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Post by finarvyn on Nov 14, 2016 11:41:39 GMT -5
My first exposure to Conan was in the 1970's through the 12-volume Ace paperback series. Of course at the time I had no idea that DeCamp and Carter had added or changed so much material, but they seemed like good yarns and I remember them fondly. I still have my copies on my bookshelf.
As time as passed I have grown to appreciate more the awesomeness which was REH and how his characters (Conan and others) are so much more amazing than the same characters as penned by others. I have the whole Del Rey set and think they are a much better collection of stories.
I have been pondering whether or not the Ace collection is worth keeping any more. In some ways the Ace series is "better" because it gives a more continual narrative of the life of Conan, but in other ways it is worse because the Howard portions have been diluted and the caps which were filled in are not canon Howard. I haven't read them in decades but have considered dusting them off and giving them a re-read.
Anyone have and read both? Any value to be had in the Ace paperbacks, or should I just abandon them and stick to pure REH?
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Post by johnnypt on Nov 14, 2016 12:39:44 GMT -5
The main reason to keep them is because they are currently one of the only places to get the DeCamp-Carter stories (the old Lancers that the Aces are reprints of is the other place). I picked up all the Aces sometime over the summer of 1982 after seeing a certain film, so they were my Howard gateway as well. I don't read the Howard portions of them at all (the Del Reys are the go to for those), but if I want to read some of the other stories, they're OK to have around.
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Post by finarvyn on Nov 15, 2016 8:42:36 GMT -5
A good point about the other stories. I guess it's been so long that I can't recall if they are well written or not. Maybe I'll start a re-read and then assess again.
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Post by mrp on Nov 17, 2016 17:00:08 GMT -5
I keep them around for the Frazetta covers (and the few others). The de Camp and Carter stories are interesting a swell, but the gorgeous covers of the Ace books is the primary reason they are still on my shelf or on display in the book room.
-M
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Post by finarvyn on Nov 18, 2016 13:19:03 GMT -5
I keep them around for the Frazetta covers (and the few others). The de Camp and Carter stories are interesting a swell, but the gorgeous covers of the Ace books is the primary reason they are still on my shelf or on display in the book room. -M I have this problem with book covers a lot. The thing is, I often have multiple copies of books because I like the various covers but I'm considering just using Google and downloading images of the book covers. That way I don't need to keep more than one version. The Frazetta covers are awesome. I also like the Whelan covers for my Barsoom books and the Kelly covers for Lankhmar. Each artist seems to convey a different style to the various worlds.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2016 14:33:43 GMT -5
I keep them around for the Frazetta covers (and the few others). The de Camp and Carter stories are interesting a swell, but the gorgeous covers of the Ace books is the primary reason they are still on my shelf or on display in the book room. -M I have this problem with book covers a lot. The thing is, I often have multiple copies of books because I like the various covers but I'm considering just using Google and downloading images of the book covers. That way I don't need to keep more than one version. The Frazetta covers are awesome. I also like the Whelan covers for my Barsoom books and the Kelly covers for Lankhmar. Each artist seems to convey a different style to the various worlds. I had the same problem, eventually I sold or donated my old Conan (Lancer/Ace and UK editions) paperbacks. Now, I only have the Wandering Star/Del Rey editions - the only DeCamp or Carter Conan I now read are the adaptations found in the Savage Sword of Conan. I got fed up waiting decades for a complete collection of pure REH Conan with Frazetta artwork - so, I got round it by picking up a couple of hardbacks with Frazetta's art. Maybe, one day, we'll have all the REH Conan stories in three or four volumes with Frazetta's great covers.
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Post by Grim Wanderer on Nov 29, 2016 16:59:27 GMT -5
I wish I still had mine, but a flood ruined the lot. I check online periodically about purchasing the set all over again, but only for sentimental reasons.
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Post by mrp on Nov 29, 2016 20:14:03 GMT -5
I see the Ace/Lancer volumes fairly regularly at Second in Charles over in Dayton for a $1 each. If I didn't have them all already, I would snag them. I did pick up some Moorcock volumes I was missing and some issues of the Fantasy & Science Fiction pulp for 75 cents each in the same section the last time I was there.
They're not hard to get and they're not pricey if you look in the right places.
-M
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Post by philzilla on Feb 23, 2017 11:24:12 GMT -5
I would stab my mother in the eye for these on my kindle. I don't like her very much though.
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