Introduction

“The Story Thus Far” serves as concise recaps found in the November and December 1929 installments (second and third portion) of Robert E. Howard’s “Skull-Face” in Weird Tales. These summaries were provided to bring readers up to speed with the unfolding dark adventure involving Stephen Costigan and a mysterious global conspiracy.

It is not known if REH wrote these or Farnsworth Wright.

Characters

  • Stephen Costigan: An American ex-hashish addict manipulated by the Master into becoming part of his sinister plots.
  • Kathulos of Egypt/The Master/The Scorpion: A powerful and manipulative figure aiming to overthrow the white race and establish a black empire. He controls his followers through a potent elixir.
  • John Gordon: A member of the British secret police who tries to thwart the Master’s plans and rescues Costigan.
  • Sir Haldred Frenton: The intended victim of the Master’s assassination plot.
  • Zuleika: A slave under the Master’s control, romantically involved with Costigan and provides him with the elixir to survive.

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