Kane stories by Karl Edward Wagner

[GRWelsh]

I just noticed that the Night Shade Books editions of GODS IN DARKNESS (2002) and MIDNIGHT SUN (2003) are fetching high prices on eBay. Scott recommended the Kane stories to me about 20 years ago, and I am glad I picked these up. It is definitely a cool concept to take the Biblical Cain and turn him into a swords & sorcery character... an undying warrior cursed to live a life of violence down through the ages. It's also a good explanation for why this guy never dies... He was cursed by God! Also, it explains his prowess: he is the first murderer, and has become quite skilled at it over the millenia! I was just thinking of rereading these stories as they are very pulp even though written mostly in the 1970's, and are more in the S&S genre that EGG liked so much (Conan, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, etc.) than high fantasy (Tolkien and such). Great inspiration for D&D games!

[Scott]

I just started re-reading the Kull stories. The Shadow Kingdom, Kings of the Night, and By This Axe I rule are some of my favorites. Before I started, it was a decision between Kull and Kane. I ended up going with Kull, but I'll probably re-read Gods in Darkness when I'm done.

[GRWelsh]

Yeah, the Kull stories are great. There just aren't enough of them. I think I have the entire collection in a Baen paperback that is only about 200 pages. They also have a real D&D vibe, especially the one with the serpent men. Funny how similar it is to modern reptilian conspiracy theories!

[Scott]

Yes, the Shadow Kingdom is the one with the serpent men, and they would make great D&D villains. I think Howard abandoned Kull once Conan took off.