Other works besides Conan

[Supplement Four]

Conan stories have that dark, edgy feel to them. There's something distinctly more "mature" about them than your typical fantasy. One can definitely tell a difference between, say, a Conan story and a passage from Lord of the Rings.

What other fantasy out there has a similar feel? Let's assume the Kull stories and the Red Sonja books do have a like feel (whether they do or not), since they are set in the same universe as Conan. And, let's assume the Age of Conan novels, too, have that feel (although I haven't read any them...though I understand the Cimmerian trilogy is actually pretty good).

What other fantasy series (or single novel) would you say has a similar quality to that of those set in the Hyborian Age?





As for me, I'd have to nominate the Thieves World series. Yes, the magic is a bit more "D&D-ish", but the "grit" is there. The "pulpy-ness" is there, too.

The Rankan Empire feels like Aquilonia before Conan's reign. Sanctuary, feels like one of the cities we've visited with Conan. Most people are human, as with the Hyborian Age.

The magic in the TW universe has a whole different vibe than what we see in a Conan tale. There's definitely more of it, and not all of it is evil. You could take several TW stories, though, and transplant them into the Hyborian Age with minimal conversion.





Another series I'd nominate is that of the Horseclans. HC doesn't "fit" as well as TW does, but, again, the dark, pulpy atmosphere is there.



What about you? What would you add as number three on this list of fantasy universe that feel "close" to Conan's Hyborian Age?

 

[Axerules]

"Dark", "edgy", a "feel" close to the Hyborian Age? Easy!

First and foremost, REH's other fantasy stories, of course!

You have the Bran Mak Morn, Kull, Solomon Kane, Turlogh Dubh O'Brien, James Allison/reincarnation yarns. Add to those series his 'single' stories like The Grey God Passes: plenty of gritty Sword and Sorcery to read!

I certainly wouldn't rank the Age of Conan novels (in fact, most of the pastiches) at the same level.

Now, for someone who wants to read something from other authors, the two -alledged- REH fans who are close to him in the fantasy field are Karl Edward Wagner, creator of "Kane" and Charles R. Saunders who invented "Imaro". The latter even stated once that he emulated Two-Gun-Bob's "formula" too much when he created Imaro's world.
IMO you can't go wrong with those two writers and their iconic characters.

 

[Malcadon]

Fafhrd of Lankhmar, Elric of Melniboné, Bondage-freaks of Gor, so many others! The S&S boom of the 60's and 70's had a huge influence on other works - in books, comics, movies, and even cartoons! Edger Rice Burroughs' I Am a Barbarian is a unique example of a REH-styled work, before the Conan boom.

 

[cbrunish]

ERB's Tarzan is very similar to REH's style. Probably due to the pulp age of fantasy. But the Tarzan novels are a pretty good read if you don't have any Conan.

And I have to agree with SF on Thieves World. The first series was excellent and have read it 5 or 6 times. The second series is not bad but I wish they would write more stories.

 

[PrinceYyrkoon]

I have to be really picky here and say Red Sonja, as written by Howard didnt inhabit Conans world, that was Marvels doing. She was a Medieval Ruskie I think.

And I guess, Elric could use the Conan rules, (although a lot of folks are wanting Conan to use MRQ rules). And, Empire of the Petal Throne would be a pretty good fit too.

 

[PrinceYyrkoon]

Oh, yes, someone else mentioned KE Wagners Kane, that setting could use the Conan rules almost as written.