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Tags: Review: Conan the Barbarian #61 – “On the Track of the She-Pirate”
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| Conan the Barbarian #61 “On the Track of the She Pirate” |
(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 new blogger Andy
Maglothin. Welcome to the library, Andy!)
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 new blogger Andy
Maglothin. Welcome to the library, Andy!)
The cover speaks
volumes and foreshdows the action you’ll find in this issue (and a bit of a
spoiler) as Bêlit is captured by a giant killer moth! Featuring
Gil Kane’s distinct work, we see Conan springing into action to
assist the Shemite hellcat as she struggles against the mammoth insect.
volumes and foreshdows the action you’ll find in this issue (and a bit of a
spoiler) as Bêlit is captured by a giant killer moth! Featuring
Gil Kane’s distinct work, we see Conan springing into action to
assist the Shemite hellcat as she struggles against the mammoth insect.
But
wait…what’s that in the corner…? A massive hand holding a
dagger – it’s the hand of Amra. This is going to be good.
wait…what’s that in the corner…? A massive hand holding a
dagger – it’s the hand of Amra. This is going to be good.
Conan the Barbarian #61 continues the tale of Bêlit’s kidnapping and Conan’s quest to rescue her from the crocodile riders.
Review: Conan the Barbarian #61
Our story begins with an angry, vengeful Conan vowing to find Bêlit.
Since Ombassa and
the Watambi have been at war with the dragon riders, Ombassa offers men to
assist Conan and the Black Corsairs. Kawaku, one of the Corsairs,
objects and does not want to send men on the mission – we soon discover that Bêlit overthrew the Uzumi council. This disagreement leads to a face-off
between Kawaku and Conan.
the Watambi have been at war with the dragon riders, Ombassa offers men to
assist Conan and the Black Corsairs. Kawaku, one of the Corsairs,
objects and does not want to send men on the mission – we soon discover that Bêlit overthrew the Uzumi council. This disagreement leads to a face-off
between Kawaku and Conan.
Angry and not wishing to waste time, Conan
does not capitulate and takes Kawaku down, forcing him to pick a side.
Ultimately, Conan sends him back to man the Tigress. As a reader, I
think Conan did not trust him, knowing things would get sticky and not wanting a traitor in his midst.
does not capitulate and takes Kawaku down, forcing him to pick a side.
Ultimately, Conan sends him back to man the Tigress. As a reader, I
think Conan did not trust him, knowing things would get sticky and not wanting a traitor in his midst.
Before departing deep into the jungle,
N’Yaga provides Conan with a potion to protect him from jungle sickness and disease. During their discussion,
Conan asks N’Yaga why he did not rule the throne. N’Yaga’s
response is the classic answer of people who work behind the scenes – why
be the leader when I can control the leader?
N’Yaga provides Conan with a potion to protect him from jungle sickness and disease. During their discussion,
Conan asks N’Yaga why he did not rule the throne. N’Yaga’s
response is the classic answer of people who work behind the scenes – why
be the leader when I can control the leader?
Ombassa blesses Conan and the men prior
to their departure. We see a reflective moment for Conan as he thinks
about the way of the jungle – how every creature is a predator, but
regardless of the size, there is always a bigger threat.
to their departure. We see a reflective moment for Conan as he thinks
about the way of the jungle – how every creature is a predator, but
regardless of the size, there is always a bigger threat.
Conan and company start the long,
intense trek through the jungle, encountering plenty of animal
species and an unfriendly environment. The Cimmerian ponders the
root cause of this journey… Bêlit. In a powerful two-page spread we see the other women who have impacted Conan’s life: Red
Sonja, Jenna, Melissandra, Amytis and Zephra to name a few. But none hold
the same place in his heart as Bêlit. It appears as if Conan has finally fallen in love in earnest!
intense trek through the jungle, encountering plenty of animal
species and an unfriendly environment. The Cimmerian ponders the
root cause of this journey… Bêlit. In a powerful two-page spread we see the other women who have impacted Conan’s life: Red
Sonja, Jenna, Melissandra, Amytis and Zephra to name a few. But none hold
the same place in his heart as Bêlit. It appears as if Conan has finally fallen in love in earnest!
At the same time, Bêlit is daydreaming
about Conan and her passion for him. She is startled to reality by
the motion of movement, as she realizes she is riding on the back of the giant crocodile. A restrained
Bêlit taunts and challenges the man who has captured her, because he cowers in fear to
Amra! The dark-skinned dragon rider backhands her. Bêlit continues to taunt him as
a distraction, while she whittles her bindings on one of the
crocodile’s sharp protrusions. Eventually freeing herself, Bêlit dives into the
water.
about Conan and her passion for him. She is startled to reality by
the motion of movement, as she realizes she is riding on the back of the giant crocodile. A restrained
Bêlit taunts and challenges the man who has captured her, because he cowers in fear to
Amra! The dark-skinned dragon rider backhands her. Bêlit continues to taunt him as
a distraction, while she whittles her bindings on one of the
crocodile’s sharp protrusions. Eventually freeing herself, Bêlit dives into the
water.
The dragon riders give chase, but to no avail; she swims and
moves on land too quickly. The hellcat from Shem eventually climbs to higher ground and
decides to rest for the evening.
moves on land too quickly. The hellcat from Shem eventually climbs to higher ground and
decides to rest for the evening.
Eventually, the dragon riders give up the chase and
decide to camp for the night. As they relax, Conan
stumbles upon the camp and stealthily sneaks around the perimeter, sprinkling a powder N’Yaga provided. Conan ignites the compound
causing a huge blaze and chaos to those trapped inside the flames.
The chaos causes the crocs to attack and trample the humans. Add in
the Corsair warriors volleying arrows into the mix and the dragon riders are handily defeated.
decide to camp for the night. As they relax, Conan
stumbles upon the camp and stealthily sneaks around the perimeter, sprinkling a powder N’Yaga provided. Conan ignites the compound
causing a huge blaze and chaos to those trapped inside the flames.
The chaos causes the crocs to attack and trample the humans. Add in
the Corsair warriors volleying arrows into the mix and the dragon riders are handily defeated.
Conan and company find a surviving member – the leader
of the dragon riders. Conan interrogates him about Bêlit’s
whereabouts, but he confesses that she escaped and they were looking for
her too.
of the dragon riders. Conan interrogates him about Bêlit’s
whereabouts, but he confesses that she escaped and they were looking for
her too.
Nearby, Bêlit is resting, and a giant moth
attacks her. She fights, but is overcome by the giant insect.
attacks her. She fights, but is overcome by the giant insect.
We see hands
grab the moth’s head from behind, and using a knife, behead the
beast. Bêlit assumes it is Conan, but on the final page, it is
revealed to be Amra.
grab the moth’s head from behind, and using a knife, behead the
beast. Bêlit assumes it is Conan, but on the final page, it is
revealed to be Amra.
CAPSULE REVIEW: The opening page hooked me. Conan’s
vow to make the dragon riders pay and leave them “bleeding
in the loathsome pits of Hell!” Sounds like a plan to me. My
curiosity is piqued…let’s do this. We also learn a bit
about Bêlit’s claims and her rule over the Corsairs, the
love she shares with Conan, and her fighting skills.
vow to make the dragon riders pay and leave them “bleeding
in the loathsome pits of Hell!” Sounds like a plan to me. My
curiosity is piqued…let’s do this. We also learn a bit
about Bêlit’s claims and her rule over the Corsairs, the
love she shares with Conan, and her fighting skills.
Which came first? The chicken or the egg? Or in this case, the lyrics for “To All the Girls I Loved Before” or
this story written by Thomas. When I read the panel describing
Conan’s past relationships, that’s the first thing that popped in my
mind. Listen below, while looking over the two-page spread of Conan’s past…
this story written by Thomas. When I read the panel describing
Conan’s past relationships, that’s the first thing that popped in my
mind. Listen below, while looking over the two-page spread of Conan’s past…
N’Yaga’s chemist skills are on
display, both as a medical provider and battle-mage.
Conan’s stealth approach to the unsuspecting dragon riders shows he
is more than just brute force.
display, both as a medical provider and battle-mage.
Conan’s stealth approach to the unsuspecting dragon riders shows he
is more than just brute force.
Although displayed on the cover, the
giant moth creature plays a minor (but important) role in the story.
It helped introduce Amra to the reader and to Bêlit, providing a cliffhanger that’s got me eager to read the next issue.
giant moth creature plays a minor (but important) role in the story.
It helped introduce Amra to the reader and to Bêlit, providing a cliffhanger that’s got me eager to read the next issue.
Thomas’ ability to move the story
along but point out key elements is on display in this issue. There’s
no wasted or unnecessary dialog or component. He provides character
development through conversations between characters and not a lot of
thought bubbles or rationale for character actions.
along but point out key elements is on display in this issue. There’s
no wasted or unnecessary dialog or component. He provides character
development through conversations between characters and not a lot of
thought bubbles or rationale for character actions.
As the reader, we
see the character’s actions and are able to interpret their
motivations.
see the character’s actions and are able to interpret their
motivations.
The artwork by Buscema and Gan is
what you would expect from this team. The characters are distinct,
recognizable and their emotions are conveyed through the art. The
backgrounds are illustrated to show the treacherous journey through
the jungle. Action shots are easy to follow, allowing the reader
to scan the work and move to the next panel with ease.
what you would expect from this team. The characters are distinct,
recognizable and their emotions are conveyed through the art. The
backgrounds are illustrated to show the treacherous journey through
the jungle. Action shots are easy to follow, allowing the reader
to scan the work and move to the next panel with ease.
This is a must-have issue showing Conan’s devotion to Bêlit with a solid balance between story and action. On a scale of 1-10, I give it 7 Aquilonian Luna. On eBay, copies of this issue were common and available for less than $10.
Living life my own
way – Andy from Aquilonia
way – Andy from Aquilonia
