Has anyone else here read the Wild Cards novels edited by George R.R. Martin? I read them a lot time ago and am now re-reading the entire series and am enjoying them a lot.
For those who have not heard of them, they are a series of books written by collaborating sci-fi authors. The idea behind them is basically: "How would the world, realistically, be if there were suddenly actual superheros?"
The series starts in the 1940's where an alien virus that enhanced psionic powers is released over New York. 99% of the people who are infected mutate horribly and die as their bodies are reshaped by their new psionic powers. Of the 1% that live, 99% of them are mutated horribly but live, they are called "Jokers". But the final 1% of 1% manage to live without horrible mutations and achieve superhuman powers. These are the "Aces".
Then they re-write how this would affect history. Instead of Joe McCarthy hunting down communists, he's after secret 'wild cards'. Instead of the race riots in the 1960's it's the Joker riots since they become the most maltreated minority in history. Etcetera, etcetera.
A few of the characters:
"The Great And Powerful Turtle" is the world strongest telekinetic, but when he gets nervous his powers fade. So he gets an old VW bug from a junkyard, attaches surplus army plating and crawls into his "shell" where he feels safe. Now he can float around in his shell and do the superhero thing. Unknown to the public, he's a nondescript overweight middle-aged man who has a problem getting a date in real life.
"Puppetman" is a secret Ace. His power is to be able to influence the emotions of anyone who's he's had physical contact with. So he becomes a politician --where he shakes a LOT of hands. Unfortunately, he's also a sick and twisted bastard who loves to cause misery with his secret power all the while campaigning as a compassionate man fighting for Joker's Rights.
Jay "Popinjay" Acryod is a private investigator who can make a 'gun' with his finger and thumb. When he does this and says "pop" he can teleport someone wherever he wishes.
"Snotman" is generally regarded as the most disgusting resident of Jokertown. Most people believe he's just an amorphous blob because they do not stare long enough to see his actual mucous excreting body inside. Later in the series he is re-infected and becomes normal with an amazing Ace power --but people still call him 'Snotman', much to his frustration.
"Dr. Tachyon" is a nickname of one of the alien inventors of the virus. He tried to warn Earth and stop the virus from being released when he discovered how his world planned on using us as a test case. He's a strong telepath and mind-controller and feels deep guilt and responsibility over what his virus has done to people. He was also deported from the US in one part of the series as an "illegal alien".
The novels are littered with dozens and dozens of really interesting Ace and Joker characters and each writer can feel free to use other writers characters as they see fit. I can't recommend these books enough, they are a great read and probably the most interesting take on the idea of 'superheros' I've ever seen.
Topic: Wild Cards novels (Read 1520 times)