Courtesy of the ever redoubtable Bill Thom of Howard Works and Coming Attractions, it appears that the collection previously known as Dark Agnes and Other Historical Adventures has received a subtle, but potent, name change: it is now The Sword Woman and Other Historical Adventures. In addition to the name change, we have an illustrator — and a sneak preview.

The Sword Woman and Other Historical Adventures – Coming January 25th!
Jim & Ruth Keegan (Illustrators)
Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Del Rey
ISBN-10: 0345505468
ISBN-13: 978-0345505460
http://www.randomhou…n=9780345505460
http://www.amazon.co…73269022&sr=1-1

I think the new title is much better. For one thing, it’s more technically correct: the phrasing gives the impression that there’s a story called “Dark Agnes,” rather than alluding to the heroine of a triplet of stories. Dark Agnes and Other Historical Adventurers would thus be more accurate from that point of view. Replacing “Dark Agnes” with “The Sword Woman” is thus contextually appropriate, as well as giving readers an idea what to expect. Howard fans already know who and what a “Dark Agnes” is, but newcomers won’t: “Sword Woman” does wonders for explaining in shorthand.

While I was initially surprised (and pleased) to see Jim and Ruth Keegan credited as illustrators, apparently this isn’t the case: the Keegans are the art directors, the illustrator being John Watkiss.

Apparently some wires have gotten crossed — although Ruth and I are art directing Sword Woman, we are NOT illustrating the book. An artist named John Watkiss is the illustrator. John is most well known for his brilliant production design paintings for numerous motion pictures, including Disney’s Tarzan and Atlantis. A few of his non-Howard paintings can be seen at the following LINK.

He’s still working on Sword Woman, but thanks to the generosity of Jay at Paradox, we’re able to show you this small peek:

I’m not immediately acquainted with Mr Watkiss’ artwork, but I am with the films he has worked on. Disney’s Tarzan was about as accurate as one can expect from Renaissance Disney (i.e. willful and sweeping reinterpretation of essential themes and tropes, plus catchy songs and scrappy animal sidekicks), but the art design was fairly impressive. Similarly, Atlantis: The Lost Empire may have inadvertently homaged elements of Stargate and Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water – not the first time Disney’s been in hot water over similarities to anime — but it was a fairly decent adventure in the vein of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and the art design for Atlantis itself was spectacular. If there’s one thing I can’t really fault in either film, it’s the visuals.

Mr Watkiss has a hard act to follow in Stephen Fabian, whom I consider the best Agnes illustrator (the Zebra cover notwithstanding) as depicted at the top of the post. Instantly I’m impressed by Mr Watkiss’ work, though that may because I simply adore my lassie Aggie, and appreciate every time she gets an illustration. It’s certainly most gratifying to see a Howard heroine not mistakenly depicted in a metal bikini, something Agnes herself has suffered more than once. The powerful opening of “The Sword Woman” makes a provocative scene, and the image of a bride in a blood-stained dress with a blade in her hand will be familiar to modern viewers of the Kill Bill generation, as well as gamers who’ve played Dragon Age – proof that despite the age of his fiction, Howard’s work is as resonant and relevant as it’s ever been.  Hopefully the cover will continue this very encouraging trend, and dispel any notions of Agnes as chauvinistic pulp cheesecake.

I can’t wait to see more of Watkiss’ work, but for now, I shall peruse his official website.