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By WALLY MONK – Paint Monk’s Library Editor
I have loved Conan since I was a kid of 7 years old. Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 1) #100 – which features the death of Howard’s titular Shemite hellcat – was the first comic book that I found worthy of a “bag and board.”
Having established that I’m an older reader with different tastes than today’s pop culture hungry fans, I’ve made my displeasure clear with Marvel’s recent re-launch of Howard’s Conan property. I’m not saying that I’m a “better” or “more refined” fan, but I will say that some audiences have come to accept mediocrity in comics as the standard. I think that’s a very sad statement about the industry in general and Marvel, the comic book giant, in particular.
The Conan the Barbarian main series is sporadically good at best; Savage Sword, while better, has taken a whopping 5 issues (at $3.99 each, no less) to tell a tale Roy Thomas would have woven in a single comic book. But of them all, Belit is perhaps the biggest abomination and, honestly, all self-respecting Conan fans should give it a hard pass.
I won’t dignify this comic book with a complete review. It’s just not worth it. Sadly, I have read other evaluations that claim the book is great. I would suggest they are enamored with Kate Niemczyk and Tini Howard’s other works – which are good – and they are neither being honest with readers or themselves in their evaluation of this sequential art nightmare.
Synopsis: Age of Conan – Belit #3 (2019)
Belit’s scam is afoot, as the crew of the Tigress and its captain pretend to be “Sea Monster Hunters” as a ploy to extort protection money and covertly hide their raids along the coast. Once again, Belit has back-and-forth arguments with the captain of the Tigress, which result in an unfortunate end for a prominent character and Belit’s continued rise to fill her pirate father’s footsteps.
CAPSULE REVIEW: Artist Kate Niemczyk is perhaps the book’s weakest link. While perfectly suited to work on super hero comics, her weak action sequences leave much to be desired. In the main conflict of the issue, I had to look at the panel transitions several times to confirm who and what Belit actually attacked. That’s not good visual storytelling. The pirates continue to be Caribbean-styled, which many think isn’t a big deal, but it’s more proof that the artist has no clue what the Hyborian Age is supposed to be.
Is this comic a good jumping on point for younger readers? Sure, if you want them to get used to mediocre schlock and acceptance of what the once great House of Ideas has now become in many ways.
Sadly, I rate this book a 3.5 out of 10. If I wasn’t vehemently opposed to Fahrenheit 451-style book burnings, it would be a delight to toss this one into a bonfire as kindling. To the artist and writer : you’re both extremely talented. Stretch your horizons and write and draw a real Conan comic. I’ve seen your work on other titles – it’s something you could do well if you actually made an effort.
I must concur. I should be picking up this issue in a few days from my dealer, and your comments probably don’t go far enough from my perspective. I have been very disappointed so far with the whole slew of Conan titles at one level or another and must get down to writing a stinging rebuke to Marvel once I have given a stack of issues a thorough and objective read and consideration.
From the beginning I have been disenchanted with the quality of the art on all series, but the Belit storyline and execution are literally childish and, as so many readers comment about so many things, a classic missed opportunity for grand storytelling.
These comics are expensive ($6.50 in Australia), and at this point in time I am not convinced they represent value for money. I too am an old-chool fan (CTB #55 was my first, Mike Ploog’s guest issue), and I see only a fraction of the sheer talent that used to so ooze from the pages in the old days.
Sadly, as long as people keep buying bad comics, Marvel will continue to publish them.
I’m excited to know that Roy Thomas will be returning for a Conan story arc at some point. Perhaps the House of Ideas is learning…
This book looks and sounds awful, full disclosure i didn’t read past the first issue but have been following the review and I’m glad i skipped it
If I was a 12 year old girl reading it in say an Archie comic or some such I’d probably enjoy it but it’s certainly dire.
Terry, I think the “this is written for kids” argument fails, too. Belit killing her father in issue #1 isn’t kids stuff, nor is Belit’s behavior and attitude.
If this were truly geared for kids, my reviews would take a different slant – let your kids read this if you want to encourage rebelliousness, rude behavior and a sore lack of ethical and moral judgement.
Frankly, I’ve got them but haven’t been able to make myself read them, yet. I can’t understand why she looks like a cross-dressing Elric.
After issue 2, I took this title off my pull list. I couldn’t take the disappointment anymore. When it first was announced I was really excited and even bought the poster of the cover art. After reading the first issue I quickly decided not to frame and hang said poster.
Ironically, I’ve received quite a few pieces of “hate mail” from people who tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about. I honestly wonder how many other reviewers are pandering to Marvel in exchange for courtesy copies, etc. The Belit books have been absolute garbage thus far – and while I don’t believe in being deliberately insulting, it’s tough to be anything less where this title is concerned.