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Yes, this: The series relates an alternate history of the earth after World War II. In 1946 an alien virus that rewrites human DNA is accidentally unleashed in the skies over New York City. It kills 90% of those who come into contact with it (referred to as 'drawing the Black Queen'). However, 9% mutate into deformed creatures (known as 'Jokers') and the remaining 1% gain superpowers (known as 'Aces'). A percentage of the Aces are referred to as 'Deuces'. Deuces have acquired useless or ridiculous powers, such as the ability to levitate up to two feet, or to grow body hair at will. The airborne virus eventually spreads all over the world, affecting tens of thousands. The Wild Cards universe is distinguished from most superhero comic book fiction by several thematic elements. Early on the authors decided to pursue a more realistic, or naturalistic approach to storytelling. Few of the Ace characters in Wild Cards have secret identities, or are traditional crime-fighting superheroes in the mold of Spider-Man or Batman. Wild Cards remained set within a recognizably real world with recognizably real people and pop culture and, because of the historical setting of many of the stories, had characters who aged realistically during the course of the series. The majority of Wild Card victims live in the run-down ghetto of Jokertown, while the fortunate Aces become glamorous celebrities. In addition, Wild Cards took a more graphic approach to violence, and particularly to sex, than most superhero stories do. Another aspect of the series is its use of real people, such as Buddy Holly, Grace Kelly and Richard Nixon. Unlike most superhero universes, the events of Wild Cards alter history in many ways - a notable example being Fidel Castro remaining in New York to play baseball, and the lack of a Communist takeover in Cuba thereafter. As of 1986, Castro was the pitching coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers, who never moved to Los Angeles, and still play at Ebbets Field. Thus, L.A, not New York, got an expansion team called the Stars after the Giants moved to Minnesota in lieu of San Francisco. In the Wild Cards universe, the Dodgers are the equivalent of the New York Mets, with their history after the 1950s coinciding with the Mets' history, including victory in the 1969 World Series over the Baltimore Orioles. The Los Angeles Stars are the equivalent of the real Dodgers. Other notable changes: Mick Jagger is a lycanthropic ace. Frank Zappa has a son, Frank Zappa, Jr., who becomes a general in the U.S. Army and eventually Vice President. Buddy Holly does not die in a plane crash but instead winds up covering Prince and Billy Idol in dingy venues before discovering his ace super powers during a come-back concert. The House Un-American Activities Committee blacklists aces instead of entertainment industry workers. Thomas Marion Douglas (an analogue of Jim Morrison), lead singer for the rock group Destiny, was an ace called the Lizard King and dies not of a drug overdose in France but rather from a dose of the experimental trump virus which cures him and removes his immunity to many years of drug abuse. The botched Iranian hostage rescue of the Jimmy Carter administration is bungled by a team of aces (including Popinjay and Carnifex) rather than the U.S. military (and was later proven to be part of a conspiracy to prevent Carter's re-election due to his pro-wild card stance). President George H. W. Bush promises "no new exotics (a politically correct term for wild carders) laws" rather than "no new taxes," but still goes back on his word. [edit] Is so much better. Also there's literally a character nicknamed "Shad".
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Aug 6, 2012 15:14
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quote:the Brooklyn Dodgers, who never moved to Los Angeles, and still play at Ebbets Field. Thus, L.A, not New York, got an expansion team called the Stars after the Giants moved to Minnesota in lieu of San Francisco. In the Wild Cards universe, the Dodgers are the equivalent of the New York Mets, with their history after the 1950s coinciding with the Mets' history, including victory in the 1969 World Series over the Baltimore Orioles. The Los Angeles Stars are the equivalent of the real Dodgers. This is the stupidest thing. General Zappa? Buddy Holly doing covers of White Wedding? No, this. This Harry Turtledove alterate sports history bullshit. Apparently the WILDCARDS Virus is enough to change what loving sports teams go where, but all the presidents are the same? Jesus on the cross.
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Aug 6, 2012 15:38
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That sounds spectacularly bad. Like 50 Shades bad. I may need to read this. 
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Aug 6, 2012 15:48
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When I knew nothing, I tried to read one of the Wild Cards books. Holy poo poo what a waste of time. The one I read was about a super hero reality show that was essentially Big Brother with Wild Cards. They hung out in a house and boned and went to Egypt and also there was a guy that turned into a lion that shot lasers or something? Also GRRM's character that was the hero of his chapters was a fat nerd that turned into a super bad rear end magical knight that rode on a motorcycle and was clearly a self-insert power trip character. I can't believe Roger Zelazny's good name is sullied by being associated with this poo poo.
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Aug 6, 2012 16:07
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Blade_of_tyshalle posted:Apparently the WILDCARDS Virus is enough to change what loving sports teams go where, but all the presidents are the same? Jesus on the cross. Never mind that, there's a virus that kills 90% of the people who come in contact with it, and it's spread over the entire loving planet, but instead of The Stand fanfiction those books are just alt history + superpowers. WILDCARDS
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Aug 6, 2012 16:30
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I can't believe I remember this much about it, but the virus was only released over New York City, with all other releases being experiments or far smaller. The (I poo poo you not) Great And Powerful Turtle is a superspecialawesome telekinetic, but he's severely agoraphobic, so he's useless outside of his VW Beetle or bus, forget which. REALISM!
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Aug 6, 2012 18:11
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whowhatwhere posted:I can't believe I remember this much about it, but the virus was only released over New York City, with all other releases being experiments or far smaller. And he has a raging case of shitdick.
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Aug 6, 2012 20:21
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Ambiguatron posted:Yes, this: They are literally writing themselves as the 1%. 
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Aug 6, 2012 21:49
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IRQ posted:They are literally writing themselves as the 1%. Hahah, I was just wondering how many card related puns you could put into a couple paragraphs. And now I know. And all that stuff about it being more adult than superhero comics because its violent and REAL is beautiful on its own, but when it is then followed by this quote:Other notable changes: Mick Jagger is a lycanthropic ace. is just breath-taking. It's too good to be not be an on purpose joke. Like SNL couldn't be witty enough for this poo poo.
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Aug 7, 2012 02:22
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Shageletic posted:Hahah, I was just wondering how many card related puns you could put into a couple paragraphs. And now I know. Wow the first time around I read that as "philanthropic ace", because the idea of werewolf Mick Jagger is just too loving absurd for my brain to process. Wowie.
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Aug 7, 2012 03:00
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It could have been worse. It could have been Warren Zevon, Lycanthropic Ace.
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Aug 7, 2012 03:41
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Martin Van Buren posted:Wow the first time around I read that as "philanthropic ace", because the idea of werewolf Mick Jagger is just too loving absurd for my brain to process. Wowie. All the Stones turn into classic movie monsters! Except Keith Richards. Or if he did, no one noticed the difference.
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Aug 7, 2012 04:28
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whowhatwhere posted:It could have been worse. It could have been Warren Zevon, Lycanthropic Ace. I saw a wereGRRM drinking a pina colada at Trader Shitdick's.
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Aug 7, 2012 05:08
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@GiantofLannister wanted for murdering nephew and father, fleeing the continent! #yollo
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Aug 7, 2012 08:50
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The Mutato posted:yollo v Whoops 
Urdnot Fire fucked around with this message at 09:07 on Aug 7, 2012 |
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Aug 7, 2012 08:53
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Aug 7, 2012 09:00
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Martin Van Buren posted:I saw a wereGRRM drinking a pina colada at Trader Shitdick's. His neckbeard was perfect.
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Aug 7, 2012 10:01
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whoflungpoop posted:His neckbeard was perfect. NOP!
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Aug 7, 2012 14:53
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whoflungpoop posted:His neckbeard was perfect. I'm trying to figure out how a weregurm would even have a neckbeard considering a weregurm's fur is all neckbeard all the time. And that's a mental image I'd like to apply bleach to...
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Aug 7, 2012 18:13
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Neckbeards piled on neckbeards until a flowing, biblical neckbeard is apparent.
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Aug 7, 2012 18:25
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IRQ posted:I'm trying to figure out how a weregurm would even have a neckbeard considering a weregurm's fur is all neckbeard all the time. And that's a mental image I'd like to apply bleach to... The idea is that a normal unfortunate person gets bitten / scratched by the gurm's cheeto-y talons, and every time there's a special at Domino's he himself transforms into the vile beast and creepily giggles at the moon. Huh, I'd like to meet his editor.
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Aug 7, 2012 19:00
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I don't think they edit Gurm's word vomit these days, they just run it through a spellchecker and print it ASAFP because he takes forever to write anything.
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Aug 7, 2012 19:30
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I'd hate to be his so called editor, looking at the
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Aug 7, 2012 20:01
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Every time Gurm finishes writing something an army of interns spends 2 weeks folding and tearing off those paper track things from the manuscript. 
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Aug 7, 2012 20:19
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IRQ posted:Every time Gurm finishes writing something an army of interns spends 2 weeks folding and tearing off those paper track things from the manuscript. Also Gyshall posted:If I like the SOIAF books, what other books should I check out? I finished ADWD a few weeks ago and have desperately needed something to read whilst pooping.
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Aug 7, 2012 20:22
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On September 9, 2012, the paper track things fought back. *massive explosion* I'm so sad that "In a world..." trailer guy is dead.
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Aug 7, 2012 20:22
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IRQ posted:I don't think they edit Gurm's word vomit these days, they just run it through a spellchecker and print it ASAFP because he takes forever to write anything. A Song of rear end and Fire Poops.
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Aug 7, 2012 22:53
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Is it out yet? edit: Hmm no I see he says it will be maybe another two years. Ross fucked around with this message at 02:37 on Aug 8, 2012 |
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Aug 8, 2012 02:30
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IRQ posted:I don't think they edit Gurm's word vomit these days, they just run it through a spellchecker and print it ASAFP because he takes forever to write anything. Well the editor does cut out any climaxes to the major storylines that Gurms written so they can put them in the "next book" . I think it's a great decision, as it adds tremendously to the whole futile feeling you get after slogging through the six years-awaited ADWD.
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Aug 8, 2012 02:32
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I just started reading Dune for the first time. Devoured it and got through both it and Dune Messiah in a week. I went to the used book store to pick up the next two, and saw the much-maligned sequels written by Frank's son and Kevin J. Anderson. I literally had only to see the titles and drawings on the spines of the hardcovers to know these were some sub-Wildcards works of literary brilliance. That is to say, if the gyrm dies the series should be left unfinished. Other people finishing series always end up being a giant poo poo all over the author's grave, or some barely organized anthologies of notes like Christopher Tolkien's 75 pounds of middle-earth literature.
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Aug 8, 2012 06:29
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GRRM stating that Howland Reed wasn't present at the Tower of Joy is an interesting twist. I guess he's no longer a huge Deus Ex Machina anymore.
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Aug 8, 2012 08:16
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Wait he what? What? Then how did he save Ned's life against Arthur Dayne?
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Aug 8, 2012 11:15
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whowhatwhere posted:Wait he what? What? Then how did he save Ned's life against Arthur Dayne? Ned Stark transformed into the legendary Super Saiyan.
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Aug 8, 2012 11:18
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Howland Reed was super warging from the Crag while taking a warm bath and making Jojens. He would later show up at the Tower of Joy to pick up Ned, who sat beside Lyanna's dead body for roughly three weeks. (The only thing worse than Secret Targ theories are Secret Warg theories)
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Aug 8, 2012 11:35
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Azure_Horizon posted:GRRM stating that Howland Reed wasn't present at the Tower of Joy is an interesting twist. I guess he's no longer a huge Deus Ex Machina anymore. This is a little misleading. The interview I'm reading states (emphasis mine): "Did Howland Reed stand witness to the promise Ned made to Lyanna?" To which GURM answers "no". That suggests to me that he was at the Tower of Joy but let his friend and liege lord have some alone time with his dying sister, which, y'know, makes sense. Doesn't stop Howland Reed from understanding what happened, even if Ned didn't tell him explicitly. Remember that they presumably left the Tower together with the wee baby Jon.
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Aug 8, 2012 12:58
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LeftistMuslimObama posted:That is to say, if the gyrm dies the series should be left unfinished. Other people finishing series always end up being a giant poo poo all over the author's grave, or some barely organized anthologies of notes like Christopher Tolkien's 75 pounds of middle-earth literature. The Dune sequels are just that, sequels, not finishing a planned story. I don't read Wheel of Time but by all accounts the posthumous continuation is considerably better than any of the later books in the series actually written by Jordan.
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Aug 8, 2012 13:15
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Rape Jake. posted:Ned Stark transformed into the legendary Super Saiyan.  (USER WAS PUT ON PROBATION FOR THIS POST)
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Aug 8, 2012 14:03
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whowhatwhere posted:Wait he what? What? Then how did he save Ned's life against Arthur Dayne? Arthur Dayne wasn't there either. It was just Ros.
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Aug 8, 2012 14:57
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Of course! Jon's mother... is ROS! Ned is a pedophile, that's the secret Howland Reed is carrying.
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Aug 8, 2012 15:00
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Fatkraken posted:The Dune sequels are just that, sequels, not finishing a planned story. I don't read Wheel of Time but by all accounts the posthumous continuation is considerably better than any of the later books in the series actually written by Jordan. Yes, both of the books Brandon Sanderson has written so far are among the best in the series. That's not to say they wouldn't have been as good or better if Jordan wrote them (he wanted to make it one giant 2000-page book if I recall, rather than three like Sanderson is doing), but they are still very good.
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Aug 8, 2012 15:16
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