Alter Ego - by Alex Segura (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Alex Segura, LA Times Book Prize-winning author of Secret Identity, returns with a clever and escapist mystery set in the world of comic books. In the present day, a comics legend is given the chance to revive a beloved but forgotten character. But at what price? Annie Bustamante is a cultural force like none other: an acclaimed filmmaker, an author, a comic book artist known for one of the all time best superhero comics in recent memory. But she's never been able to tackle her longtime favorite superhero, the Lethal Lynx. Only known to the most die-hard comics fans and long out of print, the rights were never available-until now. But Annie is skeptical of who is making the offer: Bert Carlyle's father started Triumph Comics, and has long claimed ownership of the Lynx. When she starts getting anonymous messages urging her not to trust anyone, Annie's inner alarms go off. Even worse? Carlyle wants to pair her with a disgraced filmmaker for a desperate media play. Annie, who has been called a genius, a sell-out, a visionary, a hack, and everything else under the sun, is sick of the money grab. For the first time since she started reading a tattered copy of The Legendary Lynx #1 as a kid, she feels a pure, creative spark. The chance to tell a story her way. She's not about to let that go. Even if it means uncovering the dark truth about the character she loves. Sharply written, deftly plotted, and with a palpable affection for all kinds of storytelling, Alter Ego is a one-of-a-kind reading experience"--

Book Synopsis

Instant USA Today bestseller

Featured in Cosmopolitan, Parade, the Los Angeles Times, and The Hollywood Reporter

"Thrilling." --Wall Street Journal

Alex Segura, award-winning author of Secret Identity, returns with a clever and escapist standalone sequel set in the world of comic books. In the present day, a comics legend is given the chance to revive a beloved but forgotten character. But at what price?

Annie Bustamante is a cultural force like none other: an acclaimed filmmaker, an author, a comic book artist known for one of the all time best superhero comics in recent memory. But she's never been able to tackle her longtime favorite superhero, the Lethal Lynx. Only known to the most die-hard comics fans and long out of print, the rights were never available--until now.

But Annie is skeptical of who is making the offer: Bert Carlyle's father started Triumph Comics, and has long claimed ownership of the Lynx. When she starts getting anonymous messages urging her not to trust anyone, Annie's inner alarms go off. Even worse? Carlyle wants to pair her with a disgraced filmmaker for a desperate media play.

Annie, who has been called a genius, a sell-out, a visionary, a hack, and everything else under the sun, is sick of the money grab. For the first time since she started reading a tattered copy of The Legendary Lynx #1 as a kid, she feels a pure, creative spark. The chance to tell a story her way. She's not about to let that go. Even if it means uncovering the dark truth about the character she loves.

Sharply written, deftly plotted, and with a palpable affection for all kinds of storytelling, Alter Ego is a one-of-a-kind reading experience.

Review Quotes

Praise for Alex Segura's Alter Ego

"A clever and escapist mystery set in the world of comic books." --The Nerd Daily

"No one is writing books as unique and riveting as Alex Segura. Alter Ego is a smart, fantastic ride through a mysterious world you may not know but will feel totally comfortable in thanks to Segura's creative genius. It pulls you in and keeps you turning pages." --Michael Connelly

"The suspense and tension in Alex Segura's Alter Ego builds slowly, like the best of Hitchcock's films, and then, with the turn of one more page, all the setups and foreshadowing explode in this finely-tuned plot. Annie and daughter Margot are true gems, steeped in authenticity and visceral emotion. Segura is an excellent writer and he brings his A-game to this rollicking page ripper. Don't miss it." --David Baldacci

"Not only does Alex Segura's Alter Ego contain the best Jewel reference in fiction ever, it's the kind of book that makes you feel so much--a creative and inspiring mystery that is also smart and romantic. This book arrived at the perfect time for me, and I couldn't stop thinking about it." --Caroline Kepnes

"Alter Ego is a love letter to comics, creation, and the mystery of family. Alex Segura writes with such assurance and joy, a sly wit and a clear love for the characters. I was pulled in from page one and tore through this moving tale." --Victor LaValle, author of Lone Women

"The follow-up to Segura's thrillingly original (and wildly fun) Secret Identity is every bit as standout as the original. Slick, surprising, and witty, Alter Ego brims with surprises and heart--the literary equivalent of nerding out with your most passionate and knowledgeable comics-loving friend." --Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Spare Room and We Were Never Here

"Alex Segura knows how to write a propulsive mystery that hooks you from chapter one. Most of all, I loved Segura's deep and compassionate portrayal of Annie Bustamante, a reluctant heroine I wholeheartedly rooted for until the very end. Alter Ego is a must-read." --Zoraida Córdova, USA Today bestselling author of Star Wars: The High Republic Convergence

"Alter Ego is both a thriller and a character study. At the core of this masterfully told story is a woman artist trying to make her way in a treacherous world of intrigue and betrayal. That she is attempting to do so in the arcane business of comic book publishing is fascinating and highly entertaining. Segura writes with the cool efficiency of a professional assassin. Buy this book NOW and you will read it in one sitting." --T.J. English, New York Times bestselling author of Havana Nocturne and The Last Kilo

"An amusing look at the comic books industry with crime and mystery elements. A perfect follow-up novel." --Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of Mexican Gothic and The Seventh Veil of Salome

"Sticks the landing beautifully. A ride worth taking, especially for comic book fans." --Kirkus Reviews

"Segura's plotting is vivid and fast-paced, and his experience as a comics artist lends depth to the proceedings, with gorgeous excerpts from Annie's in-progress Legendary Lynx comic sprinkled throughout. This will thrill traditional mystery fans and comics devotees alike." --Publishers Weekly

"This entertaining sequel vividly depicts the IP-obsessed contemporary comic book world and its threats to comic artists, such as being replaced by artificial intelligence. It's a compelling setting for Segura's richly complicated characters" --Library Journal

"An exciting, modern-day, comic-filled mystery" --Booklist

"One of my favorite books of the year." --BookRiot

"Terrific" --Newsarama

"Alex Segura imbues Alter Ego with all the enthusiasm and knowledge of a lifelong comic book aficionado" --Crimereads

"Segura deftly conjures up a world of creative energy and spark, while also lacing it with a satisfying and provocative mystery. He's found a rich terrain here, and readers are grateful for more." --Crimereads

"An ambitious and largely successful blend of mystery, industry critique, and character study [...] the emotional core of the story and its examination of creative ownership in the modern age make it a worthy read." --The Bookish Elf

"For fans of mystery thrillers who love the world of comics, or who at least won't mind the heavy dose of comic book enthusiasm in the pages, Alter Ego is a great pick." --Eulalie Magazine

"What Segura has created between his two books is an alternate comics universe, complete with historical publishers, beloved-but-unappreciated classic creators, and a pair of fantastic heroines." --Comics Beat

"I simply could not put down [...] Segura gives us a duel between the art and intellectual property, and the tug-of-war between legacy and profit. Segura has a keen ability to craft a story that delves into real-life issues comic book creators deal with while adding a layer of fiction, suspense and mystery to the story. Segura masterfully weaves in themes of intergenerational trauma, the complexities of parenthood, and the quest for personal identity. As the story unfolds, we get a gripping novel that reads like a thriller set in the world of comic book creation. A truly innovative and masterfully crafted novel. [...] Alter Ego is truly a work of art filled with suspense, intrigue, family dynamics, and the inner workings of the comic book industry. [...] This novel is a love letter to those who love comics, but can be enjoy by anyone looking for a great mystery novel." --Capes and Tights