Nick Wood (1) (1961–2023)

Novella about two African superhumans, Pan-African and Black Power, who play hero/villain roles in the 1970s, until Pan-African surrenders and serves a prison sentence. After he’s released, his renewed visibility brings Black Power back—and Pan-African is still pretty mad about Black Power’s failure to succeed against CIA interventions/assassinations and South Africa’s apartheid regime. But part of the point of the story is that punching does not solve Africa’s problems.

A very engaging comic book-inspired fantasy novella. The philosophical differences between the "hero" and the "villain" are thought-provoking, although I felt a bit let down by the ending.

A powerful eco-thriller. Set in a near future where water has become a commodity not a basic human right, the story intertwines three people who end up as part of the growing movement to reclaim the ravaged Earth from the despoilers. It is rather an uncomfortable read - even for a mixed-race cis-gendered person in a comfortable Western society. Well-written and scientifically plausible, I would recommend this book as a wake-up call - we are seeing the first stages of this dystopian future now.