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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2018 17:28:35 GMT -5
I love the Wandering Star/Del Rey Books, we finally got REH's Conan in 3 volumes without the interference of the pastiche work by De Camp et al; the way it should be.
To be honest, it took me a little while to get accustomed to the rendition of Conan by Mark Schultz and Greg Manchess. Still these volumes do not jump out at you like the Frazetta covers or the classic covers of the SSOC did. It's coming up to 16 years now since the publication of the first volume, maybe it's time for a change?
But, I think there is an obvious problem with the Del Rey Conan books; they're kinda inaccessable to the average reader, unless you're a fan of REH or Conan. I know that's partially the point of the Del Rey volumes, but there's an awful lot of clutter (please excuse the word) with the essays, fragments, synopsis' and even the spot illustrations at times can be off putting to the average reader. I think it's about time to repackage the Conan books.
Here's some suggestions:
1. We definitely need the Frazetta covers back, and I don't want the artwork on the cover framed in a little square box - you gotta sell the book, and a great cover helps.
2. The books should only have the complete Conan stories, with no fragments or synopsis' or illustrations - gotta make sure there's an Hour of the Dragon volume, somewhat similar to the Karl Edward Wagner edition.
3. Obviously, keep all the original text from the Del Rey editions.
4. The introductions should be kept short, around 3 or 4 pages long.
5. The yarns should not follow the chronological order of Conan's career or be presented in written/publication order. They need to be mixed up a bit, so the yarns don't feel too repetitive.
6. The Trade Paperback size is O.K for the Hardback edition, but not that attractive or practical in paperback, bring back the old paperback size, it's a lot better.
It just feels like a missed opportunity. What do you think?
Edit: I have added another suggestion below:
7. Additionally, all the fragments, synopsis' with essays by prominent REH scholars can be presented in seperate volumes.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 1:42:53 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 2:11:43 GMT -5
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Post by ChrisLAdams on Oct 30, 2018 8:26:25 GMT -5
I'd be down with everything Hun said, except maybe making an exception for small B&W illustrations. I always enjoy those, especially the older style where they were really simple B&W sketches, with a sentence from the text below it, that inspired the image. The idea to gather a bunch of fragments and commentary into a separate volume is sound. I can see that being something that those who read the completed stories, and develop a deeper interest in both the character and the author, might pursue. Being in the same series, with its own piece of art, would definitely be conducive to the completest to add to their set. On the artwork, much as I love the Frazettas, I agree with Kail that it might be time to pursue newer art. The Frazettas are there for those who wish to pursue them. If you still need more, get on Frazetta Girls and go crazy. We all have those already. Why would we want another set of books that looks identical to what we already have? I'd rather see equally visceral pieces by someone new--or at least, alive. Such a one would be awesome for those few who could meet them and get them to sign your copy, or for special hardback editions signed by the illustrator, etc. Also, at the very least, newly commissioned art would add a fresh face that could add curb appeal for new readers. Those of us who already have multiple versions wouldn't be buying these for the text - which we already have. A new format, new art, new introductions, now that would entice we more-seasoned Howard collectors to hit Add to Cart.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 9:20:39 GMT -5
I agree with observations above, especially concerning the covers, maybe it's time to introduce some new talent on the covers.
I just think it'd be a lot easier to read the work of REH and Conan without all the fragments n' stuff breaking up the flow of the yarns for the next generation of fans.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 10:12:58 GMT -5
I'd be down with everything Hun said, except maybe making an exception for small B&W illustrations. I always enjoy those, especially the older style where they were really simple B&W sketches, with a sentence from the text below it, that inspired the image. Indeed. I did like the drawings that Michael Kaluta did back in the seventies for Iskander - lovely stuff! ...... The illustrations of Roy Krenkel for the historical yarns and the illustrations by Kaluta in the Iskander and Shahrazar books are fantastic.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 10:19:43 GMT -5
Do you realise how we go back to the 60's & 70's when it comes to the art. I assure you it has nothing to do with nostalgia.
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Post by ChrisLAdams on Oct 30, 2018 10:42:19 GMT -5
Do you realise how we go back to the 60's & 70's when it comes to the art. I assure you it has nothing to do with nostalgia. Hun, is there a deeper implication here? What I'm hearing is you've been less than impressed with more modern efforts.
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Post by johnnypt on Oct 30, 2018 10:45:36 GMT -5
It would all depend on what's feasible from a business sense. If they want to break things up into smaller chunks they could go back and take the KEW template and shuffle things around that way. If Del Rey was still interested (which they're not), I could see them splitting each of the books in half and making six that way. It's always better to have things in an easy format like a 300 page paperback as well as the larger sets. But is there a real market for that right now? It's a matter of finding an audience for that who is looking for only a couple of stories rather than a larger collection. Way back when, you had to take what you could get. Now practically everything is right there at your fingertips.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 11:10:25 GMT -5
Do you realise how we go back to the 60's & 70's when it comes to the art. I assure you it has nothing to do with nostalgia. Hun, is there a deeper implication here? What I'm hearing is you've been less than impressed with more modern efforts. Kinda yes and no. I think the cover art back in the 60's and 70's really did grab your attention. Let me demonstrate what I'm talking about; look at these recent Gollancz paperback covers: It's just sloppy work, there's talent out there, I know it'll be a miracle finding another Frazetta, but all this cheap photoshopped stuff really don't work. What I'm trying to say, probably quite badly, is a great cover and a less complicated presentation of the yarns without all the extras is more likely to introduce new readers to the work of REH. To make it worse with the Del Rey paperbacks the cover art by Shultz, Gianni and Manchess is almost hidden in a little square box, that's not the right way to sell a product.
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Post by ChrisLAdams on Oct 30, 2018 11:13:58 GMT -5
Hun, is there a deeper implication here? What I'm hearing is you've been less than impressed with more modern efforts. Kinda yes and no. I think the cover art back in the 60's and 70's really did grab your attention. Let me demonstrate what I'm talking about; look at these recent Gollancz paperbacks: It's just sloppy work, there's talent out there, I know it'll be a miracle finding another Frazetta, but all this cheap photoshopped snakes n' shield stuff really don't work. What I'm trying to say, probably quite badly, is a great cover and a less complicated presentation of the yarns without all the extras is more likely to create new REH fans than what we have right now. To make it worse with the Del Rey paperbacks the cover art by Shultz, Gianni and manchess is almost hidden in a little square box, that's not the right way to sell a product. I couldn't agree more. As an fan of oil painting, I'd love to see these done the old school way. I feel we all get tired of the over-photo-shopped look and desire a good old fashioned painting.
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Post by ChrisLAdams on Oct 30, 2018 11:55:11 GMT -5
I came across this on Facebook ERB F.A.N (Fan Art Network) group. Just from the glimpses in this sketchbook by RĂ©gis Moulun which he is offering on Amazon, it appears he could add much appeal for a new series of artwork set in the Hyborian Age.
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Post by Char-Vell on Oct 30, 2018 12:15:06 GMT -5
Ken Kelly is still kickin' right?
Gary Gianni and Benito Gallego could crank out some killer interior illos.
I am in agreement that modern paperback cover art is horrible.
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Post by terryallenuk on Oct 30, 2018 13:14:03 GMT -5
I'm sure if the new pastiches prove successful the original stories and pastiches will be re-packaged , of course on the back of hit TV show would have made a big difference to sales.
Terry
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2018 1:36:59 GMT -5
I'm sure if the new pastiches prove successful the original stories and pastiches will be re-packaged , of course on the back of hit TV show would have made a big difference to sales. Terry Yeah, I think it's the right time with the new pastiche books, and Conan moving back to Marvel. It is a real shame the TV series is not gonna happen, but, I guess we're used to the the disappointment of REH's Conan not making it to the screen.
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