Grayman Book Two: The Ratings War

Grayman chronicles a daring and disturbing experiment to decisively end the tenacious threat of global terrorism. A group of powerful corporate and political players lever a desperate world to create a multinational force of "surgical" strike teams, authorized to cross borders and pursue targets with impunity; 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 is 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 being groomed to be the wired public's greatest hero: Given the "stage name" Mike Ram, he's charismatic, talented and damaged unknown, pushed by circumstance to become a merciless predator. Initially little more than a trauma-driven serial killer, he's given a new identity and is re-programmed to kill on cue to satisfy the media's thirst for violent and visible retribution against an equally vicious enemy. 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.

In Book Two: The Ratings War, the newly-activated multinational counter-terror force begins global operations, and Mike Ram's fame grows with every staged act of violence. Initially a stunning success, "Operation: Safe for Democracy" is soon challenged by a new terrorist leader who rises to resist them in spectacular fashion.

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.