This is a superb collection of comics about the Puritan adventurer, Solomon Kane, created by Robert E. Howard who also created Conan the Barbarian. This collection is a treasurer of wonderful sword and sorcery comics, purple prose of the highest order and astonishing black and white art combining to make a bundle of joy.
Some of the stories are straightforward adaptations of stories by Robert E. Howard, Skulls in the Stars (Roy Thomas -Writer, Richard Reece-Art) is the first story in the collection and is a excellent introduction to the character. Solomon Kane takes a path across a moor and encounters a terrifying ghost. Kane’s response defines the character. The art is engaging with beautiful detail. The writing is loud and forceful.
There are three excellent mashups where Solomon Kane meets first with Dracula, first in Castle of the Undead (Roy Thomas-Writer, Alan Weiss & The Crusty Bunkers – Art) later in Retribution in Blood (Don Glut-Writer, David Wenzel, Marillitz -Art). Solomon Kane also has an encounter with The Dragon at Castle Frankenstein (Don Glut-Writer, Sonny Trinidad-Art). These stories find exactly the balance needed between the two sources and deliver a silky smooth, cunning, and very dangerous Dracula. The inhabitant of castle Frankenstein is a happy surprise, taking a very different story path and one that works a treat.
One story that has not aged well is Moon of Skulls (Don Glut – Writer, David Wenzel, Bill Wray – Art). In most of the stories the females in peril are white, full figured and artfully draped with long hair of are wearing clothing that has been ripped into a bikini. In this story the native African women are bare breasted, and the contrast and the unavoidable implications of the art choices being made are jarring. The portrayal of male Native Africans in different stories is in line with the treatment of the male European supporting cast, they fit into their circumstances in a natural way. The presence of cannibals among the Native Africans is a story trope from the genre and period of writing, the Europeans have no moral edge over the Native Africans.
The poem, Solomon Kane’s Homecoming features twice in the collection. The first time adapted by Roy Thomas, with art by Virgillo Redondo and Rudy D. Nebres. The second version is adapted by Steve Carr with art by Steve Carr and Al Williamson, letters by Diana Albers. The direct contract between the two strongly favors the second version, the first one is very good, the art in the second is astounding.
The final story, Death’s Dark Riders, (Roy Thomas- Writer, Colin MacNeil – Art, Diana Albers- Letters), is a triumph and is worth purchasing the collection to read. It is a mash up between Conan the Barbarian and Solomon Kane and is everything it should be and more. The two characters are perfectly balanced, the story picks up threads from a previous story and uses them in a masterful way. Roy Thomas’s deep understanding of sword and sorcery writing is fully displayed, the art is astounding, it captures and amplifies the story with confidence and craft. The letters are quiet and subtle, they never draw attention away from the art, they blend into the whole.
The good is much better than the problematic and the fantastic is an undiluted pleasure.
