The book collects nine classic fantasy short stories by various authors, along with associated commentary by the editor and personages associated with the stories. It is notable for issuing the two original versions of Howard’s Conan story “The Frost-Giant’s Daughter”, one for the first time since its original publication, and the other for the first time in print.
“Black Eons” is a story based on an unfinished and untitled fragment by Robert E. Howard. The fragment was posthumously completed and named by Robert M. Price, a writer known for his contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos and pulp fiction genres. This collaboration blends Howard’s original vision with Price’s expertise in cosmic horror, a genre epitomized by H.P. Lovecraft.
Gods of the North, the first appearance in the March 1934 issue of The Fantasy Fan. It is among Robert E. Howard’s finest writings on sword and sorcery. This was a rejected Conan story and Howard allowed The Fantasy Fan to publish it.
The front and back cover art is from foreign Robert E. Howard paperback editions. Articles include part two a long analysis of the Robert E. Howard story “Tower Of The Elephant” (profusely illustrated) by Rick McCollum. An eight page folio of illustrations from Robert E. Howard stories printed in pulp magazines. An interview with Karl Edward Wagner from 1980. “H.P.L.: The History” by Lin Carter (from 1950). “An Appreciation of Clark Ashton Smith” by Lin Carter (from 1949). An article on A. Merritt from 1948 (with pulp art by Virgil Finlay and others). And more. Artwork by Rick McCollum, Eduardo Barreto, Mahlon Fawcett, and others.
The front cover art is by Wally Wood, reproduced from the color version of the original art. This art first appeared on the dustjacket of the Gnome Press hardcover THE RETURN OF CONAN in 1957.
Articles include the transcript of the entire WEIRD TALES panel from the 1998 San Diego Comicon (the panelists included Forry Ackerman and Gary Gianni). There are also various articles on heroic fantasy and sword & sorcery. An articles on Henry Kuttner’s Elak of Atlantis (a character which was first published in WEIRD TALES from 1938-41). A 1989 interview with Karl Edward Wagner reprinted from the British publication DAGON. An interview with writer Chuck Pogue about the movie and novelization of DRAGONHEART. “Sword & Sorcery In Comics, part 2”. A facsimile reprint of “The Challenge From Beyond” from its original appearance in FANTASY MAGAZINE in 1935. A 1950s profile of Virgil Finlay. An examination of the possible origins of the art published on the cover of SWORD & FANTASY #1 and more. Artwork in the issue is by Rick McCollum, Mahlon Fawcett, Virgil Finlay and others.
