The Freedom Phalanx

The next CoH novel, The Freedom Phalanx, even though by a different author than the previous installment, The Web of Arachnos (Robin Laws vs Robert Weinberg) suffers from many of the same problems — cliches, uninvolving characters, etc. — of its predecessor, but without the pulp charm. Set in the late 80s, it details the reformation of the FP by Positron and Synapse. The original FP has fallen apart over time as its members have squabbled and died off, leaving the heroes of Paragon disorganized and listless, and the life of the city increasinly chaotic, corrupt, and crime-ridden,
Ho-hum. The majority of the interest in something like this should come from learning more about the “signature characters” and the city of Paragon. As to the first, we do, but nothing there really grabs — Positron is smart and earnest, Synapse doesn’t want to be a hero, Manticore is an anti-social vigilante, Statesman is filled with “all my loved ones will die around me as I live eternally” ennui, and Sister Psyche is truly screwed up. Ho, and again, hum. That’s about the depth of the characterization, which can be surpassed by 90% of the novels (and 75% of the comic books, and 40% of the CoX character logs) out there.
And as to Paragon City itself — the book seems riddled with what are either fundamental mistakes (the gleaming corporate towers of Skyway City?) or reflect a pre-Rikti world that has radically changed since then. Hard to tell, and hard to care.
It’s not that it’s a bad book. It’s just not all that good of one. Suitable for light-fluff reading in an airport or something like that. Any of the locals who want to borrow (after that glowing recommendation) are welcome to.