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The Wraith: A Superhero Novel
by Frank Dirscherl
Category: Fantasy/Science Fiction
Description: In a world not far removed from our own, a city lies ravaged. Crime overruns its streets; its citizens are helpless. Crimelord Robert Latham, to the world-at-large a legitimate businessman, holds the city in his sway. Fear and intimidation rule throughout. One man stands above the rest, willing to fight for freedom. That man is The Wraith. The Wraith, the city's bogeyman, is known to exist only by a very few, and seen by even fewer. Those that do know of him, especially Latham, know to fear him, for his fury at those who commit evil has no bounds. By day, The Wraith is the reclusive billionaire Paul Sanderson, a man more mysterious than his night-time counterpart. Sensing the desperation of Latham and that his own time may be limited, Sanderson readies a replacement, a man deemed worthy to continue his in his stead, whether that man likes it or not. That man is Michael Reeve, an honest cop, someone similarly fighting for justice in a city where very little justice remains. It's a struggle for Reeve to come to terms with his new identity and the destiny handed to him by someone he has only heard of but never seen. Those around him are pulled, unwittingly and seeringly, into his nightmare. In desperation, Latham calls in someone to finish the job, to ensure Metro City finally becomes his, completely and utterly. Enter The Cobra, a creature whose origins have been lost in the mists of time. A creature whose sole purpose in life is to destroy--and conquer. Can the new Wraith save his city even while he struggles to save his own soul?
eBook Publisher: Coscom Entertainment, 2005
eBookwise Release Date: September 2005
 
10 Reader Ratings:
Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [193 KB]
Words: 43255
Reading time: 123-173 min.
"I love the coloring job and specially the 'glowing' eyes on the chest of the character."--Guillermo del Toro, Director, Blade II & Hellboy (on The Wraith comic book)
"I liked the story a lot ... it's a very strong debut."--Steve Englehart, Writer of Detective Comics & The Avengers
The Wraith staggered into the dark alley and came into the light of the full moon, his black cape no longer cloaking him in darkness, no longer shielding the Eyes of Judgment on his chest. Moving forward, he slumped against the wall to his left, panting and heaving. For what seemed an eternity, he rested there. Then, gathering his strength, continued forward. Coming to the end of the alleyway, The Wraith looked up into the night sky. The corpulent moon was almost blinding in its brightness. He reached for the ladder to the fire escape, and pulled. With a tired groan, the ladder lowered to the ground. He gasped, discomfort enveloping him, and began his ascent. He worked his way slowly upwards. At the top, The Wraith tried to climb over the balcony's railing but stumbled and fell onto several potted plants that were on the rooftop and lay there. He gathered his strength once more. In the weak balcony light, his injuries became clear. Blood oozed from a deep wound to his chest, the blood having splattered onto his arms where he had tried to stop its flow. His right shoulder was wounded just as badly. Weakly rising, The Wraith eyed the sliding door leading into the apartment. One step forward. Another. And another. One more, and he was there. He banged furiously on the door, panting, barely able to stand on his own strength, and waited for a response. "What the hell?" came a voice from within. A light turned on in the apartment, but nothing clear was visible through the curtains.
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