Customer Reviews

Wild Cards (Graphic Novel)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The best book i ever read. It keeps you on your toes becuase of the differet authors. Definatly a must have for all you comic fans

I first read Wild Cards over 15 years ago and have re-read it many times since then. The story revolves around an alien race that tests a biological weapon on the human race and the effects of the virus on history and individuals. Not everyone is infected with the "Wild Card" virus - so named because 90% die horrible deaths while 9% are mutated into grotesque and twisted versions of their innerselves (Jokers) and the remaining 1% however are gifted with unique and special talents (Aces). The stories (each written by a different Science Fiction Author) follow the lives of several individuals as they try to cope with their new lives through the McCarthy era, the Vietnam war and other events of 50's, 60's and 70's. The story essentially seeks the answer to the question, "What would the world be like if there really were superheros and villians?" Unlike the simplistic stories found in most comic books however, the world of the Wild Card is, in many ways, as complex as our own. Oftentimes it is difficult to determine whether someone is hero or villian as they struggle with the changes in themselves and society. For those of us who love comics and science fiction but have always felt the superhero stories were too black and white, I highly recommend this book. There is some explicit sex and graphic descriptions of violence so this book may not be appropriate for every age. If you can find this and its sequels, I think you will enjoy the depth of characterization and the feeling that this world is not so different from our own.

The story starts in the 1940's just after world war II. An alien virus is let loose upon an unsuspecting world. This virus, dubbed "Wild Card" does not affect everyone, but the consequences do. Many die, others are not affected at all, but some have been changed. They have been given certain powers all different, and some in horrible ways. Some have superhuman strength, or fantastic abilities they are dubbed "Aces" as they have a great advantage over normal humans. Some, however have been mutated into horrible caricatures of humanity, such as a man with an elephant trunk where his nose should be, and worse. This all takes place in a turbulent time, of the 50's 60's and 70's This is a series of related short stories from different authors who are well known in the SF field. In conclusion it is a book, that leaves you wanting more. Four stars out of five!!!!!!!!