Every world needs heroes. And an alternate reality in which society's been buried under a crushing financial crisis? Such a world needs heroes more than most.

Some may remind us of ancient archetypes we still hold in awe. Others will be utterly fresh and quirky. All, under the expert hands of our caring and experienced writers, will be people we'll grow to care about.

These are the Phenomenons-vigilantes who haunt the streets, the rooftops, and even the skies, fighting the good fight against the world's leeches and power brokers-and risking their very human lives in the process.

In creating the most compelling world we can, we're buoyed by the considerable talents of the most inventive sci fi and fantasy writers around: Ilsa J. Bick. Michael A. Burstein. Russ Colchamiro. Peter David. Keith R.A. DeCandido. Mary Fan. Michael Jan Friedman. Robert Greenberger. Glenn Hauman. Dan Hernandez. Heather E. Hutsell. Paul Kupperberg. Ron Marz. Aaron Rosenberg. Hildy Silverman. Geoffrey Thorne. Marie Vibbert.

Not just great writers, but great people. Because hey, given the choice, why wouldn't we want to check both boxes?