Robert E. Howard 100 Year Catalog Art Chronology HC (2023 Chenault & Gray) comic books

1st printing. Set containing Volumes 1-4. This is the definitive illustrated history of all of Howard's publications in the United States and the United Kingdom. Written and compiled by Michael Tierney, the narrative gives the history of Howard's work and the often legendary artists who visualized it, featuring untold stories, art that hasn't been seen since its release and pieces that were buried in the vaults from the beginning of his publishing history to the present day. Volume 1: The Pulps - The early 20th Century publishing phenomenon of Pulp magazines birthed the genre known today as Sword and Sorcery, invented by a Texan named Robert E. Howard. This young man from Cross Plains enjoyed a brief, but incredibly prolific career. He often pushed the established boundaries for the Pulp market by mixing multiple genres, and these experiments resulted in the creation of the iconic Conan the Cimmerian. When Howard died too young, the Fan Press made certain to keep both his name and creations alive. Volume 2: The Books - Robert E. Howard was an enthusiastic poet, and often combined verse with prose by using them as headers for his stories―sometimes under the guise of the mad poet Justin Geoffrey. His other creations stretched beyond the familiar Conan the Cimmerian, Solomon Kane, and the genre of Sword and Sorcery. Howard also created works of historical fiction, and wrote more fight stories about Sailor Steve Costigan than another other character. He also created a multitude of western adventures, the most prominent of which were the wilderness hijinks of he-man Breckinridge Elkins. Volume 3: The Comics Part One - Robert E. Howards Cimmerian hero from the prehistorical world of the Hyborian Age was inspiring comics in both the U.S. and Mexico long before Marvel Comics decided to experiment with Sword and Sorcery, and licensed Conan the Barbarian. At first, this new and decidedly different comic series struggled to find an audience on spinner racks filled with superhero fare, but once it did, Conan the Barbarian grew into one of Marvels top sellers, and became a world renowned media sensation. Volume 4: The Comics Part Two - With too many comic book titles to fit into a single volume, Robert E. Howards other creations like King Kull, Bran Mak Morn, Dark Agnes, Cormac Mac Art, Soloman Kane, Iron hand of Almuric, and even the leading ladies of Bêlit, Queen of the Black Coast, and the she-pirate Valeria, are featured along with others in this final volume. Every comic magazine inspired by Robert E. Howard is also included, the most prominent of which was the longest-running and best selling comic magazine of all time, The Savage Sword of Conan the Barbarian. A chapter on "lost" Savage Sword artwork features the first publication of works never seen before. Conan's history in U.K. comics is also included, along with a bonus art gallery. 4 Hardcover books in slipcase, 9-1/2" x 12-1/2", 1600 pages across all 4 books, full color. Cover price $350.00.