Kim Newman - The original Dr Shade

Dr Shade is a retired comic strip hero who is brought back by the owner of a right-wing paper. This story resonates on so many levels, relating to comics, fans, extremism, social deprivation and the media. Even the illustrations tie in. Very dark and powerful. A classic.

Greg Egan - Eugene

A very ordinary Australian couple win the lottery. In a near future, globally warmer world where gene-engineered black skin is a fashion accessory, they are advised by a famous, but morally lax, genetics expert to want the perfect child. It all comes together in a nasty twist.

Alastair Reynolds - Nunivak snowflakes

A rather confused story about a man with a strange arm and messages being delivered via dead fish falling from the sky at an Arctic settlement that the superpowers are taking an interest in...

Steven Widdowson - The Nexus

Very Ballardian tale of alien contact via a mysterious 'Nexus', as things run down and the last people start to be absorbed...

Simon D. Ings - The braining of Mother Lamprey

'Punk' fantasy in which science is dead and magic rules, the young are feral and body parts run away. A scheming magician is plotting to take over... ( )