Asprin, Robert Lynn

Entry updated 11 September 2023. Tagged: Author, Editor.

(1946-2008) US author who began publishing sf with his first novel, The Cold Cash War (1977), which alarmingly conflates Game-World antics (like fake Wars between mercenaries representing rival corporations on rented turf – Brazil, for instance, being visualized mainly as an arena for world-dominating firms to play games in) and a political rationale to legitimize the corporate control of Earth. Asprin's later novels continued to chafe against similar real-life constraints, and it was not until the invention of the Thieves' World universe that he came into his own. The individual volumes in the sequence – a Shared-World fantasy enterprise crafted by a number of writers – were designed by Asprin to comprise a number of stories written (or edited) so that they read as Braids; he may have been the first sf or fantasy editor to create a significant braided anthology or novel. The sequence begins with Thieves' World (anth 1979) and ends with Stealer's Sky (anth 1989). Six Graphic-Novel versions of material from the sequence were published, all with Lynn Abbey (1948- ) and artist Tim Sale, beginning with Thieves' World Graphics 1 (graph 1986). Other fantasy sequences include the M.Y.T.H. sequence [see Checklist below] and the Elfquest sequence (see Richard Pini).

Since 1979 almost all of Asprin's work was fantasy, mostly comic. An exception is his Phule's Company sequence – beginning with Phule's Company (1990) and ending with Phule's Company #5: No Phule Like an Old Phule (2003) with Peter J Heck – which deploys the eponymous passel of ragbag soldiers in a Space-Opera universe. A more recent series, Wartorn, begins with Wartorn: Resurrection (2005) with Eric Del Cario. Asprin's reputation lies mainly in the ingenuity of his braiding activities as editor, but his comic fiction was craftsmanlike. [JC]

see also: Gamebook; Humour.

Robert Lynn Asprin

born St Johns, Michigan: 28 June 1946

died New Orleans, Louisiana: 22 May 2008

works

sf works

series

Phule's Company

Phule's Company (New York: Ace Books, 1990) [Phule's Company: pb/James Warhola]
Phule's Company #2: Phule's Paradise (New York: Ace Books, 1992) [Phule's Company: pb/Robert Grace]
Phule's Company #3: A Phule and His Money (New York: Ace Books, 1999) with Peter J Heck [Phule's Company: pb/Walter Velez]
Phule's Company #4: Phule Me Twice (New York: Ace Books, 2000) with Peter J Heck [Phule's Company: pb/Walter Velez]
Phule's Company #5: No Phule Like an Old Phule (New York: Ace Books, 2003) with Peter J Heck [Phule's Company: pb/Walter Velez]
Phule's Company #6: Phule's Errand (New York: Ace Books, 2006) with Peter J Heck [Phule's Company: pb/Walter Velez]

Wartorn

Wartorn: Resurrection (New York: Baen Books, 2005) with Eric Del Cario [Wartorn: pb/Duayne O Myers]
Wartorn: Obliteration (New York: Baen Books, 2006) with Eric Del Cario [Wartorn: pb/Duayne O Myers]

individual titles

The Cold Cash War (New York: St Martin's Press, 1977) [hb/]
The Bug Wars (New York: St Martin's Press, 1979) [hb/Gary La Sasso]
Tambu (New York: Ace Books, 1979) [pb/Rowena Morrill]
- Three Faces of Asprin (New York: Baen Books, 2016) [omni of the above three: pb/Kurt Miller]
Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe (Chicago, Illinois: Playboy Press Paperbacks, 1979) with George Takei [pb/Ken Barr]
Catwoman (New York: Warner Books, 1992) with Lynn Abbey [tie to the film Batman Returns (see Batman Films): Batman: pb/Dave Dorman]
- Catwoman: Tiger Hunt (London: Millennium, 1993) with Lynn Abbey [tie: vt of above: hb/]
License Revoked (New York: Baen Books, 2001) with Jody Lynn Nye [pb/Gary Ruddell]
For King & Country (New York: Baen Books, 2002) with Linda Evans [hb/Larry Dixon]
E Godz (New York: Baen Books, 2003) with Esther M Friesner [pb/Gary Ruddell]

fantasy works

series

M.Y.T.H

Another Fine Myth ... (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1978) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Kelly Freas]
Myth Conceptions (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1980) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Kelly Freas and Polly Freas]
Myth Directions (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1982) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
Hit or Myth (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1983) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
- Myth Adventures (Garden City, New York: Nelson Doubleday, 1984) [omni of first four: M.Y.T.H: hb/Walter Velez]
  - The Myth-ing Omnibus (London: Legend, 1992) [omni: cut vt of above (first three titles only): M.Y.T.H: pb/Chris Baker as Fangorn]
  - Myth Adventures One (Decatur, Georgia: Meisha Merlin, 2001) [omni: cut vt of above (first two titles only): M.Y.T.H: hb/Daniel R Horne]
    - Another Fine Myth / Myth Conceptions (New York: Ace Books, 2002) [omni: vt of above: M.Y.T.H: pb/Walter Velez]
  - Myth Directions / Hit or Myth (New York: Ace Books, 2002) [omni: cut vt of above (3 and 4 only): M.Y.T.H: pb/Walter Velez]
Myth-ing Persons (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1984) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
Little Myth Marker (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1985) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
- The Second Myth-ing Omnibus (London: Legend, 1992) [omni of 4, 5, 6 above: M.Y.T.H: hb/Chris Baker as Fangorn]
  - Myth-ing Persons / Little Myth Marker (New York: Ace Books, 2002) [omni: cut vt of above (5 and 6 only): M.Y.T.H: pb/Walter Velez]
- Myth Adventures Volume One (Decatur, Georgia: Meisha Merlin, 2006) [omni of 1 to 6 above: M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
M.Y.T.H. Inc. Link (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1986) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
- Myth Alliances (Garden City, New York: Nelson Doubleday, 1987) [omni assembling 5, 6, 7 above: M.Y.T.H: hb/Walter Velez]
Myth-Nomers and Im-pervections (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1987) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
- M.Y.T.H. Inc. Link / Myth-Nomers and Impervections (New York: Ace Books, 2002) [omni assembling 7, 8 above: M.Y.T.H: pb/Walter Velez]
M.Y.T.H. Inc. in Action (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1990) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
Sweet MYTHtery of Life (Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1994) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
- M.Y.T.H. Inc. in Action / Sweet Myth-tery of Life (New York: Ace Books, 2002) [omni assembling 9, 10 above: M.Y.T.H: pb/Walter Velez]
Myth-ion Improbable (Decatur, Georgia: Meisha Merlin, 2001) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Hoang Nguyen]
Something M.Y.T.H. Inc (Decatur, Georgia: Meisha Merlin, 2002) [M.Y.T.H: hb/Hoang Nguyen]
- Myth Adventures Volume Two (Decatur, Georgia: Meisha Merlin, 2007) [omni assembling 7 to 12 above: M.Y.T.H: pb/Phil Foglio]
Myth Alliances (Decatur, Georgia: Meisha Merlin, 2003) with Jody Lynn Nye [M.Y.T.H: hb/Michael Komarck]
Myth-Told Tales (Decatur, Georgia: Meisha Merlin, 2003) with Jody Lynn Nye [coll: M.Y.T.H: hb/Michael Komarck]
Myth-Taken Identity (Decatur, Georgia: Meisha Merlin, 2004) with Jody Lynn Nye [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
Class Dis-Mythed (Rockville, Maryland: Wildside Press, 2005) with Jody Lynn Nye [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
Myth-Gotten Gains (Rockville, Maryland: Wildside Press, 2006) with Jody Lynn Nye [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]
Myth-Chief (Rockville, Maryland: Wildside Press, 2008) with Jody Lynn Nye [M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio and Cheyenne Wright]
Myth-Fortunes (Rockville, Maryland: Wildside Press, 2008) with Jody Lynn Nye [M.Y.T.H: pb/]
Myth-Interpretations (New York: Baen Books, 2010) [coll: M.Y.T.H: pb/Bob Eggleton]

M.Y.T.H graphic novels

Myth Adventures One (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1985) with Phil Foglio [graph: assembling comics versions based on Another Fine Myth ...: M.Y.T.H: hb/]
Myth Adventures Two (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1986) with Phil Foglio [graph: assembling comics versions based on Another Fine Myth ...: M.Y.T.H: hb/Phil Foglio]

Thieves' World

Thieves' World (New York: Ace Books, 1979) [anth: cover wrongly credited on title page verso, but signed by artist: Thieves' World: pb/Walter Velez]
Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn (New York: Ace Books, 1980) [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Walter Velez]
Shadows of Sanctuary (New York: Ace Books, 1981) [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Walter Velez]
- Sanctuary (Garden City, New York: Nelson Doubleday, 1982) [anth: omni of the above three: Thieves' World: hb/Walter Velez]
Storm Season (New York: Ace Books, 1982) [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Walter Velez]
The Face of Chaos (New York: Ace Books, 1981) with Lynn Abbey [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Walter Velez]
Wings of Omen (New York: Ace Books, 1984) with Lynn Abbey [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Walter Velez]
- Cross-Currents (Garden City, New York: Nelson Doubleday, 1984) [anth: omni of the above three: Thieves' World: hb/Walter Velez]
The Dead of Winter (New York: Ace Books, 1985) with Lynn Abbey [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Gary Ruddell]
Soul of the City (New York: Ace Books, 1985) with Lynn Abbey [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Gary Ruddell]
Blood Ties (New York: Ace Books, 1986) with Lynn Abbey [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Gary Ruddell]
- The Shattered Sphere (Garden City, New York: Nelson Doubleday, 1986) [anth: omni of the above three: Thieves' World: hb/Walter Velez]
Aftermath (New York: Ace Books, 1987) with Lynn Abbey [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Gary Ruddell]
Uneasy Alliances (New York: Ace Books, 1988) with Lynn Abbey [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Gary Ruddell]
Stealer's Sky (New York: Ace Books, 1989) with Lynn Abbey [anth: Thieves' World: pb/Gary Ruddell]
- The Price of Victory (Garden City, New York: Nelson Doubleday, 1990) [anth: omni of the above three: Thieves' World: hb/Walter Velez]

Thieves' World Graphics

Thieves' World Graphics (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1986) with Lynn Abbey and Tim Sale [graph: Thieves' World Graphics: pb/Tim Sale]
Thieves' World Graphics 2 (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1986) with Lynn Abbey and Tim Sale [graph: Thieves' World Graphics: pb/Tim Sale]
Thieves' World Graphics 3 (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1986) with Lynn Abbey and Tim Sale [graph: Thieves' World Graphics: pb/Tim Sale]
Thieves' World Graphics 4 (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1987) with Lynn Abbey and Tim Sale [graph: Thieves' World Graphics: pb/Tim Sale]
Thieves' World Graphics 5 (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1987) with Lynn Abbey and Tim Sale [graph: Thieves' World Graphics: pb/Tim Sale]
Thieves' World Graphics 6 (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1987) with Lynn Abbey and Tim Sale [graph: Thieves' World Graphics: pb/Tim Sale]

Duncan and Mallory

Duncan and Mallory (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1986) with Mel White [graph: Duncan and Mallory: pb/]
The Bar-None Ranch (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1987) with Mel White [graph: Duncan and Mallory: pb/]
The Raiders (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company/Starblaze, 1988) with Mel White [graph: Duncan and Mallory: pb/]
The Adventures of Duncan and Mallory: Book One: The Beginning (Rockville, Maryland: Wildside Press, 2013) with Selina Rosen and Mel White [Duncan and Mallory: pb/]

Time Scout

Time Scout (New York: Baen Books, 1995) with Linda Evans [Time Scout: pb/Gary Ruddell]
Wagers of Sin (New York: Baen Books, 1996) with Linda Evans [Time Scout: pb/Gary Ruddell]
- Tales of the Time Scouts (New York: Baen Books, 2015) with Linda Evans [omni of the above two: Time Scout: pb/Adam Burn]
Ripping Time (New York: Baen Books, 2000) with Linda Evans [Time Scout: pb/John Monteleone]
The House That Jack Built (New York: Baen Books, 2001) with Linda Evans [Time Scout: pb/Gary Ruddell]
- Tales of the Time Scouts: II (New York: Baen Books, 2016) with Linda Evans [omni of the above two: Time Scout: pb/Alan Pollack]

Griffin McCandles

Dragon's Wild (New York: Ace Books, 2008) [Griffin McCandles: pb/Brandon Dorman]
Dragon's Luck (New York: Ace Books, 2009) [Griffin McCandles: pb/Eric Fortune]
Dragon Deal (New York: Ace Books, 2010) with Jody Lynn Nye [Griffin McCandles: pb/Rob Johnson]

individual titles

Combat Command in the World of Robert Asprin's Cold Cash War: Cold Cash Warrior (New York: Ace Books, 1989) with Bill Fawcett [tie: in the publisher's Combat Command Gamebook series: pb/Don Dixon]

links

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