Review by Gahan Wilson for Realms of Fantasy Magazine June 2000

A while back it was my pleasure to give a favorable review to Wandering Star's sumptuous edition of Robert E. Howard's The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane and now I am delighted to announce that they have brought out another Robert E. Howard collection.

This one, The Ultimate Triumph (Wandering Star, London, England; hardcover; 316 pp.; trade edition $50; limited edition of 1,500 slip-cased with previously unpublished color plates $80; ultra deluxe limited leather edition including additional color plate $425), concentrates on writings by Howard which are most specifically and directly associated with the notion of barbarism, a theme that profoundly obsessed the author throughout his creative life. It is -- highly appropriately -- illustrated by the illustrator more associated with that theme, and with turning Howard's violently imaginative notions into visible images, than any other artist, living or dead -- Frank Frazetta -- and, as if that were not enough, there is also a very touching and informative foreword by Mr. Frazetta.

The collection appropriately lunges into action with the original Conan adventure Beyond the Black River; continues with the first printing ever of the original manuscript of The House of Arabus which has not been "improved" by other hands; Spears of Clontarf, The Night of the Wolf, Spear and Fang; The Valley of the Worm; and Lord of Samarcand.

There is a small anthology of his barbaric poems, an excellent Introduction by Rusty Burke, a marvelous collection of Howard's letters to Howard Phillips Lovecraft on the topic of Barbarism vs. Civilization, a detailed chronology of Howard and two concluding essays: Waiting for the Barbarians by Patrice Louinet and Frazetta, and Robert E. Howard; The Power of Passion by Dr. David Winiewicz.

As you see, there are several editions. The black and white has numerous drawings by Frazetta, including many heretofore unpublished, and is marvelous, but if you have the money and admire these two unique creators I would very much recommend that you spring for one of the color-plate editions as they really are spectacular and do complete the effect of joining Howard's vision with Frazetta's as has never been done before.

Gahan Wilson