What makes us root for a fictional character who consistently makes terrible decisions?

That’s one of the questions I explore with author Danno E. Cabeza on the latest episode of Beyond the Page.

Danno joins me to discuss his upcoming novel, The Return of Doctor Necropolis, a superhero crime-noir story featuring Frank, a brilliant supervillain whose intelligence is matched only by his inability to control his impulses.

What makes the story particularly interesting is its focus on identity, relationships, and the consequences of our decisions. Danno wanted to create a character readers could recognize as a bad person while still finding themselves invested in his journey.

We get into independent publishing, the challenges of turning creative passions into work, and his experiences running an Army football podcast.

And before we’re finished, Danno tells me about one of his least enjoyable experiences: jumping out of airplanes during military training.

It’s a conversation about morally complicated characters, the appeal of supervillains, creative persistence, and the stories we sometimes need years to finish.

The Return of Doctor Necropolis is scheduled for release on December 29, 2026.

Learn more about Danno E. Cabeza: https://www.asforfootball.com

Watch or listen to the latest episode of Beyond the Page on Page Chewing.