Where to Start with the Fantasy Fiction of Poul Anderson
Where to Start with the Fantasy Fiction of Poul Anderson by Bill Ward Poul Anderson (1926-2001) is one of those authors whose prolific output – over one hundred novels and at least as many short stories – is as impressive as it is potentially intimidating. A great many of our contemporary authors tend to stick with one kind of story or book for branding purposes, often adopting new pseudonyms if they dare deviate from the brand, but...
Preserving the Flame: A Review of Phantasmagoria Special Edition Series #5: Karl Edward Wagner
Preserving the Flame: A Review of Phantasmagoria Special Edition Series #5: Karl Edward Wagner by Brian Murphy What makes Karl Edward Wagner’s best writing so powerful? I believe he was chasing a dark muse, dangerous and unpredictable, vital and vivid. The one we see on the page of “Into the Pines,” a story which alone makes the new Phantasmagoria Special Edition Series#5: Karl Edward Wagner, worth its price tag: Out into the pines...
Short Sorcery: Poul Anderson’s “Witch of the Demon Seas”
Short Sorcery: Poul Anderson’s “Witch of the Demon Seas” by Bill Ward “Let us not use words meant to impress the ignorant among ourselves,” said Chryseis scornfully. “Every sorcerer knows there is nothing of heaven or hell about magic. It is but the imposition of a pattern on other minds. It creates, by control of the senses, illusions of lycanthropy or whatever else is desired, or it binds the subject by the...
Skull Says: Give Me All Your Money
THE SKULL HAS DEMANDS! The Skull has told us that there are only hours left to pledge for his Kickstarter and he wants you to come to give him your money! The Skull commands you to come to his Kickstarter. To be honest, we are a bit embarrassed to post such a crass message, but The Skull commands and we obey. Without further preamble, a musical message from the Skull:...
Unearthing David Drake’s “The Barrow Troll”
Unearthing David Drake’s “The Barrow Troll” by Brian Murphy Twelve years ago I wrote a piece on David Drake’s The Barrow Troll for the late, lamented The Cimmerian website. My own interest re-piqued in this tale after mentioning it among ten recommended sword-and-sorcery tales for the haunting season, I have taken the opportunity to unearth that piece, and update and revise with the latest news on it and its author. “You...
SKULL TV
