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Renegade Swords IV
- GenresSword and SorceryFantasy
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2026
About the author
Michael Moorcock
1,242 books3,906 followersMichael John Moorcock is an English writer primarily of science fiction and fantasy who has also published a number of literary novels.
Moorcock has mentioned The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Apple Cart by George Bernard Shaw and The Constable of St. Nicholas by Edward Lester Arnold as the first three books which captured his imagination. He became editor of Tarzan Adventures in 1956, at the age of sixteen, and later moved on to edit Sexton Blake Library. As editor of the controversial British science fiction magazine New Worlds, from May 1964 until March 1971 and then again from 1976 to 1996, Moorcock fostered the development of the science fiction "New Wave" in the UK and indirectly in the United States. His serialization of Norman Spinrad's Bug Jack Barron was notorious for causing British MPs to condemn in Parliament the Arts Council's funding of the magazine.
During this time, he occasionally wrote under the pseudonym of "James Colvin," a "house pseudonym" used by other critics on New Worlds. A spoof obituary of Colvin appeared in New Worlds #197 (January 1970), written by "William Barclay" (another Moorcock pseudonym). Moorcock, indeed, makes much use of the initials "JC", and not entirely coincidentally these are also the initials of Jesus Christ, the subject of his 1967 Nebula award-winning novella Behold the Man, which tells the story of Karl Glogauer, a time-traveller who takes on the role of Christ. They are also the initials of various "Eternal Champion" Moorcock characters such as Jerry Cornelius, Jerry Cornell and Jherek Carnelian. In more recent years, Moorcock has taken to using "Warwick Colvin, Jr." as yet another pseudonym, particularly in his Second Ether fiction.
Moorcock has mentioned The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Apple Cart by George Bernard Shaw and The Constable of St. Nicholas by Edward Lester Arnold as the first three books which captured his imagination. He became editor of Tarzan Adventures in 1956, at the age of sixteen, and later moved on to edit Sexton Blake Library. As editor of the controversial British science fiction magazine New Worlds, from May 1964 until March 1971 and then again from 1976 to 1996, Moorcock fostered the development of the science fiction "New Wave" in the UK and indirectly in the United States. His serialization of Norman Spinrad's Bug Jack Barron was notorious for causing British MPs to condemn in Parliament the Arts Council's funding of the magazine.
During this time, he occasionally wrote under the pseudonym of "James Colvin," a "house pseudonym" used by other critics on New Worlds. A spoof obituary of Colvin appeared in New Worlds #197 (January 1970), written by "William Barclay" (another Moorcock pseudonym). Moorcock, indeed, makes much use of the initials "JC", and not entirely coincidentally these are also the initials of Jesus Christ, the subject of his 1967 Nebula award-winning novella Behold the Man, which tells the story of Karl Glogauer, a time-traveller who takes on the role of Christ. They are also the initials of various "Eternal Champion" Moorcock characters such as Jerry Cornelius, Jerry Cornell and Jherek Carnelian. In more recent years, Moorcock has taken to using "Warwick Colvin, Jr." as yet another pseudonym, particularly in his Second Ether fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 13, 2026
I always love these volumes. DMR pulls out tales that haven’t seen a reprint in decades or almost 100 years in some cases.
“The Demon Cat” by Keith J. Taylor
“On Skellig Michael” by Keith J. Taylor
“The Last Magician” by David H. Keller
“The Dark Rider” by Michael Moorcock
“Cube from Space” by Leigh Brackett
“The Dark Isle” by Robert Bloch
“The People of the Arrow” by P. Schuyler Miller
“The Land of Lur” by Earl Leaston Bell
“The Honor of a King” by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur
The first two stories by Taylor, a living legend, were Felemid Mac Fal Bard stories. I love Keith’s writing, love the Bard character. Excellent as usual.
The Last Magician by Keller was an early dive into S & S macabre type in Weird Tales in 1932. Enjoyable.
Moorcock’s The Dark Rider was a 1960 Fanzine piece which wasn’t good, but Moorcock completists might enjoy.
Cube from Space by Brackett was a really good early sci fi romp with a gritty protagonist trying to figure out what to do about a group of devious aliens who rescued him for their own ends. He also found a human captive on their ship named Crom who blurted out Howard type dialogue. Fun read, and well composed for the time. I wouldn’t expect anything less from one of the greats.
Robert Bloch does Sword and Sorcery! Romans against Druids and their people, but this time the protagonist gets to be a tough as nails Roman soldier. Nice eerie effects. Super glad to see this pulled from obscurity.
The People of the arrow was a prehistoric type piece that were very popular in the first half of the 20th century. Another great find from the vault!
The Land of Lur, by Bell, was a very poetic type piece-a little difficult to enjoy as much due to the style, but the flowing prose and rich story would appeal to early fantasy fans.
The Honor of a King was right up my alley. This was also the longest story in the book. I always love to see Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur reprinted! He was an early 20th century master of fantasy adventure, especially historical fantasy. This tale wove a series of events leading to battles between Danes, Jutes, and Frisians over treachery, honor, and the will of the Norse gods! Non stop action and a perfect pace sets this one apart. Excellent!
DMR does it again. Recommend!
“The Demon Cat” by Keith J. Taylor
“On Skellig Michael” by Keith J. Taylor
“The Last Magician” by David H. Keller
“The Dark Rider” by Michael Moorcock
“Cube from Space” by Leigh Brackett
“The Dark Isle” by Robert Bloch
“The People of the Arrow” by P. Schuyler Miller
“The Land of Lur” by Earl Leaston Bell
“The Honor of a King” by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur
The first two stories by Taylor, a living legend, were Felemid Mac Fal Bard stories. I love Keith’s writing, love the Bard character. Excellent as usual.
The Last Magician by Keller was an early dive into S & S macabre type in Weird Tales in 1932. Enjoyable.
Moorcock’s The Dark Rider was a 1960 Fanzine piece which wasn’t good, but Moorcock completists might enjoy.
Cube from Space by Brackett was a really good early sci fi romp with a gritty protagonist trying to figure out what to do about a group of devious aliens who rescued him for their own ends. He also found a human captive on their ship named Crom who blurted out Howard type dialogue. Fun read, and well composed for the time. I wouldn’t expect anything less from one of the greats.
Robert Bloch does Sword and Sorcery! Romans against Druids and their people, but this time the protagonist gets to be a tough as nails Roman soldier. Nice eerie effects. Super glad to see this pulled from obscurity.
The People of the arrow was a prehistoric type piece that were very popular in the first half of the 20th century. Another great find from the vault!
The Land of Lur, by Bell, was a very poetic type piece-a little difficult to enjoy as much due to the style, but the flowing prose and rich story would appeal to early fantasy fans.
The Honor of a King was right up my alley. This was also the longest story in the book. I always love to see Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur reprinted! He was an early 20th century master of fantasy adventure, especially historical fantasy. This tale wove a series of events leading to battles between Danes, Jutes, and Frisians over treachery, honor, and the will of the Norse gods! Non stop action and a perfect pace sets this one apart. Excellent!
DMR does it again. Recommend!
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September 10, 2026Renegade Swords IV
Edited by D. M. Ritzlin
DMR Books
216 pages
2026
I remember someone asking on social media a while ago if DMR would publish another installment of this series. At the time the answer was no. Thankfully that answer changed! Renegade Swords IV brings nine more stories to the fore that have largely fallen to the wayside or have very seldom seen print.
Each story has its own intro!
It wouldn’t be a DMR collection without including a story or two by Keith J Taylor! The Demon Cat and On Skellig Michael are both stories of Felimid the Bard. So, those who wish to complete their Bard collection should seek out this anthology.
The next story is by an author I don’t recognize, David H. Keller. This is a brief tale concerning the use of light and dark magic. This particular tale reminds me of perhaps something Dunsany would have written. The intro of this story states that this author has a series of stories that will published by DMR next year.
The fourth story is by none other than Michael Moorcock. This is allegedly his first published story. It is brief. Not much to write home about but it is another Moorcock story you probably didn’t already have.
The fifth story isn’t even S&S at all. It is a story by Leigh Brackett called Cube From Space. The protagonist is as hard-bitten as they come. He seeks to save only his own skin. Who could blame him? In the bowels of this alien craft lies the imprisoned Crom the swordsman.
The sixth story is by horror author Robert Bloch.
“Look at me,” droned the croaking voice.
“No paint, no dye empurples the flesh to my hue. Yet ye think to threaten me with death! Know then, fool, that I am dead—dead and drowned these three years past!”
The Dark Isle a historical piece about Rome invading a Druid stronghold on an island. Boy are they outmatched! The protagonist seeks to win free of the island and warn his countrymen. The Druids have a mythical pet!
The People of the Arrow by P Schuyler Miller is a spear and fang story. Our protagonist is an outcast and he is currently being hunted. He has a dinosaur companion which is interesting. Having been run just about to death our hero is saved by an unfamiliar people. His companion will not enter their domain. Something is off about his new friends, but what?
The next story is The Land of Lur by Earl Leaston Bell. A rhyme-y journey to a distant island beset by demons and walking restless dead.
The Honor of a King by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur is the final story and also another historical fiction tale. Blood and thunder! Our protagonist is torn between honor and vengeance when his liege dies. Very much in the vein of The Saga of Swain the Viking also available from DMR Books.
Edited by D. M. Ritzlin
DMR Books
216 pages
2026
I remember someone asking on social media a while ago if DMR would publish another installment of this series. At the time the answer was no. Thankfully that answer changed! Renegade Swords IV brings nine more stories to the fore that have largely fallen to the wayside or have very seldom seen print.
Each story has its own intro!
It wouldn’t be a DMR collection without including a story or two by Keith J Taylor! The Demon Cat and On Skellig Michael are both stories of Felimid the Bard. So, those who wish to complete their Bard collection should seek out this anthology.
The next story is by an author I don’t recognize, David H. Keller. This is a brief tale concerning the use of light and dark magic. This particular tale reminds me of perhaps something Dunsany would have written. The intro of this story states that this author has a series of stories that will published by DMR next year.
The fourth story is by none other than Michael Moorcock. This is allegedly his first published story. It is brief. Not much to write home about but it is another Moorcock story you probably didn’t already have.
The fifth story isn’t even S&S at all. It is a story by Leigh Brackett called Cube From Space. The protagonist is as hard-bitten as they come. He seeks to save only his own skin. Who could blame him? In the bowels of this alien craft lies the imprisoned Crom the swordsman.
The sixth story is by horror author Robert Bloch.
“Look at me,” droned the croaking voice.
“No paint, no dye empurples the flesh to my hue. Yet ye think to threaten me with death! Know then, fool, that I am dead—dead and drowned these three years past!”
The Dark Isle a historical piece about Rome invading a Druid stronghold on an island. Boy are they outmatched! The protagonist seeks to win free of the island and warn his countrymen. The Druids have a mythical pet!
The People of the Arrow by P Schuyler Miller is a spear and fang story. Our protagonist is an outcast and he is currently being hunted. He has a dinosaur companion which is interesting. Having been run just about to death our hero is saved by an unfamiliar people. His companion will not enter their domain. Something is off about his new friends, but what?
The next story is The Land of Lur by Earl Leaston Bell. A rhyme-y journey to a distant island beset by demons and walking restless dead.
The Honor of a King by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur is the final story and also another historical fiction tale. Blood and thunder! Our protagonist is torn between honor and vengeance when his liege dies. Very much in the vein of The Saga of Swain the Viking also available from DMR Books.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews