S.E.’s Comments (group member since Nov 01, 2012)

S.E.’s comments from the Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" group.

Christian, thx for chronicling your adventures thru Tond. We've a quiet group here, so many never chime in as they read along. But having some feedback spurs us along.

For me, your notes remind me to read the missing “A Madness from the Vaults” tale excluded from the previous printing (but included in this one).

BTW, my previous chronicling reading Rye from 2013 is all documented here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

For many of us, it was unknown that Campbell wrote S&S. Turns out he is also known for his Solomon Kane work (he edited/polished off some of REH's tales nicely in the 1995 BAEN edition ...and wrote the movie-tie-in-book for the Solomon Kane film (2009 to 2012 indie film).

All,

Jan-Feb will be our annual 2month dedication toward reading/sharing/reviewing anthologies.

Pick any magazine or print anthology, and shed some light on it!

There is a poll where you can select items you intend to read; please write-in options not shown. The idea is not to select options for members, but to use the poll to advertise which ones folks intend to tackle.

Here's the poll link:https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

The Skull Expresses His Gratitude (which doesn't happen often)

Mortals, your actions have impressed even the Skull! The Kickstarter ended with 640 backers and unlocked and 8th story for the Special Issue.

Here the Skull closes the ritual with rare "thank you, mortal dogs!"
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

here it is:
https://www.heroicfantasyquarterly.co...

The Reprieve, by Darrell Schweitzer, with artwork by Andrea Alemanno.  A new story of Sekenre the Sorcerer!  Riverland is a world full of wandering gods, decadent kingdoms; and in the lands of the dead, an ancient scholar and a cunning prince are embroiled in the centuries-long plots of sorcerers.

Joseph, did you see the new Sekrene short story? I think its in the HFQ 50th issue

Toss a coin to your Witcher...or a Bitskull to your master!

Only one day left to help out chief editor Howard Andrew Jones and the Sword & Sorcery community cope with the Skull's dominance. Subscribe now to Tales from the Magician's Skull magazine!

With haste!

Get a print version of Special Issue....and with ~50mor backers, we make that issue larger with an 8th story.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Ya Clint! The PDF/ePuB option will still be delightful.

Less than 2 days to go. At 522 backers, we have a finite chance of reaching 600 if there is a sprint, and that would unlock another story for the Special Edition (moving it to 8 stories).

Update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Unfortunately for Clint, you won't get the newly released bookmarks (for print subscribers only). Then again, the Skull says:

"The Skull believes you should read his magazine straight through without pause, so he does not see the need for bookmarks. However, we were able to articulate the clear and pressing need for holding one's place when minions interrupt one's concentration, or in the event of attack by rival sorcerer. Therefore, the Skull has acquiesced to the bookmark request, and Lester the Layout Wizard has completed his rituals and summoned some glorious creations."

The Joy of Erudition wrote: "Clint wrote: "I might watch Wizards soon. To the best I can recollect, I have never watched Wizards."
The warrior character in Wizards has a very memorable yell."

The woman narrator from Wizards mesmerizes me. Her intro was hypnotic.

Announcing Bitskull, cryptocurrency of the Immortal Skull
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

2 days left to go!

How To Obtain Your Bitskull Credit
We are pleased to announce another exciting stretch goal for this project. In addition to the two bonus stories already appearing in the Special Issue thanks to the number of backers, we are also going to give one Bitskull to every backer who subscribes to at least 5 issues. Just think of the appreciation possibilities, backers! You can get in on the ground floor for Bitskull!

Specific to format, er, we should specify that Bitskulls are actually being produced not as digital currency but as drink coasters. You see, they're just the right size. So once they're mined from the Skull's crypt, you can use them to keep your table surfaces safe from the condensation on your ale mugs, mead tankards, and even coffee mugs. Because that's how much Bitskull is worth...enough to hold your drink.

But Seriously Folks...
Free Bitskull drink coaster to every subscriber. How can you say no? Bonus stretch goal! Tell all your friends and enemies!

Joy is right, so far every story gets a full page frontispiece....some get extra illustrations too. So Stan should expect at least one illustration!

Mario wrote: "Saw the podcast, didn't see the post on your blog, but I will now. Thank you. Big fan of all things rotoscoped."

Share your thoughts if you give it a go!

3 Days to Go!
Today's Sword & Sorcery Word of the Day: Sinuous

The Skull listened to backers and will make issue#0 into a PDF (that's the first KS special edition essentially). This was committed in the comment section.

The Skull was pleased that so many mortals appreciated his fine musical renditions. He has asked that we shower praise upon him, so he may discern which of his performances is most praise-worthy.

Go here to vote:
Update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Todays' blog: https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
The Incomparable Interior Art of Tales From the Magician’s Skull

Tales From the Magician’s Skull can’t help but get noticed for its powerful cover art, whether you’re just giving its back issues a quick look in the online store, marveling at some of its upcoming wonders, or insta-pledging your support for the current Kickstarter at the sight of Didier Normand’s barbarian versus dragon cover for the KS-exclusive special issue, TFTMS has a way of reaching out and touching the adventurous heart of all who behold it. But, our peerless magazine also features an absolute old-school symphony of black-and-white interior art — a perfect pairing alongside stories at the vanguard of the sword-and-sorcery renaissance.

The post has a sampling of the full-page interior art from Tales From the Magician’s Skull’s first six issues — just be sure to remember to pick up your jaw after viewing.

4 days left to support the Skull and secure subscriptions!

Greg Mele said his favorite moon was "Gibbous" in an interview with a Skull. Figures. Gibbous is now the S&S word of the day. And what is the Skull doing? Shredding guitars again? Organs? Nope. He's pounding the keyboard now.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Mario wrote: "Thought about taking a look at it these days. Have you watched it, Seth? I'm curious for some hardcore S&S opinions."

I enjoyed it. I threw together a review on my blog:
http://www.selindberg.com/2021/11/the...

In short, it's a deep, epic, violent homage to Fire and Ice and Heavy Metal (animated movies of the 80's). If you are cool with rotoscoping, then you'll dig it.

The focus is less on one hero(ine), but the key protagonist is Tsod (a mature female swamp witch) voiced by Lucy Lawless. So.... as a female sorceress she is not the standard, old-school S&S character. Arguably, the movie is more about the "Bloom" than a single character arc...

I think most S&S fans will enjoy it a lot.
The skirmish warfare and themes of civilization vs. barbarism will resonate.

Rogues in the house interviewed the creators for 45min; and that interview may be of interest
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XE9...

Scott wrote: "S.E. wrote: "I believe Funcom owns all of the Conan IP now, but I am not aware who is pulling the strings re: novels."
Steve Saffel at Titan Books. I'm not sure what they plan with Hockings' work..."

Hail Scott Oden! Thanks for clarifying.

BTW, for those who do not know... but Scott has at least two pastiche Conans out in the wild (“The Shadow of Vengeance" serialized in Marvel’s The Savage Sword of Conan and “Conan Unconquered”, which was part of the video game Funcom/Petroglyph Studio.)

And since this groupread is about pastiche, one may want to peruse his blog: https://scottoden.wordpress.com/2021/...

Only 5 days to go (the campaign ends ~Nov 19th)!
Update #11: The Skull Interviews the "Eldritch" Brad McDevitt

The Skull shines light on a key illustrator! Learn how weird fiction influenced the portrayer of the Skull!
Link:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

S.wagenaar wrote: "Seth:
It appears the portion of Living Plague posted by Mr. Hocking was in fact at the old REH fan site, not the latest active site. It no longer exists, so I cannot even look at it myself. I recal..."

Thx for checking.

Richard wrote: "Darrel Schweitzer treats his sorcery in the Mask of the Sorcerer in a similar fashion. I’ve never liked how some authors are super free with the terms for their magic practitioners. There is a de..."

Actually, Schweitzer's The Mask of the Sorcerer was originally written as a Conan pastiche called "Conan the Deliverer", but it was repackaged into a separate series.

@Stan, I do feel lucky for being able to peruse The Living Plague. I hope to find a way to draw attention to it in an appropriate way--any way that John Hocking is cool with. I believe Funcom owns all of the Conan IP now, but I am not aware who is pulling the strings re: novels. If there is some way of reviewing/posting articles that can draw attention to the novel in a way that provides hope for future (re)publication, then I plan to do that. For now, I plan to read it and then connect with John C. Hocking for advice.

I did not know that he shared some of it on the Conan group. I'll have to look into that.
Do you have a link to that?

I wrapped up Conan and the Emerald Lotus by John C. Hocking, and then read Hocking's 12-part serialized novella "Black Starlight" that spanned the recent Conan the Barbarian comic--this is a direct sequel to "Emerald Lotus" and tracks Conan's adventures as he returns from Stygia.

In short, Hocking treats sorcery like a drug and/or disease. It's a refreshing take on antagonists since (in addition to humanoid villains) there are also conflicts vs. self-control and vegetable matter (three cheers for Shambling Mounds!).

I'll get a review together soon. It's a great pastiche, but paperbacks of Emerald Lotus are insanely expensive now (i.e. >$500 on Amazon). The 2019 publishing debacle from Perilous Worlds teased fans with a rerelease of Emerald Lotus and a new novel by Hocking called Conan and the Living Plague (these were printed but the cover was so poorly done, most copies were scrapped right after release....portion of a press release below; these two books seem have slipped through the cracks of publishing-doom).

By good fortune, a rare copy of Living Plague found its way to me. I'm working on a review of Hocking's Conan pastiche that includes some appropriate reveal of this sacred tome.

BTW, Hocking has been cranking out "King's Blade" stories featuring his hero Benhus; these appear in Tales from the Magician's Skull. Highly recommended.



2019 Conan the Barbarian Comics





Press Release from 2019

Los Angeles, August 1st 2019
PERILOUS WORLDS POSTPONES RELEASE OF FIRST CONAN NOVEL

The transmedia publisher Perilous Worlds has decided to postpone the release of its first original Conan novel, the much anticipated Conan and the Living Plague. A new release date will be announced in the near future, through Perilous Worlds online channels, as well as on the official website for all things Conan, Conan.com.

Conan and the Living Plague is the sequel to Conan and the Emerald Lotus, both written by John C. Hocking.

The release of both books has been pushed due to changes in format and distribution.