Former REHupan Jim Reasoner reports on his blog Rough Edges that he and his family lost their home and studio in a fire yesterday. Jim, Livia, the girls and the dogs are all okay, but they lost everything but the clothes on their backs. Characteristically, Jim (writing on a computer at the local library) says “But we will come back, better than ever. Sure would appreciate some thoughts and prayers along the way, though.” You got ‘em, Jim.

We will keep you posted as we learn more.

Added January 31: Update can be found at Bill Crider’s Pop Culture Magazine.

Added February 1: Jim’s colleagues in the Western Writers of America have set up an emergency fund for the Reasoners.  Also, Kim Lionetti, Livia’s agent, has offered to hold book donations for them until they have a place for them.  Information and addresses are in this entry of Bill Crider’s Pop Culture Magazine.

I went and saw the newest Rambo movie over this past weekend. As I consider First Blood (Rambo I) to be one of the most Howardian movies I’ve ever seen, I wanted this fourth installment of the Rambo franchise to be equally Howardian, or at least have a solid Howard/Conan connection.

That “connection” is slight, but it is there. This most recent incarnation of John Rambo as portrayed by Sly Stallone is as blood-spurting a movie as you’ll ever see. So, a blood soaked screen could be compared to the blood-soaked pages Howard has often been accused of writing.

With all the damage John Rambo does with his self-forged machete-knife and bow and arrows, a comparison could be made. All of the severed, flying Burmese bad-guy body parts easily invoke an image of Conan wading through the unfortunates in Red Nails or a number of other stories.

Both Rambo and Conan are characters who get caught up in the situations of others, victims of circumstance, and then they deal with those situations in simple and primal ways – death to the problem makers, life to those upon whom problems have been forced.

But while Rambo is a true loner, moody and haunted by his past, Conan is a loner only part of the time. Conan’s lot in life is a roaming, adventurous foot, and Rambo is content to copper-shingle a temple roof or catch cobras to earn his keep.

Both have experienced situations where they are pushed to the limit: Conan kills a judge who would put him in jail for betrayal, Rambo kicks the crap out of an entire police force and then wrecks a town, all because he couldn’t get a sandwich.

And Rambo in the woods hamstringing deputies or killing Russkies invokes images of Conan taking care of Zogar Sag’s pict warriors in Beyond the Black River. Rambo putting the fear of Crom in Brian Dennehey and David Caruso in the Oregon woods is as close to Conan as we’ve ever seen in a movie.

So maybe a comparison of Rambo and Conan is not as slight as I had thought. Of course, looking for a Solomon Kane/Rambo connection opens up a whole ‘nother can of whoopass. Another time, perhaps.

On January 22nd, 1906, the greatest adventure writer who ever lived was born. So everyone raise a glass of your favorite beverage today to Robert E. Howard, and toast to his shade!

He lives on because of us, and may his legacy never fade!

 Happy Birthday, Ol’ Two-Gun!

Project Pride and the Robert E Howard Foundation have announced that this year’s Guest of Honor for Howard Days in Cross Plains, June 13-14, will be REHupa’s own Mark Finn!

Mark is, of course, the author of Blood & Thunder: The Life and Art of Robert E Howard (Monkeybrain Books, 2006), which not only won last year’s Cimmerian Award, The Atlantean, for best book by a single author, but was also nominated for Locus and World Fantasy Awards, as well. He has also written articles and essays for The Cimmerian, The Dark Man, and Dark Horse Comics, as well as a Cimmerian Award winning essay, “Fists of Robert E Howard,” in The Barbaric Triumph. Along with fellow REHupan Chris Gruber and ex-REHupan Leo Grin, Mark has worked tirelessly to promote Howard’s boxing stories as an important part of the Texas author’s ouevre.* He has even gone so far as to dramatize Steve Costigan tales with the Violet Crown Radio Players. (Be sure to check out their audio clips and CDs.)

Those who have met him know that, like so many writers, Mark is a shy, retiring sort — a real wallflower — so getting him to agree to be the Howard Days Guest of Honor was not easy. But with the support of his therapist and his lovely wife Cathy, who have been slowly easing him out of his shell, he agreed to try his best to mingle, and to see if he could get through a short talk at the Friday banquet. Don’t worry too much, Mark — your REHupa brethren are gonna be there for you! We know you’re gonna do a fine job!

[* Yes, even pulp writers can have an ouevre!]

REHupan Patrice Louinet répond: I hope Rehupans will come en masse to the rendez-vous in Cross Plains; lotsa familiar faces to be sure, and perhaps a sense of déja vu, but voilà, it will be nice and probably a bit outré.

But unless you really think American barbarism has entirely taken over the civilized world, it’s “Å“uvre“, not “ouevre”.

Rusty replies: Pardonnez-moi! And abject apologies to Mrs. Hooker, who struggled so mightily to get me through her French class!

I recently tonight got off the phone with Susan McNeel of Project Pride in Cross Plains. She was at the PP monthly meeting, and the Howard Birthday Bash was high on the list.

We’re keeping the whole deal loose & informal, but a schedule of sorts would look like this: (Thanks to Gary Romeo for making suggestions here)

Friday January 18th: Folks arriving Friday will be “on their own”. As most of us are staying at the 36 West Motel, the courtyard there will be the best place to meet & hang out. The Cross Plains Library will also be open for any and all. Indy sez: let’s go to Humphrey Pete’s in Brownwood for dinner, but this is totally up for discussion.

Saturday January 19th: Project Pride is opening the Howard House for all of us showing up. Time to be determined, but I’d imagine around 10 am, and we can hang out until 5-ish maybe? This will be the focal point of the day, and I’d imagine a lot of conversation & hanging around & Howard fellowship will be the order of the day. The Pavilion adjacent to the House is there, of course, if weather permits it’s usage. Please plan on donating a coupla pazoors to Project Pride for the fine hospitality they’ll be showing us, and I’m sure Era Lee and Arlene will be happy to take your money in the gift shop. Some of us might even show up with some little “souvenirs”, and I’m putting together a little program booklet.

Dennis had mentioned getting a cake to celebrate, and Susan said Project Pride will take care of that: “We’ll make it a party” were her exact words.

I would imagine working in a trip to Howard’s gravesite in Brownwood during the day, for those who want to go. Again, this is all real informal…

Susan also mentioned that the Library would probably open up for us as well, so that could be another “activity”, as would be helping out the economy of Cross Plains with lunch, etc.

When Susan asked for a loose headcount of attendees, I guesstimated 15 – 20, maybe as many as 24 (?) The “list” I’ve got looks like: Indy, Rusty, Dennis, Rob Roehm, Barbara Barrett, Gary Romeo, Russell Andrew and Jack & Barbara Baum for sure; Dave Hardy, Todd Woods, Angie & Chris Fullbright, Damon, Scott & Kim Hall – all possibles. If you’re coming for sure, let me know, or if I’ve missed someone on the list let me know, just so Project Pride has a more “accurate” idea of attendees.

Dinner on Saturday evening is at Jean’s Feed Barn at 6:30. REHupa is treating the fine folks of Project Pride, but the rest of you are on your own. Later, more fellowship will insue, probably at the 36 Courtyard, or the Pavilion, or somewhere inside if the weather’s bad.

It has the makings of being a fine weekend of Robert E. Howard fellowship and conversation, to honor what would have been his 102nd birthday. Hope you can be there!

Indy Bill Cavalier

The Winds of Zarr by Richard L. Tierney is a novel that combines H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, time travel, and the Bible all in one. It is one of those kitchen sink novels that succeds beyond any others I have read. Far better than Brian Lumley novels such as Spawn of the Winds which also combines Lovecraft with Howard.

The Winds of Zarr was originally published by the Silver Scarab Press in 1975. I found out a few months ago the publisher still has copies. If you are interested in getting this fine novel, you can get it for $15.00 post paid. Send a check to Harry Morris, 502 Elm St, Albuquerque, NM. 87102-3925.

We’re putting together a real informal 102nd Birthday Celebration/Gathering
for REH in at the Howard House in Cross Plains on Saturday January 19th.
Project Pride has graciously offered to open up the House and the Cross
Plains Library on that day for those of us coming in for the get-together.
It’s a real informal deal here. We don’t have any “programming” planned as of yet,
other than the get-together itself, but we could do some poetry & prose
readings and just share some good Howard fellowship. Swap lies, which is always a popular activity at a Howard event!

Everyone could bring a Howard item to show off or have people sign postcards or something…Pump a little dough into the Cross Plains economy, buy stuff at the House & support Project Pride, check out The Cross Plains Review on microfilm at the Library
(& buy copies of typescripts, etc.) We could also all go out for dinner/supper. Chicken fried steak at Jean’s Feed Barn, anyone? Or we could go find the Smartest Woman in Brownwood at Humphrey Pete’s!

Suggestions could also be offered from y’all - Dennis McHaney got the ball rolling on
this, and I can help “organize”, if that’s the word. Input from youse is
always nice as well. I might pop in with a little illustrated p.d. poetry
deal of some sort – maybe – I’ve been doing a lot of Conan drawings
lately…We REHupans could do a one-shot (extemporaneous?) zine maybe?

If you’re interested in staying in CP, you should try the 36 West Motel at 254-725-4550, or the places in Cisco or Brownwood. (Check the REH Days 2007 report above for numbers.)

UPDATE 1-2-08: I called and booked a room at the 36 West in Cross Plains, so there are rooms available. Anyone coming in on Friday late afternoon, you can find me there.

Anyway, despite the short notice, hope some of you can come down (or up).
Some of you Texans have already expressed the interest in appearing. Be
great if Finnski could make it. Scott & Kim Hall? Rusty? Rob? Beuller? Beuller?

I’ll have more info to post here as I get it.

Spread the word – hold up your mitt if you can make it, and we’ll see you on the 19th.

Indy