title: The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger: The 4,000-Year History of the Superhero
author:  Jess Nevins 
description: "A well-researched and utterly captivating book offering the complete history of the superhero and how the concept has evolved over time. . . . [T]here are hundreds of other superheroes that Nevins explores in-depth and with remarkable insight. The thrill of reading a book like <i>The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger</i> is that, aside from being educational and interesting in itself, it inspires readers to seek out more superhero stories." - <strong>Kirkus Reviews</strong><br /><br />"To trace these multitudinous precursors to Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman is obviously a job that only super-researcher Jess Nevins could undertake. . . . Jess Nevins has now mapped the DNA that links ancient Enkidu to our own Wolverine. He convincingly shows that the superheroes of today's page and screen got their start long before baby Kal-El was sent rocketing toward Earth as the planet Krypton exploded." - <strong>Wall Street Journal</strong><br /><br />"A solid contribution to the literature on a phenomenon that today commands so much time, attention, and money. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty." - <strong>Choice</strong>
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  ## Neq the Sword
  
  
    
  
  
  ### Piers Anthony
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/cover.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER ONE
  
  
  "But you are too young for the circle?" Nemi cried.
  
  
  "If I am, then you are too young for that bracelet you've been eying! You're
  fourteen--the same as me." His name was the same as hers, too, for she was his
  twin sister. He refused to use that name now, for he no longer considered
  himself to be a child.
  
  
  In fact he had already chosen his manhood name: Neq. Neq the Sword--as soon as
  he proved himself in the battle circle.
  
  
  Nemi bit her lip, making it artfully red. She was full-bodied but small, like
  him, and could not term herself adult until she had borrowed the bracelet of a
  warrior for at least a night. After that she would shed her childhood name and
  assume the feminine form of the warrior she indulged. Between bracelets she
  would be nameless--but a woman. And twice a woman when she bore a baby.
  
  
  "Bet I make it before you do!" she said. But then she smiled.
  
  
  He tugge