Charles D Shell

In the Shadow of J. R. R. Tolkien

(Originally posted on August 7, 2018) The vast majority of modern fantasy sits firmly in the shadow of J. R. R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings.  What do I mean by this?  Well, if you’ve been paying any attention to fantasy books, games and movies, you ought to be able to understand it. […]

Hawk the Slayer: D&D Cheese

(Originally posted on June 28, 2017) Hawk the Friggin’ Slayer.  Yes, I’m going there.  You bet your ass. Cast your mind back (if you’re young enough) to the year of 1980.  There, gifted unto the world was the glorious cheese of Hawk the Slayer.  I first witnessed this wondrous spectacle on HBO (before there were […]

Quag Keep: The First D&D Novel

(Originally posted on December 14, 2016) Lo, those many years ago (1981) when I read Andre Norton’s novel Quag Keep.  A copy presented itself in my Middle School library. A dragon appeared on the cover and fantasy had just fastened into my pubescent consciousness, leading to a reading. Quag Keep is a queer duck of […]