Part One of this story takes place in 1947. A troubled soldier, returning from the war, meets his talented five-year-old nephew, leaves an indelible impression, and then disappears for twenty-three years.

Cut to 1970:The nephew, now drawing underground comic books in Oakland, California, reconnects with his uncle and, remembering the comic book he saw when he was five, draws a new version with his uncle as a World War II fighting hero.

Cut to the present day:A commercially successful director discovers the 1970 comic book and decides to turn it into a contemporary superhero movie.

Cue the cast:We meet the films extremely difficult male star, his wonderful leading lady, the eccentric writer/director, the producer, the gofer production assistant, and everyone else on both sides of the camera.

Bonus material:Interspersed throughout are three comic books that are featured in the storyall created by Tom Hanks himselfincluding the comic book that becomes the official tie-in to this novels “major motion picture masterpiece.”