Sword & Sorcery
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- omega_override
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Sword & Sorcery
What do you fine folks think of fantasy comics involving wizards and warriors and such?
- Elveen
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Loved Conan by Dark horse. Really, really great. Infact top 5-7 run all time.
Liked some of the Marvel old school stuff, some not as much. (Sometimes the stories blend together)
Liked the 1st Eleric mini series, I've read it a few times. Pretty good. I've also read some later Elric stuff, not as good.
Liked Sojourn by Crossgen, liked it a lot, but no end. It just stopped.
Loved D&D as a younger person, but that might be it for s&s comics.
Liked some of the Marvel old school stuff, some not as much. (Sometimes the stories blend together)
Liked the 1st Eleric mini series, I've read it a few times. Pretty good. I've also read some later Elric stuff, not as good.
Liked Sojourn by Crossgen, liked it a lot, but no end. It just stopped.
Loved D&D as a younger person, but that might be it for s&s comics.
- omega_override
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
For you as a reader or the ones that you know of?Elveen wrote:but that might be it for s&s comics
- Elveen
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
omega_override wrote:For you as a reader or the ones that you know of?Elveen wrote:but that might be it for s&s comics
Ones that I have read.
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
I loved Tellos and am looking forward to my kids reading it someday but its not a true swords and sorcery comic in the last issue. Still well worth it.
- Tim
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Warlord.
Game over.
Game over.
- Tim
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Andy wrote:I loved Tellos and am looking forward to my kids reading it someday but its not a true swords and sorcery comic in the last issue. Still well worth it.
One of my favorite series ever.
- omega_override
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
The only sword and sorcery comic that can top Warlord is Thorgal, a polish comic that got translated into English by a UK company called Cinebook. I hardly ever get choked up or distraught when reading comics, but the first four volumes of Thorgal alone are one big emotional rollercoasterTim wrote:Warlord.
Game over.
- Elveen
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
omega_override wrote:The only sword and sorcery comic that can top Warlord is Thorgal, a polish comic that got translated into English by a UK company called Cinebook. I hardly ever get choked up or distraught when reading comics, but the first four volumes of Thorgal alone are one big emotional rollercoasterTim wrote:Warlord.
Game over.
Really? It's on my radar now.
- omega_override
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
It's fantastic, in the first book, a young Thorgal saves some Dwarves and to repay him, the Queen of the Fairies blesses him with a mate who will have teardrops on the palms of her hands. She's born days after Thorgal returns to the villageElveen wrote:Really? It's on my radar now.
There's also some small sci-fi elements to it that are introduced, but never really mentioned again. Won't spoil what it is
- Tony_H
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Here's a decent, recent thumbnail guide to S&S comics by a current short-fic writer of the (sub)genre: http://www.swordandsorcery.org/comicshistory.asp
FWIW, if you guys haven't read Titan Comics' new English-language translations of the recent Elric comics from France, I'd recommend that you at least try the first volume. Measured by story or illustration quality, it beats the BOOM! "Balance Lost" series by a couple of hundred miles.
Any D&D-type fantasy series ultimately competes with Marvel's The Savage Sword of Conan mags from the '70s, though…and probably loses the match.
FWIW, if you guys haven't read Titan Comics' new English-language translations of the recent Elric comics from France, I'd recommend that you at least try the first volume. Measured by story or illustration quality, it beats the BOOM! "Balance Lost" series by a couple of hundred miles.
Any D&D-type fantasy series ultimately competes with Marvel's The Savage Sword of Conan mags from the '70s, though…and probably loses the match.
- String
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Is that Elric mini the one featuring art by P. Craig Russell? I have a few of those issues which I thought was very good. Did you read any of the more recent Boom! series, the Balance Lost I think it was? Been meaning to catch up with that. Awhile back, DC released a 4 issue Elric mini written by Moorcock with art by the great Walt Simonson, detailing Elric's early training to someday assume the throne, that was good.Elveen wrote:Loved Conan by Dark horse. Really, really great. Infact top 5-7 run all time.
Liked some of the Marvel old school stuff, some not as much. (Sometimes the stories blend together)
Liked the 1st Eleric mini series, I've read it a few times. Pretty good. I've also read some later Elric stuff, not as good.
Liked Sojourn by Crossgen, liked it a lot, but no end. It just stopped.
Loved D&D as a younger person, but that might be it for s&s comics.
@ Tony H
Thanks for the reminder about Titan Comics' release too. I remember seeing some early previews of those books over on CBR but forgot when they were released. Have to track them down now.
As for other fantasy comics, one word: Groo.
Destruction with comic hilarity.
- omega_override
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
I like the general idea of Groo, as well as Cerebus, but I didn't find either of them to suit my particular tastes when it comes to comicsString wrote:As for other fantasy comics, one word: Groo. Destruction with comic hilarity.
- Elveen
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
The Eleric book I'm talking about is by Pacific I think. I think it's an 8 issue mini.
- cray_ws
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Here's a list of fantasy books I've read on comixology;
Artesia - Kind of a adult fantasy version of Joan of Arc
The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw - described as Conan meets Game of Thrones meets Kamandi in an original high-fantasy epic for mature readers. I've only read the first issue and I am hooked.
Birthright - Blends fantasy themes with everyday urban adventure. Kinda like ongoing episodes of Mojoverse in the X-men.
Brides of Helheim - Norse fantasy, enough said.
Hinterkind - Post-Apocalyptic fantasy. Basically like Hunger Games or Revolution but with fantasy elements.
Luminae - Indie fantasy book about female warriors.
Madame Xanadu - Sorcery meets historical fiction.
Mouse Guard - A series about medieval mice.
Okko - fantasy series featuring martial arts.
Princess Ugg - a barbarian princess goes to school. The book is aimed at younger readers but it's by no means simpleton.
Ragnarok - Norse mythology with some high-fantasy elements.
Ramayan 3392 AD - Indian/Hindu mythology with some high-fantasy elements. A re-telling of one of the oldest stories known to Indian culture.
Robotica - Described as a steampunk wasabi western. There's lots of sword and sorcery action despite the themes.
The Sword - A woman with a mighty sword. It's not quite true fantasy but it fits the whole Sword & Sorcery. The Luna Brothers have a way of writing female characters that will pull you in.
Artesia - Kind of a adult fantasy version of Joan of Arc
The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw - described as Conan meets Game of Thrones meets Kamandi in an original high-fantasy epic for mature readers. I've only read the first issue and I am hooked.
Birthright - Blends fantasy themes with everyday urban adventure. Kinda like ongoing episodes of Mojoverse in the X-men.
Brides of Helheim - Norse fantasy, enough said.
Hinterkind - Post-Apocalyptic fantasy. Basically like Hunger Games or Revolution but with fantasy elements.
Luminae - Indie fantasy book about female warriors.
Madame Xanadu - Sorcery meets historical fiction.
Mouse Guard - A series about medieval mice.
Okko - fantasy series featuring martial arts.
Princess Ugg - a barbarian princess goes to school. The book is aimed at younger readers but it's by no means simpleton.
Ragnarok - Norse mythology with some high-fantasy elements.
Ramayan 3392 AD - Indian/Hindu mythology with some high-fantasy elements. A re-telling of one of the oldest stories known to Indian culture.
Robotica - Described as a steampunk wasabi western. There's lots of sword and sorcery action despite the themes.
The Sword - A woman with a mighty sword. It's not quite true fantasy but it fits the whole Sword & Sorcery. The Luna Brothers have a way of writing female characters that will pull you in.
- Tony_H
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Whoa! Thanks for the list, Cray. Of the books you mentioned, I've only read Ragnarok and Helheim, and they're excellent. Artesia and Autumnland jump out as soon-to-read candidates. For my money, two of the best US S&S books are Simone's Red Sonja (which is ending very soon) and Tim Truman's periodic King Conan minis.
An obscure old fantasy title that's not stellar but interesting as a curiosity is Paul Levitz's Stalker. He wrote it for DC in the early 70s with Steve Ditko on art. When he was on a panel here at NYCC 4 or 5 years ago, Levitz admitted to a questioner from the audience that the plot and characters from the series were rehashed from Mike Moorcock's Eternal Champion books; it was refreshing to hear somebody actually fess up to doing that kind of thing.
Speaking of the EC, Titan re-released the P. C. Russell Elric series a short while ago:http://titan-comics.com/c/182-the-micha ... elric-of-/
Re: Groo: ...Aragones!
An obscure old fantasy title that's not stellar but interesting as a curiosity is Paul Levitz's Stalker. He wrote it for DC in the early 70s with Steve Ditko on art. When he was on a panel here at NYCC 4 or 5 years ago, Levitz admitted to a questioner from the audience that the plot and characters from the series were rehashed from Mike Moorcock's Eternal Champion books; it was refreshing to hear somebody actually fess up to doing that kind of thing.
Speaking of the EC, Titan re-released the P. C. Russell Elric series a short while ago:http://titan-comics.com/c/182-the-micha ... elric-of-/
Re: Groo: ...Aragones!
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
IDW had a solid Dungeons and Dragons series a while back which was solid
also loved the World of Warcraft comic when it initially started.
also loved the World of Warcraft comic when it initially started.
- Cyberstrike
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
The Rat Queens-Image's funny, sexy, and somewhat subversive take on the fantasy genre continues to be a great read with great art.
Dragon Age-the Dark Horse series (not the IDW one it's one of the worst 4 comics I've ever read) Plotted by former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider these books might or might not be "canon" to games but they do offer some great takes into the backstories of several popular characters in DA Universe.
Merdian-Crossgen's version of Skies of Arcadia was the "core" title I thought I would like the least and ended up being the one that I liked the best.
Sword of Sorcery Say what you about DC since they debuted the "New 52" but they have taken some gambles and while this one didn't quite work out it's a decent read and good artwork.
Dragon Age-the Dark Horse series (not the IDW one it's one of the worst 4 comics I've ever read) Plotted by former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider these books might or might not be "canon" to games but they do offer some great takes into the backstories of several popular characters in DA Universe.
Merdian-Crossgen's version of Skies of Arcadia was the "core" title I thought I would like the least and ended up being the one that I liked the best.
Sword of Sorcery Say what you about DC since they debuted the "New 52" but they have taken some gambles and while this one didn't quite work out it's a decent read and good artwork.
Know this: I would rather be hated for being honest for my opinions, than being loved as a liar!
- Elveen
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Cyberstrike wrote:The Rat Queens-Image's funny, sexy, and somewhat subversive take on the fantasy genre continues to be a great read with great art.
Dragon Age-the Dark Horse series (not the IDW one it's one of the worst 4 comics I've ever read) Plotted by former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider these books might or might not be "canon" to games but they do offer some great takes into the backstories of several popular characters in DA Universe.
Merdian-Crossgen's version of Skies of Arcadia was the "core" title I thought I would like the least and ended up being the one that I liked the best.
Sword of Sorcery Say what you about DC since they debuted the "New 52" but they have taken some gambles and while this one didn't quite work out it's a decent read and good artwork.
Meridian is GREAT! but....... again, no ending. Dang Crossgen.
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Did anyone ever read Battle Chasers?
- Cyberstrike
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
I know read it, I also know I don't remember much about it.dornwolf wrote:Did anyone ever read Battle Chasers?
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- String
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Northlanders. It's not fantasy per se but still a terrific medieval title.
- lorddunlow
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Umbral was a really great dark fantasy that I tried to get everyone to read. Canceled after 12 issues on a cliffhanger. Damn it.
It is still a great read.
It is still a great read.
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- grendeljd
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
I'm a big fan of the old Marvel Conan stuff, I have a near complete run of it [the standard comic, not the magazines]. Never got too hooked on the Darkhorse stuff, although I loved Cary Nord's work on it.
Also love Warlord too - and I have a complete run of the original series.
Artesia is great, I have one TPB.
Someone mentioned The Sword by the Luna Brothers - I didn't finish that series but I liked what I have read, it is great for a modern take on S&S.
Also love Warlord too - and I have a complete run of the original series.
Artesia is great, I have one TPB.
Someone mentioned The Sword by the Luna Brothers - I didn't finish that series but I liked what I have read, it is great for a modern take on S&S.
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Re: Sword & Sorcery
Just Thorgal?omega_override wrote:The only sword and sorcery comic that can top Warlord is ThorgalTim wrote:Warlord.
Game over.
If you're not a *SQUEE*, you're okay with me.