I didn't realize any of this when I first discovered Kane during my teen years. I don't recall where I first read "Red Shadows," but I definitely remember my first comic book exposure to the 16th century swordsman. Premiering in 1985, the six-issue full color limited series The Sword of Solomon Kane adapted the original REH tales: "Red Shadows" (Issue #1), "Blades of the Brotherhood" (#3; also known as "The Blue Flame of Vengeance"), "Hills of the Dead" (#5), "Wings in the Night" (#6), and the poem "Solomon Kane's Homecoming" (#6). Issues two and four featured original stories written by Ralph Macchio (not the actor), who also adapted the other stories. Artistic contributors included Brett Blevins, John Ridgeway, Al Williamson, Sandy Plunkett, Kevin Nowlan, Jon Bogdanove, and Mike Mignola. The never-collected series² featured quality art by some up-and-coming artists (except for the grizzled veteran Williamson) and excellent scripts by Macchio.

A natural fit for comics with his iconic dress and his stark moral view of the universe, Howard's Solomon Kane tales, along with Walter B. Gibson's Shadow and Lester Dent's Doc Savage, provided some of the original inspiration for the super-heroes. The Spectre, Doctor Occult, and The Phantom Stranger were all derived, at least in part, from Howard's fertile and vivid stories.

Beyond The Sword of Solomon Kane, Marvel produced several stories for their black and white magazines. Beginning with the Roy Thomas/Ralph Reese adaptation of "Skulls in the Stars" in Monsters Unleashed #1 (August, 1973) and culminating with "Death's Dark Riders, Part Two" (The Savage Sword of Conan #220, April 1994), written by Thomas (inspired by a REH story fragment) and drawn by Colin MacNeill, Marvel published 26 stories plus two prose Solomon Kane biographies by Fred Blosser (Kull and the Barbarians #3, September 1975 and The Savage Sword of Conan #219) and a publishing history by Glenn Lord (The Savage Sword of Conan #220, April 1994). The overall quality of the stories varies greatly, and unlike the 1985 mini-series, the art for the most part is of inferior quality. Adaptation highlights include the Thomas and artist Howard Chaykin version of Howard's story "Rattle of Bones," the two-part "The Hills of the Dead" by Thomas and Alan Weiss, and Doug Moench, and Steve Gan's "The Right Hand of Doom." Several writers attempted new tales, mostly unmemorable except for the Thomas-Weiss chronicle of the first meeting between Kane and Dracula. "Castle of the Undead" (Dracula Lives! #3, October 1973), which surprisingly captures the essence of both iconic characters in an entertaining story. Dark Horse recently collected all of the Marvel magazine Solomon Kane appearances, the fascinating text pieces, and pin-ups from the likes of Berni Wrightson, Don Maitz, Gene Day, and Neal Adams in The Saga of Solomon Kane.

Following their success with the new Conan comics, Dark Horse recently tackled the avenging Puritan. Writer Scott Allie and artist Mario Guevara expanded a REH story fragment into the enjoyable graphic novel The Castle of the Devil. Allie successfully managed the subtle nuances of Kane's stoicism and world view. Guevara's art, while at first glance presenting a fresh approach to the character, actually hinders the tale with inferior storytelling and lack of character definition. Unlike the excellent Conan collections, this volume lacks a text piece introducing the far less famous Solomon Kane. Despite these flaws, The Castle of the Devil ranks among the finest Solomon Kane comics.

After nearly four decades of comic book versions, the original Robert E. Howard stories remain as the Solomon Kane high mark. Read Del Rey's complete collection The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane then when you are hooked, start in on the comics. It's a trip well worth experiencing.

"Verily, Marylin," said Kane with a sigh, "with mine own eyes have I seen the prophecies of Isaiah come to pass. They were drunken but not with wine! Nay, blood was their drink and in that red flood they dipped deep and terribly."    The taking the girl by the hand he started toward the edge of the cliff. At this very point had he ascended, in the night -- how long it seemed.    Kane's clothing hung in tatters about him. He was torn, scratched and bruised. But in the eyes shone the clear calm light of serenity as the sun came up, flooding cliffs and jungle with a golden light that was like a promise of joy and happiness.       --"The Moon of Skulls," Robert E. Howard, Weird Tales (June-July 1930)

¹ Howard had written two previous Kane tales. The first "Skulls in the Stars" was the second published adventure (Weird Tales January 1929). The other "The Right Hand of Doom" finally appeared in the 1968 collection Red Shadows (Donald M. Grant).

¹ A set of all six issues now sells for the outrageous price of $100!