(EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to The Classic Conan Countdown, a series of reviews focusing on the original 275 issues of Marvel Comics’ Conan the Barbarian, which was published from 1970 to 1999. This is a review of Conan the Barbarian Vol. 1, #76.)

By WALLY MONK – Paint Monk’s Library Editor

Roy Thomas did an impressive job adapting Robert E. Howard’s stories and poems to the sequential art form used in comic books. His “Queen of the Black Coast” story arc is very good, as are later adaptations we will visit this year, including Conan the Barbarian #98 (based on Howard’s poem “Sea Woman”) and Conan the Barbarian #104 (adapted from Howard’s short story “The Vale of the Lost Women”).

While trying to remain true to the timeline established by Robert E. Howard and later authors who tackled his works, Thomas also had the monumental task of “filling in” missing years and months throughout the Cimmerian’s timeline with tales he created himself. The story arc here is one of these endeavors, and I think Roy Thomas very solidly hit the proverbial mark. This issue pushes his latest story forward.

In Conan the Barbarian #75, the Cimmerian was following the trail of his beloved Belit to the Stygian city of Harakht. The rulers of this independent city-state have been engaging in piracy along the River Styx. Using giant hawks, the Harakhian raptor riders have absconded with Belit, and now they’ve earned the ire of a certain dark-haired savage.

This tale continues the multi-issue story arc which will be concluded in Conan the Barbarian #77.

As a reviewer and long-time reader of Conan’s comic book adaptations, I must admit that I am biased toward stories that take place within Stygia. It’s a fantastic location, drawing on the darkest aspects of the Egyptian mythos to create a vivid milieu of serpent worshipers, dark magic, and  evil clerics.

In this issue, John Buscema once again shares a “co-illustrator” credit with the talented Ernie Chan. The artwork is excellent, and the two make a great pair. Lettering was done by John Costanza and the capable coloring completed by George Roussos.

This is what I call a bridge story, one of many that doesn’t tell a complete tale in itself – rather, it sets the stage for the remaining installments of what I’ll the “Harakht” storyline for lack of a better term.

Review: Conan the Barbarian #76

Having fallen from the back of a dying hawk, Conan emerges from the River Styx. The body of the giant crocodile he barely was able to defeat lies on the shore, and the Cimmerian finds himself without a sword. Looking toward the south, he knows that he must travel to Harakht to rescue his beloved pirate queen.  In the brush along the river, Conan finds the hawk-shaped helmet belonging to a defeated rider. As he slides it onto his head, he heads toward the city where Belit is being held captive.

Meanwhile, Belit is in the clutches of the hawk riders, who alight atop a building in Harakht. Belit wastes no time punching her captor in the face, only to be subdued by their leader named Ator, who  happened to stop by to check on the returning riders. (As an off-topic aside, I’m curious if the name of the bad 1980s film Ator the Fighting Eagle was inspired by this character and his hawk-headed helmet). 

Belit is taken to the throne room of Harakht’s king, Hor-Neb. The monarch determines that Belit will be added to his harem, but there is an objection. Mer-Ath, the high priest of Harakht and co-ruler of the city, enters and tells him that Belit is better suited to be with him. An angry dialogue ensues, as Hor-Neb threatens the high priest, telling him that if he does not relinquish his claim to Belit, there will only be one king in Harakht. As Mer-Ath leaves, Hor-Neb tells Belit that the high priest of Harakht and co-ruler of the city is also his brother.

Conan has made his way to the city gates. Knocking on massive, wooden doors, the guards give entry to Conan. They soon realize – after observing his boots – that Conan is not a hawk-rider but an outsider. This particular series of panels is one of a few poorly written exchanges I’ve observed throughout the Roy Thomas Conan run. In a country of dark-skinned locals and inhabitants, they had to see Conan’s boots to realize he was an outsider? Apparently his bronze skin, build, complexion and accent were not enough – darn those boots!

Once inside the city, the remainder of the issue becomes a battle for Conan and Belit’s escape. Sadly, they do not. Captured and brought to Hor-Neb’s throne room, Conan is dragged to the edge of a pit as Belit refuses to join the king of Harakht in his harem or add her corsairs to his army. This month’s tale ends with Conan facing off against a massive giant at the bottom of the pit.

CAPSULE REVIEW – It’s easy to enjoy the Stygian setting, as I’ve said before. The fact that both rulers of Harakht are brothers adds an interesting dimension to the story. Conan and Belit’s failure to escape shows that the guards in Harakht are not just caricatures in a story line, but a formidable force with which to be reckoned.

The artwork in this issue is good, but compared to others, there aren’t many opportunities for Buscaema and Chan to draw beautiful splash panels, except for the opening page. We’re treated to plenty of competent fight scenes, but as an issue that serves to move a larger story along, it’s merely serviceable.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue a 6.0. Not bad, but just a cog-in-the-gears of a larger Conan story. On eBay, copies of this issue were available for less than $5.