Concrete is a non-traditional superhero created by Paul Chadwick. Chadwick has tried a multitude of times in different stories to explain Concrete's origin story, but let's just say it involves aliens. Concrete has superpowers akin to more traditional superheroes, but his stories are characterized by using his powers for noble causes, such as rescuing miners from a collapsed cave. Below are discussion questions for the next book club:
1. Paul Chadwick
seems to want Concrete to be a non-traditional superhero. In what ways does he accomplish this?
2. Were you satisfied
by Concrete's origin story? Was it
superfluous?
3. What is the
significance of Concrete being a former Senatorial speech writer?
4. What commentary on
products and promotion is Chadwick making with all of the Concrete memorabilia?
5. Did you find the
art or layout of Concrete to offer
anything of note?
6. Chadwick has said
these stories are semi-autobiographical, such as the one about hiking. Compare what Concrete tells us about its author versus what Shortcomings says about its author. Does the lens through which the author
reflects upon him or herself make a difference in the end result?
7. Was it wise for
Chadwick to focus on the human element of these stories? What is offered here that isn't offered in
say, The Thing plot arcs?
8. Concrete was written in the early
80s. Has this graphic novel aged well? How so?
What modern conventions are we missing/now accustomed to?
9. Chadwick seems
content with Concrete doing the mundane in his stories. Is this purposeful to better focus on the
human elements of the characters? Why
not have the best of both worlds: big exciting set pieces and human
elements?
10. Concrete, who
wants to write of his adventures, is surrounded by two writers: one for a
scientific journal and one aspiring novelist.
What is the significance of this combination of people?
11. The aliens who
transplanted Concrete's body were never heard from again and probably died on
their way back to their home planets, Poochie-style. Why?
12. The cover up
story is that Concrete is a cyborg created by the U.S. government, as opposed
to the whole alien thing. How is this
possibly a better alternative for the
masses to know?
13. Concrete clearly
loves Maureen on some level. Can a
doctor/patient relationship or a rock person/non-rock person relationship
work? Why is this important to the
series?
