(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 were published from 1970 to 1993. This is a review of Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 1) #89.)

By ANDY MAGLOTHIN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Our tale begins as Conan, Bêlit, and Zula battle Stygian warriors in the catacombs of Luxor. As the fight progresses, the trio finds a secret passage that allows them to descend further into the depths beneath the city.

Zula shows some empathy toward the Stygian soldier’s fate – Conan and company are killing them simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Bêlit declares she will kill any Stygian, because they were the people who helped her Uncle overthrow and kill her Father. Conan reveals that as a Cimmerian, he holds a life-long grudge against the Hyperboreans and Picts and is indiscriminate about killing others if they stand in his way. Zula makes it clear he does not feel the need to kill anyone unless absolutely necessary.

As they travel further into Luxur, Conan, Bêlit, and Zula come to a split in the hallway with no knowledge where any direction may lead. An ominous, mysterious figure with a serpent ring stops the Stygian soldier’s pursuit of the group.

Thinking they have successfully evaded the Stygian soldiers, Conan and company stop briefly. They discuss what they will do when they finall escape the city. Bêlit and Zula’s plans with Conan differ – Bêlit thinks Conan is coming with her to avenge her Father’s death. Zula expects Conan to accompany him to Kheshatta. Bêlit vehemently objects – she wants the Cimmerian’s assistance to defeat her uncle and his wizard, Ptor-Nubis. Zula recognizes Ptor-Nubis’ name as the person who sold him into slavery and agrees to assist with Bêlit’s plan.

The story turns to Neftha with her councilor and guards. They are in a secure chamber to keep Conan and company from getting near them. As they are discussing how secure they are in the room, the door begins to buckle under pressure then suddenly explodes from the power of Thoth-Amon. The Stygian wizard reveals he had a vision she would be queen and assisted her by providing incantations to assist the process. Neftha asks what he expects in return and Thoth-Amon requests a place in her court as an advisor and has already taken steps against the barbarian and his cohorts.

Conan, Bêlit, and Zula are exhausted after the recent events and decide to rest. Conan offers to keep watch. Without warning, Thoth-Amon’s enchantments take effect, as evil forces control Bêlit, causing her to silently wander off deeper into the caves. She comes face to face with a monstrous serpent with a medusa-like head. Feeling the same mind control effects, Zula wanders to the same area but he is able to shake the spell faster and battles the giant serpent. As the fiend begins to crush Zula, Conan rushes to his aid and his barbarian scream distracts the serpent long enough for Zula to deliver a fatal blow.

The trio travel further but suddenly stop when Conan senses they are being watched. Shadows attack, throwing boulders from above. Conan narrowly escapes the falling rock by jumping down an incline. The impact leaves him unconscious for a moment, and he awakens with a minor but painful injury to his right leg. Bêlit and Zula approach the fallen Cimmerian and surprisingly, Bêlit attacks Conan! The barbarian instinctively stabs Bêlit deep into her chest and the fallen corpse reveals it to be a shape-shifting serpent-man. As Conan stares in disbelief, Zula attacks. The struggle lasts a little longer but Conan breaks the back of who he believes to be Zula. Again, the corpse’s appearance quickly changes to reveal a serpent-man.

Bêlit and Zula catch up to Conan who is distrustful they are his real friends. The Cimmerian demands they both recite the phrase “Ka Nama Kaa Lajerama” and the confused pair go along with his request. Conan explains he learned from Red Sonja the phrase gave power to regular men over the serpent-men (this was passed on from King Kull’s battles against the serpent-men in the days of Atlantis). The three move to an area of sunlight where they see Bêlit’s Black Corsairs waiting at the opening of the cave.

A cautious Conan recites the phrase “Ka Nama Kaa Lajerama” causing the M’Gora led Corsairs to reveal their true form – serpent men! As Conan, Bêlit, and Zula escape, they find the actual Corsairs waiting for them at the opening of the Western Sea.

CAPSULE REVIEW: Conan the Barbarian #89 sports another awesome cover by the Buscema / Chan team with a battle axe wielding Conan, the Medusa-headed serpent monster and arch nemesis Thoth-Amon. This cover is a favorite in my collection. It accomplishes what a publisher wants from a cover – catching the reader’s eye and providing a glimpse into the action inside.

Roy Thomas’ character development of Conan, Bêlit, Zula, Neftha, and Thoth-Amon is brief but provides insight into their narrative without the use of thought balloons. Conan, Bêlit, and Zula’s thoughts on killing are based both on their individual experiences and culture. Again, Thomas’ description is brief but shows the clear distinction between the character’s motivations. Neftha and Thoth-Amon’s budding working relationship is based on their mutual hatred for Conan and company. The issue ends with a cliffhanger as Conan, Bêlit, and Zula escape but the looming danger of Thoth-Amon threatens to resurface.

Thomas also brings in Conan’s previous experience with the serpent-men and Red Sonja, including the phrase “Ka Nama Kaa Lajerama” which Red Sonja had learned previously.

Buscema and Chan knocked it out of the park with this issue. The cover, Thoth-Amon’s dramatic entrance into Neftha’s throne room and the intense battle between Zula and the giant serpent are lasting images from the issue. Another unique touch the team provided was Bêlit’s look while she was under Thoth-Amon and the serpent’s spell. I’m sure it is difficult to show emotion or mental status changes in characters, but there is a clear distinction in Bêlit’s face in this scene.

Based on the writing and artwork, this is another solid issue from start to finish. I say this frequently, but this issue should be included in every fan’s collection. I give it 8 Aquilonian Luna out of 10.

Living life my own way – Andy from Aquilonia