Introduction
Unfinished story. 4800 words written.
Summary
“The Atavist” tells the story of Steve “Dev” Devlin, a man whose wartime experiences have left him restless and out of place in civilian life. He meets his war buddy Jimmy Kelliher in New York, who introduces him to the boxing scene. Despite having little formal training, Devlin’s innate fighting spirit shines through, and he’s given an opportunity to fight in a preliminary match against Battling Barron, a well-known slugger, after a chance meeting with a fight promoter, Stanton.
During the match, Devlin’s natural prowess and savagery come to the fore, leading him to an unlikely victory that sets his boxing career in motion. Under the management of ‘Lynx’ Sloan, Devlin quickly ascends to the welterweight championship, demolishing contenders with his exceptional speed, strength, and ‘knock-out kick’.
Despite his success, Devlin yearns for a challenge and sets his sights on the middleweight champion, Tommy Jansen. However, Jansen continuously avoids Devlin, fearing defeat. In an attempt to force Jansen’s hand, Devlin takes on fights with middleweights, including Johnny Burrone, whom he defeats with difficulty, proving his strength extends beyond his weight class.
Devlin’s relentless pursuit of a fight with Jansen leads to him being manipulated into a match with the light heavyweight champion, Ghost Donovan. Devlin harbors an irrational hatred towards Donovan, whom he views as a symbol of everything he detests—a fighter who seems too polished and engaged with society, contrary to Devlin’s own rough and singular focus on combat.
The narrative explores the contrast between Devlin’s atavistic nature—a throwback to the primitive, pure fighters of old—and the modern world’s multifaceted individuals like Donovan. The story, unfinished, leaves readers anticipating the clash between these two champions, both within the ring and in the ideological battle of what it means to be a fighter.
Characters
- Steve “Dev” Devlin: The main character and welterweight boxing champion, driven by his atavistic nature and a passion for the raw violence and strategy of boxing.
- Jimmy Kelliher: Devlin’s friend from his wartime days, who reconnects him with the excitement he craves by introducing him to the boxing scene.
- Lynx’ Sloan: The fight manager who takes Devlin under his wing, recognizing his raw talent and guiding him to the welterweight championship.
- Stanton: A fight promoter who initially dismisses Devlin but later becomes instrumental in starting his boxing career.
- Battling Barron: The boxer Devlin defeats in his first professional match, setting the stage for his boxing career.
- Tommy Jansen: The elusive middleweight champion, who avoids fighting Devlin out of fear of losing his title.
- Johnny Burrone: A middleweight boxer whom Devlin fights and defeats, showcasing his ability to compete above his weight class.
- Ghost Donovan: The light heavyweight champion, whose polished persona and success in society and the ring incite Devlin’s scorn and enmity.
Published in:
- THE LAST OF THE TRUNK OCH BREV I URVAL, Paradox Entertainment, March 2007
- THE LAST OF THE TRUNK, Robert E. Howard Foundation Press, November 2007
- THE COLLECTED BOXING FICTION OF ROBERT E. HOWARD: FISTS OF IRON, REH Foundation Press, June 2013