I just don't understand how anyone can hate the pastiche works of Conan. Sure, they may not all be good but they continue to flesh out Conan's saga with some of it contributing greatly to it such as Roy Thomas's work with Marvel, the Arnie movies, and the video games and RPGs. If we're strictly sticking to REH's work, then sadly, there's not a lot to choose from. Anyway, I think Hocking's story about how this all came to be is VERY much in the spirit of Conan and so cool how it eventually came back to him after nearly 3 decades. I wish him all the luck in getting to write the rest of the books he planned out. Gonna give City of the Dead a listen right after this video ends :)
Pastiche work can be a lot of fun, and we here at Heroic Signatures are dedicated to bringing you more! As far as that anger is concerned, it stems from censorship of the original Howard texts; for several decades, fans only had access to edited versions of the original stories. Now that those works are readily available to the public, that attitude is shifting to be more welcoming towards pastiche. ⚔️
I don't get all these people that hate pastiche SO MUCH that they sent John hate mail! Yes, I love the original REH but I just want more Conan! As long as the stories are well told from passionate authors like John, Roy Thomas, and Jim Zub, I'm happy.
I agree. Haven't yet had the pleasure of actually reading Hocking, but I like the guy's vibe in this interview and am really looking forward to the arrival of my copy of the book. Of all the Tor Books authors I always loved John Maddox Roberts stuff the most. His Conan the Valorous, Conan the Champion, and Conan the Marauder were definite high points in Conan pastiche.
Agreed. People read Superman and Jerry Siegel hasn’t written a story in a long time. Captain America, well Kirby passed away a long time ago. We just need people to do it well.
Another Son of Crom that totally agrees! REH and many other fine authors are gone, but I want their creations to live forever, with ever a tale to tell!
Great interview! I had the privilege of publishing one of John's stories in my weird fiction magazine, Skelos, a few years back. It was a real pleasure to finally get to meet him in person last weekend at Howard Days. There is a reason why Conan and the Emerald Lotus is the one pastiche the even most Howard purists enjoy, and that's because John truly understands that at its roots sword and sorcery is swash-buckling adventure mixed with Lovecraftian horror. And that's also why we've all been waiting for the sequel for 30 years now! ⚔️
Woooo! Getting that shoutout in the introduction is so special! Thanks a lot Shawn! John is such a nice, humble guy, I loved interacting with him at Howard Days and I loved the interview, he has such a great of speaking and such a passion for the character, it's wonderful!
Pastiche exists because we want more. It’s a honorable bow to Howard’s work. As long as Conan isn’t “modernised” like people do everything else. I’m sure it will be great. I can’t wait to read these. A streaming series would be amazing, but the production, casting, musics, sets, and writing would have to be immaculate.
I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. I am definitely keen to now get a copy of John's Conan book. John's love and knowledge of the classic pulps is reassuring that Conan is in good hands.
I randomly found this video last night (06/17/24) and upon hearing the author for only a few minutes, I immediately went to audible and searched for his name. I was excited to find the book new book was available and then dismayed when I realized it was preorder only. As I debated between spending the credit now or waiting, I realized it was available today lol. I'm 4 chapters in and if I hadn't known I might be fooled into thinking it's a lost original by Howard. Very well done
Ordered a copy last night before finding this video. Even more hyped now. Then frantically started trying to acquire the current run of the comics in floppy
I missed Emerald Lotus first time around after which it very quickly gained a lot of critical praise while simultaneously becoming increasingly difficult to find. It was a period in time when I had become disillusioned with the quality of many of the pastiches to the point of giving up on them entirely. Regrettably I missed out on some high quality stuff. So happy to finally get the chance to experience it as it should have been with the sequel to boot!
@@conanthebarbarianofficial Here's a question - What's the likelihood of you guys getting the rights to reprint and re-release both the De Camp/Carter stories, and even some more of the old Tor series? There was some really good stuff there that I'm sure older readers would love to revisit, and newer, younger readers would love to experience for the first time.
Getting mine next week.... surprised to be able to add it to my pull list so my comic guy is getting it for me. I'm hoping that the e book pastiches that are currently being put out find a way to print. Keep up the good work of putting new stories about everyone's favourite barbarian into the world.
John seems like a great guy. I am seriously considering purchasing his book. My only issue is that I am a slow reader and don't have the time to read a novel. I hope Titan Comics makes an adaption. Pastiches like these are perfect material for comics, especially the new B&W SSoC. REH is canon and pastiche apocrypha, but all the REH tales have been told, so pastiche is the only way to get new Conan stories. I am grateful to writers like John for adding to the lore and taking in stride the blows from impossible to please purists and malignant malcontents.
Perhaps the audiobook is the way to go! You can find it on audible and all other major platforms. As far as comic adaptions go, no plans for that, but we love John and could totally see him winding up in the pages of savage sword in the future!
Been waiting for this book for ages. The fact we have Bradford Hastings (who recently did a couple other Conan pastiche narrations) is a huge treat. I couldn't be more excited. I wonder if he could go back and narrate the original stories from Howard? I love Todd McLaren but it would be nice to have several takes on it. Great job Hocking, and thanks for your work on this book!
Pastiche is a valid art form. I think we begin from the premise of understanding we're dealing with Howard's Conan, or Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and from there we understand the setting and the character are so strong there are infinitely tellable stories (which all may be the same story) offering writers, as artists, a clear opportunity to stretch their legs. I wonder if the problem is that people are obsessively preoccupied with canon and authenticity? I have definitely read Conan stories I liked better than any of the original Howard tales, or Lovecraftian stories done far better than H.P. could have imagined. I am far more concerned about a great tale than if I can file it properly.
There might be a place for 'gate-keeping' when we talk about pastiche. Who judges what's accepted is an interesting conversation that should be had. It seems like mega-corp ownership is likely a bad idea, long-term, so I wonder if some aspect of Public Domain is important to maintaining a vibrant pastiche playground.
Like Lovecraft, and now Conan, they come back strong when they become public domain. This goes to show you that Lovecraft had the right idea of letting others play (write stories) in his universe. Burroughs will have a comeback when all of his stuff is in public domain, as well Tolkien, and a long time in the future, George R. R. Martin.
Alright, I like John and his rep, this can be my first stab at pastiche Conan (besides Bound in Black Stone and the Arnold movies). Also intrigued about longer form stories that are more interconnected - I don't know how well he pulled it off, but de Camp going that route never seemed like an awful idea (not nearly so much as rewriting non-Conan stories, and making the authorship unclear).
As far as casting a live action Conan, my dream would be Henry Cavill. I think he's perfect for the role. That said, the BEST option would probably be an unknown Eastern or Northern European actor. I think someone who has a strong accent and doesn't speak english perfectly would really sell the idea that this guy had to teach himself to communicate with the civilized people he meets. Obviously whoever it is should be large and muscular but i hope they don't go the Frazetta-accuracte bodybuilder/low body fat route, those guys couldn't survive a trek across the desert wastes. They look impressive but they're ironically frail in real life
I just don't understand how anyone can hate the pastiche works of Conan. Sure, they may not all be good but they continue to flesh out Conan's saga with some of it contributing greatly to it such as Roy Thomas's work with Marvel, the Arnie movies, and the video games and RPGs. If we're strictly sticking to REH's work, then sadly, there's not a lot to choose from.
Anyway, I think Hocking's story about how this all came to be is VERY much in the spirit of Conan and so cool how it eventually came back to him after nearly 3 decades. I wish him all the luck in getting to write the rest of the books he planned out. Gonna give City of the Dead a listen right after this video ends :)
Pastiche work can be a lot of fun, and we here at Heroic Signatures are dedicated to bringing you more! As far as that anger is concerned, it stems from censorship of the original Howard texts; for several decades, fans only had access to edited versions of the original stories. Now that those works are readily available to the public, that attitude is shifting to be more welcoming towards pastiche. ⚔️
I don't get all these people that hate pastiche SO MUCH that they sent John hate mail! Yes, I love the original REH but I just want more Conan! As long as the stories are well told from passionate authors like John, Roy Thomas, and Jim Zub, I'm happy.
I agree. Haven't yet had the pleasure of actually reading Hocking, but I like the guy's vibe in this interview and am really looking forward to the arrival of my copy of the book. Of all the Tor Books authors I always loved John Maddox Roberts stuff the most. His Conan the Valorous, Conan the Champion, and Conan the Marauder were definite high points in Conan pastiche.
Indeed! More Conan for all!
Agreed. People read Superman and Jerry Siegel hasn’t written a story in a long time. Captain America, well Kirby passed away a long time ago.
We just need people to do it well.
Agree 100 %
Another Son of Crom that totally agrees! REH and many other fine authors are gone, but I want their creations to live forever, with ever a tale to tell!
Great interview! I had the privilege of publishing one of John's stories in my weird fiction magazine, Skelos, a few years back. It was a real pleasure to finally get to meet him in person last weekend at Howard Days.
There is a reason why Conan and the Emerald Lotus is the one pastiche the even most Howard purists enjoy, and that's because John truly understands that at its roots sword and sorcery is swash-buckling adventure mixed with Lovecraftian horror. And that's also why we've all been waiting for the sequel for 30 years now! ⚔️
4 more Conan novels by John C. Hocking!? Yes, please! 𑁍
It' would be great to have him come back and write more for sure!
Woooo! Getting that shoutout in the introduction is so special! Thanks a lot Shawn! John is such a nice, humble guy, I loved interacting with him at Howard Days and I loved the interview, he has such a great of speaking and such a passion for the character, it's wonderful!
Shawn had a great time meeting you and John at Howard days!
this guy gives off the right vibe , I feel like he really does Conan justice. I’m gonna have to get a copy of that book
Please do, it's great!
Thank You J.C.H
He's the best!
Pastiche exists because we want more. It’s a honorable bow to Howard’s work. As long as Conan isn’t “modernised” like people do everything else. I’m sure it will be great. I can’t wait to read these. A streaming series would be amazing, but the production, casting, musics, sets, and writing would have to be immaculate.
Yes, we aim to do our best to deliver media that does the barbarian justice
@@3rdrail931they almost made one for Amazon but the studio balked at the pitch… After Rings of Power thank god… should be HBO.
I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. I am definitely keen to now get a copy of John's Conan book. John's love and knowledge of the classic pulps is reassuring that Conan is in good hands.
Glad you enjoyed it! I highly recommend checking out the book!
Great interview. Thank you. I’m 54 and love REH. Titan brought Conan back and I love it. SSOC is awesome too 👊
We love working with our partners at Titan, they are mighty band of publishers!
I randomly found this video last night (06/17/24) and upon hearing the author for only a few minutes, I immediately went to audible and searched for his name. I was excited to find the book new book was available and then dismayed when I realized it was preorder only. As I debated between spending the credit now or waiting, I realized it was available today lol. I'm 4 chapters in and if I hadn't known I might be fooled into thinking it's a lost original by Howard. Very well done
We are stoke you're loving it!
Keep 'em coming! I'm stoked for Lovegrove's contribution to the Black Stone Arc. Is there any plan for an audiobook version of that?
Also, all of you guys are doing a fantastic job with Conan. I can’t wait to see what’s coming up in the future.
We appreciate it! We are fans just like you and just want to see the best Conan stuff we can!
Watched 9:33 of the video so far. It has already caused me to order the book.
Aye! Glorious news indeed, thank you, Cromrade!
Just finished Hocking's new Conan adventure - and it was excellent!!!
So much better than Chuck Dixon's last two books.
Hocking is the man!
Damn someone should write about this
Ask and you shall receive! 😉 conan.com/john-c-hocking-isnt-playing-around/
A great interview, lucky enough to have gotten the first book when it came out, looking forward to this!
Aye, make merry in your escape to this Hyborian Age adventure!
May Crom bless the algorhythm, even when we know that he doesn't listen after all! 🙏
Valour pleases Crom. The courage to believe the algorithm shall grant ye a place upon his mountain.
Whatever eldritch powers that run the algorithm have been doing well indeed!
Just got back from Heroescon with a giant stack of Thomas/Buscema era Conan comics and now I've got something to listen to while I sort through them.
Nothing pairs better with Conan than more Conan!
Fantastic interview!!! This channel rocks!!!
Thank you, kind warrior!
It was a great read. I usually just read enough to match the illustration briefs, but the book hooked me.
Glad to hear it!
Ordered a copy last night before finding this video. Even more hyped now. Then frantically started trying to acquire the current run of the comics in floppy
Edit**** Finished the book! Blown away by both stories
I haven’t heard about his yet and it sounds fantastic
I missed Emerald Lotus first time around after which it very quickly gained a lot of critical praise while simultaneously becoming increasingly difficult to find. It was a period in time when I had become disillusioned with the quality of many of the pastiches to the point of giving up on them entirely. Regrettably I missed out on some high quality stuff. So happy to finally get the chance to experience it as it should have been with the sequel to boot!
Indeed! We knew packaging together would give many people a chance to read what they missed out on!
@@conanthebarbarianofficial Here's a question - What's the likelihood of you guys getting the rights to reprint and re-release both the De Camp/Carter stories, and even some more of the old Tor series? There was some really good stuff there that I'm sure older readers would love to revisit, and newer, younger readers would love to experience for the first time.
Getting mine next week.... surprised to be able to add it to my pull list so my comic guy is getting it for me. I'm hoping that the e book pastiches that are currently being put out find a way to print. Keep up the good work of putting new stories about everyone's favourite barbarian into the world.
Many thanks to you, noble warrior!
John seems like a great guy. I am seriously considering purchasing his book. My only issue is that I am a slow reader and don't have the time to read a novel. I hope Titan Comics makes an adaption. Pastiches like these are perfect material for comics, especially the new B&W SSoC. REH is canon and pastiche apocrypha, but all the REH tales have been told, so pastiche is the only way to get new Conan stories. I am grateful to writers like John for adding to the lore and taking in stride the blows from impossible to please purists and malignant malcontents.
Perhaps the audiobook is the way to go! You can find it on audible and all other major platforms. As far as comic adaptions go, no plans for that, but we love John and could totally see him winding up in the pages of savage sword in the future!
Yep go with the audible book
Preordered yesterday,cant wait to dive into the book
Awesome!
More Conan pastiches!
Means more Conan to read!
And John, what a great guy!
Let him write and finish his 6 novels!
@@Wabin22 Hopefully we can make that happen!
Look forward to reading this newest Conan novel.
Very inspiring. Thanks for this!
Of course!
Great stuff! Really enjoying these videos. Conan is truly alive and well!
We appreciate the kind words!
Been waiting for this book for ages. The fact we have Bradford Hastings (who recently did a couple other Conan pastiche narrations) is a huge treat. I couldn't be more excited. I wonder if he could go back and narrate the original stories from Howard? I love Todd McLaren but it would be nice to have several takes on it. Great job Hocking, and thanks for your work on this book!
Hocking is the greatest! His respect and love of Howard shines through in his mighty work!
Can’t wait to read this book on the 18th! I have to original Emerald Lotus novel. Looking forward to rereading it and sequel.
We hope you enjoy it!
nice work, the weird tales cosmic horror aspect is exactly what im looking for, ill be buying the book!
That's great to hear!
What a cool phukn dude is Hocking!!! Many thanks 👍
He is a mighty "dude" indeed!
Pre-ordered. Thank you!
Thank YOU! 💪
Cool interview! Ordered :)
Great! 💪
I preordered this book on audible books. I am looking forward to it
Same. Wish more Conan pastiche were on audio book.
A mighty format!
Hopefully, I’ll try to get it………………sword and sorcery and heavy metal yeah
Heavy Metal + Sword & Sorcery 🔥
My go-to combo for the last 50 years!
Hocking's sorcerers remind me of Akar Kessel from Salvatore's The Crystal Shard
Pastiche is a valid art form. I think we begin from the premise of understanding we're dealing with Howard's Conan, or Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and from there we understand the setting and the character are so strong there are infinitely tellable stories (which all may be the same story) offering writers, as artists, a clear opportunity to stretch their legs. I wonder if the problem is that people are obsessively preoccupied with canon and authenticity? I have definitely read Conan stories I liked better than any of the original Howard tales, or Lovecraftian stories done far better than H.P. could have imagined. I am far more concerned about a great tale than if I can file it properly.
There might be a place for 'gate-keeping' when we talk about pastiche. Who judges what's accepted is an interesting conversation that should be had. It seems like mega-corp ownership is likely a bad idea, long-term, so I wonder if some aspect of Public Domain is important to maintaining a vibrant pastiche playground.
Like Lovecraft, and now Conan, they come back strong when they become public domain. This goes to show you that Lovecraft had the right idea of letting others play (write stories) in his universe. Burroughs will have a comeback when all of his stuff is in public domain, as well Tolkien, and a long time in the future, George R. R. Martin.
Happy that you're a part of our crew!
@@conanthebarbarianofficial Thanks. I look forward to exploring the channel.
@@captainnolan5062 We're just getting started! Lots of fun content on the way.
@@conanthebarbarianofficial By Crom, that sounds great!
I am interested to go buy this book.
It's a great read, we highly recommend!
“Conan ALWAYS prevails…”
But so does Batman, so how about the Cimmerian versus the Caped Crusader? That could be epic.
Conan would win.
Alright, I like John and his rep, this can be my first stab at pastiche Conan (besides Bound in Black Stone and the Arnold movies). Also intrigued about longer form stories that are more interconnected - I don't know how well he pulled it off, but de Camp going that route never seemed like an awful idea (not nearly so much as rewriting non-Conan stories, and making the authorship unclear).
Definitely give it a shot, you don't know until you try!
so wait, we had a chance of getting a conan game by CDproject red? why would heroic signature not go with them? have they seen witcher 3?
Funcom outbit CDPR to buy us, but we love the Witcher games and that team as well!
Conan vs. John Wick?
Like the guy said, Conan wins.
Two unstoppable forces!
As far as casting a live action Conan, my dream would be Henry Cavill. I think he's perfect for the role. That said, the BEST option would probably be an unknown Eastern or Northern European actor. I think someone who has a strong accent and doesn't speak english perfectly would really sell the idea that this guy had to teach himself to communicate with the civilized people he meets. Obviously whoever it is should be large and muscular but i hope they don't go the Frazetta-accuracte bodybuilder/low body fat route, those guys couldn't survive a trek across the desert wastes. They look impressive but they're ironically frail in real life