The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination: Original Short Fiction for the Modern Evil Genius
John Joseph Adams
Language: English
Pages: 368
ISBN: 0765326450
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
From Victor Frankenstein to Lex Luthor, from Dr. Moreau to Dr. Doom, readers have long been fascinated by insane plans for world domination and the madmen who devise them. Typically, we see these villains through the eyes of good guys. This anthology, however, explores the world of mad scientists and evil geniuses―from their own wonderfully twisted point of view.
An all-star roster of bestselling authors―including Diana Gabaldon, Daniel Wilson, Austin Grossman, Naomi Novik, and Seanan McGuire…twenty-two great storytellers all told―have produced a fabulous assortment of stories guaranteed to provide readers with hour after hour of high-octane entertainment born of the most megalomaniacal mayhem imaginable.
Everybody loves villains. They're bad; they always stir the pot; they're much more fun than the good guys, even if we want to see the good guys win. Their fiendish schemes, maniacal laughter, and limitless ambition are legendary, but what lies behind those crazy eyes and wicked grins? How―and why―do they commit these nefarious deeds? And why are they so set on taking over the world?
If you've ever asked yourself any of these questions, you're in luck: It's finally time for the madmen's side of the story.
ugly daughter. I've even convinced Pelt to come along a couple of times, but not since he got into a row with a gang of carnies and cut off three fingers of one poor bastard. Pelt's an unpleasant drunk, to say the least. A couple of weeks before my birthday, I'm scanning the paper and spot an advertisement for the impending arrival of the Banning Traveling Circus. Of such trivial things is treachery made . . . This is a minor show, no Ringling Brothers extravaganza by any stretch, but it
photography darkrooms. Everything is cast in red, blood-red, and Alexander feels as though he is in the middle of a particularly nasty horror movie. The writhing masses of glistening flesh lumped in glass tanks do not help. In fact, it looks pornographic. Alexander steps close. The tanks are completely air tight, each one equipped with an isolated oxygen pump that filters and analyzes and recycles. There are also feeding slots— storage chambers built with a series of small airlocks and safety
DoomDaddy saw you last month. He said you were great, really helped him cut back on his monologuing." "Glad to hear it. So you gonna put me down now, or what?" "Um, I'm sort of in the middle of a thing here . . ." "Here's a thought— I can manage a little hysterical screaming, but I've got an appointment in twenty minutes so I'm gonna need you to drop me off at Concord and 87th." "Concord and 87th?" he frowns. "That's, like, all the way across town . . ." "Weren't you planning a
profession a numerologist as well. It was half full, the contents wrapped in burlap or canvas; not things he wanted to carry openly through the streets. It took some prodding and unwrapping to find the pieces he wanted. Madame Fabienne had driven a hard bargain, but a fair one: two hundred ecus a month times four months, for the guaranteed exclusive use of Madeleine's services. Four months would surely be enough, he thought, feeling a rounded shape through its wrappings. In fact, he thought
Lamerie," Rosenwald said reverently, his index finger tracing the hallmark. "This was made by Paul de Lamerie." A shock ran up Rakoczy's backbone. Merde! He'd brought the wrong one! "Really?" he said, striving for simple curiosity. "Does that mean something?" It means I'm a fool, he thought, and wondered whether to snatch the thing back and leave instantly. The goldsmith had carried it away, though, to look at it more closely under the lamp. "De Lamerie was one of the very best