Panopolis Series by Cari Z.

Panopolis is a rough place to be an average Joe. I came here looking for adventure and excitement, but nobody cares about one more normal guy in a city filled with super-powered heroes. The closest I’ve come to glory is working in a bank that villains often rob. But then I maybe accidentally-on-purpose helped a villain escape the hero who was trying to save the day. Imagine my shock when, a week later, that villain asked me out for coffee... morePanopolis is a rough place to be an average Joe. I came here looking for adventure and excitement, but nobody cares about one more normal guy in a city filled with super-powered heroes. The closest I’ve come to glory is working in a bank that villains often rob. But then I maybe accidentally-on-purpose helped a villain escape the hero who was trying to save the day. Imagine my shock when, a week later, that villain asked me out for coffee. One date turned into more, and now I’m head over heels in love with Raul. Falling in love with the guy dubbed the Mad Bombardier isn’t without its downsides, though. I’ve had to deal with near-death encounters with other villains, awkwardly flirtatious heroes who won’t take no for an answer, and a lover I’m not sure I can trust. It’s getting to the point where I know I’ll have to make a choice: side with the heroes, or stand fast by my villain. Either way, I think my days as a normal guy are over. less

Making a name for myself as a Villain in Panopolis is hard work. Six months ago, my boyfriend broke me out of jail. Now he’s spending most of his time defending our turf against other Villains he accidentally freed along with me. And my new psychic powers are not only impossible to control, but they’re also giving me migraines.But it’s not all doom and gloom. My skills are improving every day, and Raul—aka the Mad Bombardier—and I have never been happier... moreMaking a name for myself as a Villain in Panopolis is hard work. Six months ago, my boyfriend broke me out of jail. Now he’s spending most of his time defending our turf against other Villains he accidentally freed along with me. And my new psychic powers are not only impossible to control, but they’re also giving me migraines.But it’s not all doom and gloom. My skills are improving every day, and Raul—aka the Mad Bombardier—and I have never been happier. That is, until my first solo job is interrupted by a mysterious woman who tells me that Raul has been kidnapped by a ruthless new Villain. The only way to free him is to do a job for Maggot, a man with scary ideas and an even scarier superpower.I can’t go to the cops or a Hero for help. Odds are they wouldn’t listen to me anyway. If I fail, Raul will be killed. If I succeed, we’ll both be bound to a man who’ll stop at nothing to put Panopolis on the path to civil war.It looks like the only way to win is to take out the competition. less

Being a Hero in Panopolis means living the high life: parties, money, influence, even reality television. And I’m one of the most powerful Heroes in the city. I have plenty of fans, a manager who looks out for me (after himself), and a job that pays the bills. I should be enjoying myself. Unfortunately, the downside of my superpower means I can’t touch anyone, which tends to put a damper on things... moreBeing a Hero in Panopolis means living the high life: parties, money, influence, even reality television. And I’m one of the most powerful Heroes in the city. I have plenty of fans, a manager who looks out for me (after himself), and a job that pays the bills. I should be enjoying myself. Unfortunately, the downside of my superpower means I can’t touch anyone, which tends to put a damper on things. I probably don’t deserve all those perks anyway, since I’m working in secret with two of Panopolis’s biggest Villains to undermine GenCorp—my main sponsor and the company that controls what gets through my force field. I obviously don’t trust my corporate overseers, but they’ve hired a new scientist who actually seems interested in helping me. Dr. Mansourian might have the answers to all my questions—not to mention a starring role in most of my dreams—but he’s hiding something big. If I let him have what he wants, I might not live to regret it. Then again, the way things are going in Panopolis these days, I might not live either way. less

The city of Panopolis has attracted more than ninety percent of both the superheroes—and villains—in America. But some find a purpose beyond Panopolis’s crowds, and Jamie Fletcher, aka Flourish, is one of those heroes.After a brutal battle with a powerful villain called Blight leaves him badly injured, Jamie’s taking time off to recover, but even in his mild-mannered preschool teacher persona, he can’t avoid Blight washing up in his backyard.Only, Blight’s wounded—and he has amnesia, too... moreThe city of Panopolis has attracted more than ninety percent of both the superheroes—and villains—in America. But some find a purpose beyond Panopolis’s crowds, and Jamie Fletcher, aka Flourish, is one of those heroes.After a brutal battle with a powerful villain called Blight leaves him badly injured, Jamie’s taking time off to recover, but even in his mild-mannered preschool teacher persona, he can’t avoid Blight washing up in his backyard.Only, Blight’s wounded—and he has amnesia, too. Jamie can’t turn this sad, gentle person into the police and his fellow heroes. He’ll help him recover, then send him on his way with none the wiser.Jamie didn’t count on other people tracking Blight down, and what that would mean for his secret identity.He didn’t count on falling in love, either.What happens when a villain stops being villainous, and a hero stops being so heroic? less