On this page we will bring you word of new developments in the realm of the work of Karl Edward Wagner, and in the study of the man himself. Here you'll learn of new editions of his previously published writings, new printings of his correspondence, essays and - dare we hope -newly discovered unpublished fiction, and adaptations of his stories into other media such as graphic novels and movies.

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“Nonne” by Aeternitas

Kane vs. Kane  Just as Karl’s only series character  Kane is slouching toward Eden to be reborn in a new movie, new editions of Karl’s original tales and, possibly, a graphic novel, and, consequently, is on the verge of recruiting new legions to his banner, an unexpected source of danger has appeared from one long thought an ally. Treachery within the pages of an adventure yarn is one thing; among real flesh and blood publishers it cannot be excused.

Karl Wagner was a great admirer of the work of Frank Frazetta, as were and are most fans of epic fantasy. Karl credited Frazettta’s covers with helping
him find his audience. The first Frazetta cover to grace a Kane book was the generic painting that appeared on Death Angel’s Shadow. This was a painting that Frank had laying around, one he’d done when he had some time on his hands, to be sold for just such a use, for the cover of a book by a writer		unknown and without enough clout to have a cover done specifically for his story. But, though this was not one of Frazetta’s more compelling works, the book sold well, well enough for Warner to commission Frazetta to do some paintings actually based on Karl’s text
and, in particular, on his description of Kane. Those images have appeared on numerous editions of these works, and have become fixed in the minds of millions as the official aspect of Kane. Frazetta was so popular he was able to demand favorable terms, which included second use rights. This he exercised by re-selling the covers to be used by the rock group Molly Hatchet. Karl was a big fan of rock and roll, and had no problem with that.

But now the paintings have been licensed for a third use, and this one is unconscienable. Whether there were restrictions against reusing the covers for purposes that would be in direct competition with their original purpose I don’t know. Karl’s estate is being managed by his siblings, and they are not prepared to deal with being blind-sided in this way. Copyright and trademark law is an especially nebulous area of the law and Jimmy and Audrey lack legal expertise.

Following on the success of the Death Dealer graphic novel based on a Frazetta painting (I don’t know its original purpose), Image comics decided to repeat their success, and asked Mark Kidwell to choose another. When he chose a Kane cover to base his story upon, according to Kidwell himself, the publishers responded with, “You’re nuts!” Perhaps they were considering the legal ramifications. Even the first word in the title is unchanged.

In describing his selection process, Kidwell mentions the use of these paintings as Molly Hatchet covers, but never hints at their original purpose, as representations of Kane. I doubt that is because he was unaware of the fact; he says he spent hours looking up Frazetta images on the internet. I suspect failing to mention that these were Kane covers was deliberate.

Mind, these are not some of Frazetta’s generic fantasy covers; these were covers that portrayed Kane, in particular, based on Karl’s description of the character. They are to be used as covers for one or more graphic novels about a red-haired swashbucker who is drawn to be the figure on the cover who was painted to be Kane. The possibility for dilution of the Kane trademark and copyright is quite real.

Though I was involved in the business of intellectual property for many years and have a good layman’s grasp of its principles, even seasoned copyright lawyers grapple with its particulars. Whether this particular arrogance merits legal action I am not able to say, but it certainly merits action on the part of fans of fantastic literature. Until Image remedies this affront to Kane fans I urge that everyone find something other than Image comics to read. And let them know about it.

~ John Mayer

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The production of the first Kane movie, Reflections on the Winter of my Soul, based on the first novella in Death Angel's Shadow, remains in progress. Apparently it takes a long time to make a movie. I’m told the script has been firmed up and locations have been chosen. And a director has taken the helm. The blog Sorenz.DK says, “Producer Lauren Moews' Tonic Films har fået rettighederne til Death Angel's Shadow, en samling af 3 korte historie som alle omhandler sci-fi forfatteren Karl Edward Wagner's udødelige anti-helt Kane.” Of course, I’m on record as objecting to the use of the term ”anti-helt” to refer to Kane, but maybe the term has a different nuance in Danish.

Please join the Karl Edward Wagner forum linked from the homepage to offer your own thoughts on a critical issue to Wagner aficionados: who shall play Kane? My own preference is for an actor massively muscled, as Karl desribed him and as I drew him. Others would prefer someone who can act. I feel that to be a slur upon those of us with >ahem< good pysiques; no reason an actor can’t have both attributes. If that proves too difficult, though, perhaps a power-lifter could be voiced over by some great Shakespearian actor. Heck, if they can lip-synch a zebra, it shouldn’t be much harder to lip-synch a power lifter. Of couse, I’m talking a power lifter with good definition, mind you, not one of those working to build a lower center of gravity.