Contains a poem by Howard and a small excerpt from ‘Beyond the Black River’. This was created for the 100th birthday celebration of Robert E. Howard, held at The Torch in Forth Worth, Texas on January 21st of 2006. As the title says, it was originally scheduled to be held at the Black Dog Tavern, but was moved at the last minute.
Text was read aloud by Bill Cavalier at the party for Robert E. Howard’s 100th birthday.
The Annotated Guide to Robert E. Howard’s Weird Fantasy scrutinizes this full range of Howard’s dark fiction by listing, summarizing, and critically analyzing more than 50 tales. Surveyed not only are widely anthologized horror classics like “Pigeons from Hell” and “The Black Stone,” but also many lesser-known tales that further illuminate Howard’s genius for creating “real emotions of spectral fear and dread suspense,” as the great H.P. Lovecraft said.
“The Black Stone (Early Draft)” is a facsimile of a Howard typescript, with a pair of handwritten comments by the author.
“The Black Stone” (Reprint)
Bran Mak Morn, King of the Picts, vows vengeance on Titus Sulla, a Roman governor, after witnessing the crucifixion of a fellow Pict. He seeks forbidden aid from the Worms of the Earth, a race of creatures who Bran Mak Morn’s ancestors banished from their kingdom centuries ago. They were once men, but millennia of living underground caused them to become monstrous and semi-reptilian.
Searching for a contact with these creatures, Bran Mak Morn encounters a witch who lives in a secluded hut, shunned by her neighbors, who was born from a sexual encounter between one of the “Worms” and a human woman. The witch’s price for helping him is “one night of love” which her human-half craves – as men in general are repelled by her reptilian traits. Bran Mak Morn, though also himself repelled, agrees to pay the price. In exchange, she tells him of a barrow where “The Black Stone”, a religious artifact of great importance to the “Worms”, is hidden.
Christopher Lee’s “X” Certificate No. 1 is a horror anthology published in 1975, presented by actor Christopher Lee and edited by Michel Parry.
This document, likely created by Robert E. Howard in the early 1930s, lists many of his stories alongside their geographical and temporal settings, as well as the main recurring characters.
The story begins with the unnamed protagonist—a Gael—venturing into a dark, labyrinthine cavern driven by his love for a yellow-haired girl, Tamera, and a dangerous curiosity about the mysterious “Children of the Night.” The Britons had told tales of these inhuman creatures, warning of their grotesque attributes and malevolent tendencies. Armed with a blade, the Gael cautiously navigates the oppressive darkness.
The story begins with the unnamed protagonist—a Gael—venturing into a dark, labyrinthine cavern driven by his love for a yellow-haired girl, Tamera, and a dangerous curiosity about the mysterious “Children of the Night.” The Britons had told tales of these inhuman creatures, warning of their grotesque attributes and malevolent tendencies. Armed with a blade, the Gael cautiously navigates the oppressive darkness.
Exciting times ahead for fans of Robert E. Howard! I’ve finished preparing the files for the next two physical books for the REH Foundation Press. Now, we’re just waiting on the covers and final text to complete them. In the meantime, I’ve been busy getting the eBook versions ready as well—they’re about 98% finished, with [ read more . . . ]
