By WALLY MONK – Paint Monk’s Library Editor

Ron Garney and Gerry Duggan didn’t “wow” everyone with their first story arc in Marvel’s Savage Sword of Conan #1-5, but the story was serviceable enough. Koga-Thun might not go down in a list of famous or memorable Conan enemies, but the story couldn’t be written off as awful.

This month, we’re presented with Meredith Finch and a one-off story titled “The Suitor’s Revenge”. I must admit I really enjoyed her writing. The art, not so much, although it’s light years better than what we’re getting from Kate Niemczyk in the Age of Conan: Belit mini-series.

A press release from the House of Ideas on Savage Sword of Conan #6:

THORFEL’S REVENGE FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE! Brought to you by the creative team of Meredith Finch and Luke Ross, this all-new self-contained story springs from classic Conan mythology as Conan is led to death by the son of a man he had wronged in the past. But stripped of his weapons, his strength, and even his wits, Conan will have to dig deep if he wants to live to see the dawn! Plus: Continuing the all-new Conan novella “THE SHADOW OF VENGEANCE”!

Marvel Comics News Release

There are some goodies in this story, and it’s steeped in classic Conan lore. You’ll see lots of name dropping here, including the hawk city of Harakht, the setting of some classic Conan stories we’ve reviewed here recently in our Classic Conan Countdown.

Thorfel, as regular Conan readers may know, was the leader of a team of Vanir brigands killed by the Cimmerian in “Night of the Dark God”, a story found in the vintage Savage Tales #4 from 1974. This classic story was adapted from Robert E. Howard’s non-Conan tale “The Dark Man” and was written by Roy Thomas with art by Gil Kane and Neal Adams.

Plot Synopsis – SPOILERS AHEAD!

Conan is drinking in a tavern when a man approaches, offering to buy drinks for them both. A silent Conan listens to this man while he indulges in free ale, appearing typically unamused.

What Conan won’t learn until it’s too late is that this man is Thorfel’s nephew – and that his ale is drugged. The barbarian will awaken, sold into slavery and in Akif. The Cimmerian learns that he’s going to be fodder for warriors in the arena, as all of the nobles vie for the hand of the general’s daughter in marriage by combat. Thorfel has paid the guards so that they keep the Cimmerian drugged and nearly helpless.

Trial by combat is right up Conan’s alley, but can he win in his drugged stupor? And will Thorfel exact his vengeance on Conan from beyond the grave?

CAPSULE REVIEW: A good one-shot story here. Although this is certainly not the sort of Conan writing fans got used to in either Roy Thomas’ classic work or in Tim Truman’s DH stories, it’s decent and gets better throughout the issue.

Luke Ross’ art is inconsistent, and while I’m not yet convinced it’s great Conan art, it’s got promise. His facial expressions aren’t good in some of the panels.

On the other hand, his combat art and action panels are very effective, and I’ll write the funny looking chopped-off ponytail to the way the colorist completed the page.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue a 7.5. That’s a lot better than the debut story arc in the same comic, and I look forward to seeing what’s next for Savage Sword.

As always, I am – Wally (AKA Paint Monk)