The Cromcast: A Weird Fiction Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cromcast
A Hyborian Age podcast featuring the works of Robert E. Howard, his pop culture legacy, and other weird fiction.
Hile, Cromrades! Take a final Cyberpunk trip with us to 2019... Or 2049? Herein, we discuss the Bladerunner duology! This one is a big 'un, hope you enjoy it!
What road will we embark on for our next season? Only time will tell :)
One Things!
Luke: Sammon's 'Future Noir: The Making of Bladerunner'
Josh: Guntharp's 'The VCR That Dripped Blood: 50 of the Best, Worst, and Most Bizarre (Non-Franchise) Slasher Films of the 1980s'
Jon: Stark's 'Parker' novels!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
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We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 'Tyrant' theme by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: "Mother & Child Reunion" by Paul Simon. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Johnny Mnemonic is a cyberpunk short story published in 1981 by William Gibson.
Johnny Mnemonic is also a cyberpunk movie from 1995 starring Keanu Reeves and Dina Meyer, directed by Robert Longo with a screenplay by William Gibson.
And this week, we talk about both Johnny Mnemonics! We are very technical boys.
One Things
Jon: The Parker novels by Donald E. Westlake
Josh: The Blade Itself, by Joe Abercrombie
Luke: Rambo - First Blood and Rambo - First Blood Part 2
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 'Tyrant' theme by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: 'Black' by Sevendust. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Welcome back, Cromrades! This is it, the final run towards the end of Neuromancer. The hacking is upon us, in more ways than one. Will Case get out of this job alive? Will the world sustain the fusion of Wintermute and Neuromancer? Will Molly and Case fall in love and buy a farm, somewhere upstate? To find out, you'll have to join us, won't you? Plug in and turn off, and let the sweet sounds of our voices take you to a future not so far away.
One Things
Luke: Call of Cthulu, the RPG
Josh: Chainmail, the tabletop game
Jon: Catwoman of East End Omnibus
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 'Tyrant' theme by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: "Who's Ready for Tomorrow" by Ratboy & IBDY. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Welcome Cromrades to the 4th episode of the 23rd season wherein we discuss the 3rd part of William Gibson's 'Neuromancer!' Too many numbers in that first sentence to compute? Wintermute laughs at your numbers.
One Things
Joshua: Fallout, forever Fallout.
Luke: A24 movies, specifically 'The Blackcoat's Daughter' and 'Midsommar!'
Jonathan: The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
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Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 'Tyrant' theme by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: Sublime cover Tosh's 'Steppin' Razor.' Get Rastafarian, peeps. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week, we take a look at the second section of Neuromancer, titled The Shopping Expedition. Time to gear up for a job - but what gear do we need? And what additions to the party are we making? How about a mind reading illusionist and a ghost within a phylactery? Sounds like a fantasy story, but when Gibson applies his signature cyberpunk style it adds another layer of cool to the story. Join us, won't you?
One Things
Jon: Dead Man's Wire, a film worth checking out.
Josh: Fallout, a television show of exceptional quality.
Luke: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a television show that exceeds expectations.
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 'Tyrant' theme by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: '(Can't You) Trip Like I Do' by Filter & The Crystal Method. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Greetings to all you console cowboys and razorgirls. Are you ready to join the hosts of The Cromcast and jack into cyberspace? Well then crack open that carton of beer and join us for the first installment in our three part exploration of William Gibson's "Neuromancer"
One Things
Luke: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Joshua: IT by Stephen King
Jonathan: Rogues by Patrick Radden Kiefe
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 'Tyrant' theme by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: 'NightForce' by Powerglove Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Welcome Cromrades to the first episode of our journey down the Neon Road with William Gibson. Before we hop into 'Neuromancer,' we'll first discuss the short story 'Burning Chrome' in the same-titled collection! Join us on the darkened oil-slick streets, won't you?
One Things
Joshua: Fleabag, on Amazon!
Luke: The Last Invention, from Mills and Warner on The Longview!
Jonathan: Geoff Johns' Green Lantern run!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 'Tyrant' theme by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: 'Run the Jewels' by Run the Jewels. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Happy Cromtober, and Happy Halloween! This year, we decided to spend some time around the seasonal Cromtober fire ruminating on hauntings - haunted places, haunted houses, haunted people... with Ambrose Bierce's The Spook House and HP Lovecraft's Dreams in the Witch House as discussion fodder. It's a good one.
Stay spooky, Cromrades!
Welcome Cromrades to the final episode of our Clark Ashton Smith journey. We've loved our time with the poet of Auburn, CA and we hope you are all finding more to read from him. We send him off with a creepy, twisted, parasitic episode focused on "The Vaults of Yoh Vombis". Join us in the shadows won't you...?
Show Notes:
Story
http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/short-stories/231/the-vaults-of-yoh-vombis
Evaluation of CAS stories
https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2022/12/30/sifting-the-good-from-the-bad-a-quick-and-dirty-evaluation-of-clark-ashton-smith-stories/
One Things
Joshua: Making impactful decisions in The Witcher 3
Luke: In the midst of a Nolan fest and finally watched The Prestige
Jonathan: Finding inner peace with The Question
Also... Did you know there's an upcoming CAS Conference in Auburn, CA, in Jan? Check it out!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: 'Life on Mars' by David Bowie. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Hile, Cromrades! We return with a new story, one from MARS! Herein we discuss 'The Dweller in the Gulf,' by none other than Clark Ashton Smith. You can access an open source version of the text here! Join us, won't you?
One Things
Jon: No Man's Sky, on a ton of gaming platforms!
Josh: Salt and Sanctuary, on a ton of gaming platforms!
Luke: Sinners, which is his fave movie of the year (so far)!
Also... Did you know there's an upcoming CAS Conference in Auburn, CA, in Jan? Check it out! Grassroots pulp lit conventions, FTW!!!!!!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: 'Debaser' by The Pixies. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Welcome back, Cromrades! We hope you are eagerly anticipating this episode of the big show, where we discuss Clark Ashton Smith's Mother of Toads.
One Things
Jon: Tom Scioli's Stan Lee biography "I Am Stan".
Josh: The D&D Adventure System board game, "Castle Ravenloft".
Luke: Murder City: Ciudad Juarez and the Global Economy's New Killing Fields by Charles Bowden.
Check out the upcoming Clark Ashton Smith Conference in Auburn, CA January 10, 2026!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: 'Bang Bang' by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nikki Minaj. (This is all Josh's fault.) Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Behold listeners! A colossal Cromcast episode, stuffed with meat and bones and ready for your earholes. Join the crew as they dissect the Clark Ashton Smith tale, "The Colossus of Ylourgne". This tale of revenge and woe is our first foray into Smith's version of France known as Averoigne. Read it here if you dare: http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/short-stories/27/the-colossus-of-ylourgne
One Things
Luke: "The Last of Us" on HBO
Josh: "LOST" a classic from the aughts
Jon: "The Old Man & the Gun" starring Robert Redford.
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: 'Giants Fall' by Miracle of Sound, from the game The Shadow of the Colossus. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Hile, Cromrades! We return with another yarn from Zothique by one Clark Ashton Smith. You can access an open source version of the text here! Join us, won't you?
One Things
Jon: John Gwynne's 'The Shadow of the Gods'!
Josh: 'Grotten,' by Sunzenaut!
Luke: The Smith Circle, a CAS Conference coming 10 Jan 2026!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: 'Wings Wetted Down' by THE Blue Oyster Cult. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Hello there, Cromrades! We hope you are hale, healthy, and well rested! Pray, won't you join us on holiday? We are planning a visit to the island of
One Things
Jon: Mike Mignola - Drawing Monsters documentary
Josh: Mini Mork Manual - a Mork Borg Solo Experience.
Luke: Soundtracks for Reading - Remember the Future by Nektar, or maybe you'd be more interested in some cosmic banjo?
Here is the March 1933 issue of Weird Tales, where The Isle of the Torturers was first published!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Or, check us out on Apple Podcasts! (or your podcast player of choice!)
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: Vicarious by Tool from their album 10,000 Days. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
The Cromcast is going down deep to its roots, but this time we're digging into the literature of Clark Ashton Smith. In this first episode of our 22nd season, we discuss the man and author himself and reveal our reading list. Tune in for weird tales fun!
Welcome back, all! We're rounding out our 21st season with a series of Howardian film selections from the Cromrades:
Jon - All the President's Men (1976)
Luke - Ladyhawke (1985)
Josh - Hidalgo (2004)
Where do we go from here, you may ask? You'll have to listen 'til the end to find out!
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week, we take on two combat sports movies that damage us right where it hurts - the emotions! We're talking Million Dollar Baby directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman. Then, we enter the squared circle to face off against the Von Erich family in The Iron Claw, directed by Sean Durkin and starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, , Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany, and Lily James.
We're talking raw emotional damage, folks.
Would Robert E. Howard have found something to like about this double feature? Let us know!
One Things
Jon: Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the Counter Cultural Mr. Rogers by Michael Long
Josh: On Boxing by Joyce Carol Oates
Luke: Surprise, Kill, Vanish: The Secret History of CIA Paramilitary Armies, Operators, and Assassins by Annie Jacobsen
Questions? Comments? Curses?
Call us at (859) 429-CROM!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: Tom Sawyer by Rush! Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Hile, Cromrades! Join us brave the dark solstice of the year and welcome in Old Man Winter... Herein we discuss Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans (1992) alongside Alejandro Iñárritu's The Revenant (2015)! We hope you have stoked the fire, and have a few blankets at hand.
Oh greatest of podcast listeners, indulge us in this friendly holiday game. Let whichever of you is boldest of blood step forth, take up headphones and try with honor to consider new fantasy films. If you choose to engage, seek us out yonder to the Green Chapel six nights to the north. We will return your thoughts with our own, and then in trust and friendship, we shall part. Who, then, who is willing to watch "Valhalla Rising" and "The Green Knight" with us?
Welcome back, Cromrades! We are currently experiencing some difficulty posting our episode in the normal way. Archive.org is where we generally host our files, and they have had some great difficulties with hackers recently. We are trying to decide what to do. But in the interim, here is our second episode of the Howardian Film Festival, which also doubles as our Cromtober 2024 episode.
Edit 11/9/24: Here's the episode.
One Things
Jon: The Potato: How the Humble Spud Rescued the Western World
Josh: Mörk Borg
Luke: Mustard!
Questions? Comments? Curses?
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Spool together a good time with us on Threads!
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Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
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Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: "Faith" by Ghost. Music obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!
Hile, Cromrades! Join us as we embark on our 21st Season... A Howardian Film Festival! For our first episode, we start out with some 'historical' films... Specifically, we discuss 1975's The Wind and the Lion, directed by John Milius and starring a cavalcade of familiar faces that includes Sean Connery! After that, we discuss 2011's The Eagle, directed by Kevin Macdonald and starring
Hile, Cromrades! Here we wrap up our discussion of the first Elric paperback, Elric of Melniboné (or perchance entitled The Dreaming City). This one's a banger! Join us won't you?One ThingsChristopher Rowe (The More You Know): Open Road Media for all your F&SF needs!Jon: Maus by Art SpiegelmanJosh: Mage Knight, and otherwise note that it's a hot time buying some secondhand boardgames!Luke:
Welcome back Cromrades! Join us for an eventful mid-section to our first foray into the tales of Elric. In this episode we can guarantee you'll see a boat you won't believe, a deal that can't possibly go wrong for Elric, and a turning of the tables that will spin your head. Join us won't you?One thingsLuke: Hijinks in Oklahoma territory with Reservation DogsJosh: Escapades in the north
Welcome back, Cromrades! This season has been a long time in the making - we finally are diving into the world of Michael Moorcock's foundational sword and sorcery work, Elric of Melniboné. This episode focuses on the first third of the book, wherein we discuss what we know about Melniboné, Elric, Yrkoon, and Cymoril, and the greater world of the book. Join us!One ThingsJon: Dan Carlin - Boxing
Greetings, Cromrades! We are back to put the final touches on our coverage of The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson, and transition to our next story - Elric of Melnibone by Michael Moorcock! We set up some of the similarities and differences between these two stories, and set the stage for Elric as our next sword and sorcery protagonist. One ThingsJon: A24's Civil War movie.Josh: Victorinox
Welcome back to The Cromcast's dive into "The Broken Sword" by Poul Anderson. We've been through heck and back with these characters, but if Odin's presence is any indication, things aren't about to get better! Join us for the final turn with this fantastic tale and learn what fate befalls Skafloc and Valgerd!One ThingsJonathan: "The Wager" by David Grann, British naval chicanery Josh: "
Welcome back to the big show, Cromrades! This week, we discuss chapters 11 - 20 of The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson. Check back in a few weeks for the exciting finale!One ThingsJon: Love Lies Bleeding, a movie!Josh: Fargo, season 1 and 2, a television show!Luke: Nuclear War, A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen, a book!Questions? Comments? Curses?Call us at (859) 429-CROM!You know you want to follow us
Hile, Cromrades! Here we delve into the first 10 chapters of Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword! We had a ton of fun with this discussion, and hopefully you enjoy it too! We'll return with the next discussion in the coming weeks!One ThingsJon: Devolution and other things by Max Brooks!Josh: From Hell: Master Edition by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell!Luke: The Armies of Elfland by a certain Poul
An eerie mist shrouds the podcast waves, it's plain to hear that the faeries and elves must be about. They are stalking for a new podcast season to steal away before its named. Alas for them, The Cromcast knows exactly what their next season is all about. Tune in and hear about our plans to read "The Broken Sword" by sci-fi and fantasy author Poul Anderson. One ThingsJon: The
Welcome back to the show, Cromrades! This week, we take a second look at Red Nails, ten years after visiting the lost city of Xuchotl for the first time. This story is widely regarded as a classic amongst the Conan tales. Do you enjoy it? Let us know!Zap! Zap! Lightning Bolt! One ThingsJon: Peyton's PlacesJosh: True Detective: Night CountryLuke: Game of Thrones Season 3 RewatchWhen we return
Welcome back, Cromrades! We return with a long-awaited and much merited 'mail bag' at the start of the episode. From there we tackle a discussion of on Mr. Robert Eggers' 'The Northman.' Do we like this movie? NAY! We love it! So, if you love it to, please join us for a bit of a discussion, and we hope you stick around for the next episode wherein we put the final 'Red Nails' in the coffin of
Greetings Cromrades! We are so excited to bring you the return of Jim Zub to the show. In the time since we last spoke, Jim has been a part of a high flying launch of Titan Comic's Conan the Barbarian monthly series. If the numbers are any indication, we're guessing most of you are already reading it. If you aren't though, tune in to hear from Jim about what you are missing out on. Plus, you can
Welcome back, Cromrades, to the conclusion of our discussion on Hour of the Dragon! As always, we hope you enjoy the insights and observations we share during this episode of the podcast. One ThingsJon: Ed Brubaker's Captain AmericaJosh: Dungeons and Dragons B/XLuke: Warhammer 40KQuestions? Comments? Curses?Call us at (859) 429-CROM!You know you want to follow us on X!Did you
Welcome back, Cromrades! Here we revisit Robert E. Howard's "Hour of the Dragon," which you may also know as "Conan the Conquerer!" This is REH's only novel-length Conan story, so we only get through about the front half of the book! It's a heck of a tale, and we hope you join us for this episode alongside the second episode that will drop in coming weeks!One ThingsJon: Rock tumbling is a hell of
Welcome back, Cromrades! Today, we join Conan as he ventures into an area of colonization, where native peoples are being hectored by imperial forces and pioneers. Essentially, we're joining him in Texas circa the late 1600's or the mid- 1800's. As such, we've invited Ben Friberg to join us. He's a friend of the show, a Texas historian, chronicler of Robert E. Howard Days, and crafter of
Welcome back, Boils and Ghouls! Your three-headed podcast hosting ogre has selected a couple of delightfully frightful tales for tonight's Cromtober recording! They are of the nautical horror bent, set in demon-haunted New England: Dagon, and The Shadow Over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft! We discuss all manner of horrific details regarding these two thematically linked stories beside a
Greetings, Cromrades! We're kicking off our 2023 Halloween festivities with a bang! We're pleased and thankful to have had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Gaunt, otherwise known as John Langan! We meander around a ton of topics, discussing horror writing styles, the importance of regionalism in horror, the focus / intent of the Corpsemouth collection, John's experiences and influences on 'The
Welcome back, Cromrades! Here we revisit the Robert E. Howard story "Jewels of Gwahlur," another yarn in the Hyborian Age of Conan the Cimmerian. While it isn't our favorite Conan story, there are some interesting facets to discuss. One ThingsJon: Legacy DC Characters, and the ending of Irredeemable. Josh: Dragon Quest!Luke: The Last House on Needless Street, by Katriana Ward.
Have you heard of the wickedness seeping out from the city of Khauran? The queen, her majesty Taramis, has seemingly gone mad or been possessed by a demon... They're even crucifying men in the dessert. I recently heard all the gory, delicious details from three fools performing in the street. You too can listen to them spin the yarn and decide is witches are afoot or if this is just another tale
Listen not to this episode if you fear the immaterial but destructive sound waves of the three podcasters of the Black Circle. If you are of steely stuff, then plug those headphones in and join The Cromcast as they analyze Robert E. Howard's novella, "The People of the Black Circle". Originally published between September and November of 1934 in Weird Tales, we get to see a new part of the
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week's show is a double-feature! We not only unpack 'The Devil in Iron,' but we're also joined by Howard Andrew Jones! HAJ happens to have a book of his own that has just dropped, entitled 'Lord of a Shattered Land.' You can buy it direct from Baen here!Needless to say, this is a longer episode, as we cover not only REH's Conan, but also HAJ's Hanuvar. Plug in those
Welcome back to the show, Cromrades! One of our jokes became an idea for an episode, and now we present to you our fantasy draft of characters featured in the Conan stories we've read and covered up through Queen of the Black Coast. We hope you enjoy the shenanigans! The list of characters we compiled prior to the draft: CharacterStoryAscalanteThe Phoenix on the SwordRinaldoThe Phoenix on the
Hello Cromrades and welcome to another nautical episode here on The Cromcast. This is no ordinary sea tale though, today we ride the gusty seas with the one and only Queen of the Black Coast. Tune in for a tale of how love transcends all, for piratical fun, and for the finest winged ape you've never wanted to see. One ThingsJosh: The highest form of gaming, chessLuke: Reaper Minis, mini-figs to
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week's show is a banger! Join us as we not only unpack 'Iron Shadows in the Moon,' but also get deep into a discussion of mythos! You can read 'Iron Shadows' here!If you are looking for some guide posts, be sure to check out the recent episode from Weird Studies for their own discussion of 'mythos' and the third season of 'Twin Peaks' here!One ThingsJonster with the
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week's show is a banger! Join us as we not only unpack 'Iron Shadows in the Moon,' but also get deep into a discussion of mythos! You can read 'Iron Shadows' here!If you are looking for some guide posts, be sure to check out the recent episode from Weird Studies for their own discussion of 'mythos' and the third season of 'Twin Peaks' here!One ThingsJonster with the
Welcome back to the show, Cromrades! This week we are thrilled to share a conversation we had with sword and sorcery fan and comic book writer Jim Zub! Jim tells us about the upcoming Conan comic series from Titan Comics. By now, hopefully you've all had a chance to pick up the Free Comic Book Day copy of Conan the Barbarian Issue #0! The art by Robert De La Torre absolutely rips, and the story
Today's Cromcast ventures into the home of Nabonidus, who knows what wonders and magic we may perceive. We are also joined by a friends fourth rogue, Matt John of the aptly named, Rogues in the House podcast!Tune in for cartoonish violence and Scooby-Doo traps galore!Be sure to find Matt on his usual channel with Rogues in the HouseOne ThingsMatt: Has been toiling away with Elden RingJosh: Pines
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week we join Conan to sail the seas and explore a fantastic island where intrigue abounds! Hope you brought a jaunty hat and your cutlass!If you are looking for a great review / lit crit piece on this story, we reference David C. Smith's take on this story from the 'Hither Came Conan' blog series on The Black Gate. You can check it here!One ThingsJon: Frank Miller
Welcome back, Cromrades! We are still cruising down the ReRoad of Kings, and it's time to make a stop at Xuthal! Do we have any thoughts about titillating and exciting Slithering Shadow? Do we ever! Join us, won't you? One ThingsJon: Snowblind by Rangar Jonasson.Josh: The Call of Cthulhu, and the blurred line between the real world and mythos filters placed over the real world. Luke: Goodreads,
Howdy, Cromrades. Today The Cromcast continues down their 10th anniversary trail by stopping in at the small kingdom of Khoraja where we'll come face to face with Natohk... or is that Thugra Khotan hiding under those mummy bandages? Tune in to hear about the first world war in Hyborea and the role that Conan plays in it. Dissect the role of the Yasmeela, the woman in charge or Khoraja and
Hile, Cromrades! We continue our season with another humdinger! For this episode we read the much lauded The Tower of the Elephant, and frame up the episode in a less conventional fashion using the old TSR Conan Role-Playing Game System from 1985! Join us, won't you?Useful Reads about The Tower of the ElephantHoward Andrew Jones and Bill Ward's Reread and DiscussionWaltz's Hither Came Conan
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week, we follow Conan (or is it, Amra?) into the bowels of hell beneath The Scarlet Citadel. Here we meet Pelias, who, as it has been said, does like to party. We spend the majority of the discussion devoted to the labyrinth beneath the Scarlet Citadel and its denizens. Join us, won't you? One ThingsJon: Rosalind Kerven's Viking Myths and Sagas.Josh: Wednesday on
"The clangor of the swords had died away, the shouting of the slaughter was hushed;silence lay on the red-stained snow. The bleak pale sun that glittered so blindingly fromthe ice-fields and the snow-covered plains struck sheens of silver from rent corselet andbroken blade, where the dead lay as they had fallen. The nerveless hand yet gripped thebroken hilt; helmeted heads back-drawn in the
"Know, oh prince, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of..."Here it is - a return to Conan on The Cromcast!A decade in the making, we circle back around to REH's Conan! We discuss the "The Phoenix on The Sword", published in the December 1932 issue of Weird Tales. You can find a
Happy New Year Cromrades! Thank you for tuning in for our last episode of 2022 and our last episode dedicated to poetry. We have enjoyed digging into poetry by our patron saint, Robert E. Howard, as well as his lyrical companions in "Weird Tales" H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. For this last episode in Season 17, we thought we would take a whirlwind tour through six of REH's favorite poets
Hello Cromrades! We are proud to announce the release of The Cromcast Chronicle #3! You can find the newest issue here, as well as our past years' entries here!You can peruse the Cover and the Table of Contents below. And, you can hear us talk about what's inside!Happy holidays, everyone!!!Questions? Comments? Curses?Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)You know you want to follow us on
Hile, Cromrades! We continue our poetry season by opening things up a bit... For this episode we contrast select poems of the Weird Tales Three! Read the entries here:Clark Ashton Smith's Nyctalops!H.P. Lovecraft's Fungi from Yuggoth!Robert E. Howard's Adventurer!One ThingsLuke: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones!Jon: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, starring the incomparable John
Hello again Cromrades and welcome to another lyrical Cromcast episode featuring even more poetry by Robert E. Howard. Today's selections come from Luke and he was inspired by REH's use of color in his poems and pulled three top shelf choices for the show. Be sure to check 'em out-Summer MornHigh Blue HallsAlways Comes EveningGo to minute 29 if you are hoping to dive right in to the poetry portion
Well met, Cromrades! We are beginning a brief jaunt into the weird world of pulp poetry this week, with a look at Robert E. Howard as a poet, and some of our favorite poems of his. We discuss what a poem even is, how we differentiate it from prose writing, and follow a hip-hop tangent down the well for a bit. We hope you enjoy the show! LinksFrank Coffman's sonnet essayThe Dark Barbarian Barbara
Hile, Cromrades! We return for our second spooktacular episode for this October. Our Halloween festivities this year are focused on spectral locomotives! For this episode we read Dicken's 'The Signalman' and Leiber's 'Belsen Express.' Heady talk around the firepit await you!One ThingsJosh: Is absolutely DIGGING some Scott Oden, particularly 'A Gathering of Ravens!' If you are new to Scott's work,
Howdy Cromrades! It's the most wonderful and spooktacular time of the year, around these parts we call it Cromtober. Our 2022 Halloween festivities are focused on spectral locomotives, you know, ghost trains! Trains have long inspired tales of ghosts and haints and even sometimes serve as means of conveyance to get your soul down to hell. For our first episode, we focus most of our discussion
Welcome back, Cromrades! We're closing in on the end of this short road. The temperatures are dropping, and the sound of wolves echoes around us. Time feels a little... strange, these days. Doesn't it? Whatever the case, you should pour yourself a drink, kick back, and join us for the second half of The Winter Players by Tanith Lee! One ThingsJon: Getting into genealogy, with a gift subscription
Hile, Cromrades! We gather for an episode centered on the front half of Tanith Lee's 'The Winter Players.' Join us, won't you? One ThingsJon: Better Call Saul. 'nuff said.Josh: The Standups on Netflix. Get some chucks in...Luke: Warhammer's Kill Team. If you are gullible, and want to spend a paycheck or three, then give it a go. If not, then maybe exercise some level of responsibility and just
Welcome back to the show Cromrades! In this episode, we return the road with some ghosts on our tail. Join us as we wrap up Tanith Lee's "The Companions on the Road" and discuss some cool motifs, the evocative imagery, and more about Lee's prowess as a writer. One ThingsJosh: Blades and Spells, for the gamer who craves adventure but lacks timeLuke: Has been buying into The Horus Heresy from the
Welcome back, Cromrades! It's a new season and a journey down a new road, with new companions. We're taking a trip with Tanith Lee! Join us as we discuss the first half of her sword and sorcery novella "Companions on the Road!" Learn more about Tanith Lee on Blackgate.com!One ThingsJon: 50 Years of WatergateJosh: Dark Horse Conan, particularly the letters and Two Gun Bob back matter.Luke: The
Hile, Cromrades! We gather a final time on the end of our Gothic Road. Join us as we put some final nails in the coffin of this season!One ThingsJon: Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics!Josh: Jason Aaron's take on Thor: God of Thunder!Luke: Barry on HBO (he just can't quit it).Questions? Comments? Curses?Call us at (859) 429-CROM!You know you want to follow us on Twitter!Did you know
The Cromcast has reached the final story of the Gothic road and boy is it a doozy. Before we jump into it though, you should probably drink this potion. It might help... release your inner podcaster. Join the fellas as they dissect the themes of repression, guilt, and resentment at the center of Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Another epistolary tale, we
Hile, Cromrades! For our final episode from Howard Days 2022, we present a most excellent crossover event! In this recording from Saturday, June 11, Josh and Luke are joined by Matt John of Rogues in the House Podcast, Monolith Games, and Modiphius Entertainment!If you enjoy this recording, or you have ever enjoyed a REH story (and you know you have!), please consider donating to Project Pride.
Hile, Cromrades! For this episode, we present another recording from Howard Days 2022!The panelists discuss the latest news regarding Howard publishing, entertainment and how his influence continues. Panelists include Joel Bylos, Paul Herman, Matt John, Fred Malmberg, Matt Murray, Steve Saffel, and Jay Zetterberg.If you enjoy this recording, or you have ever enjoyed a REH story (and you know you
In today's episode we read the tale "Apparition in the Prize Ring" or "The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux". As boxing story this REH production is in tip top shape, but there are some issues with it that we discuss at length! One Things Jon: Dynamite Comics' SHAFT series! Josh: The oldschool gaming podcast Graveyard Duck! Luke: Metal band Mountaineer! Next up: The Vikings of the Gloves, it's
Greetings, adventurers! We return with another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording from your Cromrades! Next stop... The END GAME! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. "Black Vortex" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Likewise Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://
Who ever thought that stealing Steve Costigan's dog Mike was a good idea? Why, everyone knows Sailor Steve and Mike are more like brothers than anything else. The man who'd come between them, well... We'd hate to see what might happen to him! In fact, that reminds us... let us tell you about this time a feller tried to do that very thing, in The Breed of Battle. This Robert E. Howard tale was
Greetings, adventurers! We return with another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording from your Cromrades! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. "Black Vortex" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Likewise Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Greetings, all! It has been a while! We hope you enjoyed the trips to the cinema with El Goro, and Johnny Wolfenstein and Dynamo Marz! We're back on the road, and heading toward Galveston, TX to meet up with Steve Costigan. He said there was some trouble with some banditos down that way, but we're sure it's nothing he can't handle...This week's story is Texas Fists, by Robert E. Howard! (Read
Greetings, adventurers! We return with another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording from your Cromrades! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. "Black Vortex" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Likewise Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Welcome back, Cromrades! No need to don your fighting togs, just come as you are and leave the gloves at home because this week it's bare-knuckle bouts only! Joining us for this bout of cinematic pugilism is our friend El Goro from the excellent Talk Without Rhythm Podcast. We catch up with our favorite luchador/film scholar, discuss Hard Times from 1975 (Alternative title: The
Hile, faring folk! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast! In this episode our adventurers uncover an interesting scroll at a recent bivouac on the path to Cold Field... Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. "Black Vortex" by Kevin MacLeod (
Hile, faring folk! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! 'Tis a dark time. In this episode, we begin as the first rays of sunlight begin to creep over the walls of the Keep on the Borderlands... Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons:
The Man Himself, Dashiell Hammett Welcome back, fellow fans of pulp pugilism and nihilistic noir! We have a doozy of a story this week, courtesy of Mr. Dashiell Hammett. We briefly get into the fascinating details of Mr. Hammett's life, and if you're not familiar with the man a short exploration of his bio is in order! He worked as a detective for the Pinkerton agency, was a veteran
Well met, brave adventurers! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! In this episode, our PCs push the envelope with another expedition before nightfall... Does it pay off? Listen and see! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By
Welcome back, Cromrades! Today's episode features "The Destiny Gorilla" a rollicking, comedic, and romantic tale if there ever was one. We open by meeting up with Sailor... Dennis Dorgan? That can't be right, who's he? Tune in to find out what's up with the switcheroo and what sort of fate awaits our new friend! Quick Wikipedia entry on Dennis Dorgan One Things Jon: In a Lonely Place, a
Well met, brave adventurers! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! In this episode, our PCs consider their recent bounty, and skirt around an encounter with a new type of monster! The guest appearance by cyclorcs this session was brought to you by New Big Dragon's Creature Compendium
Welcome back, Cromrades! On this episode we take a deep dive into REH's views on "Iron Men", those boxers who have uncanny tolerance for pain! The "Men of Iron" essay is difficult to track down, but you can find it in the 1976 Donald Grant publication "The Iron Man" and a few other sources. One of those Iron Men that Howard found interesting was Joe Grim. This article by Ron Jackson should give
Welcome back, Cromrades! You're just in time to join us on a voyage to South Africa, to witness a story of kindness and conniving. Steve Costigan is a stand up guy, we reckon, and he'd do whatever he could for a friend, and even a countryman who isn't his friend. But there are those who'd take advantage of that kindness. Not to mention the fact that old Steve is a sucker for a pretty face.
Welcome back, ya blank dash dash blanks! We've got a bruiser of a story for you this week, full of love, betrayal, and redemption! It's Champ of the Forecastle by Robert E. Howard (read it on WikiSource). When Costigan trains up his pal Sven to take on the competition for his lady's affection, bein' a real stand up guy that way, things don't go exactly as planned! One Things Jon:
Well met, brave adventurers! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! In this episode, our PCs play a round of Bugbear Bingo! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. "Black Vortex" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Howdy Cromrades and welcome to our latest stop along the road of champions! This week we join our protagonist Sailor Steve in the far away port of Hong Kong and go on a rollicking adventure. Giggle with delight as we meet Mike the Bulldog, Steve's stalwart canine companion. Gasp with shock as Mike is assaulted by the brutish Francois. Cheer with joy as Steve avenges his bulldog buddy's honor
Well met, brave adventurers! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! In this episode, our PCs are charged with canvassing the eastern hills... And end up back at the Caves of Chaos! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week we have a special episode, the Violet Crown Radio Players adaptation of Howard's Waterfront Fists! By way of an explanation, this is a re-release of an recording provided to us by long-time friend of the show, Mark Finn! Besides Finn's scholarship and role as an editor for Skelos Magazine, Mark served as the creative director of the Violet Crown Radio
Well met, brave adventurers! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! In this episode, our adventurers return to the Keep, triumphant! But the storms that waged during the day carry into the night... An illustration of the mighty Keep, from the back of the original B2 Module! Our episode
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week, we set sail for Manila with Sailor Steve Costigan and the crew of the Sea Girl. Costigan has a little coin in his pocket and is looking for some rest and relaxation. Little does he suspect, he'll be facing down Bat Slade toe to toe in THE PIT OF THE SERPENT! This, the first Sailor Steve Costigan story, was originally published in the July 1929
Well met, brave adventurers! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! In this episode... The adventurers take some shelter from the storm... Roslof's art from the orginal B2 module! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.
Welcome back Cromrades! On today's inaugural episode of Season 5, we begin our exploration of Robert E. Howard's fight stories! On board to induct us into the cult of masculinity and the world of boxing pulps are Cromcast stalwart Mark Finn, and making his first appearance on the show, Chris Gruber! Chris serves as an editor of Skelos: The Journal of Weird Fantasy and Dark Fiction, and edited
Well met, brave adventurers! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! In this episode... The adventurers depart for the Caves once again. They come across some hereunto unnoticed rubble, and are set upon by a storm as they enter yet another Cave of Chaos! Our episode is freely available
Well met, brave adventurers! We have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast wherein we play some old-school D&D! In this episode... The adventurers are back at the Keep; they gather their wits, and a little information besides! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By
We've finally arrived at the end of The Lost Road! What a long and twisted path we've walked over the past year. This season was spent exploring lost worlds and lost civilizations in pulp fiction and fantasy, and while there are some notable stories missing from the list, this season should serve as a nice cross section of this important genre. On this episode, we begin with a conversation
Well met, brave adventurers! Apologies for the delay since Cromtober, but November has been a busy month for your Cromrades! But, we have returned with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! The party has been broken by the encounter with the ogre. Their benefactor, slain. Their purpose, in question. In
Then my heart it grew ashen and sober As the leaves that were crispèd and sere— As the leaves that were withering and sere, And I cried—"It was surely October On this very night of last year That I journeyed—I journeyed down here— That I brought a dread burden down here— On this night of all nights in the year, Oh, what demon has
WE PODCAST..... AGAIN!! Er. Welcome back, Cromrades! It's time for CROMTOBER! We've been accosted by witches, faced down the ghosts of our pulp author heroes, but this year we have GIANT MONSTERS to content with! Our friend Justin Stewart dropped by the show. You might remember him from the excellent first season episode, "Conan vs Sequential Art!" These days, Justin leads an
Hile, Cromrades! This week, we bear witness to the destruction of a man's soul. Worms of the Earth by Robert E. Howard was published in November of 1932 in Weird Tales, but you can read the story online here. This one is a doozy, and is a great way to kick off Cromtober! Time to get yer scare on!!! An adaptation of this story appeared in Savage Sword of Conan #16-17, and was interpreted by
Well met, brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! A brutal ogre descends upon the party like an elemental force, and nothing but the satisfaction of slaughter can stop its rampage! One shall fall - but who?! We'll see you soon with another exciting episode of
Welcome back, friends and Cromrades! This week, we gather to discuss dark business indeed. Rage boils within Turlogh O'Brien! Is he on a quest for rescue? Or is it vengeance? No one but the mysterious statue of The Dark Man knows for sure... The Dark Man by Robert E. Howard was published in the December 1931 issue Weird Tales, but you can read the story online here. Certainly, this story
Hile brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! Who is this mysterious prisoner the group found in the caves last session? They don't have much time to figure it out - bugbears are hot on their heels! We'll see you soon with another exciting episode of The Cromcast! Our
The drums of war sound for you Cromrades! We must rally to the banner of King Bran as he tries to boot the greedy Romans from our isles of heather. But we need help from the northmen, and they need a king. What man or ghost will lead them into battle? Tune in to our discussion of "The Kings of the Night" to find out! Howardian historical fantasy at its finest! Assorted and sundry Go and get
Hile brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! The party braves an encounter with a potentially deadly foe, search several middens, raid a kobold pantry (our advice? Stay away from kobold pantries!), and make a new friend. We'll see you soon with another exciting episode of
Welcome back, Cromrades! This week, we get back to basics with a Robert E. Howard story, "Men of the Shadows." However, we have a special guest to help us navigate this story and its implications for REH's literary world building: Howardian luminary Rusty Burke! Robert E. Howard Days 2016, Cross Plains, TX To say that Rusty is a Howard fan is an understatement, to say the least. From
Hile brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! After the epic(?) encounter with the kobolds, the party is forced to return to town to purchase provisions and rest. Will there be a surprise waiting for them upon returning to the cave? We'll see you soon with another
Greetings, Cromrades! This week we discuss the 1965 film version of H. Rider Haggard's She. There are many versions of this story, from the original text, to various film interpretations. We tackled the version by Hammer Film Productions, but briefly discuss the earlier RKO production as well. One Things Jon: River Monsters by Jeremy Wade Josh: Deadpool out now! Luke: Teen Titans Go! on
Hile brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! It's Kobold Time! We'll see you soon with another exciting episode of The Cromcast! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. "Black Vortex" by Kevin MacLeod (
We're taking a small detour from The Lost Road to visit Howard's hometown of Cross Plains, TX! Josh and Jon made the trek to Robert E. Howard Days this year and brought back some audio entertainment for you all as a souvenir. This year's festival was a special one as it coincided with the 80th anniversary of Howard's death, the 30th anniversary of Howard Days itself, and the 20th anniversary
Hile brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! We'll see you soon with another exciting episode of The Cromcast! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. "Black Vortex" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Greetings once again, Cromrades! This week we continue the quest for King Solomon's Mines with Allan Quatermain and his band of adventurers. Though we are now beyond the mountains called Sheba's Breasts, the journey is not quite finished! Join us for a literary discussion, an evaluation of the lost world genre up to this point, and the bad accents you've come to expect! One
Hile brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! This week: A party member sobers up, and a new character joins the fray! We'll see you soon with another exciting episode of The Cromcast! Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons
Cromrades, welcome back! This week, we present King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard! This adventure story was published in 1885, and has been highly influential, attributed to be the first Lost World novel. You can trace a direct line from King Solomon's Mines to The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle, to King Kong and beyond, right up to Jurassic World present day! We split the novel
Hile brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! In this episode: one of the players has a little too much bourbon, and danger surrounds the efforts to build a campfire... We'll see you soon with another exciting episode of The Cromcast! Our episode is freely available
Greetings Cromrades! Today we join Cormac mac Art and his buddy Wulfhere as they inch their way through the Temple of Abomination. It's a creepy tale with religious overtones as only Robert E. Howard himself could write it! Show Notes Time points: New business and mailbag time: 1-7:00 One Things: 8:30 Story Discussion: 17:00 Further reading: Price, Robert M. “Christ and Conan:
Hile brave adventurers! Here we return with yet another episode of Bourbon and Barbarians, an actual play recording of The Cromcast getting into some old-school D&D! Make sure to check out the details in the post related to the first episode! We'll see you soon with another exciting episode of The Cromcast! In the mean-time, watch your back as you travel over the these barren hills....
Welcome back, Cromrades! On the show this week we have Jeffrey Shanks and Jason Durall, two Hyborian Age scribes who are part of a large collaborative effort to bring forth the definitive Conan RPG experience, Robert E. Howard's Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of! Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for us to ask! We tried to get to as many of them as possible! Big thanks
Hile brave adventurers! What are you doing here in the Borderlands of the North? Thirsting for challenges and glory, eh? Well rest assured, you are not alone... Many brave souls fare to the Castellan's Keep, and further, searching for the mythic Caves of Chaos! We here at The Cromcast have kicked up a laid-back RPG campaign. We're using the B/X Dungeons and Dragons rules system, with a
"Tigers of the sea! Men with the hearts of wolves and thews of fire and steel! Feeders of ravens whose only joy lies in slaying and dying! Giants to whom the death-song of the sword is sweeter than the love-song of a girl!" The Many Editions of Tigers of the Sea Hail, Cromrades! It is your loyal Podcast carls, back in the recording steading again and returning to our roots with a
Greetings Cromrades! On today's show we meet up with El Goro of The Talk Without Rhythm podcast to discuss the cinematic spectacle and splendor of King Kong (1933)! If you haven't watched this movie or even if it's just been a while, do yourself a favor and check it out! Show Notes: Check out El Goro's show: http://tworpodcast.blogspot.com/ One Things: Jon: Marvel
Hile, adventurers! Explorers! Paleontologists! Cromrades! We have returned from a recent trek to the jungles of South America, and escaped from a mysterious plateau filled with dinosaurs and ape-men with our lives intact! This episode features a discussion of the original film adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's seminal work "The Lost World." It was directed by Harry Hoyt, and featured a cast
Frank Frazetta, "Against the Gods" Greetings, Cromrades! When last we were together, we discussed Lin Carter the author, the editor, and the scholar. We also delved into Carter's first novel "Thongor and the Wizard of Lemuria." This week, we return to finish our quest with Thongor. One Things: Luke: Sicario - The War On Drugs as a backdrop to a kick ass movie. Check it! Jon: You Must
Hile, travelers! We continue to plod down The Lost Road. For this episode we discuss the front half of Lin Carter's first Thongor story, namely The Wizard of Lemuria! One Things Jon - Penn & Teller's Bullshit! Josh - Serial, Season 2! Luke - Baroness' Purple Album! Also, as we mention in the episode, don't forget to check out the Legendary Weapons episode by Blurry Photos. Next Time... We
Hile, travelers! We once more continue down The Lost Road. For this episode we discuss Clark Ashton Smith's story, A Vintage from Atlantis. First published in Weird Tales in September of 1933, this is a story found in a number of volumes, and is now in the public domain. Ballantine Collection, 1973, Cover by Gervasio Gallardo One Things Jon - Ellis and Cassaday's Planetary! Josh - Ash Vs.
Hile, travelers! We once more continue down The Lost Road. For this episode we discuss a couple of H.P. Lovecraft's stories, The Doom that Came to Sarnath and The Temple. Click on the story titles for links to this week's tales! The Doom that Came to Sarnath, 1971, Cover by Gervasio Gallardo One Things Jon - Gravedigger by Christopher Mills and Rich Burchett (get it through Comixology)
A trio of Cromtober episodes? Yes! Here's another set of spooky stories, this time featuring haunted campuses and university ghosts! Old Morrison, Transylvania University. Final resting place of Constantine Rafinesque...? The stately Keene-Johnson Building, Eastern Kentucky University. The Blue Lady awaits... And here's Mozart's grave, in the hallowed Ravine of Eastern
A spooky salutation to one and all! The blood moon has risen and the fogs of dread cover the landscape! Surely that must mean it is Cromtober! This Halloween special focuses on ghost stories from one of the founders of horror literature, M.R. James! If you haven't read them before, we encourage you to find a darkened room, light a candle, and read through "Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to you my
A spooky salutations to you Cromrade! The blood moon has risen and the fogs of dread cover the landscape! Surely that must mean it is Cromtober! This year, our Halloween special focuses on ghost stories from one of the founders of horror literature, M.R. James! If you haven't read them before, we encourage you to find a darkened room, light a candle, and read through "Oh, Whistle and I'll
Look closely at your screen. Do you see a dim reflection of yourself staring back? That person seems so near, yet so far away do they not? They weren't even there until you deigned to notice them. But... maybe you have it wrong. How do you know that you aren't the reflection and the reflection is actually a truer you? How can you ever truly know which is the shade and which is the person?
Welcome back, Cromrades! Apologies for our delays, but won't you please join us as we delve into the "Canonical Kull?" Our discussion this episode focuses on "The Shadow Kingdom," first published in Weird Tales in August of 1929. Is Kull just proto-Conan? WE SAY NAY! Original story art for "The Shadow Kingdom" by Hugh Rankin. One Things Jon - Harmontown (and Community!) Josh - The Sword's
Welcome back, Cromrades! Do we have a doozy of an episode for you! Joining us for the first half of the episode are three huge contributors to Robert E. Howard studies and pulp scholarship, Jeffrey Shanks, Mark Finn, and Rusty Burke! These three literary barbarians are in Providence, RI attending NecronomiCon representing the Robert E. Howard Foundation! If you're there, stop by and say hello
In the final episode of Season 3, we discuss Solomon Kane in the context of other popular fantasy and science fiction characters. Using Kane and Conan the Cimmerian as our guides, we ponder the philosophical journey of Robert E. Howard and attempt to understand the author's religious views through the lens of two of his most popular and enduring characters. We discuss our favorite Solomon
Greetings Cromrades! Today we will be dissecting and enjoying the poetry featuring Solomon Kane. Howard was a poet in the Byronic tradition, so each of these verses is action packed with adventure! Poems The One Black Stain The Return of Sir Richard Grenville Solomon Kane's Homecoming Do you have a favorite Howard poem? Sound off in the comments! Also don't forget to send us your thoughts
"They made a strange contrast, those two, standing there in the twilight of that great tropic forest. Jeremy Hawk was as tall as Solomon Kane like him was rangy and powerful — steel springs and whalebone. But where Solomon was dark, Jeremy Hawk was blond. Now he was burned light bronze by the sun, and his tangled yellow locks fell over his high narrow forehead. His jaw, masked by a yellow
"There are many paths to redemption, not all of them peaceful..." Hail, Cromrades! We have returned to the Road of Vengeance, and this week we discuss Solomon Kane directed by Michael J. Bassett and starring James Purefoy in the title role. (Note: this title is unavailable on Netflix Instant, but you can rent a digital copy of the movie from Amazon.) The film explores the
"And Solomon Kane shuddered, for he had looked on Life that was not Life as he knew it, and had dealt and witnessed Death that was not Death as he knew it." Hile, adventurers! Today's show focuses on The Footfalls Within. This story, first published in Weird Tales in September 1931, is the final complete story on our Road of Vengeance. Needless to say, this turns out to be one of our
"Kane poured water from his canteen between the mangled lips, and bending close, said: "Tell me more of these devils, for by the God of my people, this deed shall not go unavenged, though Satan himself bar my way." It is doubtful if the dying man heard. But he heard something else. The macaw, with the curiosity of its breed, swept from a near-by grove and passed so close its great
"Yonder in the unknown vastness"--his long finger stabbed at the black silent jungle which brooded beyond the firelight--"yonder lie mystery and adventure and nameless terror. Once I dared the jungle--once she nearly claimed my bones. Something entered into my blood, something stole into my soul like a whisper of unnamed sin. The jungle! Dark and brooding --over leagues of the blue salt
Art by Gary Gianni "The Lord hath led my feet into many strange places, and over many queer paths," said he sombrely. "Some were fair and many were foul; sometimes I seemed to wander without purpose or guidance but always when I sought deep I found fit reason therefor. And harkee, lad, forbye the fires of Hell there is no hotter fire than the blue flame of vengeance which burneth a
Hile, adventurers! Today's show focuses on the Solomon Kane epic, The Moon of Skulls. We were lucky to have Howard scholar Jeffrey Shanks join us to discuss this controversial story. Our discussion was a doozy! Be sure, this is an episode for the ages! Our One Things for this episode include... Jeffrey: Dungeons and Dragons, Fifth Edition Jon: The BBC series, Black Mirror Josh:
The hangman asked of the carrion crow, but the raven made reply: "Black ride the men who ride with Death beneath the midnight sky, "And black each steed and grey each skull and strange each deathly eye. "They have given their breath to grey old Death and yet they cannot die." Art by Gary Gianni Hello friends! Today's show features two original Howard fragments "The Castle of the
The host brought wine and food to the rough-hewn table and then stood back in the shadows, like a somber image. His features, now receding into vagueness, now luridly etched in the firelight as it leaped and flickered, were masked in a beard which seemed almost animal-like in thickness. A great nose curved above this beard and two small red eyes stared unblinkingly at his guests. "Who