Being a bit of a reader and a superhero fan, it's not surprising that I've fallen into written superheroics. Here are a few that I've read that you may not have heard of.
Wearing the Cape series by Marion G. Harmon
If you only choose to read one book from this list, read this one. It is an attempt at a more realistic superhero world. When exposed to extreme danger or stress people sometime develop powers. Said powers are always capable of getting that person out of whatever situation triggered it and are based on their personality, interests, and belief systems. A superhero fan will game powers like a traditional superhero, a person obsessed with the occult will become a witch, vampire, ghoul or somesuch and so forth. Superheroes exist and are part of the emergency response system of their cities. They have to follow all laws and are not allowed to enforce the law unless other supers are involved, ect. Add in a great storyarc and interesting characters and you've got a brilliant series. Some adult language included.
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
A post apocalyptic YA novel in a world destroyed by supervillains. Superpowers and superpowered villains exist. Superheroes don't. They can't. Being totally and completely evil is a side effect of using powers in the first place. As is a weakness of some kind that disables their powers completely. A small rebel group, the Reckoners executes some of the superhumans, but the most powerful one, Steelheart, this universe's twisted answer to Superman is beyond their reach. Enter the main character, the only person who has ever seen him bleed. Also highly recommended, as is anything by that author.
Teen Superheroes series by Darrell Pitt
A group of teenagers with no memory of their past and superpowers have to figure out what is going on and why they are being pursued and tortured. It's a decent series, but not as good as the above 2.
H.E.R.O. series by Kevin Rau
A really long series in which an attempt to destroy an asteroid about to hit Earth results in pieces of superpower-giving rock raining down periodically. It's--okay so far, but not much more than that. A small amount of adult language included.
Playing for Keeps by Mur Lafferty
In a world where superheroes are celebrities, it's the people with the misfit powers that everyone hates. Even the heroes look down at them. Only the villain show them any respect. Enter Keepsie, owner of a bar popular with the superpowered rejects with the power to freeze anyone who tries to steel from her. Then a villain gives her something that even the heroes will kill to get back and it's up to the rejects to figure out what to do next. Adult language included. Quite good and different.
Quote from: catwhowalksbyhimself on December 04, 2014, 01:54:54 AMSteelheart by Brandon Sanderson
A post apocalyptic YA novel in a world destroyed by supervillains. Superpowers and superpowered villains exist. Superheroes don't. They can't. Being totally and completely evil is a side effect of using powers in the first place. As is a weakness of some kind that disables their powers completely. A small rebel group, the Reckoners executes some of the superhumans, but the most powerful one, Steelheart, this universe's twisted answer to Superman is beyond their reach. Enter the main character, the only person who has ever seen him bleed. Also highly recommended, as is anything by that author.
Having read your post, and being familiar with some of Brandon Sanderson's other work, I just read this and finished it about 10 minutes ago. (And, yes, it's just after 5 AM here.) A good story and a well done re-imagining of the genre. Thanks for the recommendation. And, since I am chomping at the bit to shell out $9.78 for the sequel (http://www.amazon.com/Firefight-Reckoners-Book-Brandon-Sanderson-ebook/dp/B00JNQMKSC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0), I think Sanderson owes you a commission, too. ;-)
I'm eagerly awaiting the next Wearing the Cape!
One more that I forget about earlier
Shield and Crocus by Michael R. Underwood
This is an interesting genre blend. Set in a fantasy world in a city build around the skeleton of a fallen Titan, the city has been taken over by evil villains known collectively as the Tyrants. Having taken control of the city's guardian, the City Mother, the population is forces into subservient fear. Only a few can resist their influence and the bravest of these for the Shields, a group of masked and costumed resistance fighters, lead by talented inventor First Sentinel and his son, Aegis, empowered by a mysterious and possibly sentient shield. Combining a fantasy setting with classic superhero tropes, it's quite interesting. Contains one major instance of adult language, but is clean otherwise.
Thanks, haven't heard of a bunch of these.
Will check them out.
this is a fun series, especially the audio books:
http://peterclines.com/
http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Ex-Heroes-Audiobook/B004Z1E7BS