Hammer and Tongs and a Rusty Nail

Wild Cards #28.1

by Ian Tregillis

For over 25 years, the Wild Cards universe has been entertaining readers with stories of superpowered people in an alternate history. When a mysterious stranger approaches Wally Gunderson, a.k.a Rustbelt, about running for Jokertown City Council, he doesn’t think twice about it. His first move? Hiring an unlikely campaign manager – Mordecai Albert Jones, the Harlem Hammer. Together they’ll discover the ins and outs of local politics, and whether conspiracy theorist Sparkjob is actually crazy… or just on to something?At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Superheroes, Crime, Fiction

53 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2020

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess today is the day for reconnecting with old series I have somehow lost contact with and I have to say its been a welcome surprise.

Here is the latest short story from the shared world of George R R Martins Wild Cards - this time a gentle tale of a local character (and one time hero) running for location council. Sounds thrilling eh - well to be honest its a lot more fun that it sounds and that is down to the loveable (certainly stronger than likeable) characters we are focusing on.

But as with all these books its the Jokers that steal the show and here you get to see how they have adapted to real life and how real life adapts to them. These stories have real charm and I think the strongest of stories is where the charm comes from the most natural of places.

[Sanaa Hyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Went to Tor’s website looking for short fiction and this was being flashed across the front page.

Clicked on it because it had a fun title and a quick goodreads browse told me it has George R R Martin associated with the series, who also edited this piece.

Even though this story is part of a series, I found it easy to follow; I don’t doubt that if I knew more about some of the characters’ backstories, I would’ve enjoyed this story more.

The protagonist and his supporting cast are really interesting from the get go. Wally Gunderson aka Rustbelt — possibly the figure on the illustrated cover — is endearing with his simple cheery attitude to life, despite his trauma-ridden history and menacing power to turn metal to rust. Mordecai, who runs a motorcycle shop, is also just as likable and intriguing. With his fame of big body strength that can twist and turn metal with his bare hands, and other quirky traits.

Although I don’t usually read superhero-oriented fiction, it was a joy to discover this. I love it when authors do this magical thing where they make readers fall in love with characters. Thank you, Tregillis, for this wonderful piece with lovely characterization.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wally Gunderson is encouraged to stand for Joker Town Councilman and decides the best way to set about it is to be himself.

Tregillis uses Rustbelt well to make small politics feel important and relevant. A fun story, which shows the importance of openness and honesty in the political game.

[Dann Todd · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a 1-star review. That accurately reflects my experience.

As this is really just a short story, the review will be equally short.

Tor published this short story that is part of George R.R. Martin's "Wild Cards" universe. I made it 20% of the way through before stopping. At that point, I really didn't care about the characters and really didn't have a great idea of their abilities or limitations. I've enjoyed all of the other Wild Cards stories I've ever read.

I might have continued on and given this a 2 or a 3-star rating. But the publisher and their copyeditor didn't show up for this project. It seemed like there was a spelling issue on every other page. Mostly just missing spaces that were needed to split up two words that had mistakenly conjoined.

The author didn't care enough to run spell-check. The editor didn't care enough to do the same thing. Avoid this story and move onto the next.

[Nan Silvernail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wally Gunderson, aka "Rustbelt" or "Rusty" isn't the sharpest tool in the box, or the most politically savvy. But when a stranger convinces him to run for the Jokertown City Council, he's determined to do his best, and manages to get Mordecai Albert Jones, aka "The Harlem Hammer" on his team along with Policewoman Darcy of Fort Freak and, of course, his adopted daughter, Ghost.
His opponent for the opening on the council is a conspiracy nut whose power is electrical.
These are deeper water than they appear at first glance. Who is the stranger who enticed Wally into running and just what is behind it all?

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hammer and Tongs and a rusty nail
By Ian Tregillis
Is a nip into the next installment of the mosaic novels of the Wild Cards. The sudden retirement of the only joker represented council member leaves a vacuum in the politics of Jokertown. Rustbelt is given the challenge to fill the spot.. he's got a few things in his corner, but mostly he just has a good heart. Love seeing these characters return to continue their stories.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hammer and Tongs and a Rusty Nail features one of my favorite characters in the Wild Cards universe, Wally Gunderson. Though Wally is not the sharpest tool in the shed he is so fundamentally good, right to his core, that he is very entertaining to read about. If written poorly Wally could be extremely annoying but here he is handled with a deft touch by author Ian Tregillis. Seeing Wally enter the realm of politics is the ultimate fish out of water story.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice piece, but you have to be at least somewhat familiar with the universe to get it. I hadn't read a Wild Cards book in 15+ years, and not that many, but it was enough to keep up.

I don't typically like "the dim-witted protagonist who bumbles into the solution to a mystery," but it was fine as a short.

[Pedro Marroquín · Rating 2 out of 5]

Otra historia corta de esta serie coral de George RR Martin. Y el autor me gusta. Pero esta historia de una carrera electoral por ser el alcalde de la ciudad de los Jokers me ha parecido aburridisima. D

[Mister Vimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all of the Wild Cards Universe it is hard to find a more wholesome character than Wally "Rustbelt" Gunderson. This slice of life short story showcases the trial of living in Jokertown and how one (okay, three) people can make a difference.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun Wild Cards story set in Jokertown. Not particularly deep but an interesting page turner and well worth a read.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, this was ok. Felt like it might have worked better as an actual comic book.

[Eugenio · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 a fine tale in the WildCard universe. Some politicking in Jokertown, and some walks through history. Not every tale has to be an action adventure.

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The conspiracy here really doesn't make much sense. They picked Wally partly because they knew he's an airhead, provided zero assistance with his campaign, and... what, expected him to somehow win all by himself? Why did it come as a shock that he got help from people who were reasonably competent? How did they think this was going to go down?

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story in the Wild Cards world.

[Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rustbelt is just one of the greatest characters

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant change from some of the darker Wild Cards entries.

[Alex Sarll]

An idiosyncratic but amiable Wild Cards yarn, mixing low-stakes comedy with also fairly low-stakes political thriller as Rustbelt (think Rose from The Golden Girls in the body of the Iron Giant) runs for the city council against the local conspiracy nut (who these days sounds less bonkers than plenty of people in national politics Stateside).

[Neil E. Trais · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably the worst, most insignificant Wild Cards story in the series. Sorry to say, I've enjoyed most of the others but buy this only if you like the cover or to complete your set.

[Nova5829 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Cards Novella

A fun little romp with Rustbucket and the Harlem Hammer. This is a nice addition to the Wild Cards’ universe.