The stories here are the raw heart of Michael Moorcock. They are the spells that first drew me and all the numerous admirers of his work with whom I am acquainted into Moorcocks luminous and captivating web.from the Foreword by Alan Moore, creator of V for VendettaWhen Michael Moorcock began chronicling the adventures of the albino sorcerer Elric, last king of decadent Melnibon, and his sentient vampiric sword, Stormbringer, he set out to create a new kind of fantasy adventure, one that broke with tradition and reflected a more up-to-date sophistication of theme and style. The result was a bold and unique heroweak in body, subtle in mind, dependent on drugs for the vitality to sustain himselfwith great crimes behind him and a greater destiny ahead: a rock-and-roll antihero who would channel all the violent excesses of the sixties into one enduring archetype.Now, with a major film in development, here is the first volume of a dazzling collection of stories containing the seminal appearances of Elric and lavishly illustrated by award-winning artist John Picacioplus essays, letters, maps, and other material. Adventures include The Dreaming City, While the Gods Laugh, Kings in Darkness, Dead Gods Homecoming, Black Swords Brothers, and Sad Giants Shield. An indispensable addition to any fantasy collection, Elric: The Stealer of Souls is an unmatched introduction to a brilliant writer and his most famousor infamouscreation.The most significant UK author of sword and sorcery, a form he has both borrowed from and transformed.The Encyclopedia of FantasyFrom the Trade Paperback edition.