Good fantasy graphic novel. I read some of these stories many years ago. ( )

It's probably been 15 or 20 years since I read the Fritz Leiber books on which this graphic novel adaptation is based. I didn't have a very well developed critical faculty then, but I remember enjoying them a great deal, although I have a sense that the series seemed to me a bit weaker as it went on. That seems to be the case here as well, where as the books go on motives grow murky, friendships strained, and events increasingly bizarre.

But you know, that's ok. Because this is still a well written and beautifully drawn set of tales about two supremely capable swordsmen/thieves, getting through life however they can, in and out of the magnificent cesspool that is the great city of Lankmar. There's a reason so many people have called these stories the great swords-and-sorcery takes of all time; they have it all: lords and ladies, thieves and whores, wizards and gods, friendships and feuds... If I go on any more I'll be quoting from the Princess Bride. All in all, Chaykin did a fine job of capturing the spirit of the books (as I remember them, anyway), and Mignola and Williamson put together some very solid artwork, including some breathtaking panels.

If you're a fan of the books, I bet you'll enjoy this quite a bit. If you haven't read Leiber, though, don't start here. Read the real thing first, then come back to this afterwards. ( )

Fritz Leiber characters featured in a comic book. ( )

A really fantastic collaboration between Howard Chaykin and Mike Mignola. Great adaption of great stories with great artwork. ( )

1 star for including the phrase "squidgy death." Great art by the awesome Mike Mignola, perfect for weird old Lankhmar, and an awesome selection of some of the very best Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories. If you haven't read any of the books, this might convince you to give them a go. If you have, an awesome companion to the originals. ( )