The Weird Tales Boys (PS Publishing, September 2023). Cover by Les Edwards

How could I not purchase The Weird Tales Boys, by Stephen Jones? It focuses on the three authors whose work has most inspired me for decades: Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, and Clark Ashton Smith.

In fact, I created a small business whose core product, the Hyperborea RPG, is inspired by the works of these three iconic giants of weird fiction, horror, fantasy, and sci-fi.

Interiors for The Weird Tales Boys, featuring Clark Ashton Smith and Robert E. Howard

Jones states the following in the first chapter,

Under its second editor, Farnsworth Wright, Weird Tales began to flourish after years of financial problems, and some of its most famous contributors included Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson, Seabury Quinn, Theodore Sturgeon, C.L. Moore, Henry Kutner, Manly Wade Wellman, Jack Williamson, Henry S. Whitehead and even Tennessee Williams, to name just a few.

However, the three most important and influential writers to have their work published in the pages of ‘The Unique Magazine’ were Rhode Island horror writer, H.P. Lovecraft; the Texan creator of Conan the Cimmerian, Robert E. Howard; and the California poet, short story writer, illustrator and sculptor, Clark Ashton Smith.

This is their story.

Interiors for The Weird Tales Boys, featuring H.P. Lovecraft

My goodness, that had me hooked!

I am an unapologetic fan of The Big Three, and I will continue to publish works inspired by their fiction for as long as fellow gamers support my efforts in this regard. It’s fantastic to see that Jones, a fellow enthusiast, has dedicated a book to these iconic creators. Cheers!

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Jeffrey P. Talanian’s last article for Black Gate was Caroline Munro in Space? He is the creator and publisher of the Hyperborea sword-and-sorcery and weird science-fantasy RPG from North Wind Adventures. He was the co-author, with E. Gary Gygax, of the Castle Zagyg releases, including several Yggsburgh city supplements, Castle Zagyg: The East Mark Gazetteer, and Castle Zagyg: The Upper Works. Read Gabe Gybing’s interview with Jeffrey here, and follow his latest projects on Facebook and at www.hyperborea.tv.