Grayman Book Four: Scary Monsters

Grayman is a merciless examination of what makes heroes (and villains) in the popular media, and how effectively they can be used to manipulate our wired world.

Set in the near future, the series chronicles a daring and disturbing experiment intended to decisively end the threat of global terrorism. A group of powerful corporate and political players have created a multi-national force of "surgical" strike teams, armed with advanced weapons, technology and armor, and directed by a cutting-edge artificial intelligence. But more than simply employing high-tech military might, this new army has been designed to fight a true "information war" by operating completely in the public eye, their missions crafted for maximum marketability, their operatives shaped into Hollywood-style action heroes.

The series focuses on the man groomed to be the wired public's greatest hero: Given the "stage name" Mike Ram, he's a charismatic but disturbed individual with a painful past. Initially little more than a trauma-driven serial killer, he's been given a new identity and re-programmed to kill on cue to satisfy the media's thirst for violent and visible retribution. Ram quickly rises from being a murderer on the run to being an untouchably popular celebrity and global leader, as his every action plays out on the public stage.

Following the devastating events of Vulnerability, Mike Ram has been missing for six months, but the Grayman hasn't been idle. Now, as a secret army moves to eliminate all witnesses and evidence, heroes and villains must work together to bring down the conspiracy that has been manipulating both sides of the War on Terror for power and profit, knowing that their actions will likely destroy them as well.

Auteur

In addition to writing dark speculative fiction, Michael Rizzo is a graphic artist (yes, all those covers are his), a martial scientist, a collector and frequent user of fine weaponry, and a pretty good cook. He continues his long, varied and brutal career as a mercenary social services consultant, trying to do good important work while writing about very bad things.

His fiction series include Grayman and The God Mars. (The research he's done for the Grayman series has probably earned him the attention of Homeland Security.)

Check out his Facebook pages ("The Grayman Series" and "The God Mars Series") for lots of original art and updates.

He causes trouble in person mostly in the Pacific Northwest.