Fatale, is a composite woman, skin and chrome, with a ponytail. She's not doing much, dreaming of crime fighting, watching day time television, worrying about getting fat and rusting, when a call comes for her to join the superhero team she has always dreamed about--The Champions. Flying to the top secret headquarters in Manhattan, Fatale meets Damsel, Blackwolf, Feral, and Lily. Missing is Corefire, lost in a fiery plunge to Earth from space a while back. Fatale learns that Doctor Impossible has escaped from his escape proof prison and is once again plotting to take over the world. The Champions must find a way to stop him--and without their strongest member, the only one who could stop him in the past.

If you are a superhero fan then this is the book that you have been waiting for. Written, in part, from the villain perspective, this book lets you in on how the evildoers think, how they make their decisions, and why so many of them turn out bad. It's extremely well done and Grossman does a superb job of keeping the right level of irony up front while not letting it become so overbearing as to become pastiche. If you ever wanted to know what it was really like to be on the inside of a superhero team or how the heroes who made up the second or third layers thought then you need to read this. There's a great balance of plot and humor along with some fine writing.

I liked this book. From the first paragraph right through the last I found the writing clear and concise without ever becoming overly self indulgent. I found the character of Doctor Impossible to be both sympathetic and real, and Grossman does an excellent job of playing the character for all it's worth. This is a fun book and even if you aren't someone who has spent a lot of time following a superhero or two you'll find it enjoyable.

A definite recommended read.