Click here to read a full personal introduction by the series editor, George R. R. Martin.
You’ll meet some of our aces and jokers,
old and new, and the writers who created them as well. We’ve got a gallery of covers, author interviews and bios, a sample from the new book, and the true tale of the origins
of the series. And come
back often. We have big plans for this site, including more interviews, more samples,
secret histories, webisodes, outtakes, a gallery of fan art (send us your Wild Cards
drawings, and we’ll post them here), and all sort of other fun features.
We can’t die yet. We haven’t seen The Jolson Story.
Some of you may be long time fans of the series, going back twenty years now
(has it really been that long?). Others may just have wandered in off the net,
wondering what this Wild Cards thing is all about.
Wild Cards is a shared world anthology series, set in a universe where an alien
experiment unleashed a deadly virus on the human race in 1946. The virus kills
nine of every ten victims, and twists and deforms most of those who survive (the
jokers)… but one in every hundred gets lucky, and is gifted with the proverbial
‘powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men’ (the aces). Superpowers,
in other words. Edited by George R.R. Martin (that’s me) and written by a
consortium of twenty-odd (some very odd) wonderfully inventive and talented
science fiction and fantasy authors, the Wild Cards series made its debut in
1987 with a book titled, appropriately, Wild Cards.
Sixteen more volumes have followed that first one (most, unfortunately, are out
of print at the moment, though we hope to change that)… and come January an
eighteenth, Inside Straight, will hit the stands. The books have also spawned
comics, graphic novels, role-playing games, television and film options. At
this point, we’ve outlasted all the other shared world anthologies of the 80s
to become the longest-running such series in the history of our genre... and
with a little help from our readers, we hope to keep on going for another
twenty years at least.
Inside Straight represents a new beginning for us at our new home, Tor Books.
This is 'Wild Cards, the Next Generation' - the same world, but with a whole
new cast of characters. The old characters are still around (the one who aren't
dead), mind you, but this time the spotlight is on "the kids," the young aces and
jokers who were born into the world transformed by the wild card. We're not
abolishing the Wild Cards' past, not at all. We're just turning our attention
to the present and the future.
George R.R. Martin
August 14th, 2008
Extended Interview with Wild Cards Author Caroline Spector
Recently we added an extended author interview on the Consortium Page. Head on over to check it out!
August 12th, 2008
Preview of George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards : The Hard Call #3 (of 6)
The third book of Daniel Abraham's Wild Cards comic series is available now. For a sneak peek, check out the synopsis and preview from Dabel Brothers Publishing below.
Wild Cards:
The Hard Call #3 (of 6)
Written by Daniel Abraham
Art and Cover by Eric Battle
Croyd Crenson has been framed for murder in the New York City slum known as Jokertown. His only lead to find the real killer, the knowledge that whoever committed the crime has stolen vials of the trump virus, an antidote that can permanently reverse an joker's horrifying abnormalities, if its high failure rate doesn't kill them first. Meanwhile, Alex ventures out of the hospital to search for his missing friend, Kira. But he's about to find out how dangerous Jokertown can be...
Set in the world of the long-running series of popular novels edited by George R. R. Martin, Wild Cards: The Hard Call features beloved characters fromt he original stories and introduces an entirely new generation of aces and jokers!
Preview of George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards : The Hard Call #2 (of 6)
The second book of Daniel Abraham's Wild Cards comic series is out this Wednesday, May 7! For a sneak peek, check out the synopsis and preview from Dabel Brothers Publishing below.
Wild Cards:
The Hard Call #2 (of 6)
Written by Daniel Abraham
Art and Cover by Eric Battle
After an accident releases the Wild Card virus in Colorado, the three surviving teenagers are sent to the Jokertown Clinic in New York City. Alex is charged with electrical energy that he can barely control. Simon can now travel through mirrors. But their friend Kyrie wasn't so lucky -- she's drawn the Joker. What is her fate? And what will these transformations mean for Alex and Simon? Will these changes lead them to become heroes… or villains?
Meanwhile, Croyd Crenson has been framed for the murder of a nurse, and forced to escape the police and go into hiding so he can figure out who framed him. But Crenson's a marked man, and the citizens of Jokertown aren't going to let him wander around without a fight...
Set in the world of the long-running series of popular novels edited by George R. R. Martin, Wild Cards: The Hard Call features beloved characters from the original stories and introduces an entirely new generation of aces and jokers!
On Sale May 7, 32 pg., $2.99 US
April 11th, 2008
Neither Fish Nor Fowl, or, How Down Got Dirty
The 5th installment of series origin, Neither Fish Nor Fowl, or, How Down Got Dirty, posted!
Read it here.
Also, to celebrate Daniel Abraham's publication of The Hard Call, we've updated his bio page with yet another extended author interview. Enjoy.
April 9th, 2008
The First Issue of Wild Cards: The Hard Call Hits Stores Today!
There are various happenings in the Wild Cards universe this month...
We have two extended author interviews available on the Consortium page: Ian Tregillis and S.L. Farrell.
George R. R. Martin will be the featured author on Barnes & Noble Book Clubs Center Stage next week from April 14th – 18th! Martin will answer questions about his work, with a special emphasis on INSIDE STRAIGHT; readers will also be able to discuss amongst themselves.
The most exciting news this week - Daniel Abraham's Wild Cards: The Hard Call comic hits stands today! Synopsis and more previews from Dabel Brothers Publishing below.
We implore you to run (or teleport, if you can) to your nearest comic stand to nab your own copy.
Wild Cards:
The Hard Call #1 (of 6)
Written by Daniel Abraham
Art
Cover by Eric Battle
Incentive Cover by Arthur Suydam
In 1946, an alien virus was unleashed that changed the world forever, and people who were affected made their draw. Most drew the Black Queen and died horribly. Almost everyone who survived drew the Joker, and became deformed, broken, hated and feared. But a handful drew the Ace, and gained super powers that allowed them to achieve almost anything the mind can conceive – both in dreams and in nightmares.
Sixty years later, an ace named Croyd Crenson, better known as "The Sleeper," is framed for the murder of a young nurse in Jokertown. And as it turns out, the killer is another ace, with the ability to walk through walls!
Meanwhile a group of teenagers in Colorado accidentally activate the dormant Wild Card Virus, causing the entire town of Whiteoak to experience the effects of the virus. Most draw the Black Queen, but emergency crews will find themselves faced with two people who have drawn the ace…
Set in the world of the long-running series of popular Wild Card novels edited by George R. R. Martin, Wild Cards: The Hard Call is written by Daniel Abraham (author of The Long Price Quartet and the Nebula nominated short story Flat Diane) with art by Eric Battle (DC's Tales of the Unexpected and Batman) Featuring beloved characters from the original stories, this six issue limited series also introduces us to an entirely new generation of aces and jokers sure to change the Wild Card universe forever!
On sale April 9 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
March 12th , 2008
WC Widget and 4th installment of series origin posted!
We're already in Week 7 on American Hero. If you need some help catching up with your webisodes, we'd like to introduce to you the Wild Cards widget.
Also news-worthy is an update on the Dabel Brother's Wild Cards: The Hard Call comic. Read about the release of new previews here.
February 1st, 2008
Inside Straight Signing at Page One...
Last week, we sent out a notice about the Page One signing. For those who are unable to attend the event, Tor gave Page One a call for specific instructions on how one may obtain their very own autographed copy of Inside Straight through their website.
Simply purchase the book from the Page One websiteand send an email to books@page1book.com with your order information, stating that you'd like an autographed copy. Please note - we've been told that supplies are limited.
Event details:
Inside Straight Launch Party
and Signing February 2, 2008 - 2:00 pm Page One Books
11018 Montgomery NE Albuquerque, New Mexico87111
January 31st, 2008
Come And Get Your Heroes
The nine-day long anticipation is finally over. American Hero is finally explained in the official press release below. For the past few days, we shined and polished the final spots on this new extension of the website and hope you'll enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Tune-in to catch the American Hero weekly challenge and the confession of the day. Reality entertainment at its best - revel in the drama of backs stabbed and alliances formed. Who will you love? Who will you hate? Who will you love to hate? So complicated, it's almost poetic.
To complement the new blog, the Aces & Jokers page has been updated to incorporate the full roster of American Hero contestants, the stars of Inside Straight. Check it out to see who's who.
Much apologies to the folks who were kept waiting on their toes, but we promise - this was well worth the wait ...
George R. R. Martin and company present the exciting
Wild Cards website spin-off “American Heroes”!
Tor Books is proud to present “American Heroes,” the Wild Cards website spin-off blog featuring the characters from Inside Straight, the newest Wild Cards mosaic novel. One of the longest-running series in the shared worlds and fantasy genre, Wild Cards has the superheroes in its latest installment competing in a top reality TV show called “American Heroes.”
Now, in addition to the brand new Wild Cards website that launched in December, George R. R. Martin and the authors of Inside Straight have contributed all original narrative and scintillating “behind the scenes” material to a new “American Heroes” blog. Each week, the narrative follows the characters of Inside Straight as they compete—some surviving for another round and others getting voted off the show.
Featuring all original artwork by Mike Miller, the “American Heroes” site shows visual profiles of each character and “confessionals” from the individual superheroes.
The eighteenth volume of Wild Cards hits bookshelves today. To celebrate, there will be a book launch party where all contributing authors, with the exception of the mysterious S.L. Farrell, will be attending the event and signing copies of Inside Straight.
Inside Straight Launch Party and Signing February 2, 2008 - 2:00 pm Page One Books
11018 Montgomery NE Albuquerque, New Mexico87111
For fans who can't attend the signing, we'll post a separate note with instructions from Page One on how to place an order for signed books.
As an additional note, folks who have signed up to our email updates received a sneak peek about things to come within the next few days. Here's a hint: What's an American Hero? Sit tight, more on this tomorrow.
January 11th, 2008
Wild Card Panel Interview : 1988 WorldCon in New Orleans, Part II
Two things to note today:
1) The second installment of George R. R. Martin's retelling of Wild Cards origins has been posted onto the series page. Go check it out!
2) Last week, we posted two Wild Card panel interview videos from the 1988 New Orleans WorldCon. In the spirit of sharing, we've posted the third and fourth videos below.
For those who have signed up for reminders and hidden links, a Lost Archives link has been sent to you containing all four videos. A multi-video YouTube widget is also included on the hidden page, which we've provided code for you to put onto your own website.
Contributing authors on the panel include Bud Simons, George R.R. Martin, Melinda Snodgrass, John J. Miller, Ed Bryant, Gail Gerstner Miller, Vic Milan, Lewis Shiner, Walter John Williams, and Steve Leigh. A big thank you to Gilda Simons, who recorded the footage.
Widget of Convenience
Multi-video YouTube player featuring the 1988 WorldCon Interviews.
__________
Bag Lady is the first Wild Cards story ever written. Walter Jon Williams wrote it back in the early 80's, before the series had been sold. It was never published as part of the series for various reasons, but the full story can be found as the first edition of our hidden Lost Archives section. Simply enter your email on our sign up page and a link will be sent to you shortly. For those who would like a preview, an excerpt is provided below.
Click to Read a Preview of
Bag Lady by Walter Jon Williams
-------
He increased his speed till the wind turned to a roar in his ears. Infra-red receptors snapped on. The guns on his shoulders spun and fired test bursts at the sky. His radar quested out, touching rooftops, streets, air traffic, his machine mind comparing the radar images with those generated earlier, searching for discrepancies.
There seemed to be something wrong with the radar image of the Empire State Building. A large object was climbing up its side, and there seemed to be several small objects, about the size of people, orbiting the golden spire. The android altered course toward midtown and accelerated.
A forty-five-foot ape was climbing the building. Broken shackles hung from its wrists. A blonde woman screamed for help from one of the ape’s fists. Flying people rocketed around the creature, and by the time the android arrived the cloud of orbiting heroes had grown dense, spinning like electrons around a hairy, snarling nucleus. The air resounded with the sound of rockets, wings, force fields, propellers, eructations. Guns, wands, ray projectors, and less identifiable weapons were brandished in the direction of the ape. None were fired.
The ape, with a cretinous determination, continued to climb the building. Windows crackled as he drove his toes through them. Faint shrieks of alarm were heard with each crash.
The android matched speeds with a woman with talons, feathers, and a thirty-foot wingspan.
"The second goddam ape escape this year," she said. "Always he grabs a blonde and always he climbs the Empire State Building. Why a fucking blonde, I want to know?"
The android observed that the winged woman had lustrous brown hair. "Why isn't anyone doing anything?" he asked.
"If we shoot the ape, he might crush the girl, or drop her. Usually the godalmighty Great and Powerful fucking Turtle just pries the chimp's fingers apart and wafts the girl to the ground, and then we all cut loose. The ape regenerates, so we can't hurt him permanently. But the Turtle isn't here. He's probably shacked up with some bimbo in that shell of his."
"I think I see the problem now."
"Hey. By the way. What's wrong with your head?"
The android didn't answer. Instead, with a crackle, he turned on his insubstantiality flux-field. He altered course and swooped toward the ape. It growled at him, baring its teeth. The android smelled rank breath. He sailed into the middle of the hand that held the blonde girl, receiving an impressionist image of wild pale hair, tears, pleading blue eyes.
"Holy fuck," said the girl.
Modular Man rotated his insubstantial X-ray laser within the ape's hand and fired a full-strength burst down the length of its arm. The ape reacted as if stung, opening his hand. The blonde tumbled out. The ape's eyes widened in horror.
The android turned off his flux-field, seized the girl in his now-substantial arms, and flew away.
The ape's eyes grew even more terrified. It had escaped nine times in the last thirty years and by now it knew what to expect.
Behind him, as he flew, the android heard a barrage of explosions, crackles, shots, rockets, hissing rays, screams, thuds, and futile roars. There was a final quivering moan, and then the android’s radar detected the shadow of a long-armed giant tumbling down the façade of the skyscraper. There was a sizzle, and a net of cold blue flame appeared over Fifth Avenue; the ape fell into it, bounced once, and then was borne, unconscious and smoldering, toward its home at Central Park Zoo.
The android looked at the streets below for video cameras. He began to descend.
“Would you mind hovering for a little while?" the blonde said. "If you're going to land in front of the media, I'd like to fix my makeup first, okay?"
"Okay." He began to orbit above the cameras. They pointed up at him. He could see his reflection in their distant lenses.
"My name is Cyndi," the blonde said. "I'm an actress. I just got here from Minnesota a couple days ago. This might be my big break."
"Mine, too," said the android. She smiled at him. “By the way " he added, "I think the ape showed excellent taste."
"You're pretty good looking, yourself," she said. "But if you're gonna go on the stage, you'd better do something about that dome of yours."
_____________
"Not bad, not bad," Travnicek mused, watching on his television at a tape of the android, after a brief interview with the press, rising into the heavens with Cyndi in his arms. He was particularly pleased with the android's deadpan announcement that his creator "had equipped me for this and other eventualities.”
He turned to his creation. "Why the fucking hell did you have your hands over your head the whole time?"
"My radar dome. I'm getting self-conscious. Everyone asks me what's wrong with my head."
"A blushingly self-conscious multi-purpose defensive attack system," Travnicek said. "Jesus Christ. Just what the world needs.”
March 12th , 2008
