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This chapter focuses on REH’s interest in adventure and historical fiction as well as his letters with H.P. Lovecraft debating barbarism versus civilization. I was hoping for more discussion of Weird Tales and how the market of Weird Tales influenced REH’s writing to a greater extent. There is an interesting sidebar on Jack London’s influence on REH.

EERIE issue 9.

The standout stories this issue were “Rub the Lamp” written by Allan Jadro with art by Jerry Grandenetti, “Isle of the Beast,” an adaptation of Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” but with a werewolf written by Archie Goodwin with art by Steve Ditko, and “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” Ambrose Bierce’s story adapted by Archie Goodwin and illustrated by Bob Jenney.

Ch. 2. Origins

Good chapter on inspirations/influences on Sword & Sorcery and proto-S&S writers. I still think not enough importance is given to the context in which S&S originated, which was Weird Tales. There is a sidebar on what is the first S&S story: “Sacnoth” vs. “Shadow”. I haven’t read “Sacnoth” but Dunsany lacks the horror influence that REH weaved into his S&S stories.

Seven stories plus a demon illustrated by Angelo Torres for the Monster Gallery. This issue had several good stories including “Oversight” illustrated by Eugene Colan—a story very similar to Carpenter’s They Live, “Dark Rider” illustrated by John Severin—a weird western, and “Wolf Bait” illustrated by Rocco Mastroserio—a fun werewolf tale. All written by Archie Goodwin.

Ch 1. What is sword-and-sorcery?

Definitions. I think all of the elements Murphy highlights are good ones (I emphasize horror, of course). I liked the sidebar at the end asking whether labels are useful. I think the S&S label is useful in contrasting or distinguishing S&S from epic fantasy. But I think it becomes a pointless exercise when arguing over whether certain stories fit the bill.

EERIE issue 7. January 10, 1967.

Eight stories plus a Hydra illustrated by Gray Morrow. Most of the stories are by Archie Goodwin. My favorite story was “It That Lurks” by Archie Goodwin with art by Dan Adkins. The monster in this one is very unconventional. But my favorite art was by Hector Castellon for “Hitchhike Horror” with a story by Archie Goodwin. Castellon has a messy style I really like.

“The Great Keinplatz Experiment” by A. Conan Doyle

A Weird Story Reprint. A humorous story about mesmerism and the mind/body problem. A bit too stodgy for my tastes. Originally published in Belgravia magazine in 1885.

“The Doors of Death” by Arthur B. Waltermire

A family curse and an attempt at cheating death. A good, solid story with a satisfying ending.

“The Secret of Kralitz” by Henry Kuttner

Another family curse. This one invokes the Cthulhu Mythos. The revelation at the end wasn’t unexpected, but it was still satisfying.

I was going to skip it since it’s just the last part of “Red Nails,” but I decided to read it anyway. I want this to be my first cover-to-cover read of Weird Tales. “Red Nails” is one of my favorite Conan stories.

“The Tree of Life” by C. L. Moore

I liked the creepy weirdness of the story. It’s a very unique situation and setting, but I felt Moore’s style is overwrought like Lovecraft. I wanted the story to pick up the pace, but it’s almost as if to give the reader a sense of the unfathomable nature of the horror present in the story, the description of it must go on, and on, and on . . .

“Doom of the House of Duryea” by Earl Peirce, Jr.

A really good vampire tale set in Maine. The vampire lore is quite different from Dracula and that makes it very interesting. The story has been reprinted several times in various vampire anthologies.