Others say...

"Arguably, the origin of Sword and Sorcery..."
I, like many readers, started my reading in Robert E. Howards' world with his House-hold-name character, Conan. After reading those, I wanted to read more of his works (and the 'completed' stories, as well as new ones, by lesser writers, was not going to suffice).

If you are like me, then KULL:EXILE OF ATLANTIS is a great place to start. I had seen the poor film version in the 90's, and let me just say that the REAL Kull is nothing like him. Many might assume that Kull was merely a 'work in progress' of Fantasy for Howard; honing his skills in preparation to Conan. That would be selling these stories short. Kull and Conan are very similar in physical appearance (save eye color), however philisophically, they are very different. Conan did end up as King of Aquilonia, but Kull begins his story as the new Usurper, and it goes on form there, not culminating in it. And with this 'barbarian King' perspective at the forefront, there is many different avenues explored. Aside from the usual attempts at Coups by resentful noblemen, Kull has philisophical discussions with many learned court attendants, about the nature of space and time. This leads to very unique stories not found in Conan including Time Travel, and Astral Plaining. Weird, wonderful stuff to 'Cosmic' fiction fans.

In this collection you will find many of Howard's best stories, including 'THE SHADOW KINGDOM', "BY THIS AXE I RULE", SWORDS OF THE PURPLE KINGDOM", and his out-of-time tale, "KINGS OF THE NIGHT". These stories are not only as thrilling as the Conan stories, but also help fill-in the Pre-Hyborian age to anyone wondering what the world was like before the sinking of Atlantis and the rise of the Stygian Kingdom and onward. In addition, stories like "THE SCREAMING SKULL OF SILENCE", and "THE STRIKING OF THE GONG" tie in neatly to H.P. Lovecraft's 'cosmic horror' ideas.

Finally to those familiar with Michael Moorcock's ELRIC series, The obvious influence should be testament alone to the influence these stories have had. This DEL REY edition of the KULL stories is a welcome edition, with stories completed by HOWARD ONLY making the cut. This means there are several fragments, which may be a turn off to casual readers. But to Howard completists, this is the real deal. That makes this collection a challenge, but at the same time don't let that detract you from some true gems in short fantasy fiction. Howards is, by today's standards of Epic Fantasy, very accesible. If you are at all serious about visiting the ancestors of modern Fantasy, you will not be let down by this collection.

"ROBERT E HOWARD - THE BEST OF THE BEST!"
By this Axe I Rule is the best and it was changed by Robert E. Howard for Conan as The Phoenix on the Sword. This is an excellent book and a must have to add to any collection. The Curse of The Golden Skull was pretty creepy and The Striking of The Gong was excellent! There's terrific artwork and every story is captivating! There is some excellent poetry, story fragments, and more! Kings of the Night which finally turns Kull loose on a battlefield. Some ways this is the best story he ever wrote. Robert E. Howard was an extra-ordindary creative writer who in my opinion was the best! His vision, talent, creative writing, and action packed stories can and will never be replicated! To learn more about this unique man read Blood & Thunder, The Life and Art of Robert E. Howard by Mark Finn. Must Reads: Crimson Shadows-The Best of Robert E. Howard 1 & 2 with number two which has my favorites Red Nails, Beyond The Black River, and the scariest story EVER Pigeons From Hell! Be sure to read it at night with plenty of light. You'll never be the same when you hear someone or something whistling.

Also recommended: Stories I've enjoyed by Robert E. Howard are The Last of the Trunk, Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, Savage Sword of Conan, Bloody Sword of Conan, All of the Weird Works REH, Selected Letters of REH, One Who Walked Alone, and my favorite about Cats Titled The Beast From The Abyss, Two Gun Bob, Cormac Mac Art, Steve Costigan, etc.!

"I feel guilty for not liking it"
I just didn't find Kull as entertaining as Conan, or even as Solomon Kane, for that matter. I was also angry that what was advertised as a book of Kull stories turned out to be something like 40% stories and 60% fragments in various states of incompleteness.

I really, really wanted to like the book. The plentiful drawings were very atmospheric, and the language--particularly in description of place and mood (for my money, Howard competes with the titanic Henry James)--was so stirring that it took your breath away in anticipation of stunning action. But such action simply never materialized--or, if and when it did, it had little to do with our putative protagonist.

Btw you can really see how Howard was just beginning to get into the flow, even having difficulty summoning up names of characters: in one story, we have a Thulsa Doom and a Kulun Kroom (or some such quite close), while another story features a Ka, a Kaa-u, and a Ka-nu. Please, now, how are we supposed to keep track of such characters? One is reminded of 1970s Saturday morning cartoons like "Korg: 70,000 BC," wherein everyone was named Ug.

"Mirrors of Tuzun Thune" could be favorably compared to Dostoyevsky's "A Strange Man's Dream." I wonder if I'm the first to notice.

"Kull: Exile of Atlantis "
This is an excellent book to read if you like Conan like books. A reader has to pay close attention as the story line changes rather quickly at times. I wish the publishers would publish this book in larger print.

I give this book 5 thumbs up.

D. Eckart

"Super Reader"
An exhaustive compilation of stories and material regarding the barbarian King.

All the stories, unfinished parts and fragments, some poems, some drafts and more. Possibly with that it may be for the keener reader, if you just want the stories an old paperback would do. Along with that, there are a variety of illustrations to go along with the stories.

For those that are very, very literarily keen, there is a section at the end detailing the editing/word variations, etc. and how/why they have been used.

Kull fans are going to like this book a lot. 5 axes out of 5.

Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Foreword by Justin Sweet
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Introduction by Steve Tompkins
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : untitled story (Exile of Atlantis)
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Shadow Kingdom
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : untitled draft (Thus said Tu)
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Cat and the Skull
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Screaming Skull of Silence
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Striking of the Gong
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Altar and the Scorpion
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Curse of the Golden Skull
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Black City
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : untitled fragment (Three Men Sat)
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : By This Axe I Rule!
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Swords of the Purple Kingdom
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The King and the Oak
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Kings of the Night [Bran Mak Morn]
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Summer Morn
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Am-ra the Ta-an
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Tale of Am-Ra
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : untitled and unfinished fragment (A land of wild)
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : untitled and unfinished fragment (..so I set out)
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The Shadow Kingdom (draft)
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Delcardes Cat
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : The King and the Oak (draft)
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Appendices
Kull Exile Of Atlantis : Atlantean Genesis by Patrice Louinet