Unrealized Potential: HPL's "Adventures Into Darkness"

An interesting product with an even more enticing premise was recently published by Kenneth Hite: a RPG adaption of H.P. Lovecraft's "Adventures into Darkness." What? You know of no such work by the Olde Gent from Providence? Fear not, nobody does. Not in this universe, anyway. "Adventures into Darkness" was a comic series written by a wizened, healthier Lovecraft in a parallel universe. Add extra open-minded to Lovecraft's features in this alternate history too, since his lingering disdain of pulps would've been quite a hurdle to overcome for playing a major role in writing Golden Age comics of the '40s and '50s.

This is, however, where the wonders of fiction come in. And what magic they weave here! Lovecraft the comic creator transforms Randolph Carter, Asenath, Nodens and Dagon, among others, into a whole cast of heroes and villains. Mr. Hite includes in this downloadable edition not only a historical account of how such a bizarre twist of fate came to be, but also RPG stats for incorporating the comic elements into game sessions. Comic art and a faux guide to prices and values of old Lovecraft comic books are included in nice doses as well.

The 48 page item is certainly one of the most creative thus far this year for $10.00, and deserves bonus points for appearing in a downloadable format from Ronin Arts. This grants the reader both digital file format and ease of printing for personal or gaming usage. Beyond that, "Adventures into Darkness" is a worthy footnote in a tiny, but slowly expanding nook of H.P. Lovecrafts-that-never-were, best exemplified by Peter Cannon's 2004 work of alternate history, The Lovecraft Chronicles.

-Grim Blogger