Wild Cards Books
Wild Cards Graphic Novel - 1990
Wild Cards: The Graphic Novel adapts George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe, where an alien virus grants some people superpowers ("Aces") while others suffer deformities ("Jokers"). Set in an alternate history, the story follows various characters navigating politics, crime, and heroism in a world reshaped by the virus.
The Original Triad
Wild Cards I – 1986
Wild Cards I, edited by George R.R. Martin, is the first book in the Wild Cards shared-universe series. It explores an alternate history where an alien virus released in 1946 grants superpowers to a few ("Aces"), mutates many into deformed beings ("Jokers"), and kills most. The book follows various characters navigating this transformed world.
Aces High - 1987
Aces High continues the alternate-history saga where an alien virus grants people superpowers or deformities. As New York’s Aces and Jokers face rising threats—including alien invaders and a deadly cult—heroes and villains alike struggle for survival and dominance.
Jokers Wild - 1987
Set in an alternate-history New York on “Joker’s Day,” multiple storylines intertwine as aces, jokers, and criminals clash. Conspiracies unfold, vendettas ignite, and a mysterious assassin, the Astronomer, threatens chaos in the wild, superpowered city.
The Puppetman Quartet
Aces Abroad - 1988
Aces Abroad follows a global goodwill tour of politicians, journalists, and Aces—superhumans affected by the alien Wild Card virus. As they visit various countries, they encounter diverse political and social issues, uncover conspiracies, and witness how the virus shaped different cultures.
Down and Dirty - 1988
Down and Dirty is the fifth book in George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards series, a shared-world anthology set in an alternate history where an alien virus grants some people superpowers while others suffer deformities. The story follows multiple characters in Jokertown amid political intrigue, gang wars, and escalating tensions.
Ace in the Hole - 1990
Ace in the Hole is set in an alternate history where an alien virus grants powers to some and deforms others. The story unfolds during a political convention, where assassination plots, secret agendas, and powered individuals shape a tense, unpredictable election.
Dead Man's Hand - 1990
Dead Man’s Hand, by George R.R. Martin and John J. Miller, is a murder mystery set in the Wild Cards universe. Investigators Jay Ackroyd and Yeoman hunt for the killer of Chrysalis, uncovering a conspiracy tied to the Jokertown underworld. The novel blends noir, superpowers, and political intrigue.
The Rox Triad
One-Eyed Jacks - 1991
One-Eyed Jacks follows a world where an alien virus grants superpowers to some and deforms others. As political tensions rise in New York, chaos erupts among aces, jokers, and criminals, with betrayals, conspiracies, and violent power struggles shaping the narrative.
Jokertown Shuffle - 1991
Jokertown Shuffle follows the mafia-like Card Sharks, who manipulate public sentiment against Jokers. Doctor Tachyon battles for control of his clinic, while Joker vigilantes fight back. Meanwhile, chaos erupts as political conspiracies and personal vendettas collide.
Dealer's Choice - 1992
Dealer’s Choice is the final book in the Wild Cards "Rox" trilogy, edited by George R.R. Martin. Set in the shared superhero universe, it follows a deadly showdown inside the alien Rox pyramid, where aces and jokers battle the powerful Astronomer. Betrayal, sacrifice, and high-stakes action shape the finale.
Bantam Solo Novels
Double Solitaire - 1992
Double Solitaire follows Dr. Tachyon, an alien telepath, and his traitorous granddaughter, Blaise, who steals his body and flees to their homeworld, Takis. Tachyon, trapped in another’s body, fights to reclaim his identity and stop Blaise’s dangerous ambitions amid political intrigue and war.
Turn of the Cards - 1993
Turn of the Cards by Victor Milán is a Wild Cards novel set in George R.R. Martin’s shared superhero universe. It follows Mark Meadows, a pacifist hippie-turned-superhuman drug-enhanced Joker-Ace called Captain Trips. Fleeing U.S. authorities, he embarks on a dangerous global journey, encountering war, politics, and moral dilemmas.
Card Shark Triad
Card Sharks - 1993
Card Sharks is the first book in the Wild Cards "Card Sharks" trilogy, edited by George R.R. Martin. It follows a secret conspiracy, the "Swarm," manipulating world events using the Wild Card virus. As various characters uncover the truth, they face deadly threats, political intrigue, and hidden agendas.
Marked Cards - 1994
In Marked Cards, the 14th Wild Cards book, a reporter and a team of jokers and aces uncover the Card Sharks, a conspiracy aiming to eradicate those with the Wild Cards virus. They race to expose the group before its deadly plan succeeds, edited by George R.R. Martin.
Showdown - 2025
In Showdown, the final book of the Card Shark Triad, the Card Sharks unleash the Black Trump, a lethal biological weapon targeting all Wild Card virus carriers. Aces and jokers worldwide, from Jokertown to Vietnam, fight to stop the ticking viral bombs as time runs out.
The iBooks Revival
Deuces Down - 2002
Deuces Down is an anthology in George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe, focusing on "Deuces"—aces with minor, often quirky powers. Unlike their more powerful counterparts, these characters navigate crime, mystery, and adventure with unconventional abilities. The stories explore the struggles, humor, and unexpected heroism of these underdog jokers.
Death Draws Five - 2006
Death Draws Five is a novel in George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards series, written by John J. Miller. It follows a young boy, Billy Ray, who gains miraculous healing powers, making him a target for religious extremists and secret organizations. Daniel Brennan, aka Yeoman, must protect him from deadly threats.
The Committee Triad
Inside Straight - 2008
Inside Straight is a mosaic novel in George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe. It follows a new generation of aces competing in a reality show, American Hero, while political tensions rise in the Middle East. As the contestants navigate fame, some must become real heroes amid unfolding global crises.
Busted Flush - 2008
Wild Cards novel Busted Flush follows the Committee, a group of Aces tackling global crises, including genocide, terrorism, and natural disasters. Conflicting morals, power struggles, and hidden agendas challenge the heroes as they confront dangerous adversaries.
Suicide Kings - 2009
Set in an alternate history where an alien virus grants superpowers, Suicide Kings is a Wild Cards novel which follows various "aces" and "jokers" caught in a brutal conflict in Africa. Themes of power, redemption, and survival drive the interconnected narratives.
Mean Streets Triad
Fort Freek - 2011
Set in Jokertown, a New York neighborhood populated by mutants ("Jokers"), the story follows a police precinct handling bizarre crimes. A rookie cop uncovers dark secrets while veteran officers navigate corruption, superpowers, and intrigue.
Lowball - 2014
Lowball, edited by George R.R. Martin, is the 22nd installment in the Wild Cards series. Set in Jokertown, it follows detectives investigating a series of missing persons cases tied to underground gambling. As tensions rise, they uncover a sinister plot targeting Jokers, forcing them into a dangerous confrontation.
High Stakes - 2016
High Stakes is the 23rd book in George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards series. Set in a nightmarish, virus-infested world, it follows a team of heroes investigating a deadly, supernatural crisis in the Middle East. As reality unravels, they battle monstrous forces threatening to consume both Jokers and Aces alike.
The American Triad
Mississippi Roll – 2017
Mississippi Roll is a Wild Cards mosaic novel edited by George R.R. Martin. Set in an alternate history shaped by an alien virus, the story follows the Natchez Queen, a haunted riverboat carrying passengers with extraordinary abilities. As supernatural forces clash, secrets unravel, and danger threatens everyone aboard.
Low Chicago – 2018
Low Chicago is a mosaic novel edited by George R.R. Martin, set in the Wild Cards universe. It follows a high-stakes poker game in 1990s Chicago, where a mysterious artifact triggers time-traveling chaos. Various aces and jokers navigate crime, politics, and supernatural threats across different eras.
Texas Hold ‘Em - 2018
Texas Hold 'Em follows a group of young aces on a trip to Texas for a convention, but their plans are derailed by a local crisis. They face prejudice, corruption, and danger, forcing them to fight for justice.
The British Arc
Knaves Over Queens - 2019
Knaves Over Queens is the first Wild Cards novel set in the UK. It explores the impact of the alien Wild Card virus on British history, from post-WWII to modern times. The anthology follows various Aces and Jokers navigating politics, crime, and heroism.
Three Kings - 2020
In Three Kings, Queen Margaret lies on her deathbed and tasks Alan Turing, a joker ace, to find Elizabeth's lost son, rumored dead but hidden due to his joker status. Margaret's elder son Henry becomes king, sparking tensions with his anti-joker stance. Chaos ensues as militant jokers and war goddess Babh emerge.
American Hero - 2020
Wild Cards: American Hero is a tie-in novel to the Wild Cards series, edited by George R.R. Martin. It follows reality TV contestants—superpowered "Aces"—competing for fame. When a disaster strikes, some contestants abandon the show to help, facing danger and moral dilemmas in a world altered by an alien virus.
Joker Moon - 2021
Joker Moon by George R.R. Martin and Melinda M. Snodgrass is part of the Wild Cards series. It follows the story of the enigmatic Joker known as the Lizard, who dreams of reshaping the world while navigating the dangers of powerful enemies, politics, and shifting alliances in a superpowered universe.
Full House - 2022
Wild Cards: Full House is a collection of short stories set in George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe, where an alien virus grants people extraordinary abilities—or horrific mutations. Featuring a mix of new and classic characters, the anthology explores superpowered conflicts, crime, and heroism across different eras and settings.
Sins of the Father – 2023
In Sins of the Father, set in George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards universe, uninfected detective Francis "Franny" Black investigates a bizarre murder in Jokertown. As he delves deeper, Franny uncovers hidden conspiracies and startling truths about his late father's past, challenging his perceptions and sense of duty.
Now and Then - 2023
In Now and Then, heroes Ana Cortez (Earth Witch) and Kate Brandt (Curveball) investigate Brazil's Aurora Mission, a charity aiding victims of the alien Wild Card virus. Uncovering sinister abuses, they confront moral dilemmas and question their actions, highlighting that even superpowers have limits.
Pairing Up - 2023
In Pairing Up, love takes center stage in the Wild Cards universe. Amidst the chaos of an alien virus that grants superpowers or mutations, aces and jokers navigate romance, heartbreak, and personal gain. Stories include a jewel thief's seductive quest, a snail's Cyrano-like love, and a butterfly woman's transformative connection
Sleeper Straddle - 2024
In George R. R. Martin Presents Wild Cards: Sleeper Straddle, Croyd Crenson, known as "The Sleeper," awakens from hibernation split into six distinct versions, each with unique abilities. The joker-ace hybrid Tesla is tasked with reuniting these incarnations before Croyd's next sleep, navigating a journey through his complex past.
House Rules - 2025
George R. R. Martin Presents Wild Cards: House Rules is an anthology set in the Wild Cards universe, focusing on Loveday House, a mysterious mansion on Keun Island, Cornwall. Owned by the enigmatic Lord Branok, the mansion hosts legendary parties amidst a world altered by an alien virus granting random superpowers or mutations.
Ante Up - 2025
Ante Up, a 2025 Wild Cards graphic novel by George R.R. Martin, Kevin Andrew Murphy, and John Jos. Miller, follows a young ace named Rosa Garza unraveling a modern Robin Hood mystery. Set in the virus-altered Wild Cards universe, it blends superhero intrigue with a quest to unmask a cunning thief.
short stories & novellas
The Hard Call - 2009
The Hard Call by George R.R. Martin (editor) is a Wild Cards universe novella. It follows a Texas police officer, Tommy Downs, who contracts the alien Wild Card virus. Gaining unpredictable powers, he faces moral dilemmas while investigating a brutal crime. The story explores justice, transformation, and heroism.
The Button Man & the Murder Tree - 2013
The Button Man & the Murder Tree by Cherie Priest is a standalone story in the Wild Cards universe. It follows a deadly confrontation between John Fortune and a powerful assassin known as the Button Man. The story intertwines past and present, exploring supernatural elements, crime, and revenge.
The Elephant in the Room - 2013
The Elephant in the Room is a Wild Cards universe novella by Paul Cornell. It follows a bizarre court case where an intelligent, telepathic elephant named Tusker sues for personhood. As legal debates unfold, tensions rise between those supporting ace rights and those fearing their implications.
Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza - 2014
Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza is a Wild Cards mosaic novel story by Carrie Vaughn. It follows Ana Cortez, a healer ace, as she aids immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. When supernatural forces threaten, she must confront dangerous powers and her past to protect those seeking refuge.
Prompt. Professional. Pop! - 2014
Wild Cards: Prompt. Professional. Pop! is a short story set in George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe. It follows a journalist investigating the secret past of a pop star with hidden superhuman abilities. As secrets unravel, the story explores fame, deception, and the consequences of extraordinary powers.
Discards - 2016
Discards by David D. Levine is a Wild Cards universe story about a homeless man named James "Jam" Robinson, who is infected by the alien Wild Card virus. He develops the power to temporarily duplicate objects but struggles to survive on the streets while navigating newfound abilities and dangers.
The Thing about Growing Up in Jokertown - 2016
The Thing About Growing Up in Jokertown, a Wild Cards short story, follows Michelle, a teenage "joker" with a grotesque appearance, as she navigates the challenges of adolescence in Jokertown. She struggles with self-acceptance, family expectations, and societal prejudice, ultimately learning to embrace her unique identity.
The Atonement Tango - 2017
In Stephen Leigh's Wild Cards story The Atonement Tango, Michael "Drummer Boy" Vogali's life is shattered by a terrorist attack that kills his bandmates in Joker Plague. Struggling with grief and survivor's guilt, Michael embarks on a quest for revenge, confronting deep-seated prejudice against jokers and seeking redemption amid personal turmoil.
When the Devil Drives - 2017
When the Devil Drives is a Wild Cards short story by John Jos. Miller, published by Tor.com. It follows Noel Matthews, a British intelligence agent and Joker with a unique ability, as he investigates a dangerous case involving a missing woman, political intrigue, and supernatural forces in the Wild Cards universe.
Evernight - 2018
Evernight by Victor Milán is a short story set in the Wild Cards universe. It follows the struggles of a vampire-like joker named Ana Cortez in a world where superpowered individuals, called aces and jokers, navigate conflicts and prejudices. Ana fights for survival amid dangerous conspiracies.
The Flight of Morpho Girl - 2018
The Flight of Morpho Girl is a Wild Cards universe novella by Caroline Spector and Bradley Denton. It follows a bio-enhanced girl, Morpho, escaping a devastated New York. As she struggles with identity and survival, she uncovers dark secrets about her origins and the Wild Card virus’s effects.
Long is the Way - 2019
Long is the Way is a Wild Cards universe novella by Carrie Vaughn and John Jos. Miller. It follows Khan, a vampire-like "ace" who feeds on blood to survive. Hunted by a relentless investigator, he navigates a world that fears and exploits him, struggling to retain his humanity while staying alive.
The City That Never Sleeps - 2019
The City That Never Sleeps by Walter Jon Williams is a Wild Cards universe short story. It follows Croyd Crenson, the Sleeper, whose powers and appearance change each time he sleeps. As he navigates New York’s underworld, he encounters danger, intrigue, and the unpredictable nature of his abilities.
Naked, Stoned, and Stabbed - 2019
Naked, Stoned, and Stabbed by Bradley Denton is a Wild Cards universe short story about a washed-up rock musician, Jerry, who gains unexpected powers from a Joker-affecting virus. When a mysterious murder occurs, Jerry must navigate betrayal, drugs, and supernatural elements to uncover the truth—while barely surviving himself.
Ripple Effects - 2021
Ripple Effects explores the interconnected lives of extraordinary individuals in a world altered by an alien virus. As powers ripple across society, heroes and villains emerge, facing personal and global consequences. This gripping novella delves into fate, power, and the unintended consequences of superhuman abilities.
Skin Deep - 2021
Skin Deep by Alan Brennert is a Wild Cards universe novella following Billy Ray, aka Carnifex, a Joker-Ace hybrid with superhuman strength and a monstrous appearance. Tasked with investigating a mysterious Joker-related case, he uncovers secrets that challenge his loyalties and force him to confront his own identity.
Hearts of Stone - 2022
Hearts of Stone follows a powerful sentient gargoyle named Jerry, struggling with his identity and purpose in a world altered by the Wild Card virus. As he navigates love, loyalty, and survival, Jerry faces difficult choices that challenge his morality and the nature of heroism.
Grow - 2022
Grow is a Wild Cards universe novella by Carrie Vaughn. It follows a young joker named Cody, who possesses plant-based abilities, as he struggles to find his place in a world divided between aces and jokers. Through resilience and growth, Cody discovers his true potential.