The first real sword and sorcery stories I ever read were ones featuring Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian. To be honest, I can't remember whether or not I read them in their book form first, or in the Marvel comic adaptations, but there wasn't much difference between the two when it came to literary merit. Conan was probably the ideal comic book character.
Robert E. Howard had created him as so much larger than life, and involved him in such spectacular adventures, the stories were ideally suited to the medium. The character was so much a figure of fantasy that it really didn't stand up to the scrutiny of live action and the movies were a great disappointment. They weren't even bad enough to be good. Even with Conan being played by the walking, talking cartoon character, Arnold, there was something about live action that robbed the character of his ability to be larger than life.
That's what makes the whole genre so much fun in the first place, as far I'm concerned. Nobody reads sword and sorcery for it's intellectual qualities after all, they read it for the escapism offered by the adventures. You read them for the very qualities that make it impossible for them to be filmed; the ability to fight 25 opponents at once; take on a multi-headed, multi-armed, poisonous creature without breaking a sweat; and getting the scantily clad wench in the end.
The scantily clad wench was of course one of the primary drawing cards for sword and sorcery's original demographic; adolescent males. Thankfully it turned out that women liked a good sword fight as much as men, and the genre started to gain a level of enlightenment when it came to the objectification of women; especially when women started creating their own characters and writing the stories. With women stepping out of the harem and on to the battle field the whole complexion of the genre changed.
With the stories no longer being geared strictly for the guys who lived in their basements playing Dungeons & Dragons, the plots became more imaginative, and the characters more complex, while still retaining the all the exciting bits that made them so attractive in the first place. You don't need to look any further than Rogue Blades Entertainment's newly published anthology, The Return Of The Sword, edited by Jason M. Waltz, for proof of just how far the genre's come since its comic book days.
Article comments
1 - Vivian
The review gives a deep understanding of the writing and impact of the stories in this book. I'm not a fantasy fan, usually, but after reading Richard Marcus' take on "The Battle of Raven Kill," I know I must read this book.
Vivian
2 - Ty
As one of the writers who has work appearing in this book, I offer a great big "thank you" for this review. I'm glad to see there are still those who appreciate that fiction can be fun escapism!
3 - Scath
Very well-written review that has 'The Return of the Sword' on my to buy list.
4 - Elizabeth Barrette
I'm delighted to see both this anthology and its parent magazine getting the attention they deserve. As a reviewer, I see far too much "McFantasy" these days ... but I still love the old high fantasy when it's well done instead of just a rip-off. I'm glad there's a market for it.
Also worth mentioning is Ursula Vernon's novel _Black Dogs Part One: The House of Diamond_ from Sofawolf Press. It's like discovering the genre again for the first time: classic tropes done with fresh voice.
There are still some folks writing and buying this stuff, for readers who are willing to hunt around.
5 - Jeff Draper
You know, it's a bit embarrassing for a writer of heroic fantasy to admit but this review made me giggle like a schoolgirl. Richard, I'm very glad you liked the story and thank you for the excellent review. What's even better for all of you that may run out and buy it: mine's not the best story in there. It's a great collection that is working hard to revitalize the genre, one gout of blood at a time.
For those who might be interested in some 'behind the scenes' type stuff regarding "The Battle of Raven Kill" you can visit my blog at the URL beside my name here.
6 - Suanne
This anthologies been on my list to buy for a while now, but I never seem to get farther than that--until tonight! Thanks for providing the impetus to get me purchasing. :)
7 - Steve Goble
Thanks for bringing this book to your readers' attention. It is one fun book, and not a boring page in it.
-- Steve
8 - Steve Goble
Thanks for bringing this book to your readers' attention. It is one fun book, and not a boring page in it.
-- Steve
9 - Rob
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book. Kind words are always helpful for those interested in buying a copy.
10 - Dianne
Thank you for writing this in-depth review of the new anthology. For those of us who love this genre, take a look at this publisher's magazine, Flashing Swords.
It's heart warming to know that others want to read great Sword & Sorcery stories!
- Dianne
11 - Michael Ehart
Thank you for the kind words! I am another writer in the anthology, and I have to agree-- there are a lot of fun stories here.
12 - Michael D. Turner
An excellent review of an extrodinary book. Thanks.
13 - Jason M. Waltz
Hi Richard!
Any chance you are able to update the publisher name and link to the correct publisher's website for Return of the Sword?
I bought out Flashing Swords Press (the FS Magazine still exists) and rights to the book and became Rogue Blades Entertainment.
If you'd like a new cover image properly reflecting the change, I can provide one.
Thanks!
14 - Jason M. Waltz
Thank you for updating the review, Richard.
Keep up the great work - and get ready for the next RBE title coming in June!