Sword of Sorcery

    (DC, 1973)
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:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1

March, 1973
Cover Price: $0.20
10 copies available from $4.50 		Dennis O’Neil, Fritz LeiberHoward Chaykin
#2

May, 1973
Cover Price: $0.20
15 copies available from $3.00 		Dennis O’Neil, Fritz LeiberHoward Chaykin
#3

August, 1973
Cover Price: $0.20
9 copies available from $5.25 		Dennis O’NeilHoward Chaykin, Ronn Sutton
#4

October, 1973
Cover Price: $0.20
10 copies available from $1.99 		Dennis O’Neil, Fritz LeiberHoward Chaykin, Walt Simonson, Sal Amendola
#5

December, 1973
Cover Price: $0.20
9 copies available from $3.00 		Dennis O’Neil, Fritz Leiber, George Alec EffingerWalt Simonson, Jim Starlin