Sword of Sorcery

    (DC, 1973, 2016)
DC

This was a title that had everything going for it. It had great artwork by the likes of Howard Chaykin and Neal Adams (the latter working under the moniker “The Crusty Bunkers”). Then-publisher Denny O’Neil did a fine job on the writing, with crisp, action-filled scripts.

Best of all, the subject matter was great, featuring comic adaptations of Fritz Leiber’s adventure tales starring Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. These were easily two of the best characters in the genre, with the figure of Fafhrd (a surprisingly charming barbarian) playing well against the clever thief Grey Mouser. Their adventures were equally balanced between swordfighting and quick thinking, a mix that years later would inspire the game sensation, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

This should have been the perfect adventure series, but it inexplicably lasted only five issues.
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Mar 1973
    Cover: $0.20
    W: Dennis O’Neil, Fritz Leiber  ·  A: Howard Chaykin
    Adapts Fritz Leiber’s short story; Fafhrd & The Gray Mouser; Feb-Mar issue
    6 copies from $4.00
  • 2
    #2
    May 1973
    Cover: $0.20
    W: Dennis O’Neil, Fritz Leiber  ·  A: Howard Chaykin
    Adapts Fritz Leiber’s short story “Thieves’ House”
    13 copies from $3.00
  • 3
    #3
    Aug 1973
    Cover: $0.20
    W: Dennis O’Neil  ·  A: Howard Chaykin, Ronn Sutton
    Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser
    6 copies from $5.25
  • 4
    #4
    Oct 1973
    Cover: $0.20
    W: Dennis O’Neil, Fritz Leiber  ·  A: Howard Chaykin, Walt Simonson, Sal Amendola
    Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser
    4 copies from $3.75
  • 5
    #5
    Dec 1973
    Cover: $0.20
    W: Dennis O’Neil, Fritz Leiber, George Alec Effinger  ·  A: Walt Simonson, Jim Starlin
    Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser; Final Issue
    4 copies from $3.00