Failstate Series by John W. Otte

Robin Laughlin (aka. Failstate) is a contestant in a reality TV show called America’s Next Superhero. His goal? To become an official, licensed superhero. It doesn’t help matters that his powers are often out of control, that his handsome big brother is wining the hearts of the voters, or that Robin can’t even remove his mask or viewers would shriek from fright. When one of his competitors is murdered, Robin sets out to find the killer, hoping for justice and to prove he’s no failure.

A young superhero. A legend reborn. And a whole mess of zombies. * Failstate (a.k.a., Robin Laughlin) thought his life would get easier after he'd earned his superhero license. But now a legendary superhero has returned from the dead... along with a horde of shambling horrors who want to eat his brains. * New Chayton's other licensed heroes are indisposed, meaning that the whole weight of protecting the city has fallen on Failstate. And nobody thinks he's up to the challenge... moreA young superhero. A legend reborn. And a whole mess of zombies. * Failstate (a.k.a., Robin Laughlin) thought his life would get easier after he'd earned his superhero license. But now a legendary superhero has returned from the dead... along with a horde of shambling horrors who want to eat his brains. * New Chayton's other licensed heroes are indisposed, meaning that the whole weight of protecting the city has fallen on Failstate. And nobody thinks he's up to the challenge. At least he has help from his older brother, Gauntlet, and his best friend, Veritas. Or does he? * As if the zombie apocalypse weren't enough, complicating things are not one but two beautiful girls vying for Failstate/Robin's affections-and his own powers are doing something... interesting. * In the superhero business, interesting is bad. * Legends walk the streets of New Chayton. If Failstate can somehow survive the next few weeks, he could become one of them. *** John W. Otte leads a double life. By day, he's a Lutheran minister. He graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a theatre major and then from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. By night, he writes weird stories. He lives in South St. Paul, MN, with his wife and two sons. Find John online at www.johnwotte.com. less

Abaddon will destroy you all!Robin Laughlin (a.k.a. the superhero Failstate) has finally achieved his dream. Not only is he a licensed vigilante, but he’s respected by his fellow heroes, feared by criminals, and he’s finally achieved peace in his family, especially with his brother, Ben (a.k.a. the superhero Gauntlet). That, plus the love of his girlfriend, Charlene, has made life good.But then Failstate learns a secret about his father... moreAbaddon will destroy you all!Robin Laughlin (a.k.a. the superhero Failstate) has finally achieved his dream. Not only is he a licensed vigilante, but he’s respected by his fellow heroes, feared by criminals, and he’s finally achieved peace in his family, especially with his brother, Ben (a.k.a. the superhero Gauntlet). That, plus the love of his girlfriend, Charlene, has made life good.But then Failstate learns a secret about his father. Rather than the loving family man he remembers, Failstate’s father was a criminal who got himself killed when he crossed the wrong people. Before he can process this new information, he receives a warning that a villain named Abaddon is coming to New Chayton. The message is all the more disturbing since it’s delivered by Lux. She died in Failstate’s arms a year earlier. How can she possibly be alive?Those mysteries will have to wait, though, as Abaddon storms New Chayton, strewing death and destruction in his wake. But he’s not the only newcomer. Unusual heroes are appearing throughout the city.Can Failstate get to the bottom of the reappearance of Lux, the influx of new heroes, and the truth behind his father's past--all while keeping Abaddon at bay? Abaddon may prove to be Failstate’s greatest nemesis. But what will Failstate have to sacrifice along the way? less