Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [184]
The Dreamthief’s Daughter (2001) was the first volume of a brand-new Elric trilogy—in fact the only preconceived Elric trilogy—linking the albino with some of the many and various members of the Family von Bek. (When revising his books for the “Eternal Champion” omnibuses, Moorcock had the opportunity to change several character names in order to bring them in line with the developing “Von Bek” series, which had begun in 1981 with The War Hound and the World’s Pain, although the name’s derivation goes back as far as Katinka van Bak in 1973’s The Champion of Garathorm.) Collectors should note that, also in 2001 (after the true first edition), The Dreamthief’s Daughter became the last of three Elric books to date published as illustrated editions in slip-cases. This limited edition, signed by the author and artists (Randy Broecker, Donato Giancola, Gary Gianni, Robert Gould, Michael Kaluta, Todd Lockwood, Don Maitz & Michael Whelan), was followed two years later—still dated “2001”—by a smaller limited edition which was leather-bound and tray-cased.
Elric (2001) is another omnibus, containing The Stealer of Souls and Stormbringer, as part of the publisher’s “Fantasy Masterworks” series. In 2008, it was repackaged as part of the same publisher’s much smaller “Ultimate Fantasies” sequence.
The Elric Saga Part Three (2002), another omnibus, contains The Fortress of the Pearl and The Revenge of the Rose.
The Skrayling Tree: The Albino in America (2003) is the second part of the trilogy beginning with The Dreamthief’s Daughter. The White Wolf’s Son: The Albino Underground (2005) is the third and last part of the trilogy. Although this supposedly—again—final Elric subseries can be read as a standalone adventure (as, indeed, can each volume), brief mention is made of events slotting, chronologically, into those described within Stormbringer.
The Elric Saga Part IV (2005), another omnibus, contains The Dreamthief’s Daughter, The Skrayling Tree and The White Wolf’s Son.
Elric: The Making of a Sorcerer (2007) is a graphic novel illustrated by Walter Simonson, originally serialized in four parts (2004–06), and is a prequel to the novel Elric of Melniboné.
Elric: The Stealer of Souls (2008) is the first volume of Del Rey’s series of six Elric omnibuses published under the collective title “Chronicles of the Last Emperor of Melniboné,” each containing fiction and non-fiction. The first volume’s fiction includes The Stealer of Souls and Stormbringer. Elric: To Rescue Tanelorn (2008) is the second Del Rey volume, a collection of Elric (or Elric-related) short fiction. Elric: The Sleeping Sorceress (2008) is the third volume, including the novels The Sleeping Sorceress and Elric of Melniboné. Duke Elric (2009) is the fourth volume, including The Sailor on the Seas of Fate, the “Duke Elric” graphic-novel script and a novella, “The Flaneur des Arcades de l’Opera.” Elric in the Dream Realms (2009) is the fifth volume, including The Fortress of the Pearl, the Elric: The Making of a Sorcerer graphic-novel script and a short story, “A Portrait in Ivory.” Elric: Swords and Roses (2010), the sixth and final volume, includes The Revenge of the Rose, a Stormbringer (unmade) movie screenplay and a novella, “Black Petals.”
FIRST EDITIONS AND FIRST APPEARANCES
The Stealer of Souls:
“The Dreaming City,” originally in Science Fantasy No. 47 (edited by John Carnell), UK, June 1961
“While the Gods Laugh,” in Science Fantasy No. 49, Oct. 1961
“The Stealer of Souls,” in Science Fantasy No. 51, Feb. 1962
“Kings in Darkness,” in Science Fantasy No. 54, Aug. 1962
“The Flame Bringers,” in Science Fantasy No. 55, Oct. 1962
Neville Spearman hardcover, UK, 1963
Lancer paperback, USA, 1967
Stormbringer:
“Dead God’s Homecoming,” orig. in Science Fantasy No. 59, June 1963
“Black Sword’s Brothers,” in Science Fantasy No. 61, Oct. 1963
“Sad Giant’s Shield,” in Science Fantasy No. 63, Feb. 1964
“Doomed Lord’s Passing,” in Science Fantasy No. 64, Apr. 1964
Herbert Jenkins h/c (abridged & revised from