Step into the wild, dimension-hopping world of the Blade series, where MI6A agent Richard Blade battles savage warriors, seduces exotic beauties, and navigates alternate realities with nothing but his wits and brawn! This pulp fiction gem, blending adult fantasy and science fiction, captivated readers from 1969 to 1984 with its 37 novels, written under the pseudonym Jeffrey Lord. Ready for a thrilling ride through uncharted worlds?
With its mix of high-octane action, steamy encounters, and bizarre settings, the Blade series carved a unique niche in 20th-century genre fiction. Let’s dive into its origins, explore its adventurous heart, and uncover why it still sparks curiosity today.
How Blade Began
The Blade series burst onto the scene in 1969, published by Pinnacle Books, a powerhouse of pulp fiction. Created under the house pseudonym Jeffrey Lord, the series was penned by writers Manning Lee Stokes, Roland J. Green, and Ray Nelson. The concept was daring for its time: a British secret agent, Richard Blade, is wired to a supercomputer beneath the Tower of London, zapping him into random alternate dimensions. Inspired by the era’s fascination with sci-fi and spy fiction, the series offered a gritty, adult twist on the sword-and-sorcery genre, appealing to readers craving escapism with a naughty edge.
The idea, rumored to have been influenced by sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick, tapped into the multiverse craze, blending James Bond’s suave machismo with barbaric fantasy worlds. Its fast-paced, unapologetic storytelling made it a hit, spawning audiobooks and international translations.
The Heart of Blade
At its core, the Blade series is about survival and adventure in the unknown. Each book begins with Blade teleported naked and weaponless into a new dimension, facing everything from prehistoric ape-men to futuristic dystopias. Key titles like The Bronze Axe (1969), the series opener, see Blade battling tribal warriors in a medieval realm, while Jewel of Tharn (1969) pits him against fierce female rulers in a matriarchal world. Slave of Sarma (1970) throws him into a decadent empire, and Pearl of Patmos (1973) explores a post-apocalyptic wasteland with a mythical twist.
Themes of machismo, exploration, and conquest dominate, with Blade’s physical prowess and cunning driving the narrative. The series’ explicit sexual content, often involving Blade’s encounters with alluring women, was a hallmark, reflecting its adult fantasy roots. Settings range from fantasy Egypt to alien planets, painted with vivid, if sometimes campy, prose. While not literary masterpieces, the books’ raw energy and imaginative worlds hooked readers, offering a guilty pleasure akin to a blockbuster B-movie.
The writing style, varying by author, leans on pulpy flair—think florid descriptions and larger-than-life stakes. Stokes’ early novels are gritty and chaotic, while Green’s later entries add deeper world-building. Despite its repetitive formula, the series’ sheer variety of dimensions kept fans coming back for more.
Why Blade Resonates
The Blade series left a mark on pulp fiction, influencing later dimension-hopping stories and adult fantasy. Its international popularity, especially in Russia, where translator Mikhail Akhmanov and sci-fi author Nick Perumov wrote over 16 original sequels in the 1990s, speaks to its universal appeal. These Russian exclusives, unavailable in English, expanded Blade’s mythos, cementing his status as a cult icon.
Today, Blade’s allure lies in its nostalgic charm and unapologetic boldness. Fans on platforms like Reddit praise its over-the-top escapism, while collectors hunt for vintage paperbacks with eye-catching covers. For modern readers, it’s a time capsule of 1970s genre fiction—flawed, fearless, and fantastically weird.
- Publication Years: 1969–1984
- Number of Books: 37
- Authors: Manning Lee Stokes, Roland J. Green, Ray Nelson (as Jeffrey Lord)
- Translations: French, Russian, German, Swedish, Greek
Dust off The Bronze Axe and plunge into Richard Blade’s wild, dimension-spanning adventures! Whether you’re a pulp fiction fan or just curious, this series promises a rollicking ride through the multiverse.