Format: Softcover, 80 pages
Publisher: James Van Hise, 2005
ISBN: S&F1
Modern Robert E. Howard fandom is on the rise and James Van Hise decided to add his own contribution in the form of this 80 page, 8 1/2 x 11 (side-stapled) fanzine SWORD & FANTASY.
The front and back cover is the Roy Krenkel art, which was made available to me last year by a collector. It has not been confirmed that Krenkel actually did this art and Frazetta then based his CONAN THE WARRIOR painting on it, or whether Krenkel was inspired to do his own unique interpretation of the image. The back cover image of the art is slightly larger than the front cover version. There is some dispute about this art since it is unsigned.
Articles include detailed guides to several classic Robert E. Howard fanzines (CROSS PLAINS, LONE STAR FICTIONEER, etc). The editor also has a detailed look at the Robert E. Howard story Valley of the Worm. There is also the transcript to the Wandering Star Robert E. Howard panel (which the editor was on) from the 2002 San Diego Comicon. Plus, the editors 7,000 word article on Karl Edward Wagner's KANE series is featured, wherein he reviews and examines every published Kane story Wagner wrote. He also takes a detailed look at Gil Kane's classic sword & sorcery comic BLACKMARK.
This issue also features artwork by Mike Zeck (a vintage Conan illustration he did in the 1970s, which is a real knockout), art by Steve Fabian, Rick McCollum and others. Plus some surprises, like a nice repro of an illo from the WEIRD TALES appearance of Kings of the Night.