Stormbringer (novel)

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Stormbringer

Stormbringer is a 1965 fantasy novel by Michael Moorcock, featuring Elric of Melniboné and his sentient demon-sword, Stormbringer. The book is a streamlined fix-up of four earlier stories from Science Fantasy (1963–1964) and was revised for the 1977 US edition.

Publication notes
- First published in England in 1965, about 220 pages.
- The novel gathers four previously published tales: Dead God's Homecoming, Black Sword's Brothers, Sad Giant's Shield, and Doomed Lord's Passing.
- Moorcock revised the text for the 1977 US edition.
- P. Craig Russell adapted the story into a seven-issue Dark Horse Comics miniseries in 1997; Titan Comics released a hardcover collected edition in 2021.

Plot summary (easy to follow)
- Elric, emperor of the regal but fading Melniboné, wields Stormbringer, a powerful demon-sword that feeds on life. When his wife Zarozinia is kidnapped by chaos forces, Elric teams up with his loyal companion Moonglum and the warrior Dyvim Slorm to rescue her.
- They learn the kidnapper is a resurrected god named Darnizhaan. With guidance from the servant Sepiriz, Elric and Dyvim Slorm perform a rune that brings Stormbringer’s many brother swords to life, allowing them to kill Darnizhaan in exchange for Zarozinia.
- Elric then tries to unite the Young Kingdoms against Jagreen Lern, who has seized power with the help of Sarosto and the Dukes of Hell. Learning that Stormbringer can call its brothers into battle, Elric fights to stop Lern’s chaotic takeover, though many battles follow.
- In the quest for power, Elric and his companions travel far and wide, facing treachery, sea storms, and agony. Zarozinia is captured again and transformed into a giant worm who dies on Stormbringer.
- The final act moves to a climactic confrontation with the forces of Chaos. Elric travels to the domain of the White Lords and must blow the horn Olifant three times to awaken dragons, summon the White Lords, and end Chaos. After a brutal battle, Lern is defeated and the world is reshaped into a new Earth.
- With energy running out, Elric is forced to kill Moonglum so he can blow Olifant a third time. The old world ends, Stormbringer kills Elric as it escapes, and Chaos leaves behind a changed world.

In other media
- The 1997 Dark Horse Comics miniseries adaptation by P. Craig Russell.
- Titan Comics released a 2021 hardcover collected edition.