George R.R. Martin 
Wild Cards 4-7: The Puppetman Quartet : Aces Abroad, Down & Dirty, Ace in the Hole, Dead Man’s Hand 
Aces Abroad, Down & Dirty, Ace in the Hole, Dead Man’s Hand

There is a secret history of the world — a history in which an alien virus struck the Earth in the aftermath of World War II, endowing a handful of survivors with extraordinary powers. Some were called Aces — those with superhuman mental and physical abilities. Others became Jokers — cursed with bizarre mental or physical disabilities. Some turned their talents to the service of humanity. Others used their powers for evil. Wild Cards is their story. THE PUPPETMAN QUARTET builds on the original trilogy and also introduces a new cast of heroes and villains, all trying to make their way in a changed world. But the mysterious Ace known as the Puppetman has a plan which will thrust him into a postion of immense power, and he is prepared to murder anyone who stands in his way… This quartet contains stories by Roger Zelazny, Walter Jon Williams, Pat Cadigan, Walton Simons, Lewis Shiner, Michael Cassutt, John J. Miller, Melinda Snodgrass and George R. R. Martin himself. Contains WILD CARDS: ACES ABROAD, WILD CARDS: DOWN AND DIRTY, WILD CARDS: ACE IN THE HOLE and WILD CARDS: DEAD MAN’S HAND