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| SFReader Forums > Book, Magazine, and eZine Publishers > Flashing Swords > Flashing Swords Debut Issue | Forum Quick Jump
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jonesha
Forum Moderator
      
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 655
| Posted 1/3/2005 3:33 AM (GMT -4) |   | The debut issue of Flashing Swords ezine is live and waiting for you!
We've got a fantastic lineup of fiction, including stories by Warhammer novelist William King, Lords of Swords authors Joe McCullough and D.K. Latta, a Viking pulp reprint from Harold Lamb, and one of S.C. Bryce's tales of the Gray Mist!
Don't miss it!
Howard Andrew Jones | | Back to Top | | |
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jonesha
Forum Moderator
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 655
| Posted 1/3/2005 3:34 AM (GMT -4) | | Flashing Swords can be found at
www.swordandsorcery.org | | Back to Top | | |
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John Hocking
The Olde Prospector
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 144
| Posted 1/3/2005 5:28 AM (GMT -4) | | Very enjoyable tales in a cool, readable format.
I'd have bought this "magazine" off any newstand and considered my investment well spent- and I've only read two of the stories.
William King's tale is Extra-Hardboiled and will deliver a jolt to even jaded fans of the darkest Sword & Sorcery.
And how cool is it to read Harold Lamb historical fiction unseen since the heyday of the pulps?
This is such nifty stuff in such a cool package, I really hope word gets out about it. It's so good, so easy to read, and so...well...FREE, that you'd think any number of fantasy fans would love it.
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jonesha
Forum Moderator
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 655
| Posted 1/3/2005 5:54 AM (GMT -4) | | Hey John,
I was delighted to find that William King piece in my mailbox. I'm glad you liked it--I thought it top notch.
And what did you, as a writer of Viking yarns, think of Lamb's Viking tale?
Howard | | Back to Top | | |
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Daniel
Carl Jung's Waterboy
Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 4515
| Posted 1/3/2005 7:54 AM (GMT -4) | | Awesome site!!! Great job Howard and Dave!! I'm with John, I'd buy this mag off the shelf in a flash -- so everyone help spread the word!!!
Daniel | | Back to Top | | |
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John Hocking
The Olde Prospector
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 144
| Posted 1/4/2005 5:54 PM (GMT -4) | | "And what did you, as a writer of Viking yarns, think of Lamb's Viking tale?"
I like Lamb's stuff, so I was unsurprised to find myself rolling right through it after I told myself I should be in bed. It's a strong, straight-forward tale about a strong, straight-forward fellow. The Viking's dialogue is clearly saga-inspired- full of blunt, stoic observations. The author's mammoth knowledge of history is worn lightly, displayed in details appropriate to the tale without ever stopping the flow of events to ground things or lecture. A number of modern historical novelists might take a cue from that.
And the layout makes the site easy to read, too. I like that parchment background; it's easy on the eyes. | | Back to Top | | |
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Raph
Stubborn Scholar
Date Joined Oct 2004
Total Posts : 260
| Posted 1/4/2005 10:34 PM (GMT -4) | | Great job, guys. I also would buy this off a newsstand. I especially liked the King story. Kudos to all involved with bringing us this great new 'zine.
Mike O. | | Back to Top | | |
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CharlesR
Neophyte
Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 64
| Posted 1/5/2005 1:15 PM (GMT -4) | | The site looks really good. I've only had a chance to read two of the stories so far but both were great. For the last couple of years I've been recommending William King's Gotrek and Felix novels to anyone who loves pulp action yarns. King fits right in with the classic Sword & Sorcery writers. This latest short story doesn't disappoint. Really like the new character. Also glad to see that someone can use elves and dwarves in their fiction and still have a hard edge. I love Tolkien, but many of his imitators have given elves a bad name, so much that fans of more hardboiled often work won't go near anything with pointy ears.
The Harold Lamb story was something of a revelation. I've read Lamb before, but mostly his Khlit the Cossack stories. What amazed me about the Golden Empress was how contemporary the prose felt. If I hadn't known who Lamb was, I'd have thought the story was written recently. The other thing I noted was how much plot was jammed into the short. There's enough material there for a novel. Action, intrigue, romance, and more than a touch of humor. I'm glad you have access to so much of Lamb's work, Howard. Thanks for making it available.
Charles R | | Back to Top | | |
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BethS
Adept
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 745
| Posted 1/5/2005 3:56 PM (GMT -4) | | Howard,
I've not had a chance to read the stories yet, but it looks beautiful. Congratulations!
Beth
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Daniel
Carl Jung's Waterboy
Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 4515
| Posted 1/5/2005 7:37 PM (GMT -4) | | Thanks all! Remember, purchasing the Lords of Swords anthology really helps Pitch-Black,LLC. keep cool projcets like Flashing Swords E-zine going strong. We're getting rave reactions to the antho from readers -- grab yourself a copy if you haven't yet.
As always, order through www.pitchblackbooks.com or the Sword and Sorcery site itself.
Daniel | | Back to Top | | |
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Petor
Stablehand
Date Joined Mar 2004
Total Posts : 29
| Posted 1/7/2005 1:53 AM (GMT -4) | | Okay, here it is. In my excitement of reading my first tale in FLASHING SWORDS EZINE, I missed Howard's thread and dumped my comments under the PITCH BLACK BOOKS thread. So here are my 'ments where they are supposed to be...
I started with the Harold Lamb story just because I've heard you, Howard, talk and offer up so much about him. THE GOLDEN EMPRESS was great. My favorite part...when the Vikings leave the inlet and Harald's manuever over the chain. Loved it! I'd love to read more of Lamb's material. Next up is THE BURNING RIVER.
I enjoy King's work and can't wait to read THE GUARDIAN OF THE DAWN. I read his Warhammer novel GIANTSLAYER. It is truly great material.
I am attaching some feedback from a friend of mine who checked out the zine but probably won't ever slip onto this board to comment...
"I finished reading the FS ebook you mentioned. The first 2 stories are very similar...hero fails to save charges in his care, sort of depressing for me. Now the Harold Lamb story was great, exotic, save-the-girl adventure (what else to expect from him?!), even though it contained no supernatural elements. In the next 2 stories, the heros did save their charges and overcome the Evils. The one story about the hero with the large, hairy, clawed arm reminded me of a comic s&s swordsman (from the '70's, I think), who also had the same type of arm. I think he got it from his demon father, if I'm not mistaken. It'd be interesting to see where this current hero got his."
Anyway, keep up the great work and great content! Five stars!
HIGH FANTASY ONLINE (www.highfantasy.iwarp.com) | | Back to Top | | |
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Dave
Master of the Domain
Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 651
| Posted 1/7/2005 5:16 AM (GMT -4) | | I haven't read the stories - despite being the webmaster! - but I recall the comic book hero your friend mentioned, and, in fact, have an issue still. It's title Claw, from DC comics, and concerns a swordsman who has a demon claw for a hand. The demon claw exerts an evil influence over him (a la Stormbringer over Elric) and he contains it's evil by uise of a magical gauntlet. In the issue I have, the gauntlet has been stolen adn he is seeking to recover it while at the same time trying to avoid coming under thrall to his demon hand.
Good stuff.....
Dave
SFReader Webmaster | | Back to Top | | |
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CharlesR
Neophyte
Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 64
| Posted 1/7/2005 9:15 AM (GMT -4) | | There was also an issue of Marvel's Conan the Barbarian where Conan's Red bearded pal, Fafnir, having lost his own arm, had a hairy apelike limb attached it its place. Unfortunately this was a sword & sorcery comic so the arm possessed Fafnir and tried to kill everyone...
Charles R | | Back to Top | | |
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jonesha
Forum Moderator
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 655
| Posted 1/7/2005 9:28 AM (GMT -4) | | Dave, who wrote that old comic? I'd be curious to know. I was wondering if it was Mike Grell. I remember his Warlord comic being pretty cool up through the first few years. Maybe I can find someone better-schooled than I am in fantasy comic history and an article on sword and sorcery in the comics can be drafted for the sword and sorcery site.
I'm sure that any similarities between D.K.'s character and these other guys is coincidence. I thought he did a really nice job with the concept and hope he'll write some more adventures featuring the same character.
best,
Howard | | Back to Top | | |
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Petor
Stablehand
Date Joined Mar 2004
Total Posts : 29
| Posted 1/7/2005 9:31 AM (GMT -4) | | Well, who says you can't take something old, or something done before, and make it new and exciting and create your own unique character and storyline. My hat is off to Mr. Latta for doing just that! Excellent tale, D.K.! More Zargatha, I say!
HIGH FANTASY ONLINE (www.highfantasy.iwarp.com) | | Back to Top | | |
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Petor
Stablehand
Date Joined Mar 2004
Total Posts : 29
| Posted 1/7/2005 9:50 AM (GMT -4) | | Plus if the material is fresh and the voice is unique and the story is good, that's what it's all about anyway, right? Latta's material isn't a pastiche of anyone or anything I have read.
Again, I say MORE Zargatha!
HIGH FANTASY ONLINE (www.highfantasy.iwarp.com) | | Back to Top | | |
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Dave
Master of the Domain
Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 651
| Posted 1/7/2005 10:45 AM (GMT -4) | | Credits attribute Ernie Chua (artist) and David Michelinie (writer)
Ain't the web grand?
http://www.quarterbin.net/recycleb/rb46.html
Dave
SFReader Webmaster | | Back to Top | | |
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BethS
Adept
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 745
| Posted 1/7/2005 10:56 AM (GMT -4) | | quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Credits attribute Ernie Chua (artist) and David Michelinie (writer)
Ain't the web grand?
http://www.quarterbin.net/recycleb/rb46.html
"...But the dark-maned giant's origins matter little to the feminine eyes that coat his sun-bronzed form with sighful gazes...
Like, gag me with a sword...
Beth
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CharlesR
Neophyte
Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 64
| Posted 1/7/2005 11:57 AM (GMT -4) | | Well if you want Sword & Sorcery comics, I recommend Dagar The Invincible from Gold Key. Written by Don Glut, with nifty art by Jesse Santos. Well worth Tracking down. At the same Time that DC came out with Claw the Unconquered, they also published Stalker the Man with the Stolen Soul with art from Steve Ditko and Wally Wood, a caveman comic called Kong, and even gave Beowulf his own comic. None of them lasted long. There is of course Tales of Sword & Sorcery, the comic that adapted Fritz Lieber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser stories, though those two worthies oddly enough made their first comics appearance in an issue of Wonder Woman.
The very first barbarian character who was actually called that was probably Al Williamson's Clawfang the Barbarian who appeared in a couple of Harvey Anthology comics several years before Conan hit the stands. Before that, there was Joe Kubert's Viking Prince. Kubert also had a caveman character called Tor. Lin Carter's Thongor briefly had his own comic, and John Jakes' Brak the Barbarian appeared in a few issues of Savage Tales. Marvel made various attempts at bringing Solomon Kane and Kull to the comics pages and of course the pseudo REH character Red Sonja has had several comics incarnations and is, in fact about to be brought back to comics again.
Atlas comics had Wulf the Barbarian and Iron Jaw, a savage swordsman with a bit of a twist, his jaw was actually made of iron. Both books had short runs.
Mike Grell's Warlord remains a favorite of mine and is, I believe, the longest running S&S title after Conan. Anyway, that's all the stuff I can think of off the top of my head.
Charles R | | Back to Top | | |
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jonesha
Forum Moderator
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 655
| Posted 1/7/2005 12:17 PM (GMT -4) | | Charles, you're hired. If you can squeeze in some time for a retrospective and look back at the issues, when they came out, how long they lasted, that sort of thing, it's exactly what I was thinking of for the swordandsorcery site. Nothing terribly long--a few thousand words tops.
'Course I'm also awaiting that sword and planet matter we were discussing... | | Back to Top | | |
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John Hocking
The Olde Prospector
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 144
| Posted 1/7/2005 12:21 PM (GMT -4) | | Eegad.
The sick part isn't that I recognize Every Single One of those Sword & Sorcery comic heroes.
The sick part is that I Still Have almost all of them. Exceptions include the Viking Prince and Clawfang.
But if you're looking for a full run of 'Ironjaw', you've come to the right guy.
They're in this box right over...uh...here...um...somewhere... | | Back to Top | | |
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Petor
Stablehand
Date Joined Mar 2004
Total Posts : 29
| Posted 1/7/2005 12:25 PM (GMT -4) | | I dressed up as a barbarian/Viking for Halloween. Does that count for anything?!!!
Er...nevermind.[:D]
HIGH FANTASY ONLINE (www.highfantasy.iwarp.com) | | Back to Top | | |
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jonesha
Forum Moderator
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 655
| Posted 1/7/2005 12:31 PM (GMT -4) | | Speaking of Donald F. Glut, I had some of his Tragg and the Sky Gods gold key comics. Those were pretty cool. I pulled some out of a used bin, all beat to heck, when I was a teenager, and I ended up liking them so much I went back a few months later (the bin was in a different city) and managed to find a few more. I always wanted to find out how that whole thing turned out. Tragg was a cave man, but the whole thing had a sword and planet feel.
Howard | | Back to Top | | |
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jonesha
Forum Moderator
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 655
| Posted 1/7/2005 12:57 PM (GMT -4) | | Petor sez: I dressed up as a barbarian/Viking for Halloween. Does that count for anything?!!!
Sure--it would really be impressive if that Viking pic of you from your site was your driver's license, though!
Howard | | Back to Top | | |
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CharlesR
Neophyte
Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 64
| Posted 1/7/2005 1:49 PM (GMT -4) | | Howard, let me see if I can lay my hands on my copies of those comics. Like John, I have them, but I don't necessarily know where all of them are. However I can probably get the dates and such together so I should be able to write something.
Don Glut belongs to one of the Yahoo groups I belong to. I'll mention the S&S site and maybe he'll swing by. He's a nice guy and enjoys discussing, Dagar, Tragg, Dr. Spektor and the gang.
Charles R | | Back to Top | | |
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