Book excerpt: Humans turned genetic superheroes fight crime—and compete as sponsored reality stars? Superpowered humans known as NEXT appeared in the world 45 years ago. Some of them fight crime in the city of Stern Bild while promoting their corporate sponsors on the hit show HERO TV. The people love their superheroes, even if they don’t completely understand them, and not all of the NEXT use their powers for good. The heroes have discovered the secret behind the Mad Bears controlled by Kriem and begin to disable the exosuits that are threatening to destroy Stern Bild. Meanwhile, Kotetsu and Barnaby finally figure out what Jake's secret power is!