Behind the Mask is a multiauthor collection with stories by awardwinning authors Kelly Link Cat Rambo Carrie Vaughn Seanan McGuire Lavie Tidhar Sarah Pinsker Keith Rosson Kate Marshall Chris Large and others. It is partially a prose nod to the comic worldthe bombast the largerthanlife the savetheworlds and the callstoadventure. But itampamp39s also a spotlight on the more intimate side of the genre. The hopes and dreams of our capeclad heroes. The regrets and longings of our cowled villains. That poignant solitary view of the world that can only be experienced from behind the mask. ampampnbspThe authors in this collection both established and new are all dexterous and wonderfully imaginative each deserving of their own formfitting uniforms and capes. Some of the stories pulse with social commentary like Cat Ramboampamp39s whimsical and deft Ms. Liberty Gets a Haircut and Keith Rossonampamp39s haunting Torch Songs. Others twist the genre into strange and new territories like Stuart Suffelampamp39s atmospheric Birthright Kate Marhsallampamp39s moving Destroy the City with Me Tonight and Adam Shannonampamp39s realitybending Over an Embattled City. Some punch with heart and humor like Matt Mikalatosampamp39s satisfying The Beard of Truth and Chris Largeampamp39s adventurous Salt City Blue while others punch with bite and grit such as Michael Milneampamp39s evocative Inheritance Aimee Ogdenampamp39s poignant As I Fall Asleep and Jennifer Pullenampamp39s heartfelt Meeting Someone in the 22nd Century. Some of the stories feature characters who might not be superheroes in the traditional sense yet are heroic nonetheless such as Sarah Pinskerampamp39s imaginative The Smoke Means Itampamp39s Working and Stephanie Laiampamp39s majestic The Fall of the Jade Sword. Some shine a unique captivating spotlight on supervillains like Keith Fradyampamp39s dramatic Fool and Carrie Vaughnampamp39s romantic Origin Story. Some are somber ponderous works where our heroes consider their