Paint Monk's Library

  • Welcome to the Library!

  • Language

    en English
    ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianpt Portugueseru Russianes Spanish

  • INTO THE KNIGHT PODCAST

    A great podcast that talks about all things Fist of Khonshu. Worth checking out!

  • Weirded Wonder

    Our friends who host the Conan Podcast! Check out their other podcasts here.

  • COMIC BOOK GRADING

    The Paint Monk uses CBCS to grade all of his key comics. Check out their prices - lower than CGC and just as good.

  • Golden Age Podcast

    A podcast featuring titles from the Golden Age of comics.

  • Robert E. Howard News

    Keep up-to-date on all the comics coming out that are based on the works and worlds of Robert E. Howard!

  • WRITER JIM ZUB’S BLOG

  • ARTIST TIM TRUMAN’S SITE

  • Atlas Comics Archives

    All you ever wanted to know about the short-lived Atlas Comics of the 1970s and its equally short-lived revival in 2011-2013.

  • “Groovy” Comics Blog!

    Our friends at "Diversions of the Groovy Kind" take a look at many different Bronze Age comics! Check them out.

  • THE DEFENDERS FAN SITE

    Do you enjoy Marvel's beloved superhero "non-team?" This is a nice blog for Defenders fans!

  • MARVEL UNLIMITED

    Get Marvel Unlimited - and access to over 20,000 of the best comic books in the industry - for only $9.99 a month!

  • COMIXOLOGY

    Digital INDY comic subscription service with some Marvel and DC Comics, too.

Author Archive

February 12th, 2021 By Bob Freeman, Conan (2019), Slider Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Jim Zub’s Conan #19 Coming Out March 10

INTERVIEW: Jim Zub’s Conan #19 Coming Out March 10

(AUTHOR’S NOTE: It has been no secret that I have had issues with Marvel’s relaunch of Robert E. Howard’s Conan. The one bright spot has been the writing of Jim Zub. I was a fan before he took up the challenge of being the Cimmerian’s primary scribe, particularly of the comic adventures of Pathfinder’s iconic characters.

He has done an admirable job with Conan and I am thrilled to share with you this short interview as we lead up to the next exciting arc in the adventures of Conan the Barbarian.)

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

***

BOB FREEMAN

Thanks for being patient with me, Jim. The world sort of got turned on its ear in March of 2020 and we’re still not out of the woods quite yet. No one has felt the brunt of this, creatively, more than you, I suspect. With your run on Conan the Barbarian interrupted just as it was gathering steam, I can imagine you had more than a few sleepless nights.

JIM ZUB

It was definitely surreal having this bucket list project finally launch and then the world slide into an unexpected state of chaos. I had originally planned a really aggressive convention schedule and a big part of that was going to be Conan-focused, but then the whole convention calendar shut down, and then, a couple of months later, the Conan monthly series was on pause. A 6-month gap right in the middle of our first story arc was not ideal, but thankfully when we came back in October we were able to pick back up and are now pushing hard with new issues in 2021.

That’s where my focus is now – beating the drum as hard as I can to make sure readers know we’re building something special and that the series is worth following, month after month and collection after collection, especially with Conan the Barbarian #19 coming in March as the start of a new arc and perfect jumping-on point.

BOB FREEMAN

As you’ve often stated, writing Robert E. Howard’s Cimmerian is a dream job for you. I’d be interested in the backstory of how you discovered Conan. It’s often telling if one’s introduction came by way of Howard, Thomas, or Schwarzenegger.

JIM ZUB

The original Arnold Conan film came out when I was 6 years old, so I wasn’t able to see it in theaters but the ripple effect it had on visibility for the character was immediately apparent and it got my older brother to start reading the original books. So many of my fandoms came from following in his footsteps, and in this case that meant reading the Lancer paperbacks, he started collecting and then shifting from there over to the Conan comics. Since the film was R-rated, I wouldn’t see it until years later on home video. I was still technically under-age for it, but we were in the midst of our sword & sorcery obsession with Dungeons & Dragons and fantasy novels aplenty, so it didn’t feel too severe.

A preview of Cory Smith’s artwork from the upcoming Conan the Barbarian #19.

BOB FREEMAN

You’ve had the chance to work with several artists that have really done your writing justice, but I have to say, after seeing previews of Cory Smith’s art, there’s some real ‘pop’ to these new pages. The layouts are really spectacular. That’s got to be inspiring.

JIM ZUB

Agreed! Cory is doing a stunning job on each issue and really carrying forth in the tradition of some of the best Conan comic artists of the past with rock-solid storytelling and dynamic action. It’s funny because on a phone call early on he admitted to me that he wasn’t generally a fantasy guy in terms of his own reading and drawing, but with each page he’s gotten more into it and is now starting to dig back through the classics and appreciate how well done they were. I think at first he assumed it would be easier than the kind of technical drawing he did before with cityscapes and sci-fi stuff, but the figure work and other details have provided their own challenges and he’s making the most of it.

What’s also crazy is that the page samples going around are just from his first issue. I feel like, as good as those are, issue #20 and 21 are even stronger, so readers are in for a real treat.

Another piece of sample artwork from Conan the Barbarian #19.

BOB FREEMAN

I appreciate how you’ve approached the character, staying true to the Cimmerian’s personality, especially in Howard’s tales of his early years. You’re delivering some dynamic prose that really breathes life into the Hyborian Age and its principal antagonist. Your plots, however, have tended to lean heavily on your experience with roleplaying game storytelling, which has been a nice change of pace. There’s a freshness to the stories that set your Conan apart.

JIM ZUB

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the kind words about the stories. It means the world to me to know that fans of the characters are enjoying them.

BOB FREEMAN

Tell me how you got into playing RPGs. What era did you come up in? I first rolled dice in 1978 with the Holmes Blue Book, and I never looked back, exploring every edition since, as well as countless other RPGs, like Gamma World, Top Secret, Traveller, and every iteration of Lord of the Rings and Conan that have seen print (and some that haven’t).

Zub’s introduction to fantasy RPGs came from the D&D Red Box rules set.

JIM ZUB

I started gaming with the D&D Basic Red Box, but my brother and I didn’t fully understand the differences between editions or Basic and Advanced D&D so our collection became a hodge-podge of different material with the Mentzer Basic Set, Moldvay Expert Set, and first printings of the AD&D Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual. As you might imagine, trying to keep the rules consistent early on was a challenge.

I’ve said this many times, but I wouldn’t be a writer today without D&D. It gave me a lot of confidence and ignited a desire to create stories and characters instead of just reading them. For me, coming up with scenarios and writing dialogue is very much about role-playing. I don’t want the characters to talk like I do, I want them to sound like themselves.

Robert E. Howard is one of the many influences on D&D, but it also carries a lot of other elements in there as well that I don’t feel translate back to Conan, so I sprinkle in a bit of D&D-esque dungeon delving and dark magic but do my best to hew to something more REH or Roy Thomas-influenced where possible.

In addition to writing Conan the Barbarian for Marvel, I’ve been writing official Dungeons & Dragons comics since 5th edition D&D launched in 2014. Writing two of the biggest fantasy properties in the world at the same time is absolutely surreal and I work really hard to make sure they feel distinct from each other.

BOB FREEMAN

I recognize some of your influences, but I’d be curious to know who some of your favorite authors are and what books mean the most to you, personally, and as a storyteller. Comic influences as well.

JIM ZUB

In addition to Robert E. Howard, Fritz Leiber and Lloyd Alexander were big for me growing up. Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser felt like a gloomier version of D&D-style capers and I loved those books. Before those, I devoured The Chronicles of Prydain. The Dragonlance novels by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and the original Icewind Dale Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore also arrived at a pretty formative time.

Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain were among the many books that introduced Zub to the fantasy genre.

I also got a big kick out of some of the Fighting Fantasy novels because they mixed Choose Your Own Adventure-style choices with a dice-rolling combat mechanic. There’s artwork from Forest of Doom, City of Thieves and Deathtrap Dungeon burned into my brain alongside imagery from the Monster Manual and specific D&D adventure modules.

In terms of comics – Roy Thomas on Conan (both Barbarian and Savage Sword), Chris Claremont on Uncanny X-Men, and Roger Stern on Amazing Spider-Man and Doctor Strange are three big influences from my early collecting years. Later on, I’d also seek out work from J.M. DeMatteis, Ann Nocenti, Frank Miller and Neil Gaiman.

Obviously the writing was crucial, but great art really drove it all home, so fantasy illustrators like Frazetta, Elmore, and Easley grabbed my attention alongside comic artists like Paul Smith, Gene Colan, Michael Golden, or Art Adams.

***

The next arc begins with issue #19, dropping on March 10th, where we find Conan in the Land of the Lotus! Here’s Marvel’s announcement:

CONAN’s march to Khitai has landed him as the prisoner of the imperial guard…but it will take more than chains to keep a Cimmerian down! As Conan plans his escape, what dreaded beasts lurk in the land of Khitai, and what new dangers will impede his quest to return the TOOTH OF THE NIGHTSTAR to its rightful master? The travels of Conan the Barbarian continue with the perfect jumping-on point for new or lapsed readers! Join us as we welcome new series penciler CORY SMITH to the Hyborian Age in this epic adventure!

September 4th, 2020 Red Sonja, Reviews 1 Comment »

REVIEW: Red Sonja #19 a Good “Jumping Off” Point

“JUMPING-ON POINT FOR NEW READERS. Sonja The Red, victorious. But ruling is impossible. And a young, old foe returns with a plan, to Kill Red Sonja… By MARK RUSSELL (Swamp Thing) and ALESSANDRO MIRACOLO (Zorro). The saga of Red Sonja continues at Dynamite Entertainment!”

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Jumping-on point? More like jumping-off.

I have championed Mark Russell’s run on Red Sonja from the start. While less than thrilled with the comedic undertones, I like the political intrigue and seeing Sonja in this light, as a fish out of water.

She handled herself well, but over two arcs, it began to grow stale. I had hoped that perhaps a proposed “jumping-on point” might mean a fresh start and new direction.

I was wrong.

Instead, we’re still mired in the same old “intrigue”, with a child’s revenge fetish coming to the fore, propelled there by the mini-series Killing Red Sonja. A comic I found dull and lifeless as well.

Without spoilers, let me add that this was the most clichéd installment in the series thus far.

Miracolo’s artwork was fine, but again, it’s the same style we’ve seen from the start. Sort of a dark-Disney cartoon, which isn’t awful, but neither is it inspiring. This comic has never strayed near the word “epic”, which is a shame.

And don’t get me started on the cover art. My comic shop usually has a healthy array of covers to choose from, but this week I was saddled with Jae Lee’s as my only option, which I found to be an uninspired mess.

Can we get Patch Zircher on this book, please?

Look, I’m not going to waste anymore breath on this. If you like it, I’m happy for you. As for me, I think I’m done…

I’ll spare 4 skulls of my enemies for this. No more.

—Bob Freeman
Alba Gu Brath

August 27th, 2020 Editorial, Slider Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Please Don’t Break The Toys in the Sandbox

EDITORIAL: Please Don’t Break The Toys in the Sandbox

“As children, we all grew up and played together. Sometimes we even shared our toys, our bicycles, and our skateboards. But the cardinal rule was to take care of the toys or bicycle that you borrowed. Woe unto the kid in the neighborhood who returned that toy broken or the bicycle with a flat tire. You didn’t want to be the one who couldn’t borrow any more.”

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

I have long referred to a comic creator’s role on an established property as that of a child being invited to play in someone else’s sandbox. While there, their imagination can flourish. They get to have fun — real fun, but while playing with someone else’s toys. And when playtime is over? Well, a good child leaves the toys where he found them. Unbroken. Largely unchanged, save for a little more wear and tear.

More and more, creators are losing that perspective. Why? Because editors are letting them. Change, not just for change’s sake, but splashy, over-the-top changes to long established characters, hoping for a bit of press to spike a sale here or there. Deaths. Power creep. Gender/Race swapping. Good guys go bad. Bad guys turn good. Or worse, everything’s morally ambiguous or filtered through flavor-of-the-month social awareness.

I don’t want to sound like an old curmudgeon, but let’s face it, the comic industry that many of us have been fans of for decades, is faltering. The slow rot has reached the roots, and I’m afraid what little life remains cannot be revived…

Here’s where I show my age…

When I was a kid, growing up in rural Indiana, I used to pick up pop bottles as I walked toward the nearest town and cash them in at Cain’s Sundries, an old school soda shop that had a magazine rack filled with comic books.

The comics were 15¢ then. I usually could snatch up anywhere from 6-10 comics every week (along with a fountain drink and a pack of bubble gum cards). The thing that was interesting, and that I really didn’t wrap my head around until later, is that many of those comics were reprint issues. Stuff like Marvel’s Greatest Comics, or Marvel Tales, or any of the anthology books DC was spitting out. All reprints. And yet, they all seemed right in line with the current books.

Why? Because Batman was Batman. He looked and acted liked the Caped Crusader. Always. Same for Spider-Man, the FF, and all the rest. Even when artists changed, the new guys were expected to stay on model.

All that eventually changed. And the characters began to change stylistically, they also began to change internally. Everything started to turn dark. Everything got grim and gritty. The heroes weren’t as heroic as they had been before. Sales fell off. Kids found other interests…

The hobby was now made up of adults who had been reading comics since they were kids. An industry that used to rely on fresh blood coming in every year was suddenly saddled with people like me who continued to read comics into college and beyond.

Well, those comic fans became writers and artists and editors, and the shift began. The stories became more adult. All those bad ideas that editors used to curb were now filtering into the books. Heroes began to age. Become bitter.

Creators began to break the toys in the sandbox.

New readers became fewer and fewer. Speculation gave way to gimmick after gimmick until we’re where we’re at now: an industry in crisis.

How do we correct this? Fix the toys. Give them a fresh coat of paint. Clean up the sandbox. Make comics that are timeless. Make comics about heroes again. And when it’s time to move on, creators, please, leave the sandbox like you found it.

CLICK HERE for Wally’s editorial about Ka-Zar being the latest “broken toy” in the sandbox.


August 22nd, 2020 Red Sonja, Reviews Comments Off on REVIEW: It’s Time For Sonja to Get Back to the Battlefield

REVIEW: It’s Time For Sonja to Get Back to the Battlefield

“A Children’s Crusade.” Hyrkania’s food stores are empty. The king of Khitai has the ability to save them, but he will not. But what he has not considered, is that to save her people, Sonja The Red will do ANYTHING. Year Two continues, by MARK RUSSELL (DC’s Year Of The Villain) and BOB Q (Captain America).

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Finally, this arc comes to an end. It has had its moments. Far more ups than downs, but I’m glad it has closed. For all the value I’ve taken from it, I prefer a different thread for Sonja the Red. I long to see her away from politics and in the throes of wild adventures across the kingdoms of the Hyborian Age.

That said, I’ll not be holding my breath for that any time soon.

Review: Red Sonja Vol. 5 #18

In “A Children’s Crusade”, we get a moving story, with, surprisingly, Tortoise taking center stage. Mark Russell really shines here, as he taps into the emotional heart of the Emperor’s advisor and delivers a tale that is exciting, with a thematic interplay between action, court politics, and military strategy.

The artwork is solid as always. I am not the biggest fan of the style, but Bob Q has a terrific command of facial expressions and they really sell what Russell cooks up.

The story ends on a sad, but fitting note. War is hell, especially when your commander is a cruel, emotionally stunted despot. The ruler of Khitai is not unlike that which we found in Sonja’s last nemesis, the Emperor Dragan, which may be why I am ready to move on.

I prefer Sonja as a wanderer, a loner, not unlike her more brooding male counterpart who is currently taking up residence in the House of (Bad) Ideas.

I don’t think that’s where we’re headed though. I don’t see this as the road Russell wants to explore. And that’s okay. I’m along for the ride regardless. Red Sonja has been something that Marvel’s take on the Hyborian Age thus far has not — consistent.

July 13th, 2020 Reviews, Slider Comments Off on REVIEW: Dark Secrets of The Fall of Rome Revealed

REVIEW: Dark Secrets of The Fall of Rome Revealed

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Sometimes the best comics and graphic novels don’t come from big publishers like Marvel and DC.

Today, Paint Monk’s Library scribe Bob Freeman takes a look at the three-part serial graphic novel called “Amiculus” by Ohio native Travis Horseman and popular artist Giancarlo Caracuzzo, whose resume includes work for Marvel, DC and Image Comics. The series was created by Horseman via three different Kickstarter campaigns from 2015-2017. You’ll find Amazon links to each volume in the image gallery contained in the review.)

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

I received the three volumes of Amiculus: A Secret History from our esteemed and fearless leader, Wally Monk, some time ago. I apologize for just now getting around to reviewing them, but, well, you know, life sometimes gets in the way.

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but if you look out the window, Rome is burning. The pandemic is one thing, but the civil unrest, well, if that’s not ‘barbarians at the gates’, well, what is?

In that light, Amiculus is even more powerful. I hate clichés, but the old adage about history repeating itself sure seems prescient right now.

Amiculus is a three-volume graphic novel series written and created by Travis Horseman, with skillful draughtsmanship from artist Giancarlo Caracuzzo. The story concerns itself with the fall of Rome but written as a sort of “lost history” of the events surrounding the Imperial collapse.

Historical accuracy is interwoven with wild speculation and dramatic license to create an intricate tapestry of conspiracies within conspiracies. It is a tragedy. A story of loss and betrayal.

It’s also pretty darn good.

Artistically, Giancarlo Caracuzzo’s architecture and costumes take center stage and are the highlights of the tale, but wonderfully complimenting the art are the color choices of Flavia Caracuzzo. With a muted palette accentuated by warm pastels and thematic shifts, there is an emotional weight to the work as the father/daughter team blends color and contrasting line weights to create an immersive composition.

As for Horseman’s story, his historical detail is impressive, and the narrative additions are compelling. The characters are vibrant, believable, and the intricacies of the court are riveting.

My one complaint is in the use of more ‘colorful’ language. While I am far from prudish in regard to cursing, each instance pulled me right out of the story. It just seemed out of place and made the book one I would be hesitant to share with young readers, which is a shame.

The first volume, titled “Roma Aeterna“, introduces us to Procopius of Caesarea, a historian riding with the Eastern Roman army of Byzantium, sixty years after the Fall of Rome. Intent on discovering the fate of the twelve-year-old Emperor, Romulus, and of what events led to Rome’s collapse, the historian is led to the boy’s secret journals, beginning a sordid tale where one figure stands at the center of it all — Amiculus.

Volume two, “Flagellum Dei“, delves deeper into Amiculus’ origin, as he leads the barbarian Odoacer effortlessly through the secret breach in Rome’s defense, signaling the end of its dominance. While the title character remains in the shadows, the stage is filled with fascinating characters including, and most prominently, the Boy-Emperor’s father, Flavius Orestes.

The final volume, “Damnatio Historiae“, reveals the secret of Amiculus and the true fate of Rome as Odoecer storms the palace gates. As Procopius learns the awful truth, and the reader is immersed wholly into this alternate history, there is an emotional resonance that settles on you. To say more would be to ruin the tale for those who would read it, and read it they certainly should.

All in all, this is a series I would highly recommend. Horseman has some real writing chops, and the Caracuzzos do an amazing job of bringing his narrative to life. And with everything that’s going on in the world, it’s a very timely read.

On a scale of 1-10, the trio of Amiculus graphic novels get a solid 9 from me.

June 17th, 2020 Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews Comments Off on REVIEW: Pegasi, A Mute, and A Goddess In A Volcano

REVIEW: Pegasi, A Mute, and A Goddess In A Volcano

“Conan saves a woman and her mute companion but soon learns they are not without resources of their own. Escorted to a land above the clouds by a princess on winged pegasi, the Cimmerian will soon come face to face with the ‘goddess’ who protects them and who allows them to live in their world high above the earth.”

(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) #121.)

By BOB FREEMAN — Paint Monk’s Library Writer

“It was TOTALLY INTIMIDATING following Roy Thomas on CONAN. I had such incredible respect for his work on that book (and everything else he did) that I was like a deer in the headlights, measuring every word, wondering if it was Thomasworthy!”

– J.M. DeMatteis

Conan works best not as a fantasy, but as a force of nature present in the genre that was given birth by his creator — sword and sorcery.

What’s the difference?

The wiki definition of fantasy literature is literature set in an imaginary universe, often but not always without any locations, events, or people from the real world. Magic, the supernatural, and magical creatures are common in many of these imaginary worlds. It is a story that children and adults can read.

All well and good.

As for sword and sorcery, the dictionary definition calls it, a genre of fiction characterized by heroic adventures and elements of fantasy. The wiki response takes this a bit further, calling it a subgenre of fantasy characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent adventures.

For me, the best sword and sorcery strays far and wide from more whimsical settings, and I think that may be where JM DeMatteis gets into trouble. DeMatteis has a tremendous imagination, but he leans heavily on the side of whimsy and high fantasy, whereas Conan’s element shines brightest in street-level grim and gritty.

Conan tales are intelligent without being cerebral. They are visceral and primordial, kinetic, and lustful… Sometimes a great writer is an ill-fit, but I do appreciate the effort.

Review: Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 1) #121

Conan strolls through the city with a pair of Korshemish prostitutes when they come upon a gang of bandits attacking a woman and her towering companion. Conan enters the fray, easily dispatching the villains. Conan is introduced to Prem, and her mute brother Atreah. The mute thanks Conan for his assistance, but Prem says it was unnecessary as they could have handled the brigands on their own, proving so when she calls forth sentries astride pegasi.

Prem invites Conan to fly with them, and although hesitant to interact with this sorcery, givens in and rides with them to the floating city of Mreead-Za.

The pegasi land, where they are welcomed by Prem’s father, King Pragma. Princess Prem desires to keep the Cimmerian as her own, so the king uses magic to render Conan unconscious. When he awakens, Conan has no memory of his former life, believing his name is Kalna-Faker, betrothed to Prem.

Conan is led through the city as Prem “reminds” him of how their stone-age ancestors were raised to the clouds by a goddess. He is accepted by all he meets, but when he enters the sparring arena, his barbarian nature is not so easily subdued by the magics that have clouded his mind.

Later that evening, they don black robes and Prem takes Conan into a ritual chamber where Atreah is bound to a sacrificial altar. Conan is uneasy as the ritual proceeds. Prem explains that Atreah has escaped before, but then a gust of wind blows through the chamber and Atreah disappears. Conan becomes enraged, demanding the wizard tell him what has become of the mute. The Cimmerian is told to seek Atreah by following the Road of Black Jade.

Conan secures a black pegasus and takes to the sky, riding through black smoke for days until he come to a volcano, the home of the goddess that granted them paradise. He makes his descent into the depths of the volcano, taunted by the goddess’ face in the lava. Conan sees giant bug-like creatures carrying Atreah and follows after them.

Conan attacks, hoping to rescue the mute, but the goddess emerges from the fiery pit, lashing out with her tentacles. Conan strikes true into the goddess’ heart and she falls back into the lava as the Cimmerian’s memories are restored.

He collects Atreah and they take flight, but the people of Mreead-Za are devolving as the city crumbles around them. Conan and Atreah return to earth just as the black pegasus disintegrates like everything else the goddess had fashioned.

CAPSULE REVIEW:  This is one of those instances where Conan is shoe-horned into a great story that he has no business being a part of. It just doesn’t feel like a Conan yarn, because, quite frankly, it isn’t. It is a great fantasy tale, however, and I respect what DeMatteis was trying to do here. It just rings false for the Hyborian Age and Conan in particular.

As for the art, here we see Bob McLeod embellishing John Buscema’s pencils. McLeod has always been hit or miss with me, but in this instance, I find the art quite enjoyable. I suspect Buscema turned in tighter pencils for McLeod to work with.

I’d rate this issue 6.75 out of 10 Skulls of My Enemies.

—Alba Gu Brath
Bob Freeeman, theOccult Detective

May 21st, 2020 Dynamite Entertainment, Red Sonja, Reviews Comments Off on REVIEW: Red Sonja #15 Offers Mix of Politics & Swordplay

REVIEW: Red Sonja #15 Offers Mix of Politics & Swordplay

“TO CUT AND TO BLEED! The epic continues. Sonja The Red can save her kingdom…by abdicating her throne.

If she agrees to lead a man’s army, and kill indiscriminately, then her people will be fed.

By MARK RUSSELL (DC’s Year Of The Villain) and BOB Q (Captain America). ”

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

It’s no secret that I love Howard’s Hyborian Age, and while the character only marginally could be considered a creation of the Texas-born author, Red Sonja fits into the landscape beautifully.

Roy Thomas was very skilled at adapting characters and repurposing them into Conan’s world. Sonja is no exception. Part Dark Agnes, part Sonya
of Rogatino, Red Sonja, metal bikini notwithstanding, is a strong female character that can stand toe-to-toe with the best sword and sorcery icons in comics.

Which is why I have been such a fan of Dynamites current Red Sonja series. Sure, it has a few warts, but overall, it’s a comic that utilizes all of the strengths that Thomas crafted into the character and, under Mark Russell’s stewardship, develops and enhances not only Sonja but the Hyborian Age itself.

This book focuses on political intrigue and hard choices, and the consequences thereof. While some of the humor is off-putting for me, personally, it is the balance of character and plot that keeps me coming back for more.

Flashbacks are used to tell a tale of political intrigue.

Issue 15 is no exception.

It begins with an intriguing cover by Jae Lee, depicting Sonja as both fierce and delicate. I like the contrast and it certainly makes one want to pick up the issue, despite the static nature of the composition.

Inside, the illustrations of Bob Q blend well with Dearbhla Kelly’s colors. It’s not a comic filled with rich, vibrant detail. The focus is on the characters more than the landscapes. Being a bit longer in the tooth, I long for the dynamic artistry that used to fall from the pencils of folks like Big John Buscema and Barry Windsor Smith, but I appreciate what Red Sonja is offering because it is the story that drives the action.

Russell is weaving a narrative, utilizing flashbacks, to direct a tale of hard choices, in which the lessons of the past influence Sonja in the present. As I stated, this is a book about political intrigue, first and foremost, with a bit of swordplay thrown in for good measure.

It’ a strong comic with a unique take on the character. Red Sonja is certainly recognizable to the long-time fan, but Russell’s approach is a breath of fresh air.

My only complaint is the humor which is a bit hit or miss. Everything doesn’t need to be “Guardians of the Galaxy” but that seems to be where we’re at…

Anyway, I give this issue a solid 7.5 skulls of my enemies. It’s a comic well worth picking up.

March 24th, 2020 By Bob Freeman, Reviews Comments Off on REVIEW: Ablaze Premiere of QotBC #1 Has Highs and Lows

REVIEW: Ablaze Premiere of QotBC #1 Has Highs and Lows

“By Crom! For the first time, Robert E. Howard’s Conan is brought to life uncensored! Discover the true Conan, unrestrained, violent, and sexual. Read the story as he intended! Pursued for killing a judge, Conan finds refuge on a merchant ship. But soon after setting sail, the Cimmerian and his new companions face a threat: the legendary Bêlit, self-proclaimed Queen of the Black Coast!  Bonus Material:  The original Robert E. Howard short story is included!”

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Copyright. Public Domain. Cease & Desist. Not the words one would normally think to associate with a battle featuring Conan of Cimmeria and yet here we are. Now that the smoke has cleared, Ablaze is finally able to deliver translated versions of French Glénat’s Conan comics.

Let me see if I can sum it up succinctly. In Europe, most of Robert E. Howard’s works are in the public domain. In the United States? Not so much. In the US, Conan (as well as other Howard Intellectual Properties) is controlled by Fredrik Malmberg’s Cabinet Entertainment. When Ablaze attempted to publish Glénat’s Conan stories in America, they tried to skirt copyright issue by not using the Conan name on the cover, instead calling it The Cimmerian. Cabinet, looking to protect their legal stewardship, sent a Cease & Desist order to Diamond Comics Distribution and Ablaze’s publishing attempts were dead in the water.

Finally, however, Cabinet and Ablaze worked out a deal to allow them to proceed with their publishing plans and thus Queen of the Black Coast arrived in our comic shops, promising uncensored and faithful adaptations of Conan, in direct contrast to the comics Marvel Comics has been delivering since acquiring the license.

So, was it worth the effort?

Well, that’s a whole other kettle of fish.

There is a lot to like about Queen of the Black Coast. The production values are brilliant. The adaptation is solid. The colors are vibrant. The inclusion of Howard’s prose is a welcome addition as well (although the print is awfully tiny).

Near-legendary Howard scholar Patrice Louinet’s editorial hand is obvious as it is very faithful to the source material.

As for what doesn’t work for me? The art. Man, it pains me to write that, because it’s a beautiful comic in every aspect except the Pierre Alary’s interior illustrations. Not that he’s not a brilliant artist. Far from it. But his style does not mesh well with Conan, as far as I’m concerned.

Alary depicts great action, with an amazing array of facial expressions. The backgrounds are lush. The layout is exemplary. But that cartoonish style, which I see in a lot of European comics, just doesn’t strike home for me.

As for the covers? They’re okay. The Metcalf cover is my favorite of the four (five if you count the colorless Benes) and it’s a little flat, but it hews closest to the traditional art style I prefer.

All in all, it’s a comic I will continue to buy, and enjoy, despite my misgivings about the art itself. I give it 6 skulls of my enemies, though it feels like it deserves more.

March 20th, 2020 By Bob Freeman, Conan (2019), Reviews Comments Off on REVIEW: D&D Meets The Hyborian Age in Conan #14

REVIEW: D&D Meets The Hyborian Age in Conan #14

“THE DEADLY TRAP IS SPRUNG AS “INTO THE CRUCIBLE” CONTINUES! CONAN, equipped with only his strength and wits, must survive the deadly traps of the Great Crucible! With a cadre of contestants against him, and only a local boy named DELIAN to translate, can anyone or any THING be trusted?! Who is really playing who…? “

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Can we just get the negative out of the way first so I can enjoy waxing over what a fun comic this is? Do you mind? I absolutely loathe the standard cover for this issue. Understand, I am a E.M. Gist fan. His paintings, from classic Universal Monsters to Kolchak, Planet of the Apes, and more, all showcase brilliant work. But his Conan? Nope. Not working for me, even a little bit. Of course, my comic shop didn’t have the Tommy Lee Edwards variant cover, but it was only marginally better anyway.

What matters, though, is what comes after the cover, and here we get nineteen pages of well-executed storytelling from everyone on board.

I mentioned Jim Zub’s roleplaying roots being on display in my review of Part 1 of “Into the Crucible”. Part 2 is no different. I have described the story as Tomb of Horrors meets the Hyborian Age and that application still applies.

As a storyteller, Zub has a great sense of pacing and throughout this story line he is proving to be adept at building tension and suspense as well.

At the heart, “Into the Crucible” is proving to be a bit of a detective story hidden within a Murder Dungeon module from early TSR. Marginally reminiscent of Howard’s The God in the Bowl in that, there too, we had a similar genre-bending, and with a young Conan to boot.

D&D’s Tomb of Horrors meets The Hyborian Age in Zub and Antonio’s latest outing.

That may be my favorite aspect of Zub’s take, in that Conan is obviously quite young and new to the world outside of his Cimmerian homeland. It takes a deft hand to pull off that kind of characterization and Zub is nailing it.

As for the art, Roge Antonio’s style is well suited for this adventure. His facial expressions are very animate and articulate. He also has a great sense for movement and the art is narrative, telling the story admirably without the need of exposition.

Israel Silva’s colors are a great compliment to Antonio’s expert line work, with the warm colors and murky tones playing off one another to add to the overall composition.

The spirit in Conan the Barbarian #14 is clearly not Acererak.

On the surface, the story is simple, but the team has done a great job of adding layers and depth, with the most obvious example being the threat of an assassin their midst. I have a sense for who it is, but I’ll not spoil it for the rest of you.

The journey’s the thing, and this has been a thrilling one thus far. It certainly took my mind of COVID-19 for a bit.

Speaking if which, I hope you’re all staying safe out there. As long as we’re social distancing, what better way to pass the time than immersing one’s self in some Conan comics? Believe me, it’s how I am spending a lot of my time, to be sure.

Conan #14, Part 2 of “Into the Crucible” is well worth the price of admission. I would gladly toss it 8.5 skulls of my enemies.

March 18th, 2020 By Bob Freeman, Dynamite Entertainment, Red Sonja, Reviews Comments Off on PREVIEW: Killing Red Sonja #1 – A Touch Too Whimsical

PREVIEW: Killing Red Sonja #1 – A Touch Too Whimsical

“An all-new series, spinning out of the smash-hit RED SONJA title written by MARK RUSSELL! In order to become queen, Sonja The Red had to defeat an evil emperor. But that emperor had a son. And that son will do ANYTHING to exact his revenge…even if it means embracing horrible magics he does not understand. Don’t miss out on this series that will affect the Sonja series for years to come! By MARK RUSSELL (Red Sonja, Year Of The Villain), BRYCE INGMAN (Edgar Allen Poe’s Snifter Of Terror) and CRAIG ROUSSEAU (The Flash).”

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Calling Red Sonja a “smash hit” is a bit disingenuous. The book is moving about 10,000 copies a month, and that’s with 5 variant covers per issue. It’s a good comic, however, and I wish more people were reading it. And while I didn’t love this spin-off out of the gate, I realize it will affect the main series and so I’ll happily read along to see where they take it.

In a nutshell, Killing Red Sonja is following right on the heels of issue 12 of Mark Russell’s Red Sonja series, where we find the Boy-Emperor Cyril on a quest for vengeance — intent on avenging the death of his father, Emperor Dragan, at the hands of Sonja the Red following the betrayal of Minnas of Aquilonia.

Overall, the story is well-written, if not necessarily to my tastes. While Russell co-plotted the issue, I think it is safe to say that the lion’s share of the writing was left up to Bryce Ingman.

There are a handful of characters, with Cyril taking center stage. He is clearly the most defined, but the cast is well developed, full of diverse, albeit over-the-top, personalities.

The writing and art put one in mind of a child’s story, with primitive illustrations and an almost fairytale-like narrative. Not that this is a bad thing. I have no problem with the stylistic choices at all — except it seems completely out of place in a story about Howard’s Hyborian Age.

There are just too many fantasy elements in this issue as far as I’m concerned. I have always preferred a more grounded approach to the world. Fantastical elements are sure to enter the picture, but they need to be a rare event, not an ever-present component as we find here.

Still, I’m not turned off enough to turn away. Ingman’s pacing is spot on, and words and pictures are positively in sync.

I’d give the first issue of Killing Red Sonja a solid 5 skulls of my enemies. It’s not terrible, but talking pigs and pampered Boy-Kings are not what I’m looking for in my Hyborian Age adventures.