I know who all four of them are. I'd say Conan is the best known, though Geralt of Riva might be closing in, given the popularity of the Witcher games (and there's the upcoming Netflix series).
My favorite, though, is Elric VIII of Melnibone, incarnation of the Champion Eternal and bane to... well, everyone, in the end, but particularly his friends and loved ones.
One nitpick: the first Elric story was published in 1961. Most US readers were introduced to him in the late 1970s, when the six volume DAW editions -- the ones with the beautiful Michael Whelan covers -- came out. Elric was very much the product of 1960s counterculture in the UK.
Make that two nitpicks: drugs and sorcery made Elric strong (well, healthy). The soul-eating demonic black sword Stormbringer made him scary as all get out.
My favorite, though, is Elric VIII of Melnibone, incarnation of the Champion Eternal and bane to... well, everyone, in the end, but particularly his friends and loved ones.
One nitpick: the first Elric story was published in 1961. Most US readers were introduced to him in the late 1970s, when the six volume DAW editions -- the ones with the beautiful Michael Whelan covers -- came out. Elric was very much the product of 1960s counterculture in the UK.
Make that two nitpicks: drugs and sorcery made Elric strong (well, healthy). The soul-eating demonic black sword Stormbringer made him scary as all get out.
Last edited: