Conan and the Spider God
Encyclopedia
Conan and the Spider God is a fantasy
novel written by L. Sprague de Camp
featuring Robert E. Howard
's seminal sword and sorcery
hero Conan the Barbarian
. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books
in December 1980; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books
(April 1989, reprinted August 1991) and Tor Books
(June 2003). The first hardcover edition was issued by Robert Hale in 1984, and the second by Tor Books in 2002. It was later gathered together with Conan the Swordsman
and Conan the Liberator
into the omnibus trade paperback collection Sagas of Conan
(Tor Books
, 2004).
Conan and the Spider God is unique among de Camp's contributions to the saga in that it is the only fictional Conan work he wrote without collaborators. Most of his Conan stories were written with Howard (posthumously), Lin Carter
, and Björn Nyberg
. De Camp also wrote numerous non-fiction pieces about Conan and Howard, both alone and with others.
Characteristically, de Camp's Conan is a more credible if less elemental figure than Howard's, carefully assessing the situation in Yezud and taking the time and effort to lay the groundwork for his foray rather than just barreling in swinging his sword.
Chronologically, Conan and the Spider God comes between the short stories "The Curse of the Monolith
" and "The Blood-Stained God
".
published a comic adaptation of the book between issues #207 and #210 of the black and white comic magazine The Savage Sword of Conan in 1993.
Marvel would then publish a follow up story in a three issue mini-series called Conan: The Lord of the Spiders in 1998.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novel written by L. Sprague de Camp
L. Sprague de Camp
Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
featuring Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard
Robert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
's seminal sword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery is a sub-genre of fantasy and historical fantasy, generally characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural...
hero Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero that originated in pulp fiction magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, several films , television programs, video games, roleplaying games and other media...
. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books
Bantam Books
Bantam Books is an American publishing house owned entirely by Random House, the German media corporation subsidiary of Bertelsmann; it is an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group. It was formed in 1945 by Walter B. Pitkin, Jr., Sidney B. Kramer, and Ian and Betty Ballantine...
in December 1980; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books
Ace Books
Ace Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
(April 1989, reprinted August 1991) and Tor Books
Tor Books
Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
(June 2003). The first hardcover edition was issued by Robert Hale in 1984, and the second by Tor Books in 2002. It was later gathered together with Conan the Swordsman
Conan the Swordsman
Conan the Swordsman is a collection of seven fantasy short stories and associated pieces written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Björn Nyberg featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in August 1978....
and Conan the Liberator
Conan the Liberator
Conan the Liberator is a fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in February 1979; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books...
into the omnibus trade paperback collection Sagas of Conan
Sagas of Conan
Sagas of Conan is a 2004 omnibus collection of three previously issued fantasy books written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Björn Nyberg featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books.-Contents:*Conan the...
(Tor Books
Tor Books
Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
, 2004).
Conan and the Spider God is unique among de Camp's contributions to the saga in that it is the only fictional Conan work he wrote without collaborators. Most of his Conan stories were written with Howard (posthumously), Lin Carter
Lin Carter
Linwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
, and Björn Nyberg
Björn Nyberg
Björn Emil Oscar Nyberg, born September 11, 1929, is a Swedish fantasy author best known for his additions to the series of Conan stories begun by Robert E. Howard. His primary contribution to the series was The Return of Conan , which was revised for publication by L. Sprague de Camp. He lives in...
. De Camp also wrote numerous non-fiction pieces about Conan and Howard, both alone and with others.
Plot summary
Conan finds himself in the kingdom of Zamora, a fugitive under suspicion of kidnapping Jamilah, the wife of the king of Turan. Discovering she has actually been taken by devotees of the Zamoran spider god, he sets out for the city of Yezud to rescue the captive, and incidentally steal the opals set as eyes in the god's temple image.Characteristically, de Camp's Conan is a more credible if less elemental figure than Howard's, carefully assessing the situation in Yezud and taking the time and effort to lay the groundwork for his foray rather than just barreling in swinging his sword.
Chronologically, Conan and the Spider God comes between the short stories "The Curse of the Monolith
The Curse of the Monolith
"The Curse of the Monolith" is a short story written by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter starring the fictional sword and sorcery hero Conan of Cimmeria created by Robert E. Howard. It was first published in the magazine Worlds of Fantasy in 1968 as "Conan and the Cenotaph".-Publication...
" and "The Blood-Stained God
The Blood-Stained God
The Blood-Stained God is a 1955 fantasy novella written by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was revised by de Camp from Howard's original story, a then-unpublished non-fantasy Oriental tale that featured Kirby...
".
Comic adaptations
Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
published a comic adaptation of the book between issues #207 and #210 of the black and white comic magazine The Savage Sword of Conan in 1993.
Marvel would then publish a follow up story in a three issue mini-series called Conan: The Lord of the Spiders in 1998.