Bloodstar - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Some writers have commented that Bloodstar is the most successful adaptation of a Robert E. Howard story. James Van Hise wrote : ""...I believe that it is the only time someone has rewritten Howard and retained the atmosphere and the subtext while also transforming it in to something as good as the original, however different it is in substantial ways." D. Aviva Rothschild agrees, calling Bloodstar "pulp adventure fiction brought to life by a master illustrator... much more interesting, both textually and artistically, than the insipid Conan adaptations by Marvel." Comics historian Maurice Horn believes that Bloodstar is "A bizarre commingling of Greek and Norse mythologies, with a light admixture of science fiction, it embodies the sum of Corben's fantasies and nightmares in its fantastic array of repulsive-looking monsters, incredibly muscled heroes and impossibly big-busted maidens. Bloodstar also embodies Corben's peculiar vision of heroic sex and heroic death as the twin saviors of mankind." In contrast, critic Agustín Oliver comments regarding Bloodstar that “… sexual activity is infrequent in Corben’s work; when it appears it is usually depicted as delicate and tender.” Alberto García Marcos, who wrote a long analysis of Corben's career, considers Bloodstar his masterpiece.