The Earth-Shaker

Killmaster #160

by Lin Carter

“I hold supreme power of life and death... Surrender, Zarkon — or die!”

Knickerbocker City was paralyzed with fear. Two banks had been disintegrated by fiendishly targeted earthquakes. And the latest message from Lucifer, arch-villain and criminal mastermind, who had escaped from prison with his nefarious henchmen, was clearly a challenge to the city’s last hope of rescue, Prince Zarkon and his Omega Men. But what good are their atomic submarines, scanner probes, and fantastical, foe-flattening firearms if they can’t locate the malignant genius behind the plot? It is a dark hour for Knickerbocker and all mankind.

This is Prince Zarkon adventure #4. Zarkon is a man of mystery, a superhero who fights crime everywhere.

Lin Carter (1930-1988) was a noted American fantasy and science fiction author, anthologist, and critic who wrote over fifty novels, compiled over 25 anthologies, and authored multiple critical studies of the science fiction and fantasy genres. Best known for his Callisto and Thongor series of novels, Carter made a name for himself as a latter-day pulp author, imitating the successful adventure tale formulas made fashionable by earlier writers such as Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan of the Apes; The Mars/Barsoom series), Robert E. Howard (Conan the Barbarian), and Lester Dent (Doc Savage). Carter helped to popularize fantasy and science fiction not just through his own stories, but by anthologizing and promoting the works of many authors who would eventually become famous and influential in their own right.

Genres: Science Fiction

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1982

About the author

Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic best known for his influential role in fantasy literature during the mid-20th century. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he developed an early passion for myth, adventure stories, and imaginative fiction, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After serving in the U.S. Army, Carter attended Columbia University, where he honed his literary skills and deepened his knowledge of classical and medieval literature, myth, and folklore — elements that would become central to his work.
Carter authored numerous novels, short stories, and critical studies, often working within the sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy traditions. His own creations, such as the “Thongor of Lemuria” series, paid homage to pulp-era adventure fiction while adding his distinctive voice and world-building style. His nonfiction book Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings was one of the first major studies of Tolkien’s work and its mythological roots, and it helped establish Carter as a knowledgeable commentator on fantasy literature.
Beyond his own writing, Carter was a central figure in bringing classic and forgotten works of fantasy back into print. As editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series from 1969 to 1974, he curated and introduced dozens of volumes, reintroducing readers to authors such as William Morris, Lord Dunsany, E. R. Eddison, and James Branch Cabell. His introductions not only contextualized these works historically and literarily but also encouraged a new generation to explore the breadth of the fantasy tradition.
Carter was also active in the shared literary universe of the “Cthulhu Mythos,” expanding upon the creations of H. P. Lovecraft and other members of the “Lovecraft Circle.” His collaborations and solo contributions in this genre further cemented his reputation as both a creative writer and a literary preservationist.
In addition to fiction and criticism, Carter was an active member of several science fiction and fantasy organizations, including the Science Fiction Writers of America. He frequently appeared at conventions, where he was known for his enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the genre, and willingness to mentor aspiring writers.
Though sometimes critiqued for the derivative nature of some of his work, Carter’s influence on the fantasy revival of the late 20th century remains significant. His combination of creative output, editorial vision, and scholarly enthusiasm helped bridge the gap between the pulp traditions of the early 1900s and the expansive fantasy publishing boom that followed.
Lin Carter’s legacy endures through his own imaginative tales, his critical studies, and the many classic works he rescued from obscurity, ensuring their place in the canon of fantasy literature for generations to come.

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this modern Pulp style adventure series. Lin Carter does an excellent job of capturing the adventure style of the Doc Savage and Avengers novels. This volume has many of the lady sidekicks of the Pulp heroes in cameos. Recommended

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun novel.

Prince Zarkon, The Man From The Future tries to stop his arch enemy, Lucifer, from extorting all the banks of Knickerbocker City with the threat of earthquakes, which should be impossible.

A very fun book, with lots of name checks from the pulp days.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing enough,though makes Ian Fleming's Bond novels read like Tolstoy's War and Peace.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining throw back to the pulp novels. The story straight forward but moves well and the fun is seeing other characters from other pulps turn up. Such as Doc Savage, Nick Charles etc.

[Dan Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the others. Not much happens so other than how do they pull off being able to not be shot, the rest is just nothing.