Notes From the Void #2
Wild Cards, for those of you unfamiliar with it, is a series of shared-universe books where a space-alien germ bomb was set off over New York City on September 15, 1946. The virus, dubbed “Xenovirus Takis-A”, killed 90% of the people it infected (they “draw the Black Queen”). Of the survivors, 90% were horribly mutated (“Jokers”), and the remainder – that lucky 1% – developed superpowers (“Aces”). From there, the world wanders forward in a very roughly-parallel history to our own, with the butterfly effect in full force. For example, McCarthy investigates “dangerous wildcards” instead of “potential Communists”, and, misappropriating something Terry Pratchett said of Discworld, black and white set aside most of their differences so they can gang up on green. They’re very well-written, grown-up superhero stories, and I’m a huge fan (warning: the books are streaked with violence, sex, politics, and moral greys, and even longstanding favorite characters can and do die).
Aside from a hiatus in the late 90s, the series has been going on for a good twenty-odd years now, and a lot of very big science-fiction/fantasy names have taken part (George R. R. Martin edits, which should say something). Somehow I missed the release of the latest volume, Suicide Kings, back in December, but I got a chance to correct that this Monday. It was a good read, in that way that only a favorite, familiar series can be, though I have to admit that the older books felt more immersive. Unfortunately some of those (and even the reprints) have gotten disturbingly expensive, but the new trilogy (Inside Straight, Busted Flush, and Suicide Kings) is still in print. I’ll be happy to offer some good starting points if anyone is interested.
Also, while I’m pretty sure she isn’t playing Chrysalis, this cosplayer takes “anatomically pretty” to a whole new level. It must’ve taken hours to get ready.
It’s been a long and slightly painful week and I’ve drifting in and out of sleep for a couple hours now (hence the post-midnight update), but I have most of tomorrow (today?) set aside for writing. We’ll see how that goes.
Hn. That sounds like a fun series to read. Soo…what are these good starting points?
That is quite the cosplay…very nice.
I hope the writing goes (went?) well!
Let’s see…
Book 1 (Wild Cards) is surprisingly self-contained, and is a really good introduction to the world, but if you read Book 2 (Aces High), you really need to follow through to the end of Book 3 (Jokers Wild) in order to finish out the Astronomer saga.
Book 4 (Aces Abroad) starts the Ti Malice story arc, which ends with Book 7 (Dead Man’s Hand). Unfortunately that arc introduces some loose ends that get increasingly convoluted and don’t end until the last of the Rox/Takis saga wraps up with Dealer’s Choice, Book 11.
Book 12 (Turn of the Cards) is also self-contained, which I think was a good choice. After one long run between books 4 and 11, it’s nice to have something that you can polish off in an afternoon or two.
The New Cycle (Books 13-15) are a blast, but I think they’re best left for later (mostly hardcore collectors). The series was pretty much dying at that point (reader exhaustion, I think) and #15, Black Trump, had a very small print run. Right now the cheapest used copies sell for $40+ on Amazon. At least copies are available now, at least; a couple years ago it took me six months of searches and cold-calling old science-fiction bookstores to find mine (then again, mine is almost mint; it sat in the back of the shop for twelve years).
Book 16 (Deuces Down) is self-contained, but it doesn’t have any of the headliner characters (which is the point). It has its own charm, though. Book 17 (Death Draws Five) is a return to form, also self-contained.
That leaves us with the most recent trilogy.
Check your email later tonight; I’ll send you some leads.
Writing is going… well, not as well as I’d hoped, but still decently. I’m set to finish by the end of Valentine’s Day and have it formatted and ready to post by the 19th. I may post a preview this week just to give myself the kick in the pants.
…
Wow. I am so glad I asked and didn’t just go and Amazon it. That sounds like one intense book series. I’ll get started on it (if I can) after my first midterm ^^;
But cool :D I look forward to seeing that e-mail then.
Ooh…I like the sound of a preview!
When you first mentioned the series to me, I was kind of curious. Now that you’ve outlined a bit more and now that I’ve got the good starting points, I really do think I’ll have to look into it. I can’t say I’ve ever been a big superhero reader, but if the story’s good, I’m not one to argue. Besides, I really liked Watchmen and I get the feeling that if I liked that, I’ll probably like this.
Thanks for the rec.
Sadness, the link no longer seems to be working. ;_;
I’ll give you a better introduction sometime, and I fixed the link.