On April 6, 2018 Centipede Press released the second volume in Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and Gray Mouser books, Swords Against Death. The original edition appeared almost 50 years ago now, and I’m not sure when my 14th printing of the Ace paperback was published, but the hardcover volume assembled by Centipede Press is once again a wonder to behold, worth of the cover price.
The ten short stories gathered in this volume continue the adventures of two strange companions, heroes and anti-heroes both, in the fantasy lands of Nehwon, the streets of fabled Lankhmar, and beyond the veil of death.
The projected 8-volume set will be unveiled gradually, but so far the first and second volumes both have wrap-around dust-jackets with lettering on the spine only. This lettering consists of the book title, the author’s name, the publisher’s name, and the volume number. It also contains original artwork within, several of which I wish I had larger copies of hanging on my wall.
A few miscellaneous notes from Leiber appear at the end, and author Steve Rasnic Tem provides the introduction. The stories themselves, include some of Leiber’s best ones, such as the “Bazaar of the Bizarre,” “Theives’ House,” and “The Jewel in the Forest.” Although it’s been a few years since I last read this book, I remembered these three at once as I read through the table of contents. As to the others, if I have forgotten any of them, why that’s a benefit, as reading Leiber for the first time brings just as much wonderment as reading his stories for the 100th time.
