Jeffrey Lord Books In Order

Publication Order of Richard Blade Books

The pseudonym of Jeffrey Lord has become an American institution in of itself almost over the many years since its first conception. With a number of different authors writing for the label, it has built a life of its own as the face of the ongoing ‘Blade’ series. Running for quite some time now, it has seen a whole variety of different names put themselves to the long-running franchise of novels.

The Authors

Working under a house pseudonym it was a series that was run by a collective of authors who managed the franchise over a number of years. This meant that many of them would come and go throughout the years, adding to the series as time went on. All lending their own unique take and perspective on the franchise, they would elaborate on the brand that was Jeffrey Lord.

With authors such as Manning Lee Stokes, Lyle Kenyon Engel, Ray Nelson and Roland J Green working on it, is was a highly maintained by many highly prolific writers during its run. Amassing a total of seventeen prestigious novelists over its course, there were many who would bring their own take to the franchise. This would lead to it becoming one of the most diverse and varied series to date, something which accounted for its many fans and followers.

Creating the first eight novels Manning Lee Stokes was the author who originally brought the Richard Blade series to life in 1973. Going under the name of Jeffrey Lord, he was also a writer who would go under a variety of other pen-names as well. These included Nick Carter, Bernice Ludwell, Paul Edwards, Ford Worth, Kirk Westley, Ken Stanton, March Marlowe and Kermit Welles.

Together these authors went on to conceive not just the authors name of Jeffrey Lord, but the franchise of Richard Blade. Developing it throughout the seventies and eighties, the franchise changed and shifted allowing to evolve over time. Finally finishing in 1984, Roland J. Green wrapped the series up, with no other titles being released since the thirty-seventh title was published rounding of the series as a whole.

History of the Brand and Series

Publishing the first title in 1969, Manning Lee Stokes released the first book under the name of Jeffrey Lord. Bringing out ‘The Bronze Axe’ he set-up the long-running ‘Richard Blade’ series that was going to be the franchise running under the house pseudonym. Establishing the style and tone of what was going to be a long and extensive run, it helped set-up what was to be a series following in the highly popular pulp fantasy genre of fiction.

The series of ‘Richard Blade’ itself, for which Jeffrey Lord is known for, feature the eponymous protagonist being hurled into a realm of fantasy. Taking a James Bond style character and putting him into a high-concept fantasy world, it blends to genres together for a hybrid of sorts. Using his deadly set of skills available to him, Richard Blade must now contend with this new and alien landscape.

Known for putting out pulp adult fantasy novels, this particular house pseudonym has garnered a fair amount of attention over the years. Building a ‘cult’ status of sorts, it’s gone on to achieve a respectable level of success within certain circles due its enjoyable and entertaining style. Running for thirty-seven novels between the years of 1969 and an 1984, the name amassed a large and impressive collection of titles.

With the series being brought out through the Pinnacle Books publishing label, the name of Jeffrey Lord was also mainly attributed to this label as well. Each with bright and colorful illustrations on their covers, they had rich and vibrant designs that conveyed their material well. This stories themselves were entertaining and fun, something which has all also helped to build up their cult status over the years.

Finishing back in 1984 Lord’s books left an interesting and fun legacy, with many still discovering them to this very day. This is something that should continue in the years to come, as they aren’t going away anytime soon, with a long and extensive backlog of work. With them always being around there’s plenty of material there for any avid fans of genre fiction looking for something new and different to become invested in.

Jewel of Tharn

Originally published in 1969 through the Pinnacle Books publishing label, this marked the third title in the ongoing Richard Blade series of novels. Continuing in much the same vein as before, it was written by Manning Lee Stokes under his house pseudonym of Jeffrey Lord. With the story of the series now fully underway, it wastes no time in getting into the main action, providing the readers with more of what they then came to appreciate from the franchise.

Heading into a dimension ruled by women who are all fierce female warriors, Richard Blade must contend with being their subordinate in this piece of genre fiction which is very much of its time and something that definitely gives it its cult status. Being made to face total submission before the women their this proves to be somewhat of a culture shock for him. Looking to build an uprising among the men, Blade realizes he has an advantage that might just allow him to rally the people and fight back. Will he be able to fight back? What gift does he hold? Can he find the Jewel of Tharn?

Liberator of Jedd

Brought out through the Pinnacle Books publishing label once again, this was first released on the 1st of January in 1971. Setting up the fifth title in the ongoing Richard Blade series, this was also released by Manning Lee Stokes under his Jeffrey Lord pseudonym house. Carrying on much like before it provides another adventure for the eponymous hero and leading protagonist of the series overall.

Being sent back to the Stone Age this time, the English gentleman Richard Blade must contend with this strange and mysterious time. Faced with barbaric ape like men who commit all kinds of savagery he must live in cave and try his best to survive. Falling in love with an escaping slave called Ooma she is the last of her doomed civilization, but he is then forced to marry a child bride in a political marriage, as he must lead a horde Jedds to the Shining Gate and defeat the ape-men. What will become of his love for Ooma? Can he survive? Will he be the liberator of Jedd?