Elric: Stormbringer (1963) by Michael Moorcock

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Michael Moorcock’s doomed anti-hero, Elric, the albino sorcerer warrior, returns in this collection of four stories. Even this is a slight description of our protagonist, who is also known as the last emperor of Melniboné, ruler of the dreaming city, and keeper of the ruby throne—Moorcock likes his varied titles. 

These interrelated tales kick off with the kidnapping of Elric’s wife, Zarozinia, by inhuman servants to a dead god. This event forces Elric to once again take up his hated sentient sword, the vampiric soul-stealing runeblade, Stormbringer, in pursuit of his wife. His quest takes him into near-constant conflict with dark powers and their agents on land, sea, and across other dimensions. He is usually accompanied by his loyal human companion, Moonglum, who serves as a relatable touchpoint for readers since Elric himself remains somewhat distant and cold. 

A larger overarching conceptual framework that will permeate Moorcock’s shared multiverse of the Eternal Champion comes to the fore in this volume with the unfolding of the ongoing battle between the Lords of Order and Chaos. Moorcock continues to expand on his otherworldly vision that stands uniquely apart from Tolkien-style fantasy or Robert E. Howard-style sword & sorcery, at times more strongly resembling the sword and planet genre in its overt alien weirdness. 

There is a tragic sense of melancholy that permeates everything in spite of the constant battle action, demonic summoning, and divinations. Moorcock’s world-building remains consistently imaginative and genuinely surreal in a way that greatly enhances these epic stories. 

I reviewed the 2008 Del Ray edition which pulls together the seminal appearances of Elric (going back to 1968) and is skillfully illustrated by award-winning artist John Picacio. It also includes essays, letters, maps, and additional Elric-related material and is coupled with Stealer of Souls in the same edition. Additionally, this edition restores material which was edited out of the 1977 DAW edition.  However, I included the DAW 1977 Michael Whelan artwork (above) in this review simply because I love it so.

The stories featured in this edition 2008 Del Ray  include: 

Dead God's Homecoming
Black Sword's Brothers
Sad Giant's Shield
Doomed Lord's Passing

Recommended to anyone who yearns for something truly different and literary within the sword and sorcery genre.

Review by Steve Carroll 

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