| PUBLISHER'S JOURNAL August 2007 |
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REH: Two-Gun Raconteur
The Definitive Howard Journal
The Definitive Howard Journal
Hunting Howard
It would seem the never ending hunt is indeed never ending. Despite the recent flurry of
Howard publishing, a number of Howard characters are either out-of-print or impossible to
find in one or two books. Some of these include Francis X. Gordon, Kirby O’Donnell, Steve
Harrison, Dark Agnes and Wild Bill Clanton.
For example, the Steve Harrison tales are all over the map, from easy to find trade
paperbacks (Graveyard Rats and Others), an upcoming Del Rey book (The Best of Robert E.
Howard, Volume I) to an Ace paperback (Skull-face), an old Zebra paperback (The Second Book
of Robert E. Howard), to pricey Cryptic chapbooks (Bran Mak Morn: A Play and Others and Two-
Fisted Detective Stories).
Most of Francis X. Gordon (‘El Borak”) and Kirby O’ Donnell are fairly easy to find. Both
Girasol’s Blood of the Gods and Wildside’s Treasures of Tartary are still in print and contain
almost all the complete stories for these two adventurers. Only the O’Donnell tale “The
Curse of the Crimson God” and the El Borak yarn “Three-Bladed Doom” (both long and short
versions) are not in print, but can be found in the Ace editions of The Swords of Shahrazar
and Three-Bladed Doom (long version), respectively. A corrupted short version of “Three-
Bladed Doom” appeared in REH: Lone Star Fictioneer #4 and The New Howard Reader #7. Of
course, a number of El Borak fragments and juvenilia can be found in several Cryptic
chapbooks (North of Khyber, The Coming of El Borak and Pulse Pounding Adventure Stories #1).
Luckily, the Dark Agnes (Sword Woman) and Wild Bill Clanton (The She Devil) yarns are in
paperback form the 1980’s, and while prices have dropped some on both of these, you still
might pay a pretty penny for The She Devil. The best tool around to aid you in your search for
these hard-to-find gems is Howard Works.
So until some enterprising publisher comes forth with a uniform set of all of Howard’s work,
we will just have to continue the hunt.
-- Posted by Damon C. Sasser on August 1, 2007
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More eBay Madness
There is a hardcover copy of The Ghost Ocean being sold on eBay by artist Jim Keegan. This
thin volume of Howard poetry is one that always gets Howard fans salivating when a copy
pops up for sale. The print run was 360 copies, with the first 50 being hardbound, while the
remaining 310 were softcover. The only hardcover I've ever seen is the copy held by the
Cross Plains Public Library. So keep your eyes on this one, guys and gals, cause it will go for
an amount that would break just about everyone's bank!
-- Posted by Damon C. Sasser on August 8, 2007
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Keeping Imaro Alive
I received an e-mail the other day from longtime TGR contributor Charles Saunders informing
me that Night Shade Books had pulled the plug on the Imaro series. The series originally
appeared in the 1980's, published by DAW, but also ended abruptly after publication of three
of five planned volumes. Citing poor sales, Night Shade cancelled the series after publishing
just two volumes of the series. Needless to say Charles is devastated, but vows to soldier
on.
For those of you haven't read any of the Imaro stories, you are in for a treat. Charles has
created one of the greatest heroes in heroic fantasy history and his vision of Imaro's
Africanesque world is every bit as rich and exciting as Howard's own Hyborian Age. In my
mind, Charles comes the closet of any writer of capturing the true spirit of Howard, being a
great visionary and storyteller. Imaro is truly first rate fantasy fiction from a first rate author.
So if you haven’t ordered your copies, please do so now and drop Night Shade a line and ask
them to reconsider their decision. If all else fails, keep your fingers crossed that Charles can
find a new publisher to finally realize his dream of seeing the entire Imaro saga in print.
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The Cimmerian Has Done It Again!
For the second year in a row Leo Grins’ Howard journal has garnered a World Fantasy Award
nomination and Mark Finn was nominated for Blood and Thunder. Unfortunately, I won’t be
there this year to cheer them on, but I’m sure there will be many others who will in Saratoga
Springs, NY this November. While it is too early to vote (you can vote if you attended last
year's convention or were a supporting member) keep an eye on the Con's website for the
voting ballot.
-- Posted by Damon C. Sasser on August 15, 2007
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The Definitive Book on Conan
Coming October 10th is a new hardcover by Conan historian Paul Sammon that looks at all
the stages of the Conan’s development, with commentary and archival material from the most
integral players in that history. The volume also features a Foreword by Michael Moorcock.
This in-depth tour through the history of fantasy's greatest hero covers
everything from the earliest prose, to Frazetta's explosive artwork, through the
Schwarzenegger film, and into the recent rebirth of the character as a leading
comic-book hero.
Since his first appearance in a 1932 pulp magazine, Conan the Barbarian has
enjoyed every success available to a fictional character. Robert E. Howard
created the genre of sword and sorcery with his original stories; Frank
Frazetta's definitive Conan book covers set the standard for dynamic fantasy
artwork; Roy Thomas, with Barry Smith and later John Buscema, used the character
to push the boundaries of comic-book adventure; and Arnold Schwarzenegger
launched his amazing film career.
Now, with the character's popularity renewed thanks to the award-winning comics
series, all of these eras of Conan are examined under one cover in this lavishly
illustrated book.
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A Cross Plains Gent Passes
Alton McGowen, a founding member of Project Pride, passed away last Friday. Alton was well
known to Howard fans as a walking encyclopedia of all things regarding Howard and the
history of Cross Plains, along with the surrounding environs. Every year since 2003 Alton
would host the bus tours, taking a school bus of eager Howard Heads rumbling through the
countryside, narrating all the way with a tale or fact about each landmark and road the bus
passed. While heath issues prevented him from doing the tour last year, he was able to ride
along this year. Alton was also the able caretaker of the House and kept it in pristine
condition. He will be missed by his loving wife Joan, his family and his extended family of
Howard fans throughout the world.
Here is Alton's obituary from the Abilene newspaper:
Alton McGowen, age 75, of Cross Plains, passed away Friday, August 24,
2007 in Abilene.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 27, 2007 at
Higginbotham Chapel in Cross Plains with Matt McGowen officiating;
burial will follow in the Cross Plains Cemetery.
He was born to Raymond Alton and Donie (Scott) McGowen in Shreveport,
LA on September 14, 1931. After graduation Alton joined the U.S. Air
Force. He married Joan Thomas in Park Ridge, IL on March 31, 1951.
After leaving the service they made their home in San Diego, CA where
he worked at the San Diego Gas and Electric Company until 1977 when he
retired and moved to Cross Plains. After moving back to Cross Plains,
Alton then worked as a general carpenter and handyman.
He is survived by his wife Joan McGowen of Cross Plains; numerous
cousins including, Burlie Paul McGowen of Abilene, Bobby Jack McGowen,
Rubin McGowen, Charlene McGowen and Jimmy McGowen all of Cross Plains;
and Bonita Horton of VA.
There will be a time of visitation and sharing of memories Sunday,
August 26, 2007 at Higginbotham Funeral Home at 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the Cross Plains Public
Library, PO Box 333, Cross Plains, TX 76443.
-- Posted by Damon C. Sasser on August 29, 2007.
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