Fans of pulp adventure rejoice! Next month will see the release of Swain’s Vengeance, the first of four volumes of Arthur D. Howden Smith’s rousing saga of Swain the Viking. The stories of Swain, which were based on the Orkneyinga saga, appeared in the pages of Adventure magazine in the early 20th century. With few exceptions, these tales have gone unreprinted since then.

Swain’s Vengeance contains six stories, plus an introduction by acclaimed author Howard Andrew Jones. According to Jones, “Arthur D. Howden Smith based Swain on material found in the later portions of the Orkneyinga saga. If you think that means Smith was recounting dry history, you’re in for a rude surprise. These tales are based on the recollections of a warrior culture, and Swain’s stories are rich with deeds of daring and cleverness and are absolutely drenched in warfare and violence, from the very first pages.”

Swain’s Vengeance will be published in early December 2022, in trade paperback (312 pages) and digital editions. The following volumes will appear throughout 2023.

Stories included in Swain’s Vengeance:

“Swain’s Stone”
”Swain’s Vengeance”
”Swain’s Burning”
”Swain’s Honor”
”Swain’s Sons”
”Swain Jarl-Maker”