The series isn’t as dark as the Elric Saga, but it is set in a very disturbing future hellscape ruled by the Dark Empire, or the Granbretanians, who are absolutely diabolical and almost alien in their cruelty and sadism.

Civilization as we know it has been thrown back into the dark ages, thanks to the horrors that occurred during what is termed as the “Tragic Millennium.” It is true sword and sorcery, set on a war-torn future Earth where sorcery and advanced science/technology seem to go hand in hand. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed the strength of this series.

The White Wolf omnibus edition I have of Hawkmoon includes the four novels “The Jewel in the Skull,” “The Mad God’s Amulet,” “The Sword of the Dawn” and “The Runestaff.” with brilliant interior illustrations by James Cawthorn. I had heard some great things about Hawkmoon, though, and also had learned that it was being currently adapted into a Netflix original series.

Through the years after that, I had read the White Wolf omnibus editions of the “Erekose Series” (which was simply titled “The Eternal Champion”) and the “Von Bek Series” which, I must say, I was a bit disappointed in. My first exposure to Michael Moorcock’s “Eternal Champion Cycle” was the SFBC omnibus editions of “The Elric Saga,” in three volumes, all of which were deliciously dark sword and sorcery that absolutely blew my mind. I honestly didn’t know what to expect picking up this particular omnibus edition of Michael Moorcock’s “Hawkmoon Series,” otherwise known as “The History of the Runestaff.” The cover art and design always greatly intrigued me, as did the interior artwork. Within him lies the power to liberate the Earth from the Dark Empire’s clutches…. Granbretan, or the Dark Empire holds all nations under its iron-shod heel of evil and tyranny, and into this strides Dorian Hawkmoon, Duke of Koln, son of now-slain aristocratic father, prisoner of Granbretan, and unaware aspect of the Eternal Champion. On a ravaged, post-apocalyptic Earth thrust back into the dark ages, the hell and horrors of war are a part of everyday existence.

Hawkmoon by Michael Moorcock