Published in 2018, Superheroes Die in the Summer is a novel by Christian Batikian.
Batikian is a translator, author, and editor. His work includes Ariutse, Vhuke yev Handerdzarane, Super Herosnere Ke Mernin Amran, Metaghe Yerazner, Endarajum.
A story that animates the reality of childhood, where the comic book characters are also the living participants who create an equal reality with people. The heroes of Christian Batikian’s stories are teenagers, whose first step into “adult reality” begins with a clash of their ideals with superheroes. The book interestingly shows the influence of modern Western culture on the formation of adolescents, as well as the problems of childhood and identity of a child raised in the colony.
Book Description from Abril Books
In his biography for Makukachu: Anthology of Contemporary Armenian Literature, Batikian wrote, “A day doesn’t go by without someone asking me this question – why do you write? There is also a very common reply – I write, because I can’t not write. I pondered over this last point and realized that, in fact, I could easily not write. So why do I write (or why do we write)? The answer came to me late and, unfortunately, it was not very epic. I (we) write because we don’t know how to do anything else, I am not suited for anything else, and it is a bit terrifying that my life would go to waste like that. That is why I write. That is all.”
There is no English language translation of this novel, but you can purchase a copy in Western Armenian through Abril Books.
ISBN: 978-9939-68-607-3. Published by Zangak-97 (Զանգակ-97).
