New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Norman's story begins in 1243, during the power struggle between King Henry III and the King's brother-in-law,
Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester. At 17, Norman of Torn was the Greatest Swordsman in England, at 18 he had a large bounty on his head, and at 19 he was the leader of the most powerful and ruthless army in the land. And, the outlaw Norman of Torn becomes the most feared warrior of all England. See samples of all our web comics strips.
Raised and taught by the French fencing master, Jules de Vac, Norman was trained to be a simple, brutal, English-hating, killing machine. The only influence over him, besides de Vac, is a Priest who taught Norman his letters and chivalry towards women. But, the Priest was found mysteriously murdered in his cottage.
In another guise, that of
Roger de Conde, Norman becomes involved with de Montfort's daughter, Bertrade - defending her against her and her father's enemies. She notes in him a curious resemblance to the English King's son and heir,
Prince Edward.
As Norman begins to sense his true origins, de Vac turns against Norman - costing de Vac his life. The fencing master had kidnapped Norman as a child to serve as the vehicle of vengeance against the King. As de Vac dies, he reveals Norman's true origins. With his identity known, can Norman still be sure of winning the hand of Bertrade, daughter of
Simon de Montfort, the King's mortal enemy?
When Edgar Rice Burroughs first established himself as a writer with Under the Moons of Mars / A Princess of Mars in early 1912, he was asked by his publisher,
Thomas Metcalf of All Story Magazine, to write another story and to center it in medieval times. He did so, submitting The Outlaw of Torn. After three rewrites, it was still rejected by Metcalf. But he was told to not give up and to write something else. His next novel was Tarzan of The Apes which established Mr. Burroughs' writing career. The Outlaw of Torn was finally published as a five part serial in New Story Magazine in early 1914, but it wasn't published in book form until 1927. This is one of only two historical novels Mr. Burroughs wrote, the other being I Am a Barbarian, set in Caligula's Rome and first published in 1967 - seventeen years after Mr. Burroughs' death.
As with all the series featured at edgarriceburroughs.com/comics, the first four episodes of "The Outlaw of Torn" will be available at no charge. Fans can gain unlimited access to the entire site and all the strips from the beginning for only $1.99 per month or $21.99 per year.
