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    The Best of Fantagor

    Author Richard Corben, Jan Strnad, Doug Moench
    Illustrated by Richard Corben
    Hardcover
    $39.99 US
    Dark Horse Comics | Dark Horse Books
    On sale Nov 24, 2026 | 168 Pages | 9781506749860
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    RICHARD CORBEN’S LEGENDARY UNDERGROUND WORK COLLECTED AND RESTORED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE BEST OF FANTAGOR.

    A landmark volume of high fantasy, sci-fi, satire, and psychedelia from one of comics’ most visionary artists. Featuring an introduction by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman.

    For the first time ever, the legendary underground comics of Richard Corben are being collected and fully restored in a single volume. The Best of Fantagor brings together some of Corben’s most iconic early stories, originally published in his own self-produced comic series Fantagor, in a definitive edition that reveals the raw power of his early imagination.

    This is the first collection to feature Corben’s complete Razar the Unhero trilogy. Razar is Corben’s first recurring character, a sly and subversive twist on sword-and-sorcery conventions. The collection also includes an eclectic mix of science fiction, horror, surreal comedy, and full-on psychedelic storytelling. Readers will find post-apocalyptic fables, bizarre creature features, twisted fairy tales, and two rarely seen photo comics. Every story has been carefully restored by longtime collaborator José Villarrubia to honor Corben’s original linework and color experimentation.

    With seven high fantasy tales, three comedic stories, two sci-fi works, and several unclassifiable ones, this 100-page volume captures the range and intensity of Corben’s early career. Longtime fans will finally get the restored edition these works deserve, while new readers will discover why Corben remains one of the most influential figures in adult comics.

    Contents include:

    • “Twilight of the Dogs“
    • “Razar the Unhero” (Parts 1–3)
    • “The Temple” 
    • “Kittens for Christian”
    • “For the Love of Daemon”
    • “Ogre and Ogre II”
    • “Inna Pit” 
    • “We Sure Like Worms”
    • “Cidppey”
    • “Doomscult”
    • “Damsel in Dragon Dress”

    Reprints: Stories from Fantagor #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Up from the Deep #1, Metal Hurlant #28, Heavy Metal #75 and Grim Wit #1 and #2.

    The Best of Fantagor is a long-overdue celebration of Corben’s earliest and wildest work. Fully restored and presented in one place for the first time, it offers a rare glimpse into the origins of a master.
    Richard Corben was born on a farm in Anderson, Missouri, and went on to get a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1965. After working as a professional animator, Corben started doing underground comics, including Grim Wit, Slow Death, Skull, Rowlf, Fever Dreams, and his own anthology Fantagor. In 1970 he began illustrating horror and science-fiction stories for Warren Publishing. His stories appeared in Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella, 1984, and Comix International. He also colored several episodes of Will Eisner's Spirit. In 1975, when Mœbius, Druillet, and Jean-Pierre Dionnet started publishing the magazine Métal Hurlant in France, Corben submitted some of his stories to them. He continued his work for the franchise in America, where the magazine was called Heavy Metal. In 1976 he adapted a short Robert E. Howard story in Bloodstar. In 2012 he was elected to the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame. View titles by Richard Corben
    Jan Strnad is a professional storyteller who has published comic books, worked in television animation, and is now a novelist. He is the author of several Creepy Archives, Star Wars, and Ragemoor comic books. His novels include Risen: A Supernatural Thriller, The Summer We Lost Alice, and Dances with the Dead. View titles by Jan Strnad
    Doug Moench is a writer who specializes in comics but also works on fiction and nonfiction. Moech's work has been heavily featured by DC, Marvel, and Dark Horse. Moench is the author of Batman, Deathlok, Ghost and The Shadow, and many more. Moench is the creator of the characters Moon Knight and Bane. View titles by Doug Moench
    “He is the mainstay in my collection of original art and one of the most precise and admirable storytellers in the medium.”—Guillermo del Toro

    “This is Corben at his consummate best.” —Harlan Ellison

    About

    RICHARD CORBEN’S LEGENDARY UNDERGROUND WORK COLLECTED AND RESTORED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE BEST OF FANTAGOR.

    A landmark volume of high fantasy, sci-fi, satire, and psychedelia from one of comics’ most visionary artists. Featuring an introduction by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman.

    For the first time ever, the legendary underground comics of Richard Corben are being collected and fully restored in a single volume. The Best of Fantagor brings together some of Corben’s most iconic early stories, originally published in his own self-produced comic series Fantagor, in a definitive edition that reveals the raw power of his early imagination.

    This is the first collection to feature Corben’s complete Razar the Unhero trilogy. Razar is Corben’s first recurring character, a sly and subversive twist on sword-and-sorcery conventions. The collection also includes an eclectic mix of science fiction, horror, surreal comedy, and full-on psychedelic storytelling. Readers will find post-apocalyptic fables, bizarre creature features, twisted fairy tales, and two rarely seen photo comics. Every story has been carefully restored by longtime collaborator José Villarrubia to honor Corben’s original linework and color experimentation.

    With seven high fantasy tales, three comedic stories, two sci-fi works, and several unclassifiable ones, this 100-page volume captures the range and intensity of Corben’s early career. Longtime fans will finally get the restored edition these works deserve, while new readers will discover why Corben remains one of the most influential figures in adult comics.

    Contents include:

    • “Twilight of the Dogs“
    • “Razar the Unhero” (Parts 1–3)
    • “The Temple” 
    • “Kittens for Christian”
    • “For the Love of Daemon”
    • “Ogre and Ogre II”
    • “Inna Pit” 
    • “We Sure Like Worms”
    • “Cidppey”
    • “Doomscult”
    • “Damsel in Dragon Dress”

    Reprints: Stories from Fantagor #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Up from the Deep #1, Metal Hurlant #28, Heavy Metal #75 and Grim Wit #1 and #2.

    The Best of Fantagor is a long-overdue celebration of Corben’s earliest and wildest work. Fully restored and presented in one place for the first time, it offers a rare glimpse into the origins of a master.

    Author

    Richard Corben was born on a farm in Anderson, Missouri, and went on to get a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1965. After working as a professional animator, Corben started doing underground comics, including Grim Wit, Slow Death, Skull, Rowlf, Fever Dreams, and his own anthology Fantagor. In 1970 he began illustrating horror and science-fiction stories for Warren Publishing. His stories appeared in Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella, 1984, and Comix International. He also colored several episodes of Will Eisner's Spirit. In 1975, when Mœbius, Druillet, and Jean-Pierre Dionnet started publishing the magazine Métal Hurlant in France, Corben submitted some of his stories to them. He continued his work for the franchise in America, where the magazine was called Heavy Metal. In 1976 he adapted a short Robert E. Howard story in Bloodstar. In 2012 he was elected to the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame. View titles by Richard Corben
    Jan Strnad is a professional storyteller who has published comic books, worked in television animation, and is now a novelist. He is the author of several Creepy Archives, Star Wars, and Ragemoor comic books. His novels include Risen: A Supernatural Thriller, The Summer We Lost Alice, and Dances with the Dead. View titles by Jan Strnad
    Doug Moench is a writer who specializes in comics but also works on fiction and nonfiction. Moech's work has been heavily featured by DC, Marvel, and Dark Horse. Moench is the author of Batman, Deathlok, Ghost and The Shadow, and many more. Moench is the creator of the characters Moon Knight and Bane. View titles by Doug Moench

    Praise

    “He is the mainstay in my collection of original art and one of the most precise and admirable storytellers in the medium.”—Guillermo del Toro

    “This is Corben at his consummate best.” —Harlan Ellison

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