Heroic Fantasy Quarterly–Q44

While we at HFQ enjoy the cooler months, the 2019-2020 winter has been long and dark and cold, and we are glad that spring has finally sprung.  Not only were the elements harsh, but we, along with just about everyone else, have been self-isolated.  Trapped at home!  We’ve had to sit on this great issue for three months, and finally we can release it!  Three stories, two poems, art, audio and more to help you get through your own self-isolation. 

Fiction Contents

Heart of Vengeance, by Greg Mele, with artwork by Justin Pfeil.  The young prince Helomon Twelve-Vulture sets his feet upon the path of vengeance against his treacherous cousin and finds himself indebted to Lord Xokolatl, the god of Death.   This is the third tale of Mele’s Ancient-Greece by way of Meso-America alternate history.  Kamazotz and Servant of the Black Wind (also about Lord Xokolatl).  An audio version of this story is pending!

The Whispering Healer, by Larisa Walk.  Eighteenth Century Russia finds the healer Anisia Tereshchenko with a remarkable patient, a remarkably dangerous patient.   But all is not as it seems, with creatures of Russian myth and her own superstitious neighbors vying for just what is the most threating thing to her.

Do Not Fear, for the Work Will be Pure, by Michael Johnston, with artwork by Karolína Wellartová, and audio by Karen Bovenmyer.  A weird fiction offing for this issue, Deonoro Zayal, a disgraced royal sculptor, ventures into the wasteland of Heng Tors to win the trust of Grothag the Unmerciful, the dread chieftain of the Heng—a ruthless gang of bandits and brigands, deformed and augmented by their sins.  Grothag’s title is well-earned and danger stalks Deonoro at every turn.

Poetry Contents

Ford, by Mary Soon Lee, with artwork by Gary McCluskey.  A new poem from Ms. Lee.  Prince Xau is now King Xau and this poem finds him not confronting human enemies, or the cryptic logic of his dragon allies, but that most powerful and impersonal of forces- nature itself.  King Xau travels to aid an ally stuck by a disaster of unimaginable proportions.  A very different kind of heroism; one that is perhaps the most relevant to the world we find ourselves in today.

Long-time readers of HFQ will be familiar with Xau, the frequent main character of Mary’s poems.  But now you don’t have to wait 3 months for another hit!  JABerWocky has put out a collection of Mary’s poems chronicling the life and adventures of  Prince Xau, “The Sign of the Dragon”—click the ad to the right and get your copy!

The Demon in the Jar, by Cullen Groves, with artwork by Miguel Santos.  It has been 14 issues since we’ve had a Groves’ poem, and this one is worth the wait!  Captain Draba has gone in search of a valuable shipwreck; his guide is Hydáspes, a sorcerer who holds a source of power in an ancient strangely painted amphora.  An excellent read!

Banner Art

In honor of spring we’ve got “Druid’s Grove” from Dutch artist Rengin Tumer.  Rengin is a fantasy & YA illustrator from the Netherlands. Her work mostly depicts serious storytelling in vibrant colors. She has been working in advertising, film and games as an artist for nearly 10 years before moving back to illustration to pursue the work she is most passionate about. She paints illustrations for all kinds of entertainment industries such as films, games and books, as well as doing private commissions. Clients include book publishers, tabletop game publishers and #1 New York Times Bestselling Authors

Goings On

David Farey continues the fight.

Adrian Simmons has held forth on Star Trek Discovery, and the November, 1979 Amazing Stories . He also had a story place in the Silver Category at the Writers of the Future contest (always a bridesmaid!).

He also delved into a little adventure on a solo hiking trip.    His only tested himself against weather, distance, and his own joints and tendons.  All of which were overcome! 

Arien Skiba- Arien manages to continue veterinarian school (remotely, at this point!) and spin the threat of HFQ submissions into the gold you find in this issue.

James Rowe manages to continue teaching (remotely, at this point!) and pan the rivers of creativity for the gold you find in this issue. 

Tales From Around the Fire

We already mentioned it, but we’re going to mention it again:  Long-time HFQ poet Mary Soon Lee has released a collection of poems about her character Prince Xau.  Get your copy of “Sign of the Dragon” now!

After his retirement, Jason Waltz lost no time re-energizing Rogue Blades Entertainment.  New books are being released and S&S fans have a lot to look forward to in 2020.

Did you enjoy Darryl Schweitzer’s tale “Song of Black Mountain” in HFQ’s 10-year anniversary issue?  Good news!  He has two new collections of his short fiction, The Mysteries of the Faceless King, and The Last Heretic.

Tales From the Magicians Skull # 3 hit the world last month.  Check it! 

Frequent contributor to our pages with both fiction and artwork, Robert Zoltan has relased his adventure comedy tale The Long Long Long Rescue: an Epic Tale of the Incomparable Quill.

Lastly, the indefatigable Mark Finn is producing top-notch gaming material at his new ‘zine “Monty Haul”, click here or the ad below.