Four Aces (Wild Cards)
Encyclopedia
The Four Aces are a fictional team of superhero
es, appearing in the Wild Cards
anthology series, first appearing in the story "Witness" by Walter Jon Williams
in the first book of the series, Wild Cards
.
with Archibald Holmes, who is their government liaison.
from the royal house of Ilkazam developed what human doctors called "Xenovirus Takis-A" -- the Wild Card virus. The first outbreak of virus occurred on September 15, 1946, which granted the Four Aces their powers. Soon after the outbreak, Jack Braun who became "Golden Boy
" discovered he had superstrength and volunteered to aid the army and hospitals in relief work. It was there he met Archibald Holmes, a close ally of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who indicated he would have a job for Braun. The second member Mr. Holmes recruited was Earl Sanderson, Jr. who became "The Black Eagle
" with the power of flight. Next to join was a family friend of Mr. Holmes, Blythe Stanhope Van Renssaeler, who was called "Brain Trust
" with the power to absorb memories, and finally David Harstein ("The Envoy
") talked his way onto the team, using his superpheromones.
s, such as Albert Einstein
, Jonas Salk
, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Wernher von Braun
, so that there would be "back-up" copies of all their knowledge.
memories, which meant she knew all the Aces Tachyon had treated, the Committee browbeat her until her mind was shattered.
. Brain Trust was placed in a mental institution, where she eventually died of neglect. After The Envoy was released from jail, he disappeared for several years, and later returned to America under an assumed name and started a moderately successful career as a stage actor.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es, appearing in the Wild Cards
Wild Cards
Wild Cards is a science fiction and superhero anthology series set in a shared universe. The series was created by a group of New Mexico science fiction authors, but it is mostly pulled together and edited by best-selling author George R. R. Martin with assistance by Melinda Snodgrass, also a...
anthology series, first appearing in the story "Witness" by Walter Jon Williams
Walter Jon Williams
Walter Jon Williams is an American writer, primarily of science fiction.Several of Williams' novels have a distinct cyberpunk feel to them, notably Hardwired , Voice of the Whirlwind and Angel Stationn...
in the first book of the series, Wild Cards
Wild Cards (book)
The first volume in the Wild Cards shared universe fiction series edited by George R. R. Martin. It was first published in 1987 and contained a dozen short stories establishing the Wild Cards universe, introducing the main characters and setting up plot threads that still continue to play out over...
.
Overview
The Four Aces are:- The EnvoyEnvoy (Wild Cards)The Envoy is a fictional character from the Wild Cards anthology series and a member of The Four Aces, first appearing in the story "Witness" by Walter Jon Williams in the first book of the series, Wild Cards.-Character background:...
whose real name is David Harstein - The Black EagleBlack Eagle (Wild Cards)Black Eagle is a fictional character from the Wild Cards anthology series and a member of The Four Aces. He was created by Walter Jon Williams, and first appeared in the story "Witness" in the first book of the series, Wild Cards....
whose real name is Earl Sanderson, Jr. - Brain TrustBrain Trust (Wild Cards)Brain Trust was a fictional character from the first book in the Wild Cards anthology series and a member of The Four Aces, appearing in the stories "Witness" by Walter Jon Williams and "Degradation Rites" by Melinda M. Snodgrass .-Biography:Blythe was the wife of domineering New York Congressman...
whose real name is Blythe Stanhope Van Renssaeler - Golden BoyGolden Boy (Wild Cards)Golden Boy is a character from the Wild Cards series of books and a member of The Four Aces.-Powers:He is regarded, in the series, as possibly the strongest man in the world. His force field, which has a golden glow when active, grants him immunity from virtually anything. He is especially...
whose real name is Jack Braun
with Archibald Holmes, who is their government liaison.
Forming the team
Geneticists from the planet TakisTakis (Wild Cards)
Takis is a fictional planet in the Wild Cards book series. It is the homeworld of Dr. Tachyon and the source of the Wild Card virus. The culture of Takis has been alluded to in many Wild Cards stories, but was fleshed out more fully in the Wild Cards novel Double Solitaire by Melinda M...
from the royal house of Ilkazam developed what human doctors called "Xenovirus Takis-A" -- the Wild Card virus. The first outbreak of virus occurred on September 15, 1946, which granted the Four Aces their powers. Soon after the outbreak, Jack Braun who became "Golden Boy
Golden Boy (Wild Cards)
Golden Boy is a character from the Wild Cards series of books and a member of The Four Aces.-Powers:He is regarded, in the series, as possibly the strongest man in the world. His force field, which has a golden glow when active, grants him immunity from virtually anything. He is especially...
" discovered he had superstrength and volunteered to aid the army and hospitals in relief work. It was there he met Archibald Holmes, a close ally of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who indicated he would have a job for Braun. The second member Mr. Holmes recruited was Earl Sanderson, Jr. who became "The Black Eagle
Black Eagle (Wild Cards)
Black Eagle is a fictional character from the Wild Cards anthology series and a member of The Four Aces. He was created by Walter Jon Williams, and first appeared in the story "Witness" in the first book of the series, Wild Cards....
" with the power of flight. Next to join was a family friend of Mr. Holmes, Blythe Stanhope Van Renssaeler, who was called "Brain Trust
Brain Trust (Wild Cards)
Brain Trust was a fictional character from the first book in the Wild Cards anthology series and a member of The Four Aces, appearing in the stories "Witness" by Walter Jon Williams and "Degradation Rites" by Melinda M. Snodgrass .-Biography:Blythe was the wife of domineering New York Congressman...
" with the power to absorb memories, and finally David Harstein ("The Envoy
Envoy (Wild Cards)
The Envoy is a fictional character from the Wild Cards anthology series and a member of The Four Aces, first appearing in the story "Witness" by Walter Jon Williams in the first book of the series, Wild Cards.-Character background:...
") talked his way onto the team, using his superpheromones.
Active years
During 1946-48 the Four Aces helped capture Nazi war criminals and topple tyrants; The Black Eagle saved Gandhi from a fanatic's bullet, the Envoy was secretly attending international summits and making everyone get along just long enough to sign peace treaties; Brain Trust was sent around the country to copy the minds of some of the world's greatest scientistScientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
s, such as Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, Jonas Salk
Jonas Salk
Jonas Edward Salk was an American medical researcher and virologist, best known for his discovery and development of the first safe and effective polio vaccine. He was born in New York City to parents from Ashkenazi Jewish Russian immigrant families...
, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun
Wernher Magnus Maximilian, Freiherr von Braun was a German rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, space architect, and one of the leading figures in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany during World War II and in the United States after that.A former member of the Nazi party,...
, so that there would be "back-up" copies of all their knowledge.
Breakdown
Unfortunately, the climate of the United States grew harsher, and the Four Aces were called before the HUAC Committee, who demanded to know the names of any Aces they had dealt with. Archibald Holmes was accused of being a communist and was forced to retire. The Envoy got the HUAC to agree to disband the hearings using his pheromones, but once the effects wore off, they accused him of using Stalinist mind control powers, and sent him to jail. The Black Eagle took the fifth, but Golden Boy revealed that Brain Trust had absorbed a copy of Dr. Tachyon'sDr. Tachyon
Dr. Tachyon is a character from the Wild Cards series of books. He was created for the books by Melinda M. Snodgrass. Tachyon is a geneticist from the planet Takis, whose people naturally developed various telepathic powers...
memories, which meant she knew all the Aces Tachyon had treated, the Committee browbeat her until her mind was shattered.
Aftermath
Because Golden Boy co-operated with the committee, he was allowed to return to work as an actor, and had an unsuccessful movie career, followed by a few successful years as a television actor, and moving onto a career in real estate. The Black Eagle left and remained out of America for the rest of his life, despite receiving a pardon from President John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. Brain Trust was placed in a mental institution, where she eventually died of neglect. After The Envoy was released from jail, he disappeared for several years, and later returned to America under an assumed name and started a moderately successful career as a stage actor.