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Wild Cards #8
One-Eyed Jacks
The aces, jokers, and normals face a deadly new threat--Jumpers, creatures who can take over another's body at will
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
55 people are currently reading
1412 people want to read
About the author
George R.R. Martin
1,509 books119k followersGeorge Raymond Richard "R.R." Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 13, 2023
The truth is, the world doesn't need more aces, he thought, It doesn't need us at all. We can't do anything real.
I love Wild Cards. I disagree with almost everything that happens. Sometimes I read a passage and make the active decision not to comprehend it, because there is some weird shit that goes down in these books. I would include some choice examples from this fucked up little installment here, but I would rather not relive some of them. Suffice it to say that, in general, the number of superhumans with sex-based powers/mutations should be zero. In Wild Cards, that number should be 1: Fortunato. This memo, however, has not reached most of its authors.
Not many nats traveled to J-town in the last several months. Tourism was something done in daytime, if at all. The streets had become too unfashionably dangerous.
At night, Jokertown was left alone like a bad dream.
But when this series is good, it's good. Placing the human factor front and center in what could easily have been just another superhero story is what saves it, to the point where even its worst, darkest, parts have silver linings when looked at from the right angles.
The Oddity, for example. The concept of a triad relationship being painfully fused together and condemned to share a single body, in which every moment of three minds and shapes struggling to coexist is torture to those involved, seems like something best left alone. But the Oddity is the shining star of ONE-EYED JACKS, and that is 100% because their story, though incredibly plot-relevant, is centered entirely on the people. It is unsettling and beautiful, grotesque and utterly heart-breaking, and somehow, despite everything, it just works.
The isolation hurt more than anything she remembered from Oddity.
Then there was Cap'n Trips taking all his drug-induced superpowered alter egos to his daughter's custody trial. That was a fun one as well.
Also Croyd telling Veronica that she deserves to leave him far, far behind. And Jerry giving up his hopeless crush on his brother's wife in order to be able to help her grieve him. And Vivian withdrawing from the Immaculate Egrets to lead a regular life, and Lady Black dealing with the trauma of killing a rogue teenage ace while on glorified park ranger duty, and Oddity getting back into sculpting.
And Tachyon miserably failing at parenting the grandson he stole from the French communists 4 books ago, to the point where said grandson is locked and loaded to go on a murderous rampage through New York as soon as the next book kicks off.
"Tach, he needs help."
"I can help him."
"No, you're the problem."
Wild Cards as a series was daredevil superheroes and exciting adventures for about 5 minutes, and then the miserable reality of life for the other 40-odd years. And I would have it no other way.
The joker looked back at the Jetboy exhibit, brilliant in the darkness.
"They're right, you know," he told Jetboy. "You were supposed to win and you fucked up."
-- Pre-Review xoxo --
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2012
And so the Wild Cards saga enters its third triad, and the series sees a dramatic change in tone.The events in New York and Atlanta during the 1988 Democratic Convention have left the lives and careers of many of our favorite characters in ruins. Gone are the days of Aces High and Wild Card chic, the days of cooperation between Nats, Aces, and Jokers. In its place is a tension, a darkness, a sense of mistrust and societal decay. This is the mood at the outset of what seems to be one of the least popular Wild Cards triads.
Although I can't speak for the rest of the triad just yet, I can say that this is a very good book. As far as first volumes go, it's considerably better than Wild Cards I, and although I personally really liked Aces High, I can say that this is a better and more accessible volume than that one as well.
The overplot is written by Walton Simons, and follows Jerry Strauss, aka Mr. Nobody, who was previously known as the Great Ape. Mr. Nobody's brother is a certain Kenneth Strauss, who is the Strauss in the Latham Strauss law firm. Mr. Nobody is an engaging lead character, and this is possibly the best overplot written thus far. Although the Turtle and Sleeper stories from Down and Dirty are better stories per se, this one works better as an overplot.
After being introduced to the overplot, we begin the volume with Dr. Cody Havero, Tachyon's new chief of surgery, who's written by comic book legend Chris Claremont. Claremont may be a great comic book writer, but (sorry to be blunt) he can't write fiction for crap. Run-on sentences and horrific grammar abound in what's easily the volume's worst story.
Lewis Shiner, having retired his superpowered pimp Fortunato, returns with Veronica, Croyd's girlfriend and formerly one of Fortunato's ladies, who discovers that she totally doesn't need any men in her life, because she's an ace and a lesbian. It is awesome.
Following this, we get William F. Wu with Ben Choy, aka Lazy Dragon, who finds himself sent on a dangerous mission clearly designed to test his loyalty to the Shadow Fists. This is an action-packed piece and one of the highlights of the volume.
After Lazy Dragon, we return to one of two old PoV characters in this volume, as Victor Milan turns out his first Captain Trips story since volume 2. This is a good one, as Trips finds himself locked in a custody battle with his ex-wife, Sunflower. Trips' idiosyncratic speech patterns have been toned down significantly since his last appearance, and it's clear that Victor Milan is becoming an overall better writer by this point.
The absolute high-point of the volume comes next, with Stephen Leigh giving us a story starring the Oddity, as they ('they' seems to be the appropriate pronoun for the Oddity) have a run-in with the jumpers. Leigh proves himself to be one of the best Wild Cards writers with this one, and he's created a truly compelling character with the insanely strong and constantly tortured Oddity.
Melinda Snodgrass brings us our second old character, Dr. Tachyon, who shares the next story with his grandson, Blaise. I'm sure that those of you who have read the entire series up to this point have, by now, realized that Blaise is an unmitigated sociopath. Well, then, it wouldn't be too much of a spoiler to say that in this story he goes off the deep end. We all knew it had to happen, but I can't say it was handled very well. This is one of the weaker entries in this volume, but it's still pretty good.
The seventh and final story in the volume is written by John J. Miller, and, as per the tendencies of this book, features a formerly minor character in a center-stage role. This character is Philip Cunningham, aka Fadeout, who, along with Lazy Dragon, so amusingly strung Yeoman along in Dead Man's Hand. Here he becomes our second Shadow Fist PoV in this volume, and through his eyes we see a power struggle in the Shadow Fists break loose.
All in all a very solid Wild Cards book, and technically the strongest triad-opener. Not the best anthology (that's still Aces High), but right up there.
Although I can't speak for the rest of the triad just yet, I can say that this is a very good book. As far as first volumes go, it's considerably better than Wild Cards I, and although I personally really liked Aces High, I can say that this is a better and more accessible volume than that one as well.
The overplot is written by Walton Simons, and follows Jerry Strauss, aka Mr. Nobody, who was previously known as the Great Ape. Mr. Nobody's brother is a certain Kenneth Strauss, who is the Strauss in the Latham Strauss law firm. Mr. Nobody is an engaging lead character, and this is possibly the best overplot written thus far. Although the Turtle and Sleeper stories from Down and Dirty are better stories per se, this one works better as an overplot.
After being introduced to the overplot, we begin the volume with Dr. Cody Havero, Tachyon's new chief of surgery, who's written by comic book legend Chris Claremont. Claremont may be a great comic book writer, but (sorry to be blunt) he can't write fiction for crap. Run-on sentences and horrific grammar abound in what's easily the volume's worst story.
Lewis Shiner, having retired his superpowered pimp Fortunato, returns with Veronica, Croyd's girlfriend and formerly one of Fortunato's ladies, who discovers that she totally doesn't need any men in her life, because she's an ace and a lesbian. It is awesome.
Following this, we get William F. Wu with Ben Choy, aka Lazy Dragon, who finds himself sent on a dangerous mission clearly designed to test his loyalty to the Shadow Fists. This is an action-packed piece and one of the highlights of the volume.
After Lazy Dragon, we return to one of two old PoV characters in this volume, as Victor Milan turns out his first Captain Trips story since volume 2. This is a good one, as Trips finds himself locked in a custody battle with his ex-wife, Sunflower. Trips' idiosyncratic speech patterns have been toned down significantly since his last appearance, and it's clear that Victor Milan is becoming an overall better writer by this point.
The absolute high-point of the volume comes next, with Stephen Leigh giving us a story starring the Oddity, as they ('they' seems to be the appropriate pronoun for the Oddity) have a run-in with the jumpers. Leigh proves himself to be one of the best Wild Cards writers with this one, and he's created a truly compelling character with the insanely strong and constantly tortured Oddity.
Melinda Snodgrass brings us our second old character, Dr. Tachyon, who shares the next story with his grandson, Blaise. I'm sure that those of you who have read the entire series up to this point have, by now, realized that Blaise is an unmitigated sociopath. Well, then, it wouldn't be too much of a spoiler to say that in this story he goes off the deep end. We all knew it had to happen, but I can't say it was handled very well. This is one of the weaker entries in this volume, but it's still pretty good.
The seventh and final story in the volume is written by John J. Miller, and, as per the tendencies of this book, features a formerly minor character in a center-stage role. This character is Philip Cunningham, aka Fadeout, who, along with Lazy Dragon, so amusingly strung Yeoman along in Dead Man's Hand. Here he becomes our second Shadow Fist PoV in this volume, and through his eyes we see a power struggle in the Shadow Fists break loose.
All in all a very solid Wild Cards book, and technically the strongest triad-opener. Not the best anthology (that's still Aces High), but right up there.
August 22, 2023
Осмата книга от поредицата поставя началото на конфликта със "скачащите" (jumpers) и може би Мехура (Bloat). Последното е „може би“, защото в първата книга Мехура има собствени мотиви, които понякога го свързват със скачащите, а друг път - го разделят.
Отново е под формата на редуващи се части от разкази, в които е описано появявнето на скачащите, както и това на Мехура (Bloat) - създател и управник на "Rox". Последното е алтернатива на Жокертаун, където всички жокери са добре дошли, но има стриктна йерархия.
Сюжетната линия, спояваща останалите е тази на Джери Строс - мъжът, който 20 години е осемметров Кинг Конг в зоологическата градина на Ню Йорк, докато доктор Тахион не му помага във втората книга "Аса в небето" (налична и на майчин език). Джери разследва убийството на брат си и се опитва да се справи с последиците от 20-годишната пауза в развитието си като човек и комплексът за непълноценност, породен от нея.
Разказите са:
"Nobody’s Girl" (Walton Simons): Джери е отхвърлен от една от гейшите на Фортунато – Вероника, в която е влюбен, а и започва да изпитва чувства към жената на неговия брат Кенет. Джери открива, че бизнес партньорът на Кен - Едуард Сейнт Латам е назначил скачащ в адвокатската им кантора! Кенет е убит пред очите на Джери и животът му си ебава капаците! Доста интересна линия, а проблемите в живота на Джери най-сетне го карат да порастне.
"Luck Be A Lady" (Chris Claremont): Откакто загуби дясната си ръка в миналата книга, доктор Тахион се нуждае от човек, който да я замести – като главен хирург в болницата му. С него се свързва д-р Коди Хаверо – корава жена, служила като военен медик във Виетнам. Тя пристига в Жокертаун и ще се сблъска с много трудности – и в клиниката и извън нея. Синът ѝ Крис е на възрастта на Блес и двамата се сприятеляват. Между Тахион и Коди има химия, която излиза и извън служебните задължения. Това става повод залитналия по нея Блес да я изревнува и това да е капката, която ще го превърне в много опасен психопат. За това повече в следващата книга. Докторката е доста интересен персонаж, който няма никакви супер-сили и се надявам да не я утрепят или разкарат от следващите книги.
"Horses" (Lew Shiner): Вероника (същата, спомената в „Nobody’s Girl”) се опитва да се отърве от зависимостта си към хероина с помощта на (май) психоаналитичката Хана Хорде. Техните взаимоотношения се превръщат в любовни, а Вероника напуска работата си на „гейша“ и се мести да живее с Хана. Всичко е цветя и рози, докато Хана не става първата жертва на „скачащите“ и застрелва няколко човека в банка. Вероника открива също, че приятелят ѝ (с който са имали и по-близки отношения от време на време) Кройд я е заразил с вируса по времето, в което е бил „Тифозния Кройд“ и е разпръсквал чудеса из Ню Йорк преди да го спрат Модулния Мъж и Черната Сянка. Вероника се сдобива със силата да отблъсква мъже, като ги омаломощява от разстояние. Това е интересна нишка, която ще продължи и в следващата книга.
"Snow Dragon" (William F. Wu): Мързеливия дракон е вече познат ас, член на мафиотската групировка „Сенчестите юмруци“. В този разказ, той се среща с новия бос на Юмруците и получава тежка задача – да открадне обратно наркотици от банда в Жокертаун и да ��и достави на Мехура в „Rox”. Досега дракона беше леко загатнат моментен персонаж, но този разказ го развива по доста интересен начин.
"Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing" (Victor Milán): Марк Медоус се е посветил на отглеждането на дъщеря си – Спраут („кълн“ на ингилизки). Изоставил е алтер-еготата си и освен това се занимава с веган-ресторанта си. Майката на Спраут иска попечителство над детето, а и може да си позволи най-добрите адвокати. Битката на Марк е обречена, но и жена му става жертва на спорната тактика „победа на всяка цена“ на адвоката си - Едуард Сейнт Латам. Спраут е пратена в дом, а Марк Медоус отново се превръща в Капитан Трипс, за да си я върне. Добра история, за надежда, отчаяние и пак надежда и колко е важно да имаш някой друг верен приятел.
"Sixteen Candles" (Stephen Leigh): Oddity е много уникален жокер, който се появява и в някои от предишните книги. Надарено е със силата и издръжливостта на трима, защото Е било трима души (жена и двама мъже), които са живели заедно в трайна връзка, когато вирусът ги е заразил и са се слели в едно вечно променящо се създание, живеещо в болка и с три съзнания в мозъка си. Когато бе споменато за пръв път се зачудих как може да бъде обяснен начина, по който съществува това нещо. В този разказ това е описано по един страхотен начин. Oddity се готви да „отпразнува“ шестнайсетия си рожден ден, когато среща май първия „скачащ“ – Дейвид Бътлър (който преобръща животите на Джери Строс и Вероника в други разкази в тази книга). Дейвид се опитва да „скочи“ в него, но планът му не успява, или поне не съвсем. Класен разказ!
"The Devil’s Triangle" (Melinda Snodgrass): Хормоните удрят Блес – внука на Тахион. Заедно с детството си, прекарано в терористична организация и неспособността на дядо му да го (пре)възпита, той се превръща в архи-злодей. Много интересен и неочакван обрат, честно казано. Само за една книга!
"Dead Heart Beating" (John Jos. Miller): Мафията вече я няма в Ню Йорк и Киен Пхук решава да изчисти собствената си престъпна организация от неблагонадеждни служители. Знае, че някои от приближените му замислят преврат, който включва неговото насилствено и перманентно пенсиониране. Той използва скачащите, за да сложи капан, в който няма да се хванат само лоялните към него.
Както написах, четейки книгата, се преминава през разказите на части – къде започват и завършват, е подчинено на хронологията на събитията. Това е доста майсторски направено от редактора, а многобройните връзки между тях са истинско удоволствие за читателя.
За разлика от обикновено, в тази първа книга от триадата за „Rox” нямаше много помотаване и осезаемо по-некачествени творби. Глътнах я за кратко и продължавам със следващата!
Отново е под формата на редуващи се части от разкази, в които е описано появявнето на скачащите, както и това на Мехура (Bloat) - създател и управник на "Rox". Последното е алтернатива на Жокертаун, където всички жокери са добре дошли, но има стриктна йерархия.
Сюжетната линия, спояваща останалите е тази на Джери Строс - мъжът, който 20 години е осемметров Кинг Конг в зоологическата градина на Ню Йорк, докато доктор Тахион не му помага във втората книга "Аса в небето" (налична и на майчин език). Джери разследва убийството на брат си и се опитва да се справи с последиците от 20-годишната пауза в развитието си като човек и комплексът за непълноценност, породен от нея.
Разказите са:
"Nobody’s Girl" (Walton Simons): Джери е отхвърлен от една от гейшите на Фортунато – Вероника, в която е влюбен, а и започва да изпитва чувства към жената на неговия брат Кенет. Джери открива, че бизнес партньорът на Кен - Едуард Сейнт Латам е назначил скачащ в адвокатската им кантора! Кенет е убит пред очите на Джери и животът му си ебава капаците! Доста интересна линия, а проблемите в живота на Джери най-сетне го карат да порастне.
"Luck Be A Lady" (Chris Claremont): Откакто загуби дясната си ръка в миналата книга, доктор Тахион се нуждае от човек, който да я замести – като главен хирург в болницата му. С него се свързва д-р Коди Хаверо – корава жена, служила като военен медик във Виетнам. Тя пристига в Жокертаун и ще се сблъска с много трудности – и в клиниката и извън нея. Синът ѝ Крис е на възрастта на Блес и двамата се сприятеляват. Между Тахион и Коди има химия, която излиза и извън служебните задължения. Това става повод залитналия по нея Блес да я изревнува и това да е капката, която ще го превърне в много опасен психопат. За това повече в следващата книга. Докторката е доста интересен персонаж, който няма никакви супер-сили и се надявам да не я утрепят или разкарат от следващите книги.
"Horses" (Lew Shiner): Вероника (същата, спомената в „Nobody’s Girl”) се опитва да се отърве от зависимостта си към хероина с помощта на (май) психоаналитичката Хана Хорде. Техните взаимоотношения се превръщат в любовни, а Вероника напуска работата си на „гейша“ и се мести да живее с Хана. Всичко е цветя и рози, докато Хана не става първата жертва на „скачащите“ и застрелва няколко човека в банка. Вероника открива също, че приятелят ѝ (с който са имали и по-близки отношения от време на време) Кройд я е заразил с вируса по времето, в което е бил „Тифозния Кройд“ и е разпръсквал чудеса из Ню Йорк преди да го спрат Модулния Мъж и Черната Сянка. Вероника се сдобива със силата да отблъсква мъже, като ги омаломощява от разстояние. Това е интересна нишка, която ще продължи и в следващата книга.
"Snow Dragon" (William F. Wu): Мързеливия дракон е вече познат ас, член на мафиотската групировка „Сенчестите юмруци“. В този разказ, той се среща с новия бос на Юмруците и получава тежка задача – да открадне обратно наркотици от банда в Жокертаун и да ��и достави на Мехура в „Rox”. Досега дракона беше леко загатнат моментен персонаж, но този разказ го развива по доста интересен начин.
"Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing" (Victor Milán): Марк Медоус се е посветил на отглеждането на дъщеря си – Спраут („кълн“ на ингилизки). Изоставил е алтер-еготата си и освен това се занимава с веган-ресторанта си. Майката на Спраут иска попечителство над детето, а и може да си позволи най-добрите адвокати. Битката на Марк е обречена, но и жена му става жертва на спорната тактика „победа на всяка цена“ на адвоката си - Едуард Сейнт Латам. Спраут е пратена в дом, а Марк Медоус отново се превръща в Капитан Трипс, за да си я върне. Добра история, за надежда, отчаяние и пак надежда и колко е важно да имаш някой друг верен приятел.
"Sixteen Candles" (Stephen Leigh): Oddity е много уникален жокер, който се появява и в някои от предишните книги. Надарено е със силата и издръжливостта на трима, защото Е било трима души (жена и двама мъже), които са живели заедно в трайна връзка, когато вирусът ги е заразил и са се слели в едно вечно променящо се създание, живеещо в болка и с три съзнания в мозъка си. Когато бе споменато за пръв път се зачудих как може да бъде обяснен начина, по който съществува това нещо. В този разказ това е описано по един страхотен начин. Oddity се готви да „отпразнува“ шестнайсетия си рожден ден, когато среща май първия „скачащ“ – Дейвид Бътлър (който преобръща животите на Джери Строс и Вероника в други разкази в тази книга). Дейвид се опитва да „скочи“ в него, но планът му не успява, или поне не съвсем. Класен разказ!
"The Devil’s Triangle" (Melinda Snodgrass): Хормоните удрят Блес – внука на Тахион. Заедно с детството си, прекарано в терористична организация и неспособността на дядо му да го (пре)възпита, той се превръща в архи-злодей. Много интересен и неочакван обрат, честно казано. Само за една книга!
"Dead Heart Beating" (John Jos. Miller): Мафията вече я няма в Ню Йорк и Киен Пхук решава да изчисти собствената си престъпна организация от неблагонадеждни служители. Знае, че някои от приближените му замислят преврат, който включва неговото насилствено и перманентно пенсиониране. Той използва скачащите, за да сложи капан, в който няма да се хванат само лоялните към него.
Както написах, четейки книгата, се преминава през разказите на части – къде започват и завършват, е подчинено на хронологията на събитията. Това е доста майсторски направено от редактора, а многобройните връзки между тях са истинско удоволствие за читателя.
За разлика от обикновено, в тази първа книга от триадата за „Rox” нямаше много помотаване и осезаемо по-некачествени творби. Глътнах я за кратко и продължавам със следващата!
December 6, 2024
The characters were interesting and I liked learning about them. That was basically in the beginning and a short introduction. Because some of these guys are absolutely new to the series. But as you are reading and this is very character driven, you realize a story is evolving.
It ends well, I'm starting Wild Cards #9 tonight.:)
It ends well, I'm starting Wild Cards #9 tonight.:)
September 6, 2010
This is not the best book in the series. Firstly, I'm not very interested in the Jerry character. He's written with no arc to speak of, just a flat pathos that is perpetually stuck in the same monotonous routine, over and over.
A new type of ace is introduced, the "jumpers". The way this power works, and the way it's introduced into the Wild Cards world, seems contrived and in retrospect (I finished this book a few days ago and I've finished the next book, too) a desperate attempt to breathe some new life into parts of the story that really should have been finished already.
I like the multisodic, simultaneous timelines of the other books. But this book feels like it plods along like a donkey, not really caring where it's going or how long it takes to get there. If you're committed to finishing out the series, it's palatable, but PLEASE don't read this book as an introduction to the world of Wild Cards.
A new type of ace is introduced, the "jumpers". The way this power works, and the way it's introduced into the Wild Cards world, seems contrived and in retrospect (I finished this book a few days ago and I've finished the next book, too) a desperate attempt to breathe some new life into parts of the story that really should have been finished already.
I like the multisodic, simultaneous timelines of the other books. But this book feels like it plods along like a donkey, not really caring where it's going or how long it takes to get there. If you're committed to finishing out the series, it's palatable, but PLEASE don't read this book as an introduction to the world of Wild Cards.
September 14, 2021
Wildcards, em seus pontos altos, é uma interessante exploração da humanidade tomada por super poderes, com uma boa dose de horror corporal, e um poderoso aspecto político, reimaginando a história americana (com algumas olhadas no internacional) considerando a deformação trazida pelo vírus alienígena do Cartas Selvagens. Quando aceita ser político e perturbador, como no livro 6, a série brilha em excelência.
Nos seus pontos baixos, carrega personagens esquecíveis e muitas vezes caricatos, tramas simples e o foco exagerado em sexo e choque. É triste voltar para a série e encontrar este segundo.
O foco da trama são os “Jumpers”, adolescente capazes de trocar de corpo, e consequentemente fazer merda por aí. Antagonistas novos, claro, mas muito próximos de uma reciclagem de segunda categoria do magnífico vilão dos volumes anterior, e que parecem apenas psicopatas por serem psicopatas, sem nenhum desenvolvimento considerável na obra.
A narrativa principal, focada em Jerry, um metaformo recém reintegrado a sociedade, é frágil e dispensável, em nada progride o mundo, a narrativa, nem o personagem. Em nenhum momento ele se torna simpático ou se desenvolve, e serve apenas como uma frágil cola para tudo, nem mesmo concluindo nenhuma das promessas que a história faz.
Muitas dos contos não funcionam como progressão de mundo tampouco como estudos de personagem. Servem para colocar Bloat e a ilha de Rox como vilões para essa era, servem para por Blaise em holofote e transformar o merdinha psicopata em um merdinha psicopata ainda maior, e a história focada nele e em Tachyon ("The Devil's Triangle) é um ponto beeeeeeeem baixo.
O grande e brilhante e magnífico ponto positivo da obra é “Sixteen Candles” de Stephen Leigh, em que pela primeira vez na série se explora a Estranheza, entidade curinga formada por três mentes, que outrora eram amantes poliamorosos e se viram amalgamados em uma aberração de carne pelo vírus. A luta interna para manter o controle e a sanidade é intrigante, os personagens são bens explorados, e tem o grande triunfo narrativo do livro, fechando algumas tramas narrativas que permeiam toda a obra. O modelo antológico nos permite encontrar alguns diamantes como este dentre o barro, mas o processo é cansativo.
Ambas histórias focadas nas guerras de gangues e em seus personagens (“Snow Dragon” e Dead heart beating”) são inofensivas, servindo para posicionar certas peças para possíveis tramas futuras, e foram os outros pontos razoavelmente agradáveis.
No geral, é um retorno decepcionante para a franquia, e um que me faz desejar pular essa era de Wildcards, que promete se focar em um antagonista genérico e no honestamente cansativo e pouco intrigante Blaise, e embrenhar-me nos volumes mais novos, mas sou masoquista e então vamos continuar linearmente yay.
Nos seus pontos baixos, carrega personagens esquecíveis e muitas vezes caricatos, tramas simples e o foco exagerado em sexo e choque. É triste voltar para a série e encontrar este segundo.
O foco da trama são os “Jumpers”, adolescente capazes de trocar de corpo, e consequentemente fazer merda por aí. Antagonistas novos, claro, mas muito próximos de uma reciclagem de segunda categoria do magnífico vilão dos volumes anterior, e que parecem apenas psicopatas por serem psicopatas, sem nenhum desenvolvimento considerável na obra.
A narrativa principal, focada em Jerry, um metaformo recém reintegrado a sociedade, é frágil e dispensável, em nada progride o mundo, a narrativa, nem o personagem. Em nenhum momento ele se torna simpático ou se desenvolve, e serve apenas como uma frágil cola para tudo, nem mesmo concluindo nenhuma das promessas que a história faz.
Muitas dos contos não funcionam como progressão de mundo tampouco como estudos de personagem. Servem para colocar Bloat e a ilha de Rox como vilões para essa era, servem para por Blaise em holofote e transformar o merdinha psicopata em um merdinha psicopata ainda maior, e a história focada nele e em Tachyon ("The Devil's Triangle) é um ponto beeeeeeeem baixo.
O grande e brilhante e magnífico ponto positivo da obra é “Sixteen Candles” de Stephen Leigh, em que pela primeira vez na série se explora a Estranheza, entidade curinga formada por três mentes, que outrora eram amantes poliamorosos e se viram amalgamados em uma aberração de carne pelo vírus. A luta interna para manter o controle e a sanidade é intrigante, os personagens são bens explorados, e tem o grande triunfo narrativo do livro, fechando algumas tramas narrativas que permeiam toda a obra. O modelo antológico nos permite encontrar alguns diamantes como este dentre o barro, mas o processo é cansativo.
Ambas histórias focadas nas guerras de gangues e em seus personagens (“Snow Dragon” e Dead heart beating”) são inofensivas, servindo para posicionar certas peças para possíveis tramas futuras, e foram os outros pontos razoavelmente agradáveis.
No geral, é um retorno decepcionante para a franquia, e um que me faz desejar pular essa era de Wildcards, que promete se focar em um antagonista genérico e no honestamente cansativo e pouco intrigante Blaise, e embrenhar-me nos volumes mais novos, mas sou masoquista e então vamos continuar linearmente yay.
September 14, 2018
Come sempre, i libri di Wild Cards ci mettono un po' ad ingranare.
Poi ingranano e li finisci in un attimo.
Poi ingranano e li finisci in un attimo.
April 3, 2021
I never thought I would like the oddity, but this book puts a great spin on that character.
May 18, 2020
Among Wild Cards fans, the Rox Triad (books 8, 9, 11) has a reputation as the nadir of the series. Even George R. R. Martin described it as a "creative stumble". I do not know what the rest of the triad holds in store, but I enjoyed this entry. The writing seemed a cut above normal. Many minor characters get point of view stories for the first time.
The book revolves around subtle character-driven moments: An overworked Tachyon hiring a new assistant… Veronica trying to stay clean and sober… Captain Trips fighting for custody of his daughter. On the whole, I think the series benefits from deeper characters rather than more action scenes.
However, I am disappointed at a lack of originality of new wild card abilities. I had been waiting since the fifth book for Veronica's card to turn, and it turned out her ace power is very similar to Cordelia Chaisson's. Likewise, the Jumpers' ability is to temporarily take control of people feels like a repeat of what Puppetman did in the last trilogy. The arc-villain Bloat is visually interesting but his mind-reading power is just a pale imitation of Tachyon's
The events of the book cover October 1988 through autumn of 1990. I found it odd that the fall of the Berlin Wall is not mentioned at all. Did it not happen in the Wild Cards alternate timeline? Given that Tachyon is a sometime-Russian spy and Polyakov a former KGB agent, this seems like an odd gap to leave unexplored.
Here are my individual story reviews:
"Nobody's Girl" (Interstitial Stories) by Walter Simons
The interstitial sections of this book which tie the stories together each have a different but related title ("Nobody's Girl", "Nobody's Fool", "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" and so forth). They feature James Strauss, aka The Projectionist. His ace power is the ability to mimic the appearance and abilities of any ace, joker, nat, or animal. He was seen in earlier books as the giant Ape that climbed the Empire State Building and fought Modular Man. He was restored to human form by Elephant Girl in Aces Abroad. Notably, jumpers have a hard time controlling his body due to the shape shifting, which will probably be important in a future story…
"Luck Be A Lady" by Chris Claremont
Dr. Cody Havero, the new chief of surgery at Jokertown Clinic, discovers a new ace with a shark-like appearance that has the ability to transform nat women into similar form. He lacks higher cognitive functions, and so he rapes and eats his victims after he turns them.
"The Tower of Gold and Amber" by Kevin Andrew Murphy
This story introduces Magpie, an elderly cat burglar with the power to teleport items of small mass. At a 1998 Republican fundraiser dinner, she hatches a spur-of-the-moment heist with two other ace diners. Croyd Crenson turns the priceless artifacts in Trump Tower's Amber Room into living objects. Jessica von der Stadt then shrinks the living things (this is the same ace who imprisoned Digger Downs in the previous book), so that Magpie can teleport them into her handbag. They must elude Ramshead and other cops from Fort Freak to escape with their loot.
This is a new story written for the 2018 reissue. While I enjoyed the clever plot of three aces having to combine their gifts to reach a shared goal, the story felt jarring in a number of ways. It has an overly long buildup. It is a satire of both Dan Quayle and the character Duncan Towers, who is an obvious stand-in for Donald J. Trump. Why not use Trump's real name, since other historical characters are present in the story? The Quayle jokes are funny, although probably not fair to a man who is more intelligent than the media portrayed at the time. The Trump jokes on the other hand are spot-on, but they do not fit the timeframe of the story--they make fun of the words and appearance of President Trump of 2018 (the bizarre spray-on tan, the belittling reporter nicknames, his insecurity over his small hands, etc.), not Trump as he actually looked and spoke and behaved in the 1980's.
"Horses" by Lewis Shiner
Veronica decides to finally leave the geisha life and kick her heroin habit, aided by Hannah, a sympathetic counselor for whom Veronica develops romantic feelings. This story is more personal and introspective than usual for Shiner, but it ends on a note of violence. Hannah kills a security guard in cold blood--after her body is temporarily possessed by a Jumper--then she kills herself in a prison holding cell. The shock causes Veronica's wild card (which she caught from Typhoid Croyd) to turn. Her abilities are a bit unclear except she can disrupt electrical flow and cause men to feel extremely weak and ill.
"Snow Dragon" by William F. Wu
Ben Choy is hired to courier drugs from Manhattan to Ellis Island. This story features a memorable battle between Lazy Dragon (in the form of an actual dragon this time) and Oddity. It also introduces the villain Bloat, an eight-foot mound of flesh and fat who appears to be controlling the jumpers. We also learn more about Ben's ace ability. In times of stress, he changes gender and his consciousness is controlled by a new personality--his sister Vivian.
"Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" by Victor Milán
Mark Meadows' ex-wife Kimberly Anne returns to the series for the first time since "Transfigurations" (vol. 1), and now she wants custody of their daughter. As the dispute winds its way through the courts and the lawyer tactics get increasingly ruthless, Mark must face the fact the modern world no longer makes room for his hippie lifestyle of free love and drug experimentation. He just isn't "an eighties kind of guy."
Despite one too many melodramatic moments, I'd have to say this is the most mature and effective Captain Trips story so far. Mark Meadows emerges as a three dimensional and believable character. Kimberly Anne is emotionally manipulative and tragic. I miss the reckless lunacy of "Relative Difficulties," of course, but this was better.
"A Broken Thread in a Dark Room" by Carrie Vaughn
Lady Black tries to help a young joker who lives like a vampire, having to drink the blood of live animals and rodents to survive. This story also introduces Charon, the transparent single-celled ferryman who transports jokers from Manhattan to Ellis Island. As usual Vaughn delivers a quiet, earnest story for the reissue that emphasizes the human cost of the wild card virus.
"Sixteen Candles" by Stephen Leigh
In their first point of view story, Oddity is damaged in a jumper attack. For the first time, readers learn about the fascinating mechanism by which three minds control the single body by cycling continuously through Dominant, Sub-Dominant, and Passive positions. Each position up the hierarchy increases both autonomy and pain for the ascending member of the trio. A jumper can be used to liberate and replace one personality from its bondage. This story also explains more about Bloat's plots and introduces the cleverly named Kafka, the roach man.
"The Devil's Triangle" by Melinda Snodgrass
After being initiated to his first violent sexual experiences by Ti Malice in Down & Dirty, Blaise has officially entered puberty in full-on hormonal bloom. He has a crush on Cody Havero, but when he learns she prefers his grandfather Tachyon, he tries to use his telepathic powers to rape and humiliate her.
This leads to a physical confrontation between the two alien telepaths, and it sends Blaise down a path that eventually leads him to Bloat and the Prime Jumper because jumping is the only power that may be able to overcome Tachyon's superior strength and training. One interesting reveal is that jumping is a sexually transmitted ability.
"Dead Heart Beating" by John Jos. Miller
Kien has been murdered by Blaise at the request of Prime (aka Loophole Latham), opening the door for Fadeout to take over the Shadow Fist empire. This is a fun story. It seems to effectively end the longest running subplot in the series--the feud between Yeoman and Kien--but all is not what at first it appears to be.
The book revolves around subtle character-driven moments: An overworked Tachyon hiring a new assistant… Veronica trying to stay clean and sober… Captain Trips fighting for custody of his daughter. On the whole, I think the series benefits from deeper characters rather than more action scenes.
However, I am disappointed at a lack of originality of new wild card abilities. I had been waiting since the fifth book for Veronica's card to turn, and it turned out her ace power is very similar to Cordelia Chaisson's. Likewise, the Jumpers' ability is to temporarily take control of people feels like a repeat of what Puppetman did in the last trilogy. The arc-villain Bloat is visually interesting but his mind-reading power is just a pale imitation of Tachyon's
The events of the book cover October 1988 through autumn of 1990. I found it odd that the fall of the Berlin Wall is not mentioned at all. Did it not happen in the Wild Cards alternate timeline? Given that Tachyon is a sometime-Russian spy and Polyakov a former KGB agent, this seems like an odd gap to leave unexplored.
Here are my individual story reviews:
"Nobody's Girl" (Interstitial Stories) by Walter Simons
The interstitial sections of this book which tie the stories together each have a different but related title ("Nobody's Girl", "Nobody's Fool", "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" and so forth). They feature James Strauss, aka The Projectionist. His ace power is the ability to mimic the appearance and abilities of any ace, joker, nat, or animal. He was seen in earlier books as the giant Ape that climbed the Empire State Building and fought Modular Man. He was restored to human form by Elephant Girl in Aces Abroad. Notably, jumpers have a hard time controlling his body due to the shape shifting, which will probably be important in a future story…
"Luck Be A Lady" by Chris Claremont
Dr. Cody Havero, the new chief of surgery at Jokertown Clinic, discovers a new ace with a shark-like appearance that has the ability to transform nat women into similar form. He lacks higher cognitive functions, and so he rapes and eats his victims after he turns them.
"The Tower of Gold and Amber" by Kevin Andrew Murphy
This story introduces Magpie, an elderly cat burglar with the power to teleport items of small mass. At a 1998 Republican fundraiser dinner, she hatches a spur-of-the-moment heist with two other ace diners. Croyd Crenson turns the priceless artifacts in Trump Tower's Amber Room into living objects. Jessica von der Stadt then shrinks the living things (this is the same ace who imprisoned Digger Downs in the previous book), so that Magpie can teleport them into her handbag. They must elude Ramshead and other cops from Fort Freak to escape with their loot.
This is a new story written for the 2018 reissue. While I enjoyed the clever plot of three aces having to combine their gifts to reach a shared goal, the story felt jarring in a number of ways. It has an overly long buildup. It is a satire of both Dan Quayle and the character Duncan Towers, who is an obvious stand-in for Donald J. Trump. Why not use Trump's real name, since other historical characters are present in the story? The Quayle jokes are funny, although probably not fair to a man who is more intelligent than the media portrayed at the time. The Trump jokes on the other hand are spot-on, but they do not fit the timeframe of the story--they make fun of the words and appearance of President Trump of 2018 (the bizarre spray-on tan, the belittling reporter nicknames, his insecurity over his small hands, etc.), not Trump as he actually looked and spoke and behaved in the 1980's.
"Horses" by Lewis Shiner
Veronica decides to finally leave the geisha life and kick her heroin habit, aided by Hannah, a sympathetic counselor for whom Veronica develops romantic feelings. This story is more personal and introspective than usual for Shiner, but it ends on a note of violence. Hannah kills a security guard in cold blood--after her body is temporarily possessed by a Jumper--then she kills herself in a prison holding cell. The shock causes Veronica's wild card (which she caught from Typhoid Croyd) to turn. Her abilities are a bit unclear except she can disrupt electrical flow and cause men to feel extremely weak and ill.
"Snow Dragon" by William F. Wu
Ben Choy is hired to courier drugs from Manhattan to Ellis Island. This story features a memorable battle between Lazy Dragon (in the form of an actual dragon this time) and Oddity. It also introduces the villain Bloat, an eight-foot mound of flesh and fat who appears to be controlling the jumpers. We also learn more about Ben's ace ability. In times of stress, he changes gender and his consciousness is controlled by a new personality--his sister Vivian.
"Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" by Victor Milán
Mark Meadows' ex-wife Kimberly Anne returns to the series for the first time since "Transfigurations" (vol. 1), and now she wants custody of their daughter. As the dispute winds its way through the courts and the lawyer tactics get increasingly ruthless, Mark must face the fact the modern world no longer makes room for his hippie lifestyle of free love and drug experimentation. He just isn't "an eighties kind of guy."
Despite one too many melodramatic moments, I'd have to say this is the most mature and effective Captain Trips story so far. Mark Meadows emerges as a three dimensional and believable character. Kimberly Anne is emotionally manipulative and tragic. I miss the reckless lunacy of "Relative Difficulties," of course, but this was better.
"A Broken Thread in a Dark Room" by Carrie Vaughn
Lady Black tries to help a young joker who lives like a vampire, having to drink the blood of live animals and rodents to survive. This story also introduces Charon, the transparent single-celled ferryman who transports jokers from Manhattan to Ellis Island. As usual Vaughn delivers a quiet, earnest story for the reissue that emphasizes the human cost of the wild card virus.
"Sixteen Candles" by Stephen Leigh
In their first point of view story, Oddity is damaged in a jumper attack. For the first time, readers learn about the fascinating mechanism by which three minds control the single body by cycling continuously through Dominant, Sub-Dominant, and Passive positions. Each position up the hierarchy increases both autonomy and pain for the ascending member of the trio. A jumper can be used to liberate and replace one personality from its bondage. This story also explains more about Bloat's plots and introduces the cleverly named Kafka, the roach man.
"The Devil's Triangle" by Melinda Snodgrass
After being initiated to his first violent sexual experiences by Ti Malice in Down & Dirty, Blaise has officially entered puberty in full-on hormonal bloom. He has a crush on Cody Havero, but when he learns she prefers his grandfather Tachyon, he tries to use his telepathic powers to rape and humiliate her.
This leads to a physical confrontation between the two alien telepaths, and it sends Blaise down a path that eventually leads him to Bloat and the Prime Jumper because jumping is the only power that may be able to overcome Tachyon's superior strength and training. One interesting reveal is that jumping is a sexually transmitted ability.
"Dead Heart Beating" by John Jos. Miller
Kien has been murdered by Blaise at the request of Prime (aka Loophole Latham), opening the door for Fadeout to take over the Shadow Fist empire. This is a fun story. It seems to effectively end the longest running subplot in the series--the feud between Yeoman and Kien--but all is not what at first it appears to be.
April 4, 2016
A shift in tone from the previous books with a new story arc, which seems to hold a lot of potential. Blaise descends into being a full-blown sociopath and joins the newest threat, the Jumpers. The story around the trial involving Dr. Trips was poignant, and I really felt for him. The events around Kein had me celebrating, and then knocked the legs out from under me. Well played. One of my least favorite characters has been retired in favor of a character, Veronica, that I like much better.
August 4, 2019
Reprint review
Luck be a Lady by Chris Claremont
Dr. Cody Havero has had a hard time after serving in Vietnam, she has not found a way to use her training that would benefit society. A sequence of unfortunate events draws her to Jokerstown, and she is able through Luck and persistence to gain a job at the Jokertown Clinic.
The tower of gold and amber by Kevin Andrew Murphy
What an amazing turn of events. The idea that an American Tycoon of the modern world would attempt to show off his wealth and influence by providing a dinner with a remake of the Russian Treasure the Amber room. Kevin not only remarkably describes the original treasure but the additions that the tycoon brings to his project. I love the new characters, and the method they use to put this raging tyrant to his just reward. Kevin does an amazing job of adding political tension and intrigue into the story, not a step out of place in the opulent world that the jumpers are trying to illuminate. Besides the long time fans get to see Croyd Crenson , The Sleeper in a new light.
Horses by Lewis Shiner
The geshias build by Fortunato have not had the easiest of times after his battle with the Astronomer. The surviving women and his mother struggle to continue their way of life with out the protection and aid of their Ace benefactor. Veronica has found a path out of the life, only to be devastated by the advent and twist of fate that is the Jumpers. Setting up the beginning of the series in a remarkable twisting mystery.
Snow dragon by William F Wu
The Jumpers find their power is not invincible when they test Lazy Dragon. Christian shows the aftermath of Dead Mans's Hand does not only affect Jokers, Ace and wild card victims. His story show how the puppet master has created a cascade affect that has even affected the Chinatown of New York, not just its neighbor Jokertown. Trying to protect his people he is attacked in his avitar, and is knocked unconscious leaving his sister in charge of their shared body.
Nowadays Clancy Can't even sing by Victor Milan
Reading anything of Vic's works is heart wrenching right now, but reading again how Mark Meadows risks loosing his beloved daughter Sprout, to her mother and the establishment is even more heart wrenching. I maybe the only one, but though I know Victor was not Mark I see him as Mark when I read anything about this character. While I pull myself through the pages of this story I find how devastating it would be in the ACE characters foot prints, giving up his sixties mindset, his shop, his hopes in the ideal of keeping his daughter safe tears at the readers heart with merciless unrelenting torment. Its a dark time in Wild Cards world, and Mark Meadows sets up this trilogy with its tone.
A broken Thread in a dark room by Carrie Vaughn
How does she get the story to fit so well in the story line of the original book, you would think this story came out in a time when Carrie Vaughn was still playing with toys. I am amazed by her ability to create and draw out characters in a way that just add to the whole book. The story of events of a lesser kind, not the flash in the pan sensational hero story. A series of strange stray cat and dog deaths brings out Joann, or Lady Black to investigate in the parks outside of the Rox or Ellis Island. Carrie Vaughn brings the whole tragedy of the ROX and the Jumpers to a greater tension with the addition of her story.
Sixteen Candles by Stephen Leigh
The tragedy of Oddity is one of many stories in the world of wild cards, Jokers suffer phenomenally terrible afflictions. Three lovers bound in a twisted deformed ever changing body is one of the sadist and devastating stories in the Wild Cards world. Oddity despite his/her strength similar to an Ace is constantly in pain as they shift from one part to another. Evan is depressed with all he had seen in the prior story, and is at his lowest, this sets up the Jumpers triad in a remarkable way, connecting the new trilogy to the entire series remarkably pointedly.
The Devil's Triangle by Melinda M Snodgrass
Blaze has a little bit of a power issue, he hates his grandfather. He finds interest in the same woman as his grandfather, and the rivalry is problematic in that the woman sees him only as a child. Blaze finds a unique path to power, by connecting with the Prime and joining the Jumpers. This it the set up for the triad, and the whole problem in the Wild Cards world.
Dead Heart Beating by John Jos. Miller
The crime world is reeling after the power struggle between Hartman and the People whom he controlled. Setting up the conflict in the series is building. Kein is getting old, and needs a new lead on life. He uses his influence to find those who not only are moving against him, but a new world of opening.
Nobody's Girl, Nobody knows me like my baby, Mr. Nobody goes to town, Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, You're nobody Till somebody Loves you, Nobody's fool, My name is Nobody, Nobody's home, and Nobody gets out alive, by Walter Simons.
Mr. Nobody or Jerry Strauss is the linchpin of this book, his character is going through a number of changes. His love Veronica has spurned him. His powers and abilities have proven in effective in saving others from devastation. Jerry is also one of the key figures that bring the story of the Jumpers to light.
Luck be a Lady by Chris Claremont
Dr. Cody Havero has had a hard time after serving in Vietnam, she has not found a way to use her training that would benefit society. A sequence of unfortunate events draws her to Jokerstown, and she is able through Luck and persistence to gain a job at the Jokertown Clinic.
The tower of gold and amber by Kevin Andrew Murphy
What an amazing turn of events. The idea that an American Tycoon of the modern world would attempt to show off his wealth and influence by providing a dinner with a remake of the Russian Treasure the Amber room. Kevin not only remarkably describes the original treasure but the additions that the tycoon brings to his project. I love the new characters, and the method they use to put this raging tyrant to his just reward. Kevin does an amazing job of adding political tension and intrigue into the story, not a step out of place in the opulent world that the jumpers are trying to illuminate. Besides the long time fans get to see Croyd Crenson , The Sleeper in a new light.
Horses by Lewis Shiner
The geshias build by Fortunato have not had the easiest of times after his battle with the Astronomer. The surviving women and his mother struggle to continue their way of life with out the protection and aid of their Ace benefactor. Veronica has found a path out of the life, only to be devastated by the advent and twist of fate that is the Jumpers. Setting up the beginning of the series in a remarkable twisting mystery.
Snow dragon by William F Wu
The Jumpers find their power is not invincible when they test Lazy Dragon. Christian shows the aftermath of Dead Mans's Hand does not only affect Jokers, Ace and wild card victims. His story show how the puppet master has created a cascade affect that has even affected the Chinatown of New York, not just its neighbor Jokertown. Trying to protect his people he is attacked in his avitar, and is knocked unconscious leaving his sister in charge of their shared body.
Nowadays Clancy Can't even sing by Victor Milan
Reading anything of Vic's works is heart wrenching right now, but reading again how Mark Meadows risks loosing his beloved daughter Sprout, to her mother and the establishment is even more heart wrenching. I maybe the only one, but though I know Victor was not Mark I see him as Mark when I read anything about this character. While I pull myself through the pages of this story I find how devastating it would be in the ACE characters foot prints, giving up his sixties mindset, his shop, his hopes in the ideal of keeping his daughter safe tears at the readers heart with merciless unrelenting torment. Its a dark time in Wild Cards world, and Mark Meadows sets up this trilogy with its tone.
A broken Thread in a dark room by Carrie Vaughn
How does she get the story to fit so well in the story line of the original book, you would think this story came out in a time when Carrie Vaughn was still playing with toys. I am amazed by her ability to create and draw out characters in a way that just add to the whole book. The story of events of a lesser kind, not the flash in the pan sensational hero story. A series of strange stray cat and dog deaths brings out Joann, or Lady Black to investigate in the parks outside of the Rox or Ellis Island. Carrie Vaughn brings the whole tragedy of the ROX and the Jumpers to a greater tension with the addition of her story.
Sixteen Candles by Stephen Leigh
The tragedy of Oddity is one of many stories in the world of wild cards, Jokers suffer phenomenally terrible afflictions. Three lovers bound in a twisted deformed ever changing body is one of the sadist and devastating stories in the Wild Cards world. Oddity despite his/her strength similar to an Ace is constantly in pain as they shift from one part to another. Evan is depressed with all he had seen in the prior story, and is at his lowest, this sets up the Jumpers triad in a remarkable way, connecting the new trilogy to the entire series remarkably pointedly.
The Devil's Triangle by Melinda M Snodgrass
Blaze has a little bit of a power issue, he hates his grandfather. He finds interest in the same woman as his grandfather, and the rivalry is problematic in that the woman sees him only as a child. Blaze finds a unique path to power, by connecting with the Prime and joining the Jumpers. This it the set up for the triad, and the whole problem in the Wild Cards world.
Dead Heart Beating by John Jos. Miller
The crime world is reeling after the power struggle between Hartman and the People whom he controlled. Setting up the conflict in the series is building. Kein is getting old, and needs a new lead on life. He uses his influence to find those who not only are moving against him, but a new world of opening.
Nobody's Girl, Nobody knows me like my baby, Mr. Nobody goes to town, Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, You're nobody Till somebody Loves you, Nobody's fool, My name is Nobody, Nobody's home, and Nobody gets out alive, by Walter Simons.
Mr. Nobody or Jerry Strauss is the linchpin of this book, his character is going through a number of changes. His love Veronica has spurned him. His powers and abilities have proven in effective in saving others from devastation. Jerry is also one of the key figures that bring the story of the Jumpers to light.
October 27, 2022
"Ręka umarlaka" zamknęła "trylogię w czterech częściach", skupiającą się na działaniu Lalkarza i prawdopodobnie definitywnie zakończyła historię, jawiącego się jako kolejny potężny antagonista, pasożyt Ti Malice...
"Jednookie walety" zaś wracają niejako do korzeni serii i idei "powieści mozaikowej", stanowiącej zbiór opowiadań, z wolna budujących fundament pod kolejny "event" w uniwersum "Dzikich Kart" - tym razem związany z "plagą" Skoczków - nastoletnich wyrzutków, istot potrafiących wymieniać swe umysły z innymi, przejmując ich ciała i umiejętności, powodując coraz większą panikę i rozszerzającą się anarchię...
Tutaj jednak zagrożenie zostaje ledwo zarysowane, bowiem autorzy skupiają się na postaciach, które do tej pory pełniły raczej marginalne role, lub pojawiły się dawno i zniknęły z kart tej serii na czas długi. To oczywiście poczytuję na plus - lekkie tasowanie bohaterami się przyda, zwłaszcza że na arenę wprowadzonych i sprowadzonych z powrotem zostaje kilka naprawdę interesujących bohaterów i łotrów!
Tak więc dowiedzieć się możemy o dalszych losach, Jerry'ego Straussa, aktora który może zmieniać się w dowolną postać, jaką widzi, aczkolwiek niefortunnie uwięziony był w ciele wielkiej małpy i przez ponad 20 lata grał w filmach o "King-Kongu". Uwolniony przez Tachiona w "Wyprawie Asów" powraca w "Jednookich waletach" i to w zasadzie on jest głównym bohaterem, którego śledztwo w sprawie zaginionej ukochanej spaja wątki powiązane ze Skoczkami...
Ponadto powraca, w świetnej historii, Mark Meadows, znany między innymi, jako Kapitan Trips, Ognik czy Radykał - który pod wpływem narkotyków, zmieniał się w wyżej wymienione, potężne istoty, wspierając aktywistów walczących z establishmentem w latach 60-tych i 70-tych... Teraz po latach musi walczyć o prawo opieki nad swą małą córeczką i wyrzec się tym samym ideałów, o które kiedyś walczył...
Wreszcie pojawia się obszerniejsza historia o Kuriozum, dżokerze, który jest połączeniem trzech ciał i osobowości. Jego origin jest zaskakujący a historia, którą łączy się z rysującą się w tym tomie główną osią fabuły, zarówno trzyma w napięciu, jak i wzrusza...
...oraz masa innych, ciekawych, dotąd pomijanych lub ledwo poruszonych wątków, związanych z dżokerami i asami, tymi mniej znanymi i dawno porzuconymi. Stąd jestem bardzo ukontentowany, aczkolwiek z drugiej strony rozumiem rozczarowanie tych, którzy po trzech ostatnich, spójnych fabularnie i jednolitych narracyjnie, tomach znów otrzymali, nie przez wszystkich lubianą, "powieść mozaikową". Ja widzę - zwłaszcza po kilku finałowych nowelkach tomu - że stworzony został grunt pod wydarzenia, które wstrząsną tym uniwersum i nieźle zmaltretują fizycznie i psychicznie znane i mniej znane postaci tego świata! Polecam!
"Jednookie walety" zaś wracają niejako do korzeni serii i idei "powieści mozaikowej", stanowiącej zbiór opowiadań, z wolna budujących fundament pod kolejny "event" w uniwersum "Dzikich Kart" - tym razem związany z "plagą" Skoczków - nastoletnich wyrzutków, istot potrafiących wymieniać swe umysły z innymi, przejmując ich ciała i umiejętności, powodując coraz większą panikę i rozszerzającą się anarchię...
Tutaj jednak zagrożenie zostaje ledwo zarysowane, bowiem autorzy skupiają się na postaciach, które do tej pory pełniły raczej marginalne role, lub pojawiły się dawno i zniknęły z kart tej serii na czas długi. To oczywiście poczytuję na plus - lekkie tasowanie bohaterami się przyda, zwłaszcza że na arenę wprowadzonych i sprowadzonych z powrotem zostaje kilka naprawdę interesujących bohaterów i łotrów!
Tak więc dowiedzieć się możemy o dalszych losach, Jerry'ego Straussa, aktora który może zmieniać się w dowolną postać, jaką widzi, aczkolwiek niefortunnie uwięziony był w ciele wielkiej małpy i przez ponad 20 lata grał w filmach o "King-Kongu". Uwolniony przez Tachiona w "Wyprawie Asów" powraca w "Jednookich waletach" i to w zasadzie on jest głównym bohaterem, którego śledztwo w sprawie zaginionej ukochanej spaja wątki powiązane ze Skoczkami...
Ponadto powraca, w świetnej historii, Mark Meadows, znany między innymi, jako Kapitan Trips, Ognik czy Radykał - który pod wpływem narkotyków, zmieniał się w wyżej wymienione, potężne istoty, wspierając aktywistów walczących z establishmentem w latach 60-tych i 70-tych... Teraz po latach musi walczyć o prawo opieki nad swą małą córeczką i wyrzec się tym samym ideałów, o które kiedyś walczył...
Wreszcie pojawia się obszerniejsza historia o Kuriozum, dżokerze, który jest połączeniem trzech ciał i osobowości. Jego origin jest zaskakujący a historia, którą łączy się z rysującą się w tym tomie główną osią fabuły, zarówno trzyma w napięciu, jak i wzrusza...
...oraz masa innych, ciekawych, dotąd pomijanych lub ledwo poruszonych wątków, związanych z dżokerami i asami, tymi mniej znanymi i dawno porzuconymi. Stąd jestem bardzo ukontentowany, aczkolwiek z drugiej strony rozumiem rozczarowanie tych, którzy po trzech ostatnich, spójnych fabularnie i jednolitych narracyjnie, tomach znów otrzymali, nie przez wszystkich lubianą, "powieść mozaikową". Ja widzę - zwłaszcza po kilku finałowych nowelkach tomu - że stworzony został grunt pod wydarzenia, które wstrząsną tym uniwersum i nieźle zmaltretują fizycznie i psychicznie znane i mniej znane postaci tego świata! Polecam!
December 19, 2020
I’m very happy this triad has been republished as I was forced to forego it last time.
I love the whole Wild Card universe, but for the uninitiated readers I should stress the importance of the word triad (or quartet in the preceding story arc). Naturally each triad consists of 3 books, and whilst this gives the overarching story plenty of time to build and expand before reaching the explosive finale, the first book of a new triad tends to focus on set-up and positioning the central characters, and of course, remain open ended. Thankfully, whilst the major plot remains unresolved there is still plenty of intrigue and action driving this first instalment.
This particular story follows the fallout of the previous quartet, with political and public opinion further condemning Aces and Jokers as dangerous pariahs of society. Compounding these volatile times are the emergence of “jumpers”, a sociopathic cult of punk kids and runaways operating from the no-man’s land of Ellis Island, and who are supporters of a new grotesque and powerful psychic joker named Bloat. Hint: this isn’t his name because of his svelte figure. These jumpers, chiefly a psychic rich kid with connections to a powerful attorney from previous instalments, are shaking-up all corners of Jokertown and Manhattan by temporarily hijacking the body of anyone they choose and committing various heinous acts in the puppet body, before returning the owner’s psyche to their body to deal with the repercussions.
The jumpers are creating quite a stir, and many of your old favourite characters return, getting mixed-up with this new band of psychic terrorists.
Book #8 One-Eyed Jacks has set the ball rolling, and I can’t wait to see how badly things escalate in book #9 Jokertown Shuffle.
My only real gripe is the typical over-smattering of trashy sex scenes which can make it read like some old divorce’s late-night special; and the inevitable stylistic variance between the contributing authors (there’s only so much GRRM can do).
Overall though, I really enjoyed this.
I love the whole Wild Card universe, but for the uninitiated readers I should stress the importance of the word triad (or quartet in the preceding story arc). Naturally each triad consists of 3 books, and whilst this gives the overarching story plenty of time to build and expand before reaching the explosive finale, the first book of a new triad tends to focus on set-up and positioning the central characters, and of course, remain open ended. Thankfully, whilst the major plot remains unresolved there is still plenty of intrigue and action driving this first instalment.
This particular story follows the fallout of the previous quartet, with political and public opinion further condemning Aces and Jokers as dangerous pariahs of society. Compounding these volatile times are the emergence of “jumpers”, a sociopathic cult of punk kids and runaways operating from the no-man’s land of Ellis Island, and who are supporters of a new grotesque and powerful psychic joker named Bloat. Hint: this isn’t his name because of his svelte figure. These jumpers, chiefly a psychic rich kid with connections to a powerful attorney from previous instalments, are shaking-up all corners of Jokertown and Manhattan by temporarily hijacking the body of anyone they choose and committing various heinous acts in the puppet body, before returning the owner’s psyche to their body to deal with the repercussions.
The jumpers are creating quite a stir, and many of your old favourite characters return, getting mixed-up with this new band of psychic terrorists.
Book #8 One-Eyed Jacks has set the ball rolling, and I can’t wait to see how badly things escalate in book #9 Jokertown Shuffle.
My only real gripe is the typical over-smattering of trashy sex scenes which can make it read like some old divorce’s late-night special; and the inevitable stylistic variance between the contributing authors (there’s only so much GRRM can do).
Overall though, I really enjoyed this.
February 5, 2019
One-eyed Jacks is the beginning of the 3rd arc of the Wild Cards series. Sadly, it doesn't live up to its predecessors. The reason for this largely rests upon the development of the arcs antagonist. However, I also found the secondary characters, plotting, and writing quality to be lesser than many previous installments of the series.
Both of the previous arcs feature much more threatening and well-defined villains. I wasn't a fan of the Astronomer's ultra-sadism as his main BIG BAD trait, but he at least had some truly frightening and believable motivations. Unfortunately, the villain coming out of this book is made to be threatening through the same ultra-sadism, but is pretty much motivated solely by revenge and an intense Oedipal complex. This might have set up a more personal and poignant kind of relationship between the villain and protagonist, but I personally don't feel that enough time was spent on developing the villain and his object of vengeance for this to occur.
Additionally, I didn't find the interstitial narrative very interesting either. This was especially disappointing because the interstitial portions of each of these novels often contain the best writing in each book.
I could list off a bunch of other things that bothered me (including the new Donald Trump story in this edition and the Burying of Gays), but suffice to say that this novel included pretty much everything I dislike in the Wild Cards universe and very few things I enjoy.
That being said, Mark Meadows made this worth the read for me. I love that hippie dude so much.
Both of the previous arcs feature much more threatening and well-defined villains. I wasn't a fan of the Astronomer's ultra-sadism as his main BIG BAD trait, but he at least had some truly frightening and believable motivations. Unfortunately, the villain coming out of this book is made to be threatening through the same ultra-sadism, but is pretty much motivated solely by revenge and an intense Oedipal complex. This might have set up a more personal and poignant kind of relationship between the villain and protagonist, but I personally don't feel that enough time was spent on developing the villain and his object of vengeance for this to occur.
Additionally, I didn't find the interstitial narrative very interesting either. This was especially disappointing because the interstitial portions of each of these novels often contain the best writing in each book.
I could list off a bunch of other things that bothered me (including the new Donald Trump story in this edition and the Burying of Gays), but suffice to say that this novel included pretty much everything I dislike in the Wild Cards universe and very few things I enjoy.
That being said, Mark Meadows made this worth the read for me. I love that hippie dude so much.
May 25, 2025
Inicio de una nueva tríada de la saga Wild Cards, esta vez con un tipo de historia muy distinta acerca del crimen organizado, una siniestra pandilla juvenil de usurpadores de cuerpos y una trama enfocada mayoritariamente en historias que no incluyen a ninguno de los héroes clásicos, pero al mismo tiempo volviendo a los orígenes al traernos algunos de los mejores autores que la saga ha tenido para encargarse de personajes en un principio secundarios. Me gusta que pese a que hay una trama general que engloba todo el conjunto, también hay espacio para pequeñas historias que consisten en puntos de vista alternativos, como ocurre por ejemplo con el que para mí es el mejor texto del libro, una historia centrada en uno de mis personajes favoritos, ese maravilloso monstruo conocido como "The Oddity". Este relato, por cierto, escrito por Stephen Leigh, uno de los autores más sólidos que la saga ha tenido.
Las opiniones en cuanto a este libro han sido un tanto variadas por la manera en que se distancia de los anteriores, pero personalmente me ha encantado y pienso que esta nueva trilogía ha comenzado con muy buen pie.
Las opiniones en cuanto a este libro han sido un tanto variadas por la manera en que se distancia de los anteriores, pero personalmente me ha encantado y pienso que esta nueva trilogía ha comenzado con muy buen pie.
September 28, 2024
For those not familiar with this series, Wild Cards is a shared-world alternate history, in which there was an alien incident shortly after the end of WWII altered human DNA, so that some humans develop superpowers and some get a horrible deformity, although most are unaffected.
The eighth volume in this series picks up shortly after the end of the 7th - with the aftermath of the DNC for the 1988 Presidential election. As is common in a number of comics universes, the majority of the action is cantered in New York City.
This volume of the series sees the rise of a new menace - a group of people with the ability to take control of other people by swapping their personalities. An example from the book is to take control of another person, have them walk into traffic, and then swap back just before they are hit. Like most of the previous volumes in this series, these stories focus more on the effect that superpowers have on society, rather than concentrating on superhero vs supervillain battles - although those do occur.
Overall, this is another strong entry in the series.
The eighth volume in this series picks up shortly after the end of the 7th - with the aftermath of the DNC for the 1988 Presidential election. As is common in a number of comics universes, the majority of the action is cantered in New York City.
This volume of the series sees the rise of a new menace - a group of people with the ability to take control of other people by swapping their personalities. An example from the book is to take control of another person, have them walk into traffic, and then swap back just before they are hit. Like most of the previous volumes in this series, these stories focus more on the effect that superpowers have on society, rather than concentrating on superhero vs supervillain battles - although those do occur.
Overall, this is another strong entry in the series.
May 25, 2022
This is four stars, bordering on five, as we swing into a compelling new arc coming out of the events of the Puppetman trilogy in the previous book. The highlights here are "Sixteen Candles", the first story focusing on tragically-merged-in-one-body throuple The Oddity, and "Nowadays, Clancy Can't Even Sing", the first Captain Trips story in quite a few volumes that contains major developments for Dr. Mark Meadows.
March 13, 2019
It's okay but there seems to be a definite "more depressing" trend. The series certainly hasn't been a barrel of laughs and happy endings but parts of this one seemed a bit darker than I was prepared for. Quite likely me and my current context.
June 24, 2019
Not my favorite of the series, but a decent read nonetheless. All of the Wild Cards books can be a bit tough to follow, and this one especially since it is also the start of a 3-book arc. It took me months to get through it, which tells me that the story did not really engage me. But I love the world and all of the strange powers.
May 11, 2020
I just finished wildcards VIII One Eyed Jacks and I had to talk about it.
Really good read even if I do fan girl a little over Blaise. check out my youtube review for more info
https://youtu.be/-ye9W2oH8xQ
Really good read even if I do fan girl a little over Blaise. check out my youtube review for more info
https://youtu.be/-ye9W2oH8xQ
Read
May 25, 2020VOLTEI `PARA A SERIE CARTAS SELVAGES ESSE FOI BOM VIU TEM UMAS APRTES BEM TENSAS, TEM UMAS MEIO TOSKAS MAS SL NE LITERATURA JUVENILKKKK MAS EU GOSTO FALO MSM, MAS AI TEM AS PERSPECTIVAS DE VARIOS PERSONAGES ISO EH LEGAL, BORA Q BORA NOWILDCARDSSSSSSSS
April 21, 2021
The first 'Wild Cards' I read. It was like opening a random Comic Book: a bit confusing, but still a lot of fun.
January 8, 2022
Another arc begins. The stories are skillfully interlinked; at first, many seem only to be short stories based on a single character, but as a whole they tell a bigger story.
May 16, 2022
some great stories
But also a couple of real clunkers. Wish they could have all the stories be great.
Onto the next one
But also a couple of real clunkers. Wish they could have all the stories be great.
Onto the next one
August 16, 2022
Inconsistent. There are some good stories but more bad than good. Overall, it's the worst of the first eight books in the series.
August 18, 2022
Excelente para los fans de Martin.
March 27, 2023
This was on okay entry. Definitely a step back from its predecessor. The Oddity story alone is worth it however.
August 19, 2024
Another grim and gritty volume of the Wild Cards series, marking the beginning of one of the series' darkest arcs.
July 1, 2025
Not much positivity in this books, dropped.
August 4, 2019
Wild Cards VIII: One-Eyed Jacks: Original
(Wild Cards #8) by George R.R. Martin
(Editor), Victor Milán (Goodreads Author) (Contributor)
One Eyed Jack is the books were groups called jumpers have come into joker town, they have found a way to control other people and other jokers with their own minds, and they are committing crimes and killing the victims they use. One of the most detrimental wild card powers to the trilogy and the mosaic universe. This power gave the writers fits and still echoes that reverberate today. Don’t Ask about Jumpers…
Luck be a Lady by Chris Claremont
Dr. Cody Havero has had a hard time after serving in Vietnam, she has not found a way to use her training that would benefit society. A sequence of unfortunate events draws her to Jokerstown, and she is able through Luck and persistence to gain a job at the Jokertown Clinic.
Horses by Lewis Shiner
The geshias build by Fortunato have not had the easiest of times after his battle with the Astronomer. The surviving women and his mother struggle to continue their way of life with out the protection and aid of their Ace benefactor. Veronica has found a path out of the life, only to be devastated by the advent and twist of fate that is the Jumpers. Setting up the beginning of the series in a remarkable twisting mystery.
Snow dragon by William F Wu
The Jumpers find their power is not invincible when they test Lazy Dragon. Christian shows the aftermath of Dead Mans's Hand does not only affect Jokers, Ace and wild card victims. His story show how the puppet master has created a cascade affect that has even affected the Chinatown of New York, not just its neighbor Jokertown. Trying to protect his people he is attacked in his avitar, and is knocked unconscious leaving his sister in charge of their shared body.
Nowadays Clancy Can't even sing by Victor Milan
Reading anything of Vic's works is heart wrenching right now, but reading again how Mark Meadows risks loosing his beloved daughter Sprout, to her mother and the establishment is even more heart wrenching. I maybe the only one, but though I know Victor was not Mark I see him as Mark when I read anything about this character. While I pull myself through the pages of this story I find how devastating it would be in the ACE characters foot prints, giving up his sixties mindset, his shop, his hopes in the ideal of keeping his daughter safe tears at the readers heart with merciless unrelenting torment. Its a dark time in Wild Cards world, and Mark Meadows sets up this trilogy with its tone.
Sixteen Candles by Stephen Leigh
The tragedy of Oddity is one of many stories in the world of wild cards, Jokers suffer phenomenally terrible afflictions. Three lovers bound in a twisted deformed ever changing body is one of the sadist and devastating stories in the Wild Cards world. Oddity despite his/her strength similar to an Ace is constantly in pain as they shift from one part to another. Evan is depressed with all he had seen in the prior story, and is at his lowest, this sets up the Jumpers triad in a remarkable way, connecting the new trilogy to the entire series remarkably pointedly.
The Devil's Triangle by Melinda M Snodgrass
Blaze has a little bit of a power issue, he hates his grandfather. He finds interest in the same woman as his grandfather, and the rivalry is problematic in that the woman sees him only as a child. Blaze finds a unique path to power, by connecting with the Prime and joining the Jumpers. This it the set up for the triad, and the whole problem in the Wild Cards world.
Dead Heart Beating by John Jos. Miller
The crime world is reeling after the power struggle between Hartman and the People whom he controlled. Setting up the conflict in the series is building. Kein is getting old, and needs a new lead on life. He uses his influence to find those who not only are moving against him, but a new world of opening.
Nobody's Girl, Nobody knows me like my baby, Mr. Nobody goes to town, Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, You're nobody Till somebody Loves you, Nobody's fool, My name is Nobody, Nobody's home, and Nobody gets out alive, by Walter Simons.
Mr. Nobody or Jerry Strauss is the linchpin of this book, his character is going through a number of changes. His love Veronica has spurned him. His powers and abilities have proven in effective in saving others from devastation. Jerry is also one of the key figures that bring the story of the Jumpers to light.
(Wild Cards #8) by George R.R. Martin
(Editor), Victor Milán (Goodreads Author) (Contributor)
One Eyed Jack is the books were groups called jumpers have come into joker town, they have found a way to control other people and other jokers with their own minds, and they are committing crimes and killing the victims they use. One of the most detrimental wild card powers to the trilogy and the mosaic universe. This power gave the writers fits and still echoes that reverberate today. Don’t Ask about Jumpers…
Luck be a Lady by Chris Claremont
Dr. Cody Havero has had a hard time after serving in Vietnam, she has not found a way to use her training that would benefit society. A sequence of unfortunate events draws her to Jokerstown, and she is able through Luck and persistence to gain a job at the Jokertown Clinic.
Horses by Lewis Shiner
The geshias build by Fortunato have not had the easiest of times after his battle with the Astronomer. The surviving women and his mother struggle to continue their way of life with out the protection and aid of their Ace benefactor. Veronica has found a path out of the life, only to be devastated by the advent and twist of fate that is the Jumpers. Setting up the beginning of the series in a remarkable twisting mystery.
Snow dragon by William F Wu
The Jumpers find their power is not invincible when they test Lazy Dragon. Christian shows the aftermath of Dead Mans's Hand does not only affect Jokers, Ace and wild card victims. His story show how the puppet master has created a cascade affect that has even affected the Chinatown of New York, not just its neighbor Jokertown. Trying to protect his people he is attacked in his avitar, and is knocked unconscious leaving his sister in charge of their shared body.
Nowadays Clancy Can't even sing by Victor Milan
Reading anything of Vic's works is heart wrenching right now, but reading again how Mark Meadows risks loosing his beloved daughter Sprout, to her mother and the establishment is even more heart wrenching. I maybe the only one, but though I know Victor was not Mark I see him as Mark when I read anything about this character. While I pull myself through the pages of this story I find how devastating it would be in the ACE characters foot prints, giving up his sixties mindset, his shop, his hopes in the ideal of keeping his daughter safe tears at the readers heart with merciless unrelenting torment. Its a dark time in Wild Cards world, and Mark Meadows sets up this trilogy with its tone.
Sixteen Candles by Stephen Leigh
The tragedy of Oddity is one of many stories in the world of wild cards, Jokers suffer phenomenally terrible afflictions. Three lovers bound in a twisted deformed ever changing body is one of the sadist and devastating stories in the Wild Cards world. Oddity despite his/her strength similar to an Ace is constantly in pain as they shift from one part to another. Evan is depressed with all he had seen in the prior story, and is at his lowest, this sets up the Jumpers triad in a remarkable way, connecting the new trilogy to the entire series remarkably pointedly.
The Devil's Triangle by Melinda M Snodgrass
Blaze has a little bit of a power issue, he hates his grandfather. He finds interest in the same woman as his grandfather, and the rivalry is problematic in that the woman sees him only as a child. Blaze finds a unique path to power, by connecting with the Prime and joining the Jumpers. This it the set up for the triad, and the whole problem in the Wild Cards world.
Dead Heart Beating by John Jos. Miller
The crime world is reeling after the power struggle between Hartman and the People whom he controlled. Setting up the conflict in the series is building. Kein is getting old, and needs a new lead on life. He uses his influence to find those who not only are moving against him, but a new world of opening.
Nobody's Girl, Nobody knows me like my baby, Mr. Nobody goes to town, Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, You're nobody Till somebody Loves you, Nobody's fool, My name is Nobody, Nobody's home, and Nobody gets out alive, by Walter Simons.
Mr. Nobody or Jerry Strauss is the linchpin of this book, his character is going through a number of changes. His love Veronica has spurned him. His powers and abilities have proven in effective in saving others from devastation. Jerry is also one of the key figures that bring the story of the Jumpers to light.
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