Iron-Bound Books of Shuma-Gorath

Origin[]

The iron-bound Books of Shuma-Gorath were (apparently)^[3] magically created long before books existed^[4] and were crafted by humanity. Shuma-Gorath, like Skelos, Vathelos and others created their books from iron rings and plates. They then manipulated humans into using the book, thus enabling their creator to influence Earth.^[5]

Pre-Cataclysmic Age[]

The iron-bound Books of Shuma-Gorath were used by Lemurian sorcerers, among others, to summon magical power for spell.^[4]

Over 19,000 years BC, Shuma-Gorath returned to Earth, and ruled the land that would became known as Cimmeria, from the mountain later known as Mount Crom, until the young god Crom led a shaman to obtain the three of Shuma-Gorath, allowing Crom to seal Shuma within the mountain.^[5]

Hyborian Age[]

During the Hyborian Age, a few copies existed, possessed by various wizards and sorcerers:

• The Stygian sorcerer Shu-Onoru of Kheshatta possessed the toms of Skelos, Vathelos the Blind and Shuma-Gorath, which were accessed by his slave Zula, the last of the Zamballah.^[6]
• After marrying, the sorcerers Kulan Gath and Vammatar tried to use the books to release then eslave Shuma-Gorath, but were foiled by Crom.^[5]

Age of Conan[]

100 years later, Shuma-Gorath manipulated the mercenary Hob into releasing him, but was foiled by Conan who hurled the books into Crom's storm. Shuma-Gorath consequently vanished.^[5]

• The iron bound books of Shuma Gorath were mentioned by Robert E. Howard in "The Curse of the Golden Skull",^[7] first published in The Howard Collector (Spring, 1967), and adapted by Marvel Comics in Conan the Barbarian #37 (April, 1974).
• The Iron-Bound Books of Shuma-Gorath's entries in the Tomes of Eldritch Knowledge's page from Mystic Arcana: The Book of Marvel Magic #1, the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe, and Comicvine, states that their first reference occurred in Conan the Barbarian #37, though it doesn't seems to be mentioned in that issue. This is possibly an error based on the fact Conan the Barbarian #37 is the adaptation of "The Curse of the Golden Skull".
• The same sources also state that the books first appeared in Conan the Barbarian #258, but doesn't mentions their possible appearance in 85.