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A READER'S GUIDE TO SWORD & SORCERY CLASSIC COVERS

It's not surprising that Frank Frazetta did so many classic characters in cover paintings. He invented modern fantasy art. It's that simple. If you don't believe me look at old 1950s covers for magazines (and the few boks there were). Frazetta brought fire and imagination to an art form that was stuck in the Pulp era. He acted as an inspiration to many, including Ken Kelly, Michael Whelan and Boris Vallejo. You couldn't operate in this line of work and not be up against Frank. Fortunately there was room for many others including Jeff Jones and Don Maitz and Rodney Matthews. Here's a sampling of favorites.

Rodney Matthews' Elric	Frank Frazetta's Conan
Michael Whelan's Elric	Frank Frazetta's Bran Mak Morn
Frank Frazetta's Brak	Barry Windsor Smith's Thoth Amon
Boris's Broken Sword	Frank Frazetta's Thongor
Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer	Boris's Red Sonja
Don Maitz's Bard	Frank Frazetta's Kane
Ken Kelly's New Conan	Frank Frazetta's Eternal Champion
Barry Windsor Smith's Conan	Ken Kelly's Horseclans

Jeff Jones' Bran Mak Morn

Ken Kelly's Old Conan