Secret World Chronicles is a couple of books deep so far, with breakaway and separate author projects hurled into the mix. Four writers, four artists and three voices, producing highly enjoyable, accomplished, superhero fiction. In some ways, the project feels like a throwback to the glorious days of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, when creativity was king, and having inspired ideas was more important than how famous you were. Days when fans could really feel part of something. Indeed, the creators of Secret World ensure that fans can have their say, via the Secret Forum. The story itself concerns an alternate Earth -- thankfully not just America -- where superpowers are real, and wielded by real people. That is to say, people who have all the issues and foibles that afflict the rest of us, plus the burden of superpowers. What kind of powers? Well, there's a standard range of metahuman abilities, with a few original twists, and some great characterization. But what makes this such fun is how the abilities are explained, and the uses to which characters put them. For example, Handsome Devil, a scarlet skinned metahuman, gifted with inexplicable, probability bending luck. If you're thinking, hey that sounds like a clone of X-Man Longshot, then think again. Klaus Cotton, the Handsome Devil's real name, has breezed through life, not really bothering to try because his ability means everything just works out. Most of the time, but not always. Even super luck can wear thin at the most inopportune of moments. Handsome Devil read about Echo, a state sponsored organisation recruiting metahumans, and paying good money. When we first see him in action, he's rolled out of bed with his four-armed girlfriend, and is trying to cash his pay cheque. Unfortunately, a criminal gang picks the same bank to hold up. Unfortunately for them, that is, when the Devil's abilities kick in, leading to cinematic, action oriented scenes, punctuated with dry humour. Shortly after this the main story arrives, in the form of a global UFO invasion. Only these UFO's are not alien, they're earthly and accompanied by murderous squads of nine foot tall armoured figures, which to all intents and purposes are like evil Iron Man. Oh, and they're Nazis. This is one of those ideas which, written down as a line in a review, doesn't sound like the most original premise. But, trust me, the way the story is handled and developed is well worth the gamble.

What do you get if you download? You get a fresh, evolving mythology, free of DRM, costs, or other annoyances, which you can use on your computer, or transfer to an iPod. The voices aren't really character actors, and occasionally a harsh accent does stuff like turning residents of the capital of France into Pureeziuns. But most of the time a good job is done, with Veronica Giguere's voice, in particular, being easy on the ear. Those who wish to join in are provided for on a number of levels, helping to break down the us and them barrier which can exist between creators and audience. There are also firm plans to publish in traditional paper format, as updated, polished and extended versions of the audio books. This, my friends, is a genuinely exciting project, which may well be a glimpse into the future of SF publishing.

www.secretworldchronicle.com