Becoming Superman

My Journey From Poverty to Hollywood

By: J. Michael Straczynski

Narrated by: Peter Jurasik

Length: 16 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Featuring an introduction by Neil Gaiman!

“J. Michael Straczynski is, without question, one of the greatest science fiction minds of our time.”—Max Brooks (World War Z)

For four decades, J. Michael Straczynski has been one of the most successful writers in Hollywood, one of the few to forge multiple careers in movies, television and comics. Yet there’s one story he’s never told before: his own.

In this dazzling memoir, the acclaimed writer behind Babylon 5, Sense8, Clint Eastwood’s Changeling and Marvel’s Thor reveals how the power of creativity and imagination enabled him to overcome the horrors of his youth and a dysfunctional family haunted by madness, murder and a terrible secret.

Joe's early life nearly defies belief. Raised by damaged adults—a con-man grandfather and a manipulative grandmother, a violent, drunken father and a mother who was repeatedly institutionalized—Joe grew up in abject poverty, living in slums and projects when not on the road, crisscrossing the country in his father’s desperate attempts to escape the consequences of his past.

To survive his abusive environment Joe found refuge in his beloved comics and his dreams, immersing himself in imaginary worlds populated by superheroes whose amazing powers allowed them to overcome any adversity. The deeper he read, the more he came to realize that he, too, had a superpower: the ability to tell stories and make everything come out the way he wanted it. But even as he found success, he could not escape a dark and shocking secret that hung over his family’s past, a violent truth that he uncovered over the course of decades involving mass murder.

Straczynski’s personal history has always been shrouded in mystery. Becoming Superman lays bare the facts of his life: a story of creation and darkness, hope and success, a larger-than-life villain and a little boy who became the hero of his own life. It is also a compelling behind-the-scenes look at some of the most successful TV series and movies recognized around the world.

©2019 J. Michael Straczynski (P)2019 HarperAudio

5 stars are not enough

Wow just wow. It is amazing what the author has been through and what he has accomplished in spite of that. His is a story that is both inspirational and as riveting as any work of fiction. If you feel down and lost and need inspiration listen to this in it's entirety and you will be taken on a journey that will end with you feeling better.

Great book

Great story, great book. Peter Jurasik sometis struggles for breath but gets better soon and his narration is great.

A Ride As Thrilling As The Movies

I loved this book, although it was hard to listen to all the childhood abuse the author experienced. Since I am a fan of science fiction, it was interesting to hear the background on He-Man, She-Ra, The Twilight Zone, Babylon 5 and many others. I now and going to go back and rewatch all of Babylon 5.

Absolutely Incredible

The most Amazing story of overcoming insurmountable challenges. One of the Best I've listened to.

Gripping, Painful, Triumphant

Babylon 5 is my favorite Scifi show of all time, interesting to hear the real story of the author's life at the time that went untold on the fan blog he frequented.

There are no words...

As somebody who faced his fair share of challenges that never should have come out alive from, but even walked away from, I have to say that my story doesn't hold a candle to the accomplishments that this soul deserves because without waver, he did so with grace and integrity. Thank you. This if just what I need, right now. Super Man, my friend, thank you for telling this, your story and sharing it. I was wondering that after some very big, and even pernicious setbacks, I was wondering and even doubting if I had it in me to risk another failure, or even another success. I know now what I must do. Thank you again, with nothing but the heist love. Thank you.

Superb, but horrifying

Superb book and narration. Be warned though, there are some very horrific true life events that go on in this book. It is an excellent book, but not a happy one. So be in the right mindset before reading/listening to it!

A Book You Live Through

This phenominal autobiography by J. Michael Straczynski. held me hostage from word one. Peter Jurassic's sensitive and heartrending delivery was intoxicatingly powerful and gut wrenching. I laughed, cried, cursed, gasped and moaned in despair and sometimes rejoiced at every turn of events and never for a second lost interest even momentarily.

My son introduced me to binge watching Babylon5 years ago and I immediately fell in love with the series. The joy of sharing it with my son was immeasurable and we have shared it many times over the years. It did surprise me how many other things this brilliant writer did that my son and I have loved over the years. My son does podcasts about films and series that touched our lives and Babylon5 will be one of those most loved and covered.

As for the heartbreakingly difficult and frankly sometimes horrifying life of this brilliant man, it takes one through the gauntlet of every emotion known to mankind. Often during the story, I could so completely relate to his emotions and trials that I felt pierced to the core. Other times, I was just amazed by his courage and his will to go on in spite of it all. I would recommend this brilliantly written and reiterated story to anyone. I was so captivated, I binged it in two days and will purchase the hardcopy as well!

Epic on So Many Levels

I, personally, am not a fan of self-help or inspirational books. Those I’ve read I found trite and/or simply attempting to make sales off the misery or confusion of others. With that said…

I do like biographies and autobiographies. I enjoy learning from other people. I love true stories that are relatable in some way.

I recently bought the audiobook “Becoming Superman: My Journey From Poverty to Hollywood”, written by: J. Michael Straczynski, and narrated by: Peter Jurasik. If you do not know who either of these fine gentlemen are then you’re either not a huge Sci Fi or comic fan, or you’ve just been living in a cave while popular culture for the past few decades flew past your hermitage (the latter I can understand – it’s a pretty messed up world these days). Don’t worry about it if you don’t know these guys (seriously). I digress.

I had some reticence in picking this book up for fearing that it might be a bit polished and devoid of Hollywood’s warts or sensationalized and exaggerated to excess. Boy, was a wrong. In fact, I came away respecting JMS infinitely more than my previous fangirl self had. This is a no-holds-barred, mesmerizing account of one man’s epic journey, at the end of which he still seems as humble as he had way back when. Truly amazing.

NOW, HERE’S THE THING: EVEN IF YOU DO NOT KNOW JMS, I urge you to read or listen to this book. His story is worth reading on so many levels. Yes, there’s the incredible tale itself, but even more, and so subtly woven throughout, is an inspirational treatise that is real – it’s identifiable. For anyone who has or still does struggle in any aspect of their lives (that’d likely be all of us, really), this book is a shot of hope.

WARNING: There are some disturbing moments in this story, but they are necessary. During one disturbing moment I had to pull my car over (I listen to non-fiction while I drive) and have a good cry. If you are easily offended or upset by war crimes and a couple instances of animal harm (I’m glad I didn’t know about the latter beforehand otherwise it’s unlikely I could have listened to the book; but in the end, so worth it), then don’t pick up this book.

There is a lot to chew on, and it is so very well written. Well, it’s JMS!

Inspiring, Depressing and Optimistic

Headline says it all. I don't think I've ever felt so drained of energy to near exhaustion from being depressed. All the meanwhile I amidst all the pity, found positivity amidst the chaos. Hard to pull off and this autobiography does that