View allAll Photos Tagged swordandsorcery
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Kyrik Fights the Demon World
By Gardner F. Fox
Leisure Books, 1975
Cover by Ken Barr.
Purchased via internet, 2007.
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Suspended Animation Classic #151
Originally published November 17, 1991 (#46)
Almuric
By Michael Vance
The grandchild of originality is cliché.
Robert E. Howard created an original twist in adventure fiction through a character called Conan, the Barbarian. It was powerful. It was much imitated, even by Howard. It is now a cliché.
Such is the price of success.
“Almuric” was an imitation of Howard’s Conan and Edgar Rice Burroughs's John Carter of Mars novels. It was an early imitation and still fairly powerful for its time. It was, in turn, imitated, and is not very powerful in our day.
A recent adaptation of Howard’s Almuric into a graphic novel is very well done and very clichéd. Therefore, it received high recommendation and no recommendation at all.
Huh?
If you haven’t read a thousand versions about an Earthling thrown into another world inhabited by strange creatures and beautiful women in which the hero battles his way to success and wins the beautiful damsel, you’ll love “Almuric”.
If you’ve read this plot a thousand times, the best you’ll get from this graphic novel is an admiration for the artist’s art and the writer’s storytelling.
You won’t even get that from the monthly title.
The stylistic difference between the novel and the current monthly series lies in its art. The pencils are damaged by their inks.
A wide line appears close to a reader, and heavy. Thin lines seem distant and less substantial. Varying line widths creates both the illusion of three dimensions and the visual focus for a reader’s eye. Inker Keith Aiken misapplies this optical law and damages the illusion of reality while confusing the visual focus. It is a jarring weakness.
The writer’s adaptation receives a higher recommendation.
“Almuric” (graphic album)/$10.95, 73 pages/pencils by Tim Conrad. “Iron hand of Almuric”/$2.00, 24 pages/art by Mark Winchell. Both are written by Roy Thomas and published by Dark Horse Comics/available in comics shops.
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Suspended Animation Classic #695
First published April 21, 2002 (#16) (Dates are approximate)
Viking Glory: The Viking Prince
By Mark Allen
I sometimes get ribbed, even by other comic readers, for referring to the medium as an "art form." I mean, why shouldn't someone who can handily render the human form in led, ink, charcoal, paint, etc. be considered an "artist," no matter where his/her work appears? Not to mention the writing skill that lies behind some of the characterization in comics.
Well, it's works like Viking Glory: The Viking Prince that justify my lofty opinion of what comics can achieve.
Viking Glory is a raucous, high-spirited adventure story, wonderfully written by Lee Marrs, and beautifully painted by artist extraordinaire Bo Hampton. It tells the story of a young man named Jon Gallund, a brash young prince who is betrothed to Princess Asa of Hedeby, in order to ensure strong heirs for the protection of the kingdom. When Jon and his entourage travel to Hedeby for the wedding celebration, however, they're thrown a curve when Asa's father, King Horik, issues an announcement: before the union can take place, Jon must retrieve the last rune of Trondelag from the ancient dragon Ansgar. Thus, for Jon, begins two journeys; that of retrieving the rune, and of growing from boy to man.
Action, drama, and humor all abound in this brilliantly told adventure. Marrs'
characterization is rich and rewarding, each main character showcasing personality strengths and quirks equal to any other work of fiction I've ever read. Even stronger, however, is the additional life given the story by Hampton's paints. Realistic in anatomy, shading and expression, yet more than capable of lending believability to the incredible battle scenes between Jon and Ansgar, Hampton's skill at his craft is what pushes this comic beyond the typical, and raises the bar for all other artists.
Viking Glory is highly re-commended for anyone who enjoys high adventure, and beautiful artwork. It can be found at your local comic shop, comic conventions, or online auctions and catalogs.
Viking Glory: The Viking Prince, published by D.C. Comics, 126 pages, $19.95.
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Kyrik: Warlock Warrior
By Gardner F. Fox
Herbert Jenkins, Limited, 1976
British hardcover edition published a year after the book's paperback debut from Leisure Books in America.
Cover artist uncredited.
Purchased at Half-Price Books, Roosevelt Street, Seattle, March 2009.
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
This rare Goldstar release of "Thor the Conqueror" (1983) gives director Tonino Ricci the pseudonym Anthony Richmond. Plot summary on the back cover highlights the film's combat action. Unusual release, rarely seen.
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Working on an idea for a competition for a Conan cover, I pondered long and hard about what to do that hadn't been done before.
Conan has been depicted in all manner of violent and bloody activity, or still and silent, brooding a hole through your retina.
I'm going for a slightly goofy Conan.
Some days, the giant monsters can't get enough of him and just want to squeeze him, and hold him tight. Or is that what's really happening...?
Anyhow,
iPad Sketch in Sketch Club App.
Illustration time (sketch to color): 2.5 hours...
A Conyn the Barbarian story.
Conyn finally catches Valerian of the Red Brotherhood, and the pair end up fighting for their lives against a sorcerous death cult in an ancient city.
A Gender Switch Adventure.
www.smashwords.com/books/view/18096
Artwork by Roberto Rizzato
www.flickr.com/photos/rizzato/4477019198/in/faves-jekkara...
Suspended Animation Classic #652 First published June 24, 2001 (#25) (Dates are approximate)
Scion By Mark Allen
The Heron Dynasty of the West, and the Raven Dynasty of the East uneasily coexist on the planet Avalon. Annual competitive tournaments, steeped in ceremony, release tensions that would otherwise lead to war between the two factions. Thus begins Crossgen Comics' first trade paperback collection of their hit comic Scion, in a story entitled "Conflict of Conscience".
When the young Heron Prince Ethan's tournament sword inflicts a wound upon his opponent that the beings known as "gene splicers" are unable to heal, he is held in contempt of the competition, and is to be imprisoned by the Dynasty to the East for one year. But when a beautiful member of an underground movement, seeking to free the genetically engineered "lesser races" from slavery, frees Ethan, the Raven clan decides it's time for war. And from there, things get even more interesting.
Let me say this about Scion: It's worth buying on both aesthetic and literary levels.
Penciller Jim Cheung, and Don Hillsman II on inks, treat readers to a bright, vibrant world that may be the most well conceived blend of medieval and science fiction aspects ever done in comics.
The artists, however, turn right around and show an underbelly of the world that is as dark and foreboding as the rest is inviting. In short, with this series, they appear to have nearly mastered their craft.
Writer Ron Marz weaves a tale of political intrigue that hooks the reader almost from the very beginning. The action is there for comic-adrenalin junkies, but there is no danger of overdose, as the spacing of sequences is just right, and it is always well-motivated. Most important, however, the writer's characterization shines as Ethan is faced with a moral dilemma, the roots of which are all too real in our world, as well as his.
The long and short: Scion does not disappoint. Look for it in comic shops and bookstores. Call 1-888-comicbook for your nearest local comic shop.
Scion, published by Crossgen Comics, 192 pages, $19.95.
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Suspended Animation Classic #907 First published May 7, 2006 (#20) (Dates are approximate)
Armourquest: Genesis Volume 1
By Mark Allen
In an age of knights and dragons, when humankind is commonly terrorized by reptilian nightmares on leathery wings, a boy receives a sword; a sword which will lead him on his path to becoming a man and a knight, himself. In short, for those who enjoy great fantasy, Armorquest is for you.
Writer Ben Avery infuses his characters with rich three-dimensional qualities. None more so than Timothy, the main character of the book, a young man bitter over his father's death and eager to avenge it on the dragons. Equally interesting, though very limited in appearance, is the "shepherd" who gives Timothy his first glimpse into the amazing nature of the sword. Oops! There I go, giving more away. Let it suffice to say that if you want to bring readers back again and again, give them interesting characters with believable motivations and a little mystery. Avery does so quite well.
Then, of course, there's the art of Sherwin Schwartzrock. Drama. Emotion. Evocative imagery. All of that and more awaits those who have yet to feast their eyes on his work. His wonderful grasp of character expression lends a great deal of realism to the tale. Again, it's always good to help readers feel what the character feels. That, coupled with his ample (and appropriate, considering the subject matter) use of blacks, adding depth and a slight sense of the macabre to the artwork, helps make this one of the finest graphic novels I've seen this year. In fact, the cover itself is a gripping testament to Schwartzrock's talent, and is the main reason I stopped and picked it up, rather than moving on to one of the many more mundane choices on the racks.
Yep, Armorquest is where it's at, folks. And, in case you haven't already guessed, it's highly recommended. And, get this: it's recommended for all ages! Find it at comics shops and at online auctions.
Suspended Animation Classic #702
First published June 9, 2002 (#23) (Dates are approximate)
Sojourn
By Mark Allen
An epic is defined, in part, by Webster's as "having the nature of an epic; specifically, a) heroic; grand; majestic; imposing." The first Sojourn trade paperback collection, released by CrossGeneration Comics, is all of these.
The still-young Crossgen is no stranger to success in the comic market, and with this contribution, reprinting the first seven issues, by writer Ron Marz, and artists Greg Land and Drew Geraci, they continue their tradition of offering quality comic material in a market starving for such fare.
The villainous warlord Mordath is resurrected three hundred years after nearly conquering the world of Quin. Now, his evil is once again spread across the planet by his brutish troll armies, but without the help of Ayden, the savior who first halted his advance and is nowhere to be found.
Now, two lone warriors seek to stem Mordath's malevolent tide of destruction, aided by a mysterious woman, who imparts to them a mission; summon Ayden once again, that Mordath may be defeated.
A fairly straightforward story, but with an uncommonly heroic protagonist; Arwyn, who lost her husband and child to Mordath's reign of terror, now seeks revenge. Her quest, however, begins to pose certain questions about her motivation, and who she is, after all she loves has been stripped away.
Kudos to Marz, who accomplishes Arwyn's engaging character, as well as the especially disturbing presence of Mordath.
Land's pencils, along with Geraci's ink work provide the breathtaking visuals that help lend the term "epic" to the product. From the imposing heroic nature of Ayden, to the incredibly simulated chaos and horror of the battle scenes, the wonder of this story is accomplished due, in no small part, to the work of these two men.
Sojourn is recommended for those who enjoy epic storytelling, and beautiful artwork. Find Sojourn at your local comic shop, some bookstore chains, comic conventions, or online auctions and catalogs. To find the comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook.
Sojourn, published by CrossGeneration Comics, 188 pages, $19.95.
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thulsa Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982
Calvin's Custom 1/6 one sixth scale custom Thusla Doom, Thorgrim and Rexor from Conan the Barbarian 1982, one off commission works
Two of our weirder snow globes. A Wizard snow globe filled with glitter with etched astrological symbols on the glass globe. The base covered in golden stars. The other is from the 1994 Italian film Della morte Dell'amore (also known as “Of Love and Death” or “Cemetery Man”). A grotesque funny horror movie with a sad feel to it. One of my all time favorites. The sun came out for a while yesterday and gosh was that a welcome change.
Two of our weirder snow globes. A Wizard snow globe filled with glitter with etched astrological symbols on the glass globe. The base covered in golden stars. The other is from the 1994 Italian film Della morte Dell'amore (also known as “Of Love and Death” or “Cemetery Man”). A grotesque funny horror movie with a sad feel to it. One of my all time favorites. The sun came out for a while yesterday and gosh was that a welcome change.