CROM Update 062 with Raph Cornford’s Thrilling Suspense Fantasy | Clark Ashton Smith Inspiration

Be sure to check out and subscribe to the official Crom the Barbarian website http://cromthebarbarian.com/

Raph's YouTube    / @thrillingsuspensefantasy  
Raph's Instagram   / raphmakesartithink  

Honorable mentions:
Roland Wieffering    / @rolandwieffering1  

In Episode 62 of CROM Updates, Kurt Brugel interviews indie artist and narrator Raph Cornford, best known for his Clark Ashton Smith audiobooks on YouTube. The discussion spans Raph’s printmaking education, sword & sorcery influences, and the creation of his series Thrilling Suspense Fantasy. Drawing inspiration from Fritz Leiber and Golden Age comics, Raph blends poetic language, intense fight scenes, and cityscapes into pulp narratives. Both creators explore the philosophical roots of nostalgia, the power of spleen, and the immersive potential of comics. Raph also shares his professional work in RPG and music illustration, concluding the episode with enthusiasm for contributing to a future CROM Anthology.

3 Educational Values for the Viewer:
1. Literary Appreciation – Encourages deeper understanding of pulp authors like Clark Ashton Smith and the philosophical roots of weird fiction.
2. Artistic Process Insight – Reveals the integration of traditional printmaking with digital comic production and modern illustration.
3. Collaborative Creativity – Demonstrates how indie creators build community and inspire each other through shared genre passion and mutual artistic respect.