Comic Fantasy (or humorous fantasy) is a sub-genre of Fantasy fiction. It is as the word implies. The content and/or tone is comical, funny, humorous, hilarious or whatever, sometimes/often with puns and parodies of other famous works or authors. Most titles have comical cover illustrations as well and it helps to determine if they belong to this genre or not.
But it is difficult to define strictly what titles/contents belong to this genre... sometimes the tone is humorous but several works have more severe or satirical undertone rather than being just humorous.
|
This list of comic fantasy includes titles from my standpoint. I included what I thought humorous/comical in nature. It goes without saying that basic works such as Terry Pratchett's, Tom Holt's, and others' are included, but in some cases, it might differ from other similar lists.
Well, it's sometimes difficult to understand the humor for non-English speakers such as I. Some authors' works are quite enjoyable but alas, one needs to know their culture and/or history more deeply to fully appreciate the implied jokes/humor...
I'm still building up this list from my database. I'll try to finish it asap although there never will be a "complete" list. :-P
|
Parodies of Famous Fantasy
Bored of the Rings
• Harvard Lampoon Staff
![Bored of the Rings](../cover/bored_of_the_rings.jpg)
Publisher: New American Library
A Parody of J.R.R. Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings
Dildo Bugger, Frito, Goodgulf and Sorhed... oh, well...
First published from Signet Books in 1969 (cover indicated above) and now reprinted in new cover.
|
The Roadkill of Middle Earth
• John Carnell
![Roadkill of Middle Earth](../cover/amazon/0743434676.jpg)
Publisher: iBooks 2001
Illustrator: Tom Sutton
A short (around 60 pages) illustrated parody.
There is no need to say that this is a parody of "the Lord of the Rings", right? The place is Middle Terra Firma, the wizard is Randolf... Funny? Judge by yourself...
|
Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody
• Michael Gerber
![Barry Trotter](../cover/amazon/0743244281.jpg)
Publisher: Fireside
Illustrator: Rodger Roundy
This book is a parody of Harry Potter. Get the signed copy from the author :-) Check Barry Trotter Web-page for details.
|
The Soddit
![Soddit](../cover/amazon/0575075546.jpg)
• Adam Roberts
Publisher: Gollancz (UK)
Illustrator: Douglas Carrel
This time it is "The Hobbit". Bingo Sac Grabbins and wizard Gandef...
|
I found this link page while browsing. It collects a lot of Tolkien related parodies on the Net. Have some fun :-)
|
God: The Ultimate Autobiography / Satan: The Hiss and Tell Memoirs
• Jeremy Pascal
Although this is not actually a "fantasy" but it's famous :-P Very funny. "God" is an autobiography of God and "Satan," of Satan. GOD: There is no beginning and He doesn't have the end, so the book could be endless... and nobody would survive to read it to the end (and there is no end, that is.) SATAN: Counterpart of the God... a autobiography of the Prince of the Darknesses. Published by Pan Books (UK) in 1989.
|
TOP
American Comic/Humorous Fantasy
I have listed series name only where applicable. Please check my main database (Fantasy Books in Englsih) by clicking the series links for individual titles included in that series.
- Xanth Series
I believe, there is no need to introduce this series, right? :-) I enjoyed the first three volumes and some others in this series.
Check Xanth series at Amazon.com
- Myth Series
Skeeve, the apprentice magician and his scaly mentor, Aahz and ex-assassin Tanda overcome various "myth-adventures" :-) This series is fun.
- Alchemy sequence
Maybe not quite a comic fantasy but there is enough humorous undertone.
- Daimbert sequence
Daimbert is a wizard but not good at it. He becomes Royal Wizard in the kingdom of Yurt and there are always troubles... even in such a small kingdom. Again, not quite a comic fantasy but humorous nonetheless.
Many of this author's works are humorous fantasy.
- Demons sequence
- Gnome sequence
- Majyk sequence
- New York By Knight
- Elf Defense
- Druid's Blood
- Sphynxes Wild
- Yesterday We Saw Mermaids
- Wishing Season
- Split Heirs (with Roger Zelazny)
- "Heroes" series
![The Wizardry Quested](../cover/amazon/0671877089.jpg)
- Wiz Series
- Mall Purchase Night
Author of many Star Trek novels. Works listed in my main list are all humorous.
- Knight Life series
- Sir Apropos of Nothing (series?)
- Howling Mad
Author of many books, including Conan novels. Many of the titles, such as "Incomplete Enchanter" series and "Reluctant King" sequence are humorous fantasy. Look up my main lists for individual titles.
Many of the works are humorous. Individual titles are listed in the main database.
- Ebenezum Trilogy
- Ballad of Wuntvor
- Cineverse Cycle
- Sinbad Series
- Infernal Devices
- Kedrigern Series
The first Kedrigern book, "A Voice for Princess" was published in 1986. Now, the whole series is being reprinted and new stories will be published from Meisha Merlin Publishing. Kedrigern the wizard dislikes to travel. One day he finds/rescues a princess turned into a talking toad. And the result? A human princess with a voice of a toad...
These books are not actually in the genre of humorous fantasy but near, anyway. Co-authored two "Incomplete Enchanter sequence" with L. Sprague DeCamp.
- A Wizard in Rhyme
- Warlock series
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon in a fairy land. You can guess the contents. :-)
- Murphy's Lore series
- Logical Magician sequence
Author of many SF/Fantasy novels and well-known Amber series. There are several other titles which could be considered humorous.
- Azzie Elbub sequence
- Practical Demonkeeping
TOP
UK/Australian Comic Fantasy
Check individual titles in my database. They are all humorous fantasy. Ronan series is, sort of, a Conan parody.
- "Damned and Fancy" series
- The High History of the Holy Quail
This title is a print-on-demand book. Volume the First in the End of All Magick Saga.
Humorous fantasy author. Look at my main database.
All of his books in my database are humorous fantasy.
- The Tough Guide to Fantasyland
This is not actually a novel, but is really entertaining and hilarious. I loved it.
- The Dragon Hoard
Perharps the most famous author in this humorous fantasy genre. See my database for individual titles.
He is humorous fantasy author. I think all his books are in this genre. There are many others which I do not have in my library.
TOP
Anthologies of Humorous Fantasy
|