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The Chowderhead Crusades
Comic-Con, 2036. The world is rocked by the bizarre and inexplicable materialization of Cateklysm Catholicon – a colorfully clad whackjob decreeing that humanity's only hope lies in the lessons found in superhero comic books. "Cateklysm's Challenge" is born, enticing even the most skeptical with a prize that promises "the power to change the world."
But two decades later, the world has gone to crap. The prize, the Challenge, and Cateklysm himself have all been forgotten by everyone but the Chowderheads – diehard superhero worshippers, who champion the progressive ideology infused into comics.
Enter Clayton Clayborn, a tragically orphaned, seventeen-year-old, second-generation Chowderhead living a dystopian nightmare existence on a Martian space freighter. Obsessed with the Challenge, he'll face a gauntlet of comic book nerdery that will take him to alien worlds, thrust him into gladiatorial combat against supervillain look-alikes, and push him to the brink of annihilation in the heart of what seems to be the Batcave. But as Stan Lee would put it, “Excelsior.”
"The comic book nerd's Ready Player One...Fun, frenetic, creative, and the ending hits like a ton of bricks."
-Portland Book Review
5 Stars. Irreverent and utterly charming...an accomplished work...a truly heroic adventure.
-Readers' Favorite
“Great humor...unpredictable plot that keeps the reader turning the page.”
-Manhattan Book Review
But two decades later, the world has gone to crap. The prize, the Challenge, and Cateklysm himself have all been forgotten by everyone but the Chowderheads – diehard superhero worshippers, who champion the progressive ideology infused into comics.
Enter Clayton Clayborn, a tragically orphaned, seventeen-year-old, second-generation Chowderhead living a dystopian nightmare existence on a Martian space freighter. Obsessed with the Challenge, he'll face a gauntlet of comic book nerdery that will take him to alien worlds, thrust him into gladiatorial combat against supervillain look-alikes, and push him to the brink of annihilation in the heart of what seems to be the Batcave. But as Stan Lee would put it, “Excelsior.”
"The comic book nerd's Ready Player One...Fun, frenetic, creative, and the ending hits like a ton of bricks."
-Portland Book Review
5 Stars. Irreverent and utterly charming...an accomplished work...a truly heroic adventure.
-Readers' Favorite
“Great humor...unpredictable plot that keeps the reader turning the page.”
-Manhattan Book Review
- GenresScience Fiction
ebook
First published December 27, 2020
72 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Walsh
2books17followersJ.J. Walsh is a novelist and owner of San Francisco-based advertising agency, Iron Creative Communication. He lives in San Francisco with his wife, two boys, and their Labrador Retriever. So far, his comic book knowledge has not been called upon to save the world. But he is ready.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 10, 2021
I reviewed this book for the Portland Book Review. It's mostly the same as what I wrote below, just a little more formal and, crucially, it was written before I read Ready Player Two:
Saying anything is the "Ready Player One for fans of [insert thing here]" can have unintended consequences, but I'm telling you, The Chowderhead Crusades is a good book—and, in a few ways, it's actually more exemplary of the obscure-trivia-with-practical-applications genre than Ready Player One.
Fueling said obscure trivia here are superhero comic books (if you couldn't tell by the cover) and even though I've only read, like, three or four comic books my whole life, I was still engaged by the subject matter and the complexity of the puzzles. It never beats you over the head with anything and the characters often figure things out at pace with the reader. (If you are a huge comics nerd, I reckon you'll still be surprised by some of these trivia deep dives.)
Of particular note is that The Chowderhead Crusades has its own future culture—it's so much more than a simple grab-bag of super hero references. The premise is that a powerful fuel source discovered on Mars necessitates a fleet of mining ships to get the fuel back home and, in an ethically dubious twist, the ships are peopled mostly by inmates and wards of the state. Meanwhile, the contest at the heart of this book is announced in such a bizarre fashion that many characters question whether it's all just a big joke: Some kitschy, superhero-reject-looking-mofo drops in on a comic book convention and tasks the world with solving an uber-nerdy crossword puzzle.
With a few exceptions, the contest is only attempted by the biggest nerds with the most free time on their hands. In the case of our main character (one of those aforementioned wards of the state aboard an interplanetary mining ship), he studies his comic books for clues at the end of each grueling day before passing out from exhaustion. But even in the context of the book's page count, the contest takes a backseat to other drama for long stretches, focusing instead on the mining company, that company's top brass, and the surprisingly epic adventures of the main characters.
The myriad superheroes are never used as a crutch; the whole gang is here, from Batman to Thor to Superman to Ant Man to the Hulk to Green Arrow and everything in between, but the author also makes up his own line of comic book heroes to inject into the mix, and they end up doing most of the heavy lifting.
It's interesting that this book released the same year as Ready Player Two. If you're like me, you were probably disappointed by the dark turn the sequel took and its focus on trivia that, frankly, wasn't very compelling. This book should get that bad taste out of your mouth. It's fun, it's frenetic, it's creative, and the ending hits like a ton of bricks. Highly, highly recommended.
Saying anything is the "Ready Player One for fans of [insert thing here]" can have unintended consequences, but I'm telling you, The Chowderhead Crusades is a good book—and, in a few ways, it's actually more exemplary of the obscure-trivia-with-practical-applications genre than Ready Player One.
Fueling said obscure trivia here are superhero comic books (if you couldn't tell by the cover) and even though I've only read, like, three or four comic books my whole life, I was still engaged by the subject matter and the complexity of the puzzles. It never beats you over the head with anything and the characters often figure things out at pace with the reader. (If you are a huge comics nerd, I reckon you'll still be surprised by some of these trivia deep dives.)
Of particular note is that The Chowderhead Crusades has its own future culture—it's so much more than a simple grab-bag of super hero references. The premise is that a powerful fuel source discovered on Mars necessitates a fleet of mining ships to get the fuel back home and, in an ethically dubious twist, the ships are peopled mostly by inmates and wards of the state. Meanwhile, the contest at the heart of this book is announced in such a bizarre fashion that many characters question whether it's all just a big joke: Some kitschy, superhero-reject-looking-mofo drops in on a comic book convention and tasks the world with solving an uber-nerdy crossword puzzle.
With a few exceptions, the contest is only attempted by the biggest nerds with the most free time on their hands. In the case of our main character (one of those aforementioned wards of the state aboard an interplanetary mining ship), he studies his comic books for clues at the end of each grueling day before passing out from exhaustion. But even in the context of the book's page count, the contest takes a backseat to other drama for long stretches, focusing instead on the mining company, that company's top brass, and the surprisingly epic adventures of the main characters.
The myriad superheroes are never used as a crutch; the whole gang is here, from Batman to Thor to Superman to Ant Man to the Hulk to Green Arrow and everything in between, but the author also makes up his own line of comic book heroes to inject into the mix, and they end up doing most of the heavy lifting.
It's interesting that this book released the same year as Ready Player Two. If you're like me, you were probably disappointed by the dark turn the sequel took and its focus on trivia that, frankly, wasn't very compelling. This book should get that bad taste out of your mouth. It's fun, it's frenetic, it's creative, and the ending hits like a ton of bricks. Highly, highly recommended.
December 28, 2020
If you loved READY PLAYER ONE and you love comic books... this is a deliciously fun romp of an adventure!!
December 28, 2020
A high-energy romp with entertaining characters. Walsh has produced an epic adventure for SF fans, especially those with a keen interest in comic books. Thrills, laughs, romance -- this one has it all.
January 4, 2021
The Chowderhead Crusades is a fun sci-fi novel in the vein of Ready Player One. It depicts a world in which comic books have become the dominant religion (they are even called "Scriptures").
There's lots of great dialogue which reminds me of the movie "Clerks", in which characters geek out on comic book lore and social commentary. Are the history of comic books a reflection of all our worst racial and gender prejudices, or are they a shining example of progressivism taking over and "retconning" (retroactively writing something out of continuity), so that we eventually get a black woman as Captain Marvel?
The world is richly imagined, with just the right amount of detail, like a good comic book artist would render. Enough to create a vivid impression, but not so much that it gets in the way of the plot.
The language is infused with a comic book physicality. Thoughts come out of the protagonist like "a haymaker from the Thing", and his romantic attempts are "a profound feat of denial".
One of the funniest lines in the book, oddly enough, is "Professor X is an asshole! An asshole!" But you'll have to read the book, and look up X-Men #42, to find out why he's an asshole. I won't ruin the fun for you.
Overall, this was a great read, and much more enjoyable than all the clichéd superhero movies that have been coming out of Hollywood in recent years. It scratches that comic book itch in a way that nothing else has come close to for me.
The Kindle edition I downloaded was very well formatted, and felt like a lot of love had been put into it.
There's lots of great dialogue which reminds me of the movie "Clerks", in which characters geek out on comic book lore and social commentary. Are the history of comic books a reflection of all our worst racial and gender prejudices, or are they a shining example of progressivism taking over and "retconning" (retroactively writing something out of continuity), so that we eventually get a black woman as Captain Marvel?
The world is richly imagined, with just the right amount of detail, like a good comic book artist would render. Enough to create a vivid impression, but not so much that it gets in the way of the plot.
The language is infused with a comic book physicality. Thoughts come out of the protagonist like "a haymaker from the Thing", and his romantic attempts are "a profound feat of denial".
One of the funniest lines in the book, oddly enough, is "Professor X is an asshole! An asshole!" But you'll have to read the book, and look up X-Men #42, to find out why he's an asshole. I won't ruin the fun for you.
Overall, this was a great read, and much more enjoyable than all the clichéd superhero movies that have been coming out of Hollywood in recent years. It scratches that comic book itch in a way that nothing else has come close to for me.
The Kindle edition I downloaded was very well formatted, and felt like a lot of love had been put into it.
Read
January 1, 2024Started: 12.15.23
Finished: 12.18.23
~The Chowderhead Crusades by J.J. Walsh | #audio
~Narrated by: Patton Oswalt
#JayBookSexxy2023Boal Book.128
SynopSin: Quirky, fun, nerdy, and funny. Think "Ready Player One" but with comic books instead 80’s-90’s pop-culture. I enjoyed quite a lot. Will def read more by Walsh.
Narrator: Oswalt is a fu(king delight.
JBSR: 📚📚📚1/2
JBSAR: 📚📚📚📚📚
Fave quotes:
"For me MJ was the embodiment of a vital message: No matter how hopeless life seemed, thing could get better. Even after Peter’s parents died in a car wreck. Even after his beloved uncle Ben was slain by a dirtbag gunman. Even after his first love, Gwen Stacy, was murdered by the deranged Green Goblin. Things could get better. Because eventually a red-head with a huge heart and a figure molded by god on a pervy day, would show up at Peter’s door."
Finished: 12.18.23
~The Chowderhead Crusades by J.J. Walsh | #audio
~Narrated by: Patton Oswalt
#JayBookSexxy2023Boal Book.128
SynopSin: Quirky, fun, nerdy, and funny. Think "Ready Player One" but with comic books instead 80’s-90’s pop-culture. I enjoyed quite a lot. Will def read more by Walsh.
Narrator: Oswalt is a fu(king delight.
JBSR: 📚📚📚1/2
JBSAR: 📚📚📚📚📚
Fave quotes:
"For me MJ was the embodiment of a vital message: No matter how hopeless life seemed, thing could get better. Even after Peter’s parents died in a car wreck. Even after his beloved uncle Ben was slain by a dirtbag gunman. Even after his first love, Gwen Stacy, was murdered by the deranged Green Goblin. Things could get better. Because eventually a red-head with a huge heart and a figure molded by god on a pervy day, would show up at Peter’s door."
January 12, 2021
I'm embarrassed to say that I'm not much of a book reader and not even much of a fan of Sci Fi & Fantasy fan, but my friend told me I had to make an exception. After I finished watching the movie Ready Player One and then the book, my friend directed me to The Chowderhead Crusades. I didn't know what it meant to be a "Ready Player One story for comic book nerds", but now I do. Such a great book! I couldn't put it down. Out of respect, it's now stored right next to my comic books. This is a must read.
January 25, 2021
Higher body count than you might expect.
Most of what I would say has already been said about this one. Great nostalgic play for folks who are, or were at some point, comic book fans. Surprising plot twists, well-formed characters and dialogue. But the one thing folks haven't said is that the book really looks and reads like a good YA novel, but there are some themes that give it an edgier action movie vibe. Plenty of gunplay and fatalities, with stakes that are very real.
Most of what I would say has already been said about this one. Great nostalgic play for folks who are, or were at some point, comic book fans. Surprising plot twists, well-formed characters and dialogue. But the one thing folks haven't said is that the book really looks and reads like a good YA novel, but there are some themes that give it an edgier action movie vibe. Plenty of gunplay and fatalities, with stakes that are very real.
January 25, 2021
So. Much. Fun! Even as just a casual comic book fan, I was totally hooked. Definitely got some Ready Player One and Hitchhiker's vibes, which I loved! The Chowderhead Crusades is a great read for sci-fi, fantasy, action, and comic book readers alike. Ticked all the boxes for what you'd want out of a story like this. I shared it with my brother as well, and we're already fan casting the movie. Highly recommend!
December 28, 2020
This book is a really fun read! I'm actually not even into comics, but this story had me hooked from the beginning and I could hardly put it down until I finished reading it! I actually think this story would make a super-fun movie :) I just might read it again before the year is out :) Highly recommended!!!
January 6, 2021
I purchased this book on a recommendation from a friend and I was very surprised at how entertaining the story was. I loved the book! Walsh has a way of describing things and building the plot as if it were an actual comic book. I'm a big fan of Marvel Comics and this book fed my desire for a superhero fix. Great investment for all of the comic book purests out there!
January 24, 2021
Unexpectedly engaging read! I have very limited exposure to comic books but I loved Ready Player One, so I gave this a shot. Yes, it’s about comics, and yes there are plenty of comic book tropes in play - but the central story is 100% accessible, and the characters are very lovable. Of course, if you’re a comic book fan, I think it would be an absolute must-read.
January 27, 2021
Pretty upbeat for a dystopian story. The world in which the book is set is a major bummer, but unlike a lot of dystopian sci-fi, the book doesn't let you get lost in that. The pace of the adventure, the various mysteries unfolding, and the energy of the characters gave it a light feel, even when things were downright dark. Definitely worth a read.
July 26, 2021
I love superhero comics, treasure hunts, and Patton Oswalt (who narrated), so this audiobook ticked a lot of my boxes. It was ambitious, but the resolution felt a bit simplistic. Still, for something that relied heavily on references to other pop culture, it was streets ahead of Ready Player One because it actually grappled with why certain stories and characters resonate with certain people.
August 7, 2021
Plot really moved along once the story got set up - plenty of great surprises. But the comic book references were like a nostalgia time machine, taking me back to my childhood reading early Superman comics. If you don’t have any history with comics, it might not be as much fun, but I had a great time.
January 22, 2023
Ready Player One, but with superhero comic book focus instead of the 80s and a more sci-fi touch (meaning spaceships, androids, etc)
It was entertaining enough to keep me engaged and certainly has a couple of good twists, which I didn’t see coming.
But it didn’t fully click with me. Maybe it’s just me getting old, who knows.
Somewhere in between 3 and 4 starts would feel right for this one
It was entertaining enough to keep me engaged and certainly has a couple of good twists, which I didn’t see coming.
But it didn’t fully click with me. Maybe it’s just me getting old, who knows.
Somewhere in between 3 and 4 starts would feel right for this one
July 2, 2024
Loved the story, loved the references! Most of the deep cuts were well beyond my knowledge of "the scriptures" lol. So I also enjoyed learning all those little nuggets of nerd. This definitely has notes of Ready Player One, but it's different enough to be it's own great story. Patton Oswalt is a perfect choice to read the novel as well. And I would 100% read the next Chronicle of this tale!
January 5, 2021
Definitely a rip off of Ready Player One, but……a good one. Heroic adventure awaits for comic book nerds and fans alike. Smartly narrated, with some irreverent humor and fun along the way. Generation Xers like myself might find some friendly familiarness here.
February 1, 2021
At first, I felt like the villains were a little two dimensional, but as the action movie feel was fleshed out, they fit right in, and I got really lost in the various mysteries popping up every chapter or two and the unexpected turns the plot kept taking. Overall, it was just great fun.
August 6, 2021
A very sweet romance wrapped in an action movie, infused with some great insights about the power of comic books and comic book creators!
March 7, 2024
Fun but forgettable. Trying to hard to do Ready Player One with comics.
April 13, 2024
Loved it..a great read..
July 8, 2024
Really enjoyed this. It reminded me very strongly of Ready Player One, but for comic-book fans, exactly as noted on the cover image.
July 24, 2024
A fun read. I listened to it on Audible. Patton Oswald does a great job performing it.
April 23, 2021
Great read! Nice job incorperating the different comic books
January 28, 2022
This book is advertised as "The Comic book geek's Ready Player One" and that is an apt description. I would even go so far to say the book is derivative of RPO, but it's very strength in relying solely on comic book lore is at the same time its weakness as well. The book does the best it can to stay interesting and relevant by throwing in comic book references and inside jokes, but as much as I liked it even that got old after awhile. Patton Oswalt adds immeasurably to the telling of the tale in his performance on the audio version, but unless you know Marvel and DC history better than you know mainstream history you might want to think twice.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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