Behind the Mask is a multi-author collection with stories by award-winning 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 world - the bombast, the larger-than-life, the save-the-worlds and the calls-to-adventure. But it's also a spotlight on the more intimate side of the genre. The hopes and dreams of our cape-clad 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. The authors in this collection, both established and new, are all dexterous and wonderfully imaginative, each deserving of their own form-fitting uniforms and capes. Some of the stories pulse with social commentary, like Cat Rambo's whimsical and deft "Ms. Liberty Gets a Haircut" and Keith Rosson's haunting "Torch Songs." Others twist the genre into strange and new territories, like Stuart Suffel's atmospheric "Birthright," Kate Marhsall's moving "Destroy the City with Me Tonight," and Adam Shannon's reality-bending "Over an Embattled City." Some punch with heart and humor, like Matt Mikalatos's satisfying "The Beard of Truth" and Chris Large's adventurous "Salt City Blue," while others punch with bite and grit, such as Michael Milne's evocative "Inheritance," Aimee Ogden's poignant "As I Fall Asleep," and Jennifer Pullen's 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 Pinsker's imaginative "The Smoke Means It's Working" and Stephanie Lai's majestic "The Fall of the Jade Sword." Some shine a unique, captivating spotlight on supervillains, like Keith Frady's dramatic "Fool" and Carrie Vaughn's romantic "Origin Story." Some are somber, ponderous works, where our heroes consider their impact on the world, like Lavie Tidhar's regret-tinged "Heroes" and Nathan Crowder's resonant "Madjack." Others tread more light-hearted waters, with heroes adjusting to the sometimes-comical, sometimes-stressful life in the public eye, like Seanan McGuire's entertaining "Pedestal" and Patrick Flanagan's lively "Quintessential Justice." And then there are the softer, quieter moments between heroes, as they navigate their extraordinary lives in their own unique ways, such as Ziggy Schutz's tender "Eggshells" and, of course, Kelly Link's captivating "Origin Story." Publisher's Weekly - "Reeks and Richardson have pulled together a treasure trove of 20 stories . . . exploring the lives of superheroes when they're not saving the world. . . . There is nary a miss in this diverse and thoughtful collection, which will have readers considering what it means to be human." Kirkus Reviews - (starred review) "A momentous, readable collection, its sole downside being that there are only 20 superhero stories."

Clarkesworld is a Hugo Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine. Each month they bring you a mix of fiction (new and classic works), articles, interviews and art.

Our February 2014 issue contains: Original Fiction by Cat Rambo ("Tortoiseshell Cats Are Not Refundable"), Natalia Theodoridou ("The Eleven Holy Numbers of the Mechanical Soul") and An Owomoyela ("And Wash Out by Tides of War"). Classic stories by Vandana Singh ("Infinities") and John Barnes ("Martian Heart"). Non-fiction by Rhiannon Held ("Taught by the Moon: Oral Traditions in Speculative Fiction"), an group interview about Manly Wade Wellman, an Another Word column by Daniel Abraham, and an editorial by Neil Clarke.

Whether set in terrestrial oceans or on far-off space stations, Cat Rambo's masterfully told stories explore themes of gender, despair, tragedy, and the triumph of both human and non-human alike. Cats talk, fur wraps itself around you, aliens overstay their welcome, and superheroes deal with everyday problems. Rambo has been published in "Asimov's," "Weird Tales," and Tor.com among many others. She was an editor for "Fantasy Magazine," has written numerous nonfiction articles and interviews, and has volunteered time with Broad Universe and Clarion West. She has been shortlisted for the Endeavour Award, the Million Writers Award, the Locus Awards, and most recently a World Fantasy Award.

FICTION: "The House of Idiot Children" by W.H. Pugmire & M.K. Snyder; "Landscape, With Fish" by Karen Heuler; "Events at Fort Plentitude" by Cat Rambo; "The Stone and Bone Boy" by Calvin Mills; "Renovations" by Matthew Pridham. POETRY: "Brief Glimpses from Another World" by F.J. Bergmann; "Lament for a One-Legged Lady" by Lisa M. Bradley; NONFICTION: "Weirdism: " Amanda Gannon on life as a bipolar werewolf; Elizabeth Genco interviews Melissa Marr, author of Wicked Lovely; Lost in Lovecraft: Kenneth Hite explores the Arabian sands in H.P.L.'s stories; The Cryptic: Darrell Schweitzer on The Last Witchfinder and James Morrow's next novels; The Library: Book reviews; Lost Pages: Ira Marcks presents an alternate-universe vision of insanity.

In a world where magic is fading and science begun to ascend, a young surgeon in medical school experiences an obsession so forbidden that its realization will change him forever. "She looked as if she were asleep, still with that slight smile, floating on the thick sargassum, glowing from the emerald tincture that would keep the small crabs and other scavengers from her. She looked otherworldly and beautiful." Sometimes life is not enough. Also including five more stories of dark wonder from Rambo and VanderMeer, from "The Dead Girl's Wedding March" to "The Farmer's Cat." Enter a world of rat suitors, severed arms, and Fungi Et Fruits de Mer, served up with prose both appetizing and uncanny. Dark fantasy has never been quite so decadent . . .