Singularity: Rise of the Posthumans
By David Michelinie, Jennie Wood, Chris Magee, Nancy Hansen, Jaime Ramos, Brant Fowler and Lee Houston Jr.
Published by Pro Se Press
Reviewed by Amy Owings
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Technological Singularity Event left the world’s governments trembling. War ravaged the land as humans faced off with the Nanite Army of Fire. Eventually the world was plunged into darkness. When the world regained its senses, technology had been reduced to the level of the 1800s. The world governments no longer existed, until one Dr. Fulbright began rebuilding English society in New Southampton. Fate seemed to intervene when Dr. Fulbright’s lab exploded and carved a giant crater in the center of the city. With Dr. Fulbright dead, the struggling city was left without guidance or authority. Authority was regained when brutal Queen Anne anointed herself the new city monarch. Anne quickly established a brutal regime bathed in blood and violence. In light of death and oppression, the people of New Southampton seek saviors. In the darkness, some have heard the call for Revolution. Beings that have crawled out of the time of the Singularity to give the people hope. Many call these harbingers of salvation the Posthumans. The Posthumans have risen from the ashes.
Genre: Cyberpunk/Superheroes
172 pages
MY REVIEW
4 out of 5 stars
Although I typically don’t read this kind of cyberpunk/genre fiction, I have to say that I really enjoyed this anthology. It reminded me slightly of a McSweeney’s collection, what with its focus on action and tenacious characters. Each story was able to maintain a unique voice while still fitting with the other stories to build a three-dimensional dystopian world. The action and plot, especially the one concerning the tyranny of Queen Anne, built up through each story and then met a satisfying resolution. The characters were strong and likeable; my favorite was definitely Simon. Enjoyable read.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
David Michelinie has written more than 600 comic book stories, as well as two novels. His comic book biography of Mother Teresa won the Catholic Book Award for Best Children’s Book, and his work on the acclaimed Iron Man “Demon In A Bottle” saga was awarded a Certificate Of Merit from a prestigious anti-alcoholism foundation.
Jennie Wood is the creator of Flutter, a graphic novel series published by 215 Ink. She is also the author of the YA novel, A Boy Like Me. Jennie is an ongoing contributor to the award-winning, New York Times best-selling FUBAR comic anthologies. She writes non-fiction features for infoplease.com and teaches at Grub Street, Boston's independent writing center.
Nancy Hansen is an avid reader and prolific writer of fantasy and adventure fiction. She is the author of the novels Fortune’s Pawn, Prophecy’s Gambit, Master's Endgame and Forged By Flame, as well as several anthologies and novellas. Nancy currently resides on an old farm in beautiful, rural eastern Connecticut with an eclectic cast of family members, and one very spoiled dog.
Lee Houston, Junior is the writer-creator of Hugh Monn, Private Detective and Alpha the superhero, published by Pro Se Press. His other creative credits include serving as the Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine and writing numerous short stories. In what he laughing refers to as his “spare” time, Lee is an avid reader of pulps, science-fiction, detective/mystery stories, fantasy, and comic books.
Brant Fowler is the Co-Publisher of Last Ember Press, where he writes the comic books Wannabez and The Last Ember. He won an Editor's Choice Award for his poem “The Abyss” while in college. The Eye of the Mind is his first published prose work. Brant was born in Georgia, raised in Arizona, South Carolina (on a wildlife preservation island), and Kentucky, and now resides in Texas with his dog Trixie.
Chris Magee is a writer and veteran. During his third deployment to Operation Desert Storm, Chris and his squad, members of the elite Special Airborne Ranger Seal Artillery Composite Provisional squad, part of Team 'Merica, discovered a cache of gold bullion while on a suicide mission. Being the sole survivor of the mission (making him a suicidal failure), he decided to keep the gold for himself, instantly becoming a billionaire. Chris then embarked on what he felt he was truly meant to do, be a billionaire playboy with no real job. This led to many adventures doing "special" contracts with the CIA, FBI and CBS. In his free time, Chris enjoys keeping the world safe for himself, chasing very attractive younger women, and spending time with his wife and children.
Jaime Ramos is a fiction writer who resides in the St. Louis area with his wife, son, two dogs and a cat. Jaime serves as Chief Editor and creator of the super-hero themed anthology Singularity: Rise of the Posthumans, which is being published by Pro Se Productions. Jaime also is an assistant editor on the book Legends of Pulp, published by Airship 27. Jaime enjoys football, movies, cooking and playing make-believe with his son Thomas. Jaime has an idyllic life with wife Phyllis, who is a constant source of encouragement.
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.
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