Elric: The Stealer of Souls, by Michael Moorcock
From the publisher: “When Michael Moorcock began chronicling the adventures of the albino sorcerer Elric, last king of decadent Melniboné, and his sentient vampiric sword, Stormbringer, he set out to create a new kind of fantasy adventure, one that broke with tradition and reflected a more up-to-date sophistication of theme and style. The result was a bold and unique hero–weak in body, subtle in mind, dependent on drugs for the vitality to sustain himself–with great crimes behind him and a greater destiny ahead: a rock-and-roll antihero who would channel all the violent excesses of the sixties into one enduring archetype.
Now, with a major film in development, here is the first volume of a dazzling collection of stories containing the seminal appearances of Elric and lavishly illustrated by award-winning artist John Picacio–plus essays, letters, maps, and other material. Adventures include “The Dreaming City,” “While the Gods Laugh,” “Kings in Darkness,” “Dead God’s Homecoming,” “Black Sword’s Brothers,” and “Sad Giant’s Shield.”
An indispensable addition to any fantasy collection, Elric: The Stealer of Souls is an unmatched introduction to a brilliant writer and his most famous–or infamous–creation.”
This first volume compendium, with cover art by friend-to-this-blog John Picacio(http://josephmallozzi.com/2008/07/25/july-25-2008-with-special-guest-award-winning-artistillustratordesigner-john-picacio/ –
– is available from publisher Del Rey (http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345498625
Or as an ebook (http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/michael-moorcock/elric-the-stealer-of-souls/_/R-400000000000000080446).
There’s no excuse not to read it!
Discussion the week of June 8th when we’ll be joined by author Michael Moorcock.
And, looking ahead, July’s book of the month club selection will be:
Blood of Ambrose, by James Enge
From the publisher: “Behind the king’s life stands the menacing Protector, and beyond him lies the Protector’s Shadow…
Centuries after the death of Uthar the Great, the throne of the Ontilian Empire lies vacant. The late emperor’s brother-in-law and murderer, Lord Urdhven, appoints himself Protector to his nephew, young King Lathmar VII and sets out to kill anyone who stands between himself and mastery of the empire, including (if he can manage it) the king himself and his ancient but still formidable ancestress, Ambrosia Viviana.
When Ambrosia is accused of witchcraft and put to trial by combat, she is forced to play her trump card and call on her brother, Morlock Ambrosius—stateless person, master of all magical makers, deadly swordsman, and hopeless drunk.
As ministers of the king, they carry on the battle, magical and mundane, against the Protector and his shadowy patron. But all their struggles will be wasted unless the young king finds the strength to rule in his own right and his own name. “
(http://www.pyrsf.com/BloodofAmbrose.html)
Discussion the week of July 6th with author James Enge.
The stills gallery shoot is tomorrow and then – the long weekend. With the short story delivered, the Space rewrite done, and the SGA script complete, this is the first in a long time that I have nothing on my plate. Well, with one episode slot still up for grabs, I guess I’ll try to come up with a story idea – something topical that incorporates the hottest of today’s trends like vampires and dance competitions (Maybe a vampire dance competition? Is this too similar to a Star Trek episode?).
Went by Stage 4 today to pay Director Peter DeLuise a visit and ended up chatting with actor Lou Diamond Philips who called me out on my three-piece suit and tie attire. Despite his long and accomplished career, Lou remains an incredibly down-to-earth and genuinely appreciative individual. A class act, a great guy and, an equally great actor. His performance in Earth had the producers’ offices abuzz.
Oh, we finally have a working title for the Atlantis movie. Top secret for now. Maybe not so much later this weekend…
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