Product Description

Faithful Adaptation, Monday, May 31, 2010

The Shadow Kingdom was one of two original Robert E. Howard Kull stories that were published in his lifetime, this one in Weird Tales August, 1929. Howard's other barbarian has always been a bit of the red-headed stepchild when it comes to Howard's works. He'll always take a back seat to Conan. The stories were written earlier in Howard's career and before he had truly developed his style to perfection. Still Kull isn't just an early draft for Conan...While Kull's world was not as developed as Conan's Hyborian Age milieu, Kull's Thurian Age world was older and showed some early influence of H.P. Lovecraft on Howard with old Gods and Howard's Serpent race would be utilized by both Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith in their own stories.

The Shadow Kingdom is set just after Kull has taken the throne of Valusia. Yet the usurper has many enemies still plotting his downfall, not the least of which is the ancient race of Serpent Men, thought extinct. The Serpent Men are able to change their appearance to take on the guise of men and soon they have infiltrated Kull's court. Kull meets for the first time his longtime companion and bodyguard, Brule the Spear-Slayer, a Pictish warrior who aids Kull against the Serpent Men.

As Howard stories go, The Shadow Kingdom is on the bland side. Again, Howard was only 23 when he wrote the story is a bit short of plot although its paced well thanks to a judicious amount of action scenes. Will Conrad's art is very strong, particularly his take on the Serpent Men. Kull is perhaps on the lean side but why argue details. It's great to see Kull back in comics again. While he'll never eclipse Conan, he has a certain flair...a little more of a brooder and less emotional than Conan.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Out of the Shadows, Monday, March 08, 2010

(4.5 stars) As the strong supporting materials in this volume point out, conventional wisdom has Kull as the proto-Conan, a first draft. I'll leave the arguing of that to those better versed in Robert E. Howard's work and the pulp scholars. As a fan who has read a fair chunk of the prose originals and the comic adaptations and extrapolations, I'll just say that Kull has always felt separate and distinct and, in some ways, more interesting than the Cimmerian.

Arvid Nelson certainly gets that, and shows how well in this version of the original King Kull story. Nelson adds in plot points hinted at in Howard's other Kull stories with some flourishes of his own to enhance the story and surroundings without every doing anything that contradicts or feels out of place. Will Conrad and Jose Villarrubia contribute some extremely strong modern fantasy visuals to the mix. I would whole-heartedly recommend this volume to any sword & sorcery, R.E.H. or pulp adventure fan. The creative team has done such a good job, my only concern is when I will be able to enjoy more of their tales of Kull.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Classic Robert E. Howard!, Sunday, December 27, 2009

This is a great version of R.E.H.'s King Kull with lavish artwork and remaining true to the original short story. The artist really makes the ancient (and fictional) kingdom of Valusia come alive, and does an excellent job of illustrating the major characters as well.

Rating: 5 out of 5