I may have committed a reader sin, but I decided NOT to refresh my memory on the first book before reading this one. I wanted to see how well it worked on its own, knowing I was risking disappointment. I'm happy to say I didn't have any issues, and the book did a good job of reminding me of the things I needed to know without slowing down the plot. There were three or four chapters that jumped back in time a few years, which wasn't enough to be annoying but I also felt weren't entirely necessary. Not really sure why they were needed.

Overall a good read about how modern-day comics run, and a great companion to the first novel.

A paean to the world of superhero comic books - not the licensed characters and conglomerates that have turned them into megablockbusters, but to the creators, writers, and artists who have poured their souls into bringing these superheroes into the world to right wrongs and represent the underrepresented.
This is the story of a young Cubana artist from Miami who, influenced by the early Lynx comic written by a woman, attempts to make her way in NYC in the world of comics. The timeline of the novel moves between different times in the life of this strong female character: grade school, college, early career in NY, Hollywood, and back to NY (although not in this linear fashion). Sometimes that was difficult to follow in the audiobook if I did not catch the year at the start of a section, but the writing made it clear. It’s also a story about family and following one’s dreams. There are mysteries unraveled along the way and several characters made interesting with just a few details. Only the FMC is developed in any detail but it’s a book about her, so that’s fine. Perhaps there were a couple of convenient deaths as well, but this is why 4 stars and not 5.
You don’t have to be a comic book lover to enjoy this standalone novel. It’s a good follow-up to Michael Chabon’s excellent “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” which is about the comics from inception to its “Golden Age.” Alter Ego is contemporary but does reference earlier artists from that period and acknowledges how Marvel and DC have become juggernauts with their licensing and movie tie-ins.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. The book will be available Dec 3, 2024.