Swords Against Darkness

The first of an original anthology series. Nicely done, too, at 3.44. As the editor points out, unabashedly and unequivocally, this is heroic fantasy. In much the same fashion as Lin Carter's Flashing Swords, but up to date for the time. A variety of interesting stuff here, getting stories from Campbell and Wellman, and another rare Howard completion done fairly well. Richard L. Tierney, whom some may have seen via some Red Sonja books has his own character here in Simon Of Gitta, who, like Kane, can handle a bit of the magical stuff himself, too. Editors, it appears, cannot help themselves at times for some reason when anthologising, in putting stories in that don't fit with the rest just because they like them. A somewhat satirical sword and planet story appears here, although it is a good one, and by Bruce Jones of comics fame, even. Certainly worth getting this book for those with an interesting in sword and sorcery. Swords Against Darkness 1 : 1 Nekht Semerkeht - Robert E. Howard and Andrew J. Offutt Swords Against Darkness 1 : 2 The Tale of Hauk - Poul Anderson Swords Against Darkness 1 : 3 The Smile of Oisia - George W. Proctor Swords Against Darkness 1 : 4 Pride of the Fleet - Bruce Jones Swords Against Darkness 1 : 5 Straggler from Atlantis - Manly Wade Wellman Swords Against Darkness 1 : 6 The Ring of Set - Richard L. Tierney Swords Against Darkness 1 : 7 Largarut's Bane - Raul Garcia Capella Swords Against Darkness 1 : 8 Dragons' Teeth - David Drake Swords Against Darkness 1 : 9 The Sustenance of Hoak - Ramsey Campbell Conquistador vs sorcerer. 3.5 out of 5 Zombie skipper dad. 3.5 out of 5 A game with the luck goddess. 3 out of 5 Swords, space stations, and tentacle clutches. 4 out of 5 Kardios is washed up with a Giant problem to solve. 3 out of 5 Simon of Gitta would prefer power mad Roman emperors don't have powerful magical artifacts from evil Egyptian gods, whether it takes cash, cunning or conflict. 4 out of 5 You're just in the way for demon fighting, dad. 3 out of 5 Shoot that poison arrow... well, given he is so big, lots of places as well as the heart perhaps a good idea. 3.5 out of 5 Ryre and friend find a town in the thrall of something big and hungry. 3.5 out of 5