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| Conan #54 – “The Oracle of Ophir!” |
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to Countdown to Conan, a series ringing in the return of Robert E. Howard’s popular Cimmerian to Marvel Comics. We’ll be reviewing issues of Marvel’s original Conan the Barbarian series weekly until Marvel releases their first new Conan comic books in 2019. This review is written by Wally Monk.)
This issue continues the storyline involving Conan, Captain Murilo and Tara. It’s a much better story than the previous adaption of “Kothar and the Conjuror’s Curse,” and I’ll be sad to see it end.
Conan’s companions in this story line are campy cariacatures of sidekicks. Tara, the youthful and brass yet bumbling jester and Captain Murilo (who originally appeared in Conan the Barbarian #11) are welcome distractions. Typically, Conan’s “sidekicks” are women with ulterior motives or fellow warriors (or thieves) with the same.
In many ways, this (and the previous two issues) remind me of the Conan the Adventurer live-action series. Nothing is too serious, and the plots are too cheesy to be taken as seriously as some of the earlier issues. It’s also a good, fun build-up to the introduction of Belit in two issues, as the “Pirates of the Black Coast” tales begin a darker and less light-hearted era in the Conan the Barbarian comic book series.
Review: Conan the Barbarian #54
In the last issue, Conan, Captain Murilo and Tara kidnapped the crotchety Princess Yvonna, who was en route to be married to the prince of Carnolla. Carnolla and a fellow city-state, Pergona, would be united with the marriage. The kidnapping was prompted by Belzamo, king of Ronnoco (a rival city-state) who believes that by having his own son Vanni marry the princess, it would elevate him and his kingdom, leaving him in a politically stronger position. Belzamo also commissioned the men to find the Ring of The Black Shadow, which would also help enforce his power.
But Yvonna isn’t having it. She says she’s not going to marry Vanni – and as she talks to Conan and Murilo, a horse comes galloping into town with a weary rider. The rider is Yusef, the sole survivor of the expedition to find the Ring of The Black Shadow, and he wants to see Murilo right away!
Meanwhile, Murilo and Conan are meeting with Belzamo in the throne room, showing off the captured princess. Once again, Yvonna confirms that she will not marry Vanni with a well placed heel in the prince’s foot! Tara barges into the throne room with Yusef to tell them the tale of the giant shadow creature which decimated their mercenary band and took the ring for itself.
Conan suggests that with the news of the giant shadow beast, the king needs an oracle and not an army. The oracle can tell him where the ring is and what the future brings. Sounds like a good mission for Conan and his band – so the king’s son, Prince Vanni, suggests Conan should go. Murilo tells Conan to take Tara and Yusef with him (adding that he’s tired of Tara’s juvenile antics!)
Approaching the the cave where the oracle lives, Conan and his group are trailed by a misshapen dwarf, who remains hidden out of sight. A massive guardian is stationed at the entrance, and he exacts a toll from anyone who wishes to speak with the oracle – the visitor’s sword arm!
Being too much of a price to pay for Conan, the barbarian engages the giant in battle. Defeating him, he takes the giant’s ornate, magical sword and begins to crawl through the narrow cave entrance in search of the oracle.
Conan finds himself in the presence of a cowled skeleton who speaks in riddles, and soon Conan has had enough. He prepares to take his leave, bringing the riddle back to Belzamo.
Returning to the cave entrance, Conan notices that a new guardian has taken the giant’s place – it’s a replica of the Cimmerian himself! Confused, the barbarian raises his newly found blade to fight against his own doppelganger.
What was the riddle of the oracle? What could it mean? And which Conan will win this battle?
CAPSULE REVIEW: When John Buscema focuses on detail, the result is inspiring. The splash panel of this issue is a fantastic rendering by Buscema, primarily because he tries to flesh out the background of the City of Ronnoco. It’s amazing how the page looks more like a piece of art than a stereotypical “comic book” splash panel.
I also enjoy the inks and coloring of Tom Palmer and Phil Rachelson. Both bring out the best in Buscema’s line work and draw the reader into the artwork as much as Roy Thomas’ fun scripting draws one into the story.
On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue a 7.4. Copies were available on eBay for less than $5.
As always, I am – Wally (AKA Paint Monk)
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