A Tribute to Michael Moorcock: Eternal Champion of Creativity
As I delve into my current series exploring the nature of creativity, I find myself reflecting on the early influences that shaped my own imaginative landscape—particularly the fantastical realms of horror, science fiction, and fantasy that first captured my attention in youth.
Among the most formative of these was the world of Elric of Melniboné, created by the prolific and visionary author Michael Moorcock. My first encounter with Elric came not through one of Moorcock’s novels, but via the Deities and Demigods sourcebook for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. I was already familiar with the pantheons of world mythology, had more than a passing knowledge of the Cthulhu Mythos, and had journeyed through the sword-and-sorcery exploits of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. But Elric was something else entirely—enigmatic, tragic, and utterly compelling.
That brief introduction ignited a lasting fascination. I immediately set out to collect as much of Moorcock’s work as I could find. One of my first acquisitions was a copy of The Stealer of Souls, a collection of Elric stories originally published in fantasy magazines.
It was here I first encountered the now-legendary Stormbringer and Mournblade—blades whose names still echo with mythic resonance.
Over time, I came to realize that Moorcock's influence extended far beyond the written word. His themes and characters surfaced in music, film, and comics, testifying to the reach and depth of his creative legacy.
This offering serves as the first in what may become a broader series of tributes to the great Artisans of Imagination—creators whose work has left an indelible mark on generations of readers, writers, artists, and dreamers. And it is only fitting that I begin with Michael Moorcock, whose concept of the Eternal Champion—a figure forever struggling to maintain balance in the face of cosmic forces—resonates deeply with the artist’s eternal struggle to bring vision into form.
Below is a complimentary copy of this piece in a zine format. I hope it offers a meaningful glimpse into the creative legacy of Michael Moorcock, and the profound impact he continues to have on the worlds we create—and the ones we inhabit within.
Bruce
Note:
Although Jeff Dee did most of the art for the Deities & Demigods Melnibonéan Mythos…. Erol Otus did some as well… including the one Hounds & Jackals has special fondness for… Roofdrak, the Master of all Dogs!
Pop on over to read a special Spotlight interview on Erol Otus on his creative process!
One last note:
As mentioned in a previous post, classic Canadian content often weaves its way into Hounds & Jackals—and this series is no exception! The sound and music used in the intro of the Homage video come straight from one of my all-time favorite shows: The Hilarious House of Frightenstein. Specifically, it’s a tribute to The Librarian—my favorite character from the series. Of course, he is now the little blue dog-like alien… also based on Canadian content for those who recall Krantz Films…!
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