See all titles by Alexandra Sokoloff.

The Darker Mask, Heroes from the Shadows, is an illustrated anthology of noir superhero and fantasy stories, edited by Christopher Chambers and Gary Phillips, featuring mystery, horror and graphic novel writers Walter Mosley, Lorenzo Carcaterra, Tannarive Due and Steven Barnes, Mike Gonzalez, Reed Farrel Coleman, Ann Nocenti, Mat Johnson, Victor LaValle, Gar Anthony Haywood, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jerry Rodriguez, LA Banks, Peter Speigelman, Naomi Hirahara, Wayne Wilson, Doselle Young and Alexandra Sokoloff.

Themed along the grayer areas of superhero fiction, this anthology of 18 original stories covers a wide spectrum. In "Switchback," by Ann Nocenti (Daredevil), teenage Mimi must try to cope with both her strange mind-control powers and the shards of familial ties that still bind her to her broken family. In "Tat Master," Edgar award-winner Naomi Hirahara (Snakeskin Shamisen) introduces tattoo artist Eye, who discovers the ability to bring her designs to life while on the run from her abusive boyfriend. Shamus winner Peter Spiegelman (Black Maps) pulls off a classic tale of superheroics meeting reality with "In Vino, Veritas," delving into a simple tale of ethics and love through the viewpoint of lie-detecting Veritas.

Alexandra Sokoloff's story, THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, is about an alienated high school girl who keeps dreaming of the destruction of her school and comes to believe she may be able to prevent the tragedy. "The Edge of Seventeen" was selected as the winner of the ITW's 2009 Thriller Award for Best Short Story!

Transients and junkies, abuse victims and prostitutes, tattoo artists and bounty hunters are among those who use their abilities to retaliate against their victimizers. This multicultural collection presents desperate, disenfranchised characters who have to overcome personal and societal obstacles to grow into their true powers. Deceptively simple and entertaining while never skimping on serious topics, this tight anthology will satisfy any superhero enthusiast. Each story is illustrated in a great old pulp style.

 

Signed by Sokoloff and editor Gary Phillips who also contributed his story AND WHAT SHALL WE CALL YOU?