Writer Gary Phillips and Georgetown University journalism professor Christopher Chambers have edited a new book of fiction that may be of interest to comic readers.

The Darker Mask
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The Darker Mask: Heroes From the Shadows contains short stories about superheroes, but they’re not the usual comic types. The writers were selected from the fields of urban fantasy, science fiction, and crime, and the stories they tell feature others than the typical white male hero.

In this interview about their creative process, the editors refer to it as “ethnically diverse”, which is a good way to put it. Contributors include Walter Mosley, L. A. Banks, Naomi Hirahara, Lorenzo Carcaterra, Tananarive Due and Stephen Barnes, Mike Gonzales, Gar Anthony Haywood, Ann Nocenti, Jerry Rodriguez, Reed Farrell Coleman, Doselle Young, Mat Johnson, Peter Spiegelman, Alexandra Sokoloff, Christopher Chambers, Gary Phillips, Victor LaValle, and Wayne Wilson.

Aside from work by comic writers Ann Nocenti, Mat Johnson, and Doselle Young, fans may be interested in seeing the chapter illustrations by Sean Wang, Shawn Martinbrough, Jeff Fisher, and Brian Hurtt. Here’s a review, or read an excerpt.