With a mission statement to take the genre’s core virtues and alloy them with inclusivity, positivity and diversity, editor Oliver Brackenbury has assembled a collection of short stories and articles under the banner of New Edge Sword and Sorcery. When Issue Zero was released towards the end of 2022, Brackenbury whetted appetites and opened eyes to intriguing possibilities; a Kickstarter project followed, and now, a year later, Issues One and Two are available.

Brackenbury was modest about Issue Zero when referring to it as a labour of love, as the quality of fiction and fact shone through, and this next pair of publications built on that solid foundation to provide something unique and special. There are thrills aplenty, the magic is suitably dark and sinister, while the protagonists all operate on the borders of society – everything that makes the genre great – but there’s a variety and depth to the stories that push at boundaries and challenge expectations. This new edge shines, honed by passion and talent. Issue One also contains a new Elric story from Michael Moorcock; Brackenbury has stated that working with Moorcock was a wholly positive experience, and it’s great to see ventures like this being supported by such a well-known author.

The artwork is of a high standard throughout, each capturing the essence of the writing it accompanies. The non-fiction consists of a range of interviews, reviews, and fascinating retrospectives of the genre’s pioneers and future creatives that will encourage readers to seek out more. Within these pages, Brackenbury and the writers have shown how the genre can move forward while still being respectful of those who have gone before and, combined with the quality of writing, New Edge Sword and Sorcery is a fantastic success. With further issues already in the works, it looks set to blaze a new trail; more details can be found on the website at newedgeswordandsorcery.com