The DMRtian Chronicles, 1/12/2020
This week: Clark Ashton Smith, Fritz Leiber, tit-bait fantasy covers, The Land That Time Forgot, Neil Peart, and more.
Read MoreDemons of the Multiverse: Quaolnargn
Michael Moorcock is one of the authors who always impresses me with creative ideas when it comes to magic and supernatural elements. Throughout the Eternal Champion cycle, we encounter not only his own breeds of various mythical beings, but also patron demons, elemental spirits, cosmic monsters, strange races, Lords of Chaos and countless creatures of multiversal netherworlds.
Read MoreHeavy Metal Sword and Sorcery
Once Upon a Time there was a negative, put-down review of a Sword and Sorcery novel (are you surprised?). The reviewer sneered at the book as being, “The Heavy Metal of Fantasy Fiction.” But the put-down backfired.
Read MoreH. Rider Haggard and Fritz Leiber
Brian Murphy and I were corresponding the other day, discussing his forthcoming book, Flame and Crimson. He mentioned that Fritz Leiber read H. Rider Haggard; that, in fact, Leiber was reading HRH during the very period that Fritz and his friend, Harry Fischer, were creating Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.
Read MoreSword and Sorcery Imagery in an Unlikely Place
Throughout the 1980s it became harder to find sword and sorcery on bookstore shelves. Whatever the reason, it couldn’t have been due to lack of interest, for the genre remained popular in a variety of other media: films, games, heavy metal album covers… and Garbage Pail Kids!
Read MoreThe Legend of David Gemmell
I first read David Gemmell’s debut novel Legend when I was fifteen years old. I was immediately captivated by Gemmell’s vigorous prose style, his dynamic narrative technique and the vividly compelling depictions of his characters. In short, I became a fan for life.
Read MoreThe DMRtian Chronicles, 1/5/2020
This week: Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, The Witcher, The Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series, and more.
Read MoreRemembering Jacob Grimm
Jacob Grimm was the elder brother of the well-nigh legendary “Brothers Grimm”, the two of which laid the foundations for future studies of Teutonic folklore and mythology. In their spare time, he and his brother, Wilhelm, collected the folktales of the German countryside, preserving a priceless legacy. Jacob would go on to publish his landmark volume in Nordic studies, Teutonic Mythology.
Read MoreThe Lost Legend of Volund, the Prince of the Elves (Part Two)
Volund continued to perfect the world's most deadly weapon, a blade that he referred to as his sword of vengeance. He named it Gambantein and years would pass as he continued to improve it, etching powerful runes upon its length, laced with deadly spells, creating a weapon formidable enough to make even the greatest of the gods pale with dread.
Read MoreFabian's Illos For Williamson's Golden Blood
Today is January 3rd. At the DMR Blog, that means it’s Stephen Fabian Day. This is Mr. Fabian’s ninetieth birthday and all fans of classic SFF art should be thankful he’s still among us.
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