Novelty Heroes — Tyler H. Jolley

2023 Next Generation Indie Book Finalist for Young Adult Fiction Did you know that you can buy a Russian nuclear submarine or a decommissioned WWII tank in the back of a comic book? Neither do Nate and Corey until they find vintage, obscure comic books in Nate's late grandmother's attic. Little do they know that the cheap cardboard subs and water pistol plasma guns that they purchase for a few nickels will come to life.Instead of spending their summer at the pool or riding bikes, they fly around in hover cars, bounce around in space shoes, and test their incredible strength with a Hercules bracelet. But when it comes down to who actually owns and controls the novelties . . . well, that's a different story.With a power struggle and popularity on the line, Nate and Corey's once rock-solid friendship is severed and their friends are forced to pick sides. A war is waged with cardboard tanks and milk jug flame throwers. Innocent fun turns an abandoned factory into a war zone. The consequences of the novelty war has unintended consequences -one that could be permanent.