Cleansed and Set in Gold-- Matthew Sturges. A superhero gets his powers in a very un-superheroic way. A story exploring the depraved things people will do to gain or maintain power. 4.5/5
Where Their Worm Dieth Not-- James Maxey
fable like tale of the ultimate end of superheroes 4/5
Secret Identity-- Paul Cornell
When an average man changes into his super alter-ego, what else changes. A solid story but ultimately fails to fulfill in the end. 3.5/5
The Non-Event--Mike Carey
The story of a robbery gone very wrong. One of the best in the book 5/5
Avatar--Mike Baron
A young would-be Batman learns that life isn't always like it is in the funny papers. 3/5
Message from the Bubblegum Factory--Daryl Gregory
an odd prison break. This story seems more like the prologue to a novel but it is very well done 4/5
Thug--Gail Simone
This is the tale of one of the faceless minions routinely employed by super villains. I was at first put off by the simple, phonetic language used in the story. I have rarely found this trope to be worth wading though in the past. In this case, it is worth every bit of the effort as this is a story brilliantly realized. 5/5
Vacuum Lad--Stephen Baxter
An interesting but ultimately unfulfilling superhero story.
A Knight of Ghosts and Shadows--Chris Roberson
Interesting 30's style pulp hero in a demon haunted world, well done 4/5
Head Cases--Peter David and Kathleen David
A dissatisfied housewife/wife of superhero...meh. 3/5
Downfall--Joseph Mallozzi
Did't finish this one, it just went on forever and didn't go anywhere. -/5
By My Works You Shall Know Me--Mark Chadbourne
Interesting, fun, well done story about a hero and his nemesis locked in battle 4/5
Call Her Savage--Marjorie M. Liu
Didn;t finish this one either, it just bored me -/5
Tonight We Fly--Ian McDonald
Superheroes get old too. A surprisingly good story built on not much more than that. 4/5
A to Z in the Ultimate Big Company Superhero Universe (Villains Too)--Bill Willingham
interesting concept fairly well done. 4/5
All in all this is a very worthwhile use of valuable reading time. 4 stars overall and believe me when I say I was not prepared to like this book nearly as much as I did.