Everyone knows a loved one that’s a fan of sword and sorcery and high fantasy. Whether they are comic book or novel readers, video game enthusiasts, film watchers, art lovers or mad-for-it role-playing dungeon crawlers, you’re probably thinking, right now, about what to wrap up for them this holiday season.
We here are Biff Bam Pop! have got you covered!
Some of you may remember this one.
With a throwback to the 1980’s, one of the greatest decades in the history of fantasy pop-culture, wrapped up in a twenty-first century aesthetic, I present to you (and your loved ones) the complete hardcover collection of Marada The She-Wolf!
Written by the legendary Chris Claremont and lavishly illustrated by John Bolton, Marada The She-Wolf first appeared, serialized, within the pages of the anthology magazine, Epic Illustrated, in early 1982 (which you can read about here). Originally conceived as a Red Sonja tale, the idea got scuttled due to the in-production film starring Brigitte Neilson. Instead, Marada was born.
Fans of pulpy, swashbuckling, fantasy adventure were the lucky recipients.
This new, fully remastered, and fully restored hardcover collection of Marada The She-Wolf, published just last month by Titan Comics, contains three separate stories, all of which originally appeared within the pages of the previously mentioned Epic Illustrated. This is the first time they have been published together in one gorgeous assemblage. Here you’ll find Marada’s first tale “The Shattered Sword”, the short story “The Royal Hunt” and the final chapter (so far) in the star-haired swordswoman’s adventures, “Wizard’s Masque”.
Marada, a granddaughter of Rome’s Caesar, battles centurions, Arab pirates, hell-spawn demons, witches and spell-casting wizards alongside her friend, the princess Arianrod. It’s fantastical action and adventure in the spirit of Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories. The difference here is John Bolton’s sumptuous and harrowing artwork. Marada’s tales were originally printed in black and white and then later in colour. This collection ensures the highly realistic hand painted artwork of Bolton is front and centre. It’s beautiful to behold. There are extras, too, including previously unseen art and a new introduction by comic book writer Jo Duffy, as well as passages describing the genesis and legacy of the character.
The gorgeous, oversized hardcover collection of Marada the She-Wolf comes highly recommended for fans of fantasy storytelling and can purchased at better comic book shops or right here.
It would be a great present for a loved one to unwrap this holiday season!
