into creatures stronger, smarter, and more gifted than we have any reason to befirst showed up in science-fictional narratives during the genres emergent Radium Age. Originally published between 1902 and 1928, the stories and excerpts anthologized in this volume by Joshua Glenn feature the likes of Marie Corellis Young Diana, who, having been rendered super-alluring via a rejuvenation experiment, seeks revenge on a sexist society; Thomas Dunbar, one of the first lab-created superhumans; Zoo and Yva, superwomen who contemplate the extermination of us mere mortals, thanks to George Bernard Shaw and H. Rider Haggard; and Alfred Jarrys André Marcueil, a scientist who develops a super-sexual capacity.
Hugo Gernsback gives us Ralph 124C 41+, a benevolent super-genius inventor who dwells atop a New York skyscraper. M.P. Shiel tells the story of Hannibal Lepsius, a homeschooled prodigy turned amoral tech-bro; and Karel Capek gives us Rudy Marek, an inventor who, having developed super powers, wonders whether civilization will survive his latest invention. Thea von Harbous genius scientist, Rotwang, is even less conscientious in his scheming; as is Arthur Conan Doyle''s ever-irascible Professor Challenger, here in one of his final outings. Finally, Jean de La Hires Nyctalope, a popular French super-powered crimefighter character, makes an appearance; and so does Edgar Rice Burroughss Tarzan of the Apes… though reduced to miniature size.
