The eighth step into the Darkness takes place on the American side of the Atlantic. It features two short stories by a single author – Texas native Robert Ervin Howard. Sadly enough, Howard died at age 30, but he still managed to create several immortal heroes – and was one of the founders of the now popular genre of heroic fantasy (along with J. R. R. Tolkien). R. E. Howard created Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja, and Solomon Kane. Together with H. P. Lovecraft and others, R. E. Howard was one of the most prominent purveyors of the Cthulhu Mythos (the best-known contemporary author of this fictional mythology is Stephen King). The Horror from the Mound, and The Fearsome Touch of Death, are excellent even by today’s standards – and the stories are further highlighted by incredible vocal performances, stunning music, and superb graphics on the cover.