Shades of Gray is every bit as readable as its predecessor, and a few degrees up the maturity scale, although it never abandons the juvenile pow zok wham feel of traditional superhero based fiction. I found that the constant flip-flop of plot-lines between past and present became a little disorienting, and depths that were hinted at are sometimes left dangling. What we do get is a much better look into the early lives of the Shadow powers, Blackout and Night, including the reasons why Blackout, father of Jet, went insane, and when the corruption of Night began. Also of particular relevance are the life and times of Luster, once a celebrated hero of New Chicago, who would eventually become the charismatic super-villain Arclight, and the father of Iridium. Against this, the adventures in the present of Iridium and Jet, along with various teammates, felt depleted of gravitas. Excepting when today's heroes go up against Dr Hypnotic, who is the one threat that truly feels dangerous. There are some splendidly dark scenes, such as the moment where Luster rescues the toddler Jet from her mad father, which is loaded with menace. Where things occasionally fall short is when the story snaps back into superhero-lite mode. Kessler and Kittredge have something here that is interesting, but it takes a hit whenever imagination is in short supply. An example being the superhero team who begin this book as the Squadron, and end up as the Protectors! Either the authors do not know of the TV show bearing the same name, or they do not care. Its use, I must admit, clashes with an earlier use that is now well in the past. But to me it was still lazy research. Even calling the new group the Protectorate, would've been better. Then there's Squadron: India, an inclusion indicating that there is a world outside of North America, which ends up as no more than a trailer.

Shades of Gray lurched around a lot, often leaving me feeling shaken but not especially stirred. The novel's present is set is far enough ahead of today for God and Lord to have been replaced in common speech by Jehovah and Light, yet there are cultural references which sounded like yesterdays news, and diary quotes from the 70s. As if the authors did not know enough about their brave new world to feel confident in abandoning the old, familiar signposts. There are some standout characters, and even more promise than the first book, but what I found maddeningly frustrating was that depth is often quickly palmed, in favour of frivolity. The past of this world, and its battered characters, came across as far more interesting than the present. Having said that, I'm well aware that how I'd like to see this series develop may be quite different from the preferences of the readers that Kessler and Kittredge have in mind. As with any work that is set in such a wide and varied genre, its very much a case of horses for courses. Fans of superhero fiction who want much greater depth and realistic characterisation should seek out the Wild Cards novels edited by George R.R. Martin. Those who are more interested in exuberant fun, with plenty of action and a dash of darkness, may find that Project Icarus is just the job.