In a meteoric career that spanned a mere twelve years, Robert E. Howard single-handedly invented the genre that came to be called sword and sorcery. From his fertile imagination sprang some of fictionтАЩs most enduring heroes. Yet while Conan is indisputably HowardтАЩs greatest creation, it was in his earlier sequence of tales featuring Kull, a fearless warrior with the brooding intellect of a philosopher, that Howard began to develop the distinctive themes, and the richly evocative blend of history and mythology, that would distinguish his later tales of the Hyborian Age.
Much more than simply the prototype for Conan, Kull is a fascinating character in his own right: an exile from fabled Atlantis who wins the crown of Valusia, only to find it as much a burden as a prize.
This groundbreaking collection, lavishly illustrated by award-winning artist Justin Sweet, gathers together all HowardтАЩs stories featuring Kull, from KullтАЩ s first published appearance, in тАЬThe Shadow Kingdom,тАЭ to тАЬKings of the Night,тАЭ HowardтАЩ s last tale featuring the cerebral swordsman. The stories are presented just as Howard wrote them, with all subsequent editorial emendations removed. Also included are previously unpublished stories, drafts, and fragments, plus extensive notes on the texts, an introduction by Howard authority Steve Tompkins, and an essay by noted editor Patrice Louinet.
Praise for Kull
тАЬRobert E. Howard had a gritty, vibrant styleтАУbroadsword writing that cut its way to the heart, with heroes who are truly larger than life.тАЭтАФDavid Gemmell
тАЬHowardтАЩs writing seems so highly charged with energy that it nearly gives off sparks.тАЭтАФStephen King
тАЬHoward was a true storytellerтАУone of the first, and certainly among the best, youтАЩll find in heroic fantasy. If youтАЩve never read him before, youтАЩ re in for a real treat.тАЭтАФCharles de Lint
тАЬFor stark, living fear . . . what other writer is even in the running with Robert E. Howard?тАЭтАФH. P. Lovecraft
Sciencefiction en fantasy