A world of Wild Cards The alien virus arrived on Earth just after World War II and the world was never the same. For those who become infected, there are two results; death, or transformation. And depending on the recipient, death is sometimes the preferable outcome. Only a few lucky ones become super-human 'aces' as a side effect of the virus; the rest are turned into horrible, grotesque 'jokers'. It's a strange and wonderful, terrible and terrifying world where anything can go. A world that, in a twist of fate, could lie just outside your door.