Lowball

Lowball invites readers into the gritty and enthralling world of Fort Freak, the beating heart of Manhattan's most enigmatic district. Here, the eerie charm of Jokertown unfolds—a place where those with extraordinary abilities, dubbed 'aces,' coexist with the disfigured 'jokers,' whose mutations verge on the grotesque. Amidst lingering tension from an alien virus that rewrote human DNA, life in Jokertown pulses with the undercurrents of mystery and danger.

As the bizarre and eccentric residents attempt to carve out their existence, an alarming disappearance epidemic strikes their community. Unchecked by the authorities, these vanishings reveal a sinister game at play under Jokertown's already murky surface. Enter a determined young lieutenant, eager to prove his worth, who joins forces with a diverse group of mutant heroes and misfits. Tasked with unraveling the mystery, each step they take seems to deepen the enigma, and soon, they must confront threats that extend beyond the kidnappers' machinations.

Masterfully edited by renowned authors George R. R. Martin and Melinda M. Snodgrass, Lowball is a compelling addition to the beloved Wild Cards series. This thrilling mosaic novel blends the talents of esteemed contributors Carrie Vaughn, Ian Tregillis, David Anthony Durham, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Mary Anne Mohanraj, David D. Levine, Michael Cassutt, and Walter John Williams, each adding a unique voice to the hypnotic tapestry of Jokertown.

For newcomers and long-time fans alike, the Wild Cards universe offers an enthralling journey through its rich, interconnected sagas. The narrative arcs traverse a thrilling path:

• The Original Triad:
  • #1 Wild Cards
  • #2 Aces High
  • #3 Jokers Wild
• The Puppetman Quartet:
  • #4: Aces Abroad
  • #5: Down and Dirty
  • #6: Ace in the Hole
  • #7: Dead Man's Hand
• The Rox Triad:
  • #8: One-Eyed Jacks
  • #9: Jokertown Shuffle
  • #10: Dealer's Choice
• #11: Double Solitaire
• #12: Turn of the Cards
• The Card Sharks Triad:
  • #13: Card Sharks
  • #14: Marked Cards
  • #15: Black Trump
• #16: Deuces Down
• #17: Death Draws Five
• The Committee Triad:
  • #18: Inside Straight
  • #19: Busted Flush
  • #20: Suicide Kings
• The Fort Freak Triad:
  • #21: Fort Freak
  • #22: Lowball
  • #23: High Stakes
• The American Triad:
  • #24: Mississippi Roll
  • #25: Low Chicago
  • #26: Texas Hold 'Em

Delve into Lowball for a riveting exploration of the human condition through the lens of the superhuman, where each page turn brings new layers of intrigue and excitement.