English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Posted in 
Tags: 
*A Review of Savage Avengers #3*
“Kulan Gath’s return is no good for anyone who digs being alive. His trap for the deadliest warriors in the Marvel Universe is sprung, and if humanity is to survive, the Savage Avengers must slay a god. Elektra tries to corral Conan, Voodoo and Logan into an effective fighting force, and the Punisher desperately searches for his disinterred family. Plus: Conan hefts a deadly new Savage Sword!”
By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer
Savage Avengers has thus far been the strongest title featuring Robert E. Howard’s Conan since Marvel reacquired the license. I know. Let that sink in for a moment.
Everyone’s favorite Cimmerian stars in Conan the Barbarian and Savage Sword of Conan. Another title, Age of Conan (which currently showcases Belit, with a Valeria run waiting in the wings), doesn’t do Conan’s stomping grounds any favors.
This series, despite a premise I am opposed to on a deeply spiritual level, has been the one title that seemingly has gotten Conan right. It feels like a Conan adventure (save for the modern and superhero trappings). It has had great art and dialogue. The pacing has been solid.
It’s been, dare I say it, fun.
That being said, issue three, titled “Crom Whispers”, felt off from the get go.
Maybe it’s because a lot more characters have taken the stage. Joining Conan and Wolverine as the principle antagonists are Frank Castle, Elektra, Brother Voodoo, and Venom.
The pacing, one of the previous two issues’ strong points, was certainly strained, and there are moments where the art and dialogue seem at odds, like the writing was forced to occupy the panels.
Of course, I am only reading this because of Conan’s part in the story, and for the first time, the Cimmerian is not quite himself.
While it’s hard to put one’s finger on the specifics, Conan seems, well, less intelligent, more in line with Schwarzenegger’s barbarian than the formidable rogue found in Howard’s tales.
Is the story still fun? Most certainly, but the stage is becoming too busy. Conan works best as the center of attention. I can only imagine things will get worse from here…
I give this one 5 out of 10 skulls of my enemies. Help us, Roy Thomas, you’re our only hope.
Whoa, hold on thar Baba-Looey. I briefly checked out this issue, not enough to really understand what’s actually happening, but enough to get the general idea that X and Y are attempting to settle some disagreement by means of apparent physical violence of some sort, but as I am perusing the effluvium, I see a panel in which Conan says, quote
“I obey”
Now, I am no scholar of Howard, or of the works of all his successors in setting the Conan mythos, but the words “I obey” are not in the vocabulary of any Conan from Cimmeria I ever heard of, not even one who is a manifestation in some alternate space-time-energy continuum that allows for his spontaneous physical regeneration after having his chest ripped open and evacuated.
Bob, am I missing something?
I think you pretty well have it sussed there, Matt.
Marvel has misfired across the boards here.
Hopefully future creators will right the ship, but it’s the slimmest of hopes.