REVIEW: Conan and the Bamulas Vs. The Vampire King

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August 20th, 2019

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REVIEW: Conan and the Bamulas Vs. The Vampire King

“Conan’s new position as war chief of the Bamula tribe becomes a challenge almost immediately. The witch doctors consider him an outsider, he still longs for Belit, and a ferocious tribe of vampire-men attack! Conan is left to solve the mystery – and end the savagery – of The Men Who Drink Blood, all the while battling his own inner demons.”

(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, #102.)

By ANDY MAGLOTHIN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Now serving as war chief (Conan the Barbarian #101), our Cimmerian leads the Bamulas into a brief, well-orchestrated battle against the Kungado tribe. After the Kungado leader surrenders and offers allegiance to Conan, Bamula tribesman Basotu disagrees, stating the Bamulas should kill the Kungado. Conan challenges Basotu, who then cowers and backs down after Conan questions whether he wishes to undergo a challenge by spear.

After Conan and the Bamulas return to their village, the witch doctors taunt their new war chief with songs that he is not welcome and the gods will decide his fate. Conan is reminded he is an outsider and still not accepted by the Bamulas, leading him to acknowledge how much he misses Bêlit. Conan is so lovesick he rejects advances from Felida, who refers to the barbarian as her new chieftain since he defeated her husband Yorubo.

As Conan and the Bamulas rest, a stealthy figure attacks the lone Bamula warrior standing guard over the tribe’s cattle. The dying guard’s scream awakens Conan, who alerts the Bamula warriors and they rush to his aid. The group is surprised by the sight of human figures with pointed ears and sharp teeth among the cattle – The Men Who Drink Blood!

The Bamula warriors prepare to retreat, but Conan refuses and flings a spear at one of the creatures. The spear finds its mark and is hurled with such force, it pins the man to the side of a cow. The sudden attack causes the other blood-thirsty men to escape and a female scream fills the air.

Conan rushes to the hut and discovers three of the vampire-like men attempting to haul Felida away. They stand no chance against the barbarian as he kills one and pummels the other. The third man flees the tent but is killed by a spear flung by Basotu.

Huddled around the captive man, Conan suggests they are merely mortals when an elder Bamula speaks up to recount his experiences with the men who drink blood. His grandfather told him about them when he was much younger and he’s attempted to convince the other Bamula. Fellow tribesmen continue to fear they are drelliks (vampires) because they drink cattle blood and have pointy teeth and ears.

Conan and the Bamula opt to take the offensive and go after them. The captured man requests to go with Conan and company. He reveals his name is Ashido, speaks very quietly and must wear protective covers for his eyes since they shun sunlight. Ashido agrees to assist them to the caves, and Conan explains Ashido’s assistance will allow them to get in with minimal problems.

Conan, Ashido and the Bamula warriors travel for a few days until they reach the Drelliks’ village. It is surrounded by a spiked fence which Conan easily climbs then opens the gate. They sneak into the cave to find the Drellik men lying asleep on the stones of the cave. As they journey further into the cave, they find the Drellik king asleep on his throne. Conan and company creep closer to the king when his eyes open suddenly and a gate falls trapping them into the room. Conan realizes it is a trap, grabs Ashido’s neck and quickly stabs him before he can defend himself.

After the drellik king rises to attack, Conan plunges his sword deep into the monarch’s chest to no avail. It registers to Conan the king is actually a vampire, and despite his best efforts the drellik king bests the barbarian in battle by hurling him against some stones. Basotu and the Bamula warriors surrender as the leader takes the unconscious Cimmerian deeper into the cavern.

CAPSULE REVIEW: Here’s an example of the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”. I’m a big Buscema fan, but the cover of this issue does not work for me. I’m unsure if it is the perspective or color scheme, but it provides a glimpse at a scene where Felida is captured by the drellik. Many other Buscema covers feature better artwork. I think a face off between Conan and the drellik king would have been a more effective front piece.

This issue continues to display Roy Thomas’ pacing and ability to maintain the reader’s interest. There’s enough background information for the casual reader to pick up the story and it’s provided smoothly, but not too heavy to result in boredom for a longtime fan. Thomas provided an initial twist where Conan “reveals” the men are not true vampires, but the reveal displaying the drellik king’s invulnerability and super-human strength is a surprise. The cliff-hanger ending is perfect.

Buscema and Chan support the narrative with character defining artwork and lasting images. Where else will you find a battle ending with a man pinned to a cow by a spear? Beef…it’s what’s for dinner. I’ll take a ribeye…medium rare please.

They also provide defining appearances for the characters. The vampire king is lanky with pointy features including jawline, fingers, ears and joints, providing a menacing look. The character’s emotions are easily understood from the artwork alone. Finally, let’s not forget the efforts of George Roussos to provide specific skin tones to the characters. This effort is often under recognized but a key part in the story of a wandering barbarian.

Broken record time: another solid issue and please add it to your collection. I give it 7.5 Aquilonian Luna out of 10. It deserves an 8 or 8.5, but I have to knock it a bit for the cover.

Living life my own way – Andy from Aquilonia

August 18th, 2019

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REVIEW: Conan Alone, The Bamulas & A Giant Spider

“Having left behind his departed love in the last issue, Conan finds himself alone on the Black Coast. The vulnerable Cimmerian is captured by the Bamulas, where he is set to be sacrificed to a massive spider in the name of the Kushite god Ekku! But secretly Conan has a plan…and a challenge ensues for leadership of the tribe!”

By WALLY MONK – Paint Monk’s Library Editor

It’s hard to top the previous issue of Marvel’s original Conan series, and the next three or four issues – this one in particular – are a bittersweet denouement to the Queen of the Black Coast storyline. As the tale begins, Conan is alone at a campfire, mourning the loss of Belit and preparing to cook a meal.

It’s easy to imagine Roy Thomas working hard (struggling, perhaps) to come up with good Conan stories following the epic run from issues #57-100. Many readers of classic Marvel Conan consider them to be the best tales of the entire series.

Now, Conan is alone, still in foreign territory, carrying the heavy emotional burden brought on by the death of the she-pirate and his entire crew of Corsairs. The Cimmerian, effectively, is back to where he was before the Belit storyline began – alone, broke, and with no companions in sight.

I wonder as a reader if Roy Thomas and the Marvel bullpen were prepping for the changes to come, as Thomas will walk away from Conan with issue #115 and J.M. DeMatteis will assume the narrative reins. While this was a good and fitting tale to follow Conan the Barbarian #100, many of the next fifteen issues struggle to find their footing.

Review: Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 1) #101

As Conan cooks the leg of some unfortunate wild beast over a campfire, he looks into the flames and ponders a burning ship named the Tigress being put to sea with the body of Belit laid out in a manner befitting a queen. His reflection doesn’t last long, as his contemplation is interrupted by an arrow and soon an entire Bamula war band.

During the conflict, Conan kills the Bamula war chief, but trips over a protruding tree root and is beset upon by the remaining warriors. He is carried back to their village, where it is announced he will be thrown into a pit and sacrificed to a massive spider.

Before the Cimmerian can be sacrificed, however, the Bamulas need to choose a new war chief. The two contenders are a violent, aggressive tribesman named Yorubo, and another Bamulan named Mulla. Mulla presses Yorubo over Conan, saying that the Cimmerian will not be sacrificed until a new chief is chosen. Yorubo responds by gutting the challenger with a spear.

Conan, who speaks more Kushite languages than the villagers know, takes the opportunity to challenge Yorubo for leadership of the Bamulas, in accordance with their tribal laws. The challenge is a battle to the death on a log which spans the massive spider pit!

**Conan may soon become the leader of a new tribe along the Black Coast, as he challenges tribesman Yorubo to a death-duel above a massive, man-eating spider!**

For a brief moment, it seems as if Yorubo has the upper hand. But Conan, who is knocked down, kicks the Bamulan, sending him flying into the pit where the hungry arachnid awaits. Horrified, Yorubo’s wife jumps into the pit brandishing a dagger to save her husband.

Ever having a soft spot for women, Conan jumps into the pit to to do battle with the spider. Several beautiful pages of combat are lavishly illustrated in the book, much to the credit of penciller John Buscema, and ultimately Conan emerges victorious.

Yorubo isn’t down for the count just yet. The fall from the log didn’t kill him, and he prepares to land a lethal blow to our barbarian as he recovers from his battle with the spider.

Yorubo’s cheap shot falls short and the Cimmerian ends the life of his challenger in short order. It appears that Conan has lost his Black Corsairs, but is the new war chief of the Bamula tribe.

CAPSULE REVIEW: This is good story to bring closure and a new direction to Conan following the events of the previous forty-three issues. Roy Thomas didn’t wait long to put Conan in charge of another tribe or group of warriors, and this new arrangement will set the stage for upcoming tales.

John Buscema and Ernie Chan”s depictions of the tribesmen are first-rate, and the battle sequences with the giant spider are commendable. For the first time, though, I do have some issues with Buscema’s depiction of the spider’s face – it’s not intimidating at all. He looks like Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch.

**Oscar the Spider? Come on, Big John, you can do better than that!**

Colorist George Roussos continues his work, making the Buscema/Chan team continue to shine.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue a 7. I’d give it a 7.5, but the Sesame Street spider deserves a small reduction.

July 26th, 2019

Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews

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REVIEW: A Dying Race, A Lost Ship & A Fallen Queen

“The cover of this issue – perhaps the best in the entire early Marvel run of the series- sums up the completion of Roy Thomas’ epic adaptation of Queen of the Black Coast. Will the lost treasure Belit so desperately seeks mean the end of both her own life and that of her loyal crew? And will our barbarian be able to do anything to save his true love?”

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

“The Queen of the Black Coast” is arguably the best of Robert E. Howard’s Conan tales. What makes this one stand out? Howard certainly approached this story differently from any other Conan yarn.

While his poetic prose hearkens to his stylistic approach to “The Frost Giant’s Daughter”, there is an obvious attempt to do more than create a mythological tale here. Howard was aiming for something grand, something epic. He was building a legend.

When confronted with adapting this to comics, Thomas chose to expand the story, developing the background characters and bringing the crew of the Tigress to life. It was an ambitious move, made all the more real by John Buscema and Ernie Chan’s dynamic illustrations.

**“Queen of the Black Coast” originally appeared in 1934 in the** **Weird Tales** **pulp magazine.**

The Black Coast story line was a tragic love story writ large. Thomas took the weight of Howard’s words and breathed on those embers to create a beautiful homage that blazed as brightly as Bêlit’s funeral pyre.

While I personally rank “The Queen of the Black Coast” as Howard’s fourth best Conan story (behind “Beyond the Black River”, “A Witch Shall be Born” and “Red Nails”) the Marvel adaptation, from issues #57-100 is more than just ambitious – it’s a brilliant extension, complete with a double-sized ending befitting such an epic tale.

Review: Conan the Barbarian #100

The Tigress heads into Kush up the Zarkheba River, where years before Bêlit’s crew had discovered an abandoned ship where one lone sailor, gone mad, had described a rich city upriver. Emboldened to now seek it out, Bêlit looks to Conan now for approval. The Cimmerian nods silently in agreement and the Tigress advances into the Kushite jungle.

That night, while Conan and Bêlit talk about the gods, a giant serpent attacks their ship. Despite Conan’s valiant efforts, the monstrosity pulls Laboto overboard and into the poisonous waters.

N’Yaga warns of an unknown and powerful evil on the journey ahead, but Bêlit is keen to press on. She offers to release any man of her crew from service if they wish to turn back, but all agree to follow their queen on her quest. Conan takes sentry duty overnight and come morning, spots black-fanged spires rising up above a ruined city in the vine-choked jungle. As they debate, a winged ape-like statue sitting atop one of the spires moves and takes flight, causing fear to spread among the crew.

Bêlit and Conan lead a shore party into the city where they discover a blood-stained altar. The she-pirate commands the altar stone to be moved, suspecting treasure underneath. She lures Conan away from the task, secretly suspecting a trap. The men are all crushed beneath a column that collapses down upon them and Conan is startled to find her dispassionate about members of her crew dying in such a horrible fashion, and that she anticipated the trap. She orders the broken masonry removed and Conan and others work to reveal a hoard of gold and jewels.

One of the crewmen spots the winged ape flying away from the Tigress. Much to Bêlit’s chagrin, Conan rushes back to find their water supply destroyed. Conan takes M’Gora and a group of crewmen out to search for fresh water while Bêlit and the rest gather the loot and transport it to the ship.

While searching for water, Conan falls victim to the black lotus. He is beset by strange alien dreams of winged beings who built the city in centuries past, but their great machines polluted the land and water. They evolved, becoming the fearsome winged apes, hunting primitive men from ancient times until the current age. Conan’s vision even reveals the winged ape’s attack on the Tigress crew.

Conan wakes and races off to where he had left his men, but finds only their discarded arms and armor. Then, from the jungle comes M’Gora, wild-eyed and raving. He attacks Conan and the Cimmerian is forced to slay him. Saddened, Conan finds the rest of his men dead, lying at the bottom of a deep ravine, their bodies broken on the jagged rocks below.

He rushes through the jungle, racing back to the Tigress, only to find the rest of the crew slain, and Bêlit hanging from the galley’s yardarm, dead, a necklace of blood-red gems wrapped around her porcelain neck.

Conan takes her down and lays her out on the ship, surrounded by jewels, then with bow in hand, takes the high ground and waits.

From the jungle comes a pack of hyena, and the Cimmerian cuts them down until he runs out of arrows. Then, taking up his sword, he wades into the pack, cutting\ a path through them and bellowing out for their master to come. He watches as the winged ape approaches, circling overhead. Fate,
however, is not done with the barbarian.

The earth begins to shake and the columns around Conan crumble. He dives for safety but becomes pinned beneath the crushing weight of a shattered spire, his broadsword just out of reach as the winged ape lands and advances on the trapped Cimmerian.

Suddenly, an apparition of Bêlit appears, standing between the creature and her fallen lover. She attacks, wounding the beast, giving Conan time to free himself. He grabs his sword, and kills the winged ape with a savage blow. The oldest race in the world is now extinct.

With tearful eyes, Conan sets the Tigress ablaze and watches as it sinks into the sea, taking his beloved and her vast treasure hoard with it.

CAPSULE REVIEW: What an amazing conclusion to a brilliant adaptation of Howard’s epic tale. The artwork and writing are astounding throughout, with the only misstep, in my estimation, that of Bêlit’s apparition.

Described as “a glimmer of white” and “a tense pale shape”, Bêlit is colored as if she were a vibrant and living being, not a spectre returned from the dead to rescue her beloved Cimmerian.

Still, the final pages are stirring to the soul and Thomas leans heavily Howard’s own words.

“No hand was at the sweep of the Tigress, no oars drove her through
the green water. But a clean tanging wind bellied her silken sail,
and as a wild swan cleaves the sky to her nest, she sped seaward,
flames mounting higher and higher from her deck to lick at the mast
and envelop the figure that lay lapped in scarlet on the shining
pyre.
So passed the Queen of the Black Coast, and leaning on his red-stained sword, Conan stood silently until the red glow had faded far out in the blue hazes and dawn splashed its rose and gold over the ocean.”
Roy Thomas – Conan the Barbarian #100

A poignant end to both the story itself, and for Marvel’s adaptation of the mighty sinewed Cimmerian’s time at sea. Roy Thomas was so good at using Howard’s elegant words and pacing the script to deliver a memorable experience, and Buscema, especially in this issue, was masterful at bringing those scenes to life.

There are so many great panels littered throughout this double-sized issue. The small moments are touching, like Conan and Bêlit’s hearfelt discussion of the gods while they sat huddled on the deck of the Tigress, to the second panel on page 15, where Bêlit’s expression is one of pain, longing and realization that she is cursed with greed.

Of course, this being Conan, the fearsome battles really stand apart, particularly Conan’s conflict with the hyenas which is so dynamic and kinetic, but if I were asked to choose my favorite panel from the book, it is found on page 27, where the Queen of the Black Coast lies in state, surrounded by the treasure she so desperately desired in life, but would have to comfort her in death.

Wally had asked me to choose my favorite Conan cover some time back. This was the issue I chose. It was laid out by Marie Severin, with pencils by Big John, inks by Ernie Chan and colors by George Roussos. The lettering by the legendary Danny Crespi was a nice, extra touch as well.

If you could only read one Conan comic, this just might be the one.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue a 9.5. On eBay, it can be acquired for around $10.

Alba Gu Brath – Bob Freeman (AKA The Occult Detective)

July 23rd, 2019

Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews

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REVIEW: Conan Faces the Man Crabs of the Dark Cliffs!

“At sea far too long, the crew of the Tigress spies an opportunity to seize some potential treasure from the black cliffs dotting the coast. Once inside the caves, they find imprisoned men who are at the mercy of walking devil-crabs who might be even more intelligent than our Cimmerian and his entire crew! Will our hero and his Shemite she-pirate survive?

(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 was published from 1970 to 1999. This is a review of Conan the Barbarian Vol. 1, #99. )

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

“The People of the Black Coast” was adapted by Roy Thomas as the “Devil-Crabs of the Dark Cliffs”, the penultimate chapter in his telling of the “Queen of the Black Coast”. Curiously, the story was called “Man-Crabs of the Dark Cliffs” on the cover, something I suspect was a result of Thomas not quite deciding on the final title until the last minute and signals getting crossed. Regardless, it’s a solid adaptation.

Roy Thomas was very adept at re-purposing Howard’s non-Conan prose and making it fit the Hyborian Age. His principle goal in doing so, rather than simply creating works from his own imagination, was his desire to maintain the integrity and majesty of Howard’s words.

As a fan of the man’s writing style, by mining non-Conan tales Thomas was able to create a consistency in the title, by keeping the flavor and vocabulary congruous.

Having Buscema and Chan along for the majority of the ride didn’t hurt either. By having such stalwart illustrators on hand for the vast majority of the run, there was a common thread throughout. Conan always looked like Conan. The landscapes, architecture, and fashion carried over from issue to issue.

It was easy for Thomas to adapt a story from a modern or historical setting into the Hyborian Age because Buscema and Chan were going to provide an artistic continuity, thus allowing Thomas to make subtle changes to the story to make the whole thing come together into something that stayed true to Howard’s imagination and creative sensibilities.

Review: Conan the Barbarian #99

The crew of the Tigress is growing restless. They are undermanned and have been at sea overlong. Belit is stubborn and dark of mood. She insists on staying at sea against the advice of Conan and N’Yaga.

A ship is spied, moored beneath the legendary Dark Cliffs that gave the Black Coast its name. The crew boards the vessel and finds it abandoned, though there are remnants of a treasure having been carried in its hold.

Belit believes the treasure must have been taken into the cliffs and hidden there and so organizes a search party, delving into a nearby cavern. Once inside the cliffs, following Conan’s lead, they discover a colony of crab-men hauling the treasure chests into their cavernous lair.

The Cimmerian espies several sailors imprisoned in crude cells. Conan sneaks forward and speaks with their captain, an Argosean named Florannus, through a barred window. Florannus explained how the man-crabs drew them to the cliffs by reaching into his mind and planting the suggestion there. Once captured, his crew had been experimented on by the man-crabs, who are very intelligent, maybe even more-so than humans.

Conan uses brains and brawn to free the sailors by cobbling together a make-shift rope of their clothing, tying it from the bars of the cell to a huge boulder that the Cimmerian then sent toppling over the cliff edge, bringing the prison wall down with it.

Belit, of course, will not leave without the treasure. As they make their escape, they are besieged by the man-crabs. Conan takes the battle to them and starts a rock-slide to slow the creatures. Both crews come together, dislodging a giant boulder that breaks through the cavern floor to the boiling hot steam tunnels beneath the cliffs. The man-crabs are roasted alive.

Belit agrees to let the Argosean crew sail away, even splitting the treasure with them. Conan thought this seemed out of character, but she explained that their bounty would encourage more ships to sail their way, and they would be ripe to be plundered.

Conan nearly faints, suspecting the weakness was caused by one of his injuries, though N’Yaga is concerned. The Cimmerian shrugs it off then Belit, seeing the Argosean ship sail over the horizon, calls on them to return to the man-crab lair to recover the remaining treasure.

**Roy Thomas’ epic adaptation of Queen of the Black Coast concludes next issue.**

CAPSULE REVIEW: As one expects, this is a finely told tale in keeping with the general consistency of product from the team of Thomas, Buscema, and Chan. As a kid, I was turned off by the devil-crabs, finding their design somewhat off-putting, but now, decades later, I find them adequately alien and fearsome.

The artwork is fluid, the action well thought out, keeping the flow of the narrative clipping at a fevered pace. There’s little room to catch a breath as the story propels the reader forward and on edge.

One of my chief complaints with “modern-era” comics is the hollowness of the account. This issue is meaty. Even as you’re led forward, the story has weight. While the pace is break-neck, at the end, you feel like you got a complete story, something that is rarely the case in more recent offerings.

As the centennial issue looms, this was a perfect breather, albeit a frantic one, before the double-sized majesty of the Queen of the Black Coast’s tragic conclusion.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue an 8. On eBay, this issue generally is available for less than $10, and as low as $5.

Alba Gu Brath – Bob Freeeman (aka The Occult Detective)

July 19th, 2019

Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews

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REVIEW: A Haunting Howard Poem Adapted For Conan

“It’s not land the Black Corsair spies from the crow’s nest of the Tigress, but a young woman, as beautiful as the light of dawn, standing in the middle of the ocean atop a giant lily pad. But is she a damsel in distress, or a siren with plans to lure Conan, Belit and their entire crew to a watery grave?”

By WALLY MONK – Paint Monk’s Library Editor

While Robert E. Howard is best known for his literary creations like Conan the Barbarian, King Kull of Atlantis and Solomon Kane, the Cross Plains, Texas native was also a prolific poet. Hundreds of different rimes are attributed directly to him, and many of them were published posthumously.

The poem on which this issue is based, “Sea Woman”, was written by Howard but didn’t appear in print until 1970 in the anthology Singers in the Shadows by Donald M. Grant Publishing in 1970. It would be printed again in Glenn Lord’s 1976 novel The Last Celt.

It’s a haunting lyric, and it’s one of my favorites, second only to Edgar Allan Poe’s “Annabel Lee”.

The appeal of this simple yet well-written issue lies both in Roy Thomas’ prose and in the art team of Buscema/Chan/Roussos. The siren trope is an old one, yet the art and panel layouts make this story come alive in vivid reality – it’s almost as if you are caught in the siren’s web yourself.

This is one of my favorite issues of Marvel’s original Conan series, and a welcome and very different one-off story allowing fans to catch their breath before the ending of Thomas’ adaptation of “Queen the Black Coast” in two issues.

Review: Conan the Barbarian #98

One of Belit’s corsairs raises the alarm from the crow’s nest. Conan, expecting a ship to loot, is surprised at the cause for alert. Scribe Roy Thomas describes the scene in the water with a description unlike any you’ll find in modern comics. It’s not a vessel to be looted on the horizon, it’s a person in the water off the prow of the ship.

“A woman, azure of flesh, and with free-flowing hair the color of some radiant type of seaweed…a woman, young and fair of face and form, who must by all rights have been lost off some tempest-tossed and pirate-sunk ship…yet who stands silent and nearly un-moving as a statue atop what seems a huge, bobbing lily pad…a thing which seems like a poor lifeboat indeed!”
– Roy Thomas, Conan the Barbarian #98

As the crew of the Tigress stares in awe and shock at the woman, Conan prepares to offer an apology to the man in the crow’s nest, acknowledging that he understands how ones eyes might “play tricks on them” at sea. The barbarian suggests leaving the woman in the water, thinking her to be a witch – but N’Yaga believes that she should be brought aboard and that he senses no evil in her.

A crew of corsairs is dispatched to bring the sea-woman aboard the Tigress. She is mute, although she often opens her mouth as if to speak.

One of the corsairs tries to give their new passenger a piece of jewelry, as he is awe-struck by her beauty; she shrugs it off, immediately offering it to Conan instead. Belit is not amused.

The voyage of the Tigress continues, and the raid of a Stygian vessel the next morning doesn’t allow the crew time to think about their new crew mate until Conan wanders alone – or seemingly alone – above deck as night falls. The sea-woman approaches Conan seductively, but mustering all of his strength, he brushes the beauty off, making his way to his true love Belit to clear his head.

As the Cimmerian walks away, the mysterious woman turns her attention to a lone corsair named B’Tumi who has come above deck. B’tumi approaches the pale blue-skinned lass and she once more opens her mouth yet no words can he heard.

The next morning M’Gora announces that their crewmate B’Tumi is missing, and as the crew searches for him, the sea-woman continues staring contentedly out to sea.

The sea-siren tries the same thing with a different corsair named Asambi the following night, only this time, Conan is on hand to observe the seduction.

To the barbarian’s horror, the blue-skinned woman begins her silent song and dives into the sea. Asambi follows, only to be caught in the siren’s kiss, drifting lifeless to the bottom of the sea.

Now, the sea-woman turns her attention to Conan and he can hear the words of her silent song – the lyrics to Howard’s poem! Taking his knife with him, Conan jumps into the sea, following the siren’s call.

Will our Cimmerian succumb to the siren’s melody, and who is the mysterious woman who lures men to their death with a song that only her intended victim can hear?

CAPSULE REVIEW: Wow. Just…wow. The entire creative team hits a home run with this issue. That’s an odd thing to say, as one-off stories are normally frustrating and an unwelcome distraction from a good ongoing story line.

The Buscema/Chan team certainly knows how to draw beautiful women. In panels where Belit and the sea-woman are side by side, it’s clear that the newcomer is much more attractive than the she-pirate, and she’s drawn beautifully herself.

George Roussos is a master colorist. I have mentioned in previous reviews how he nicely creates variations in skin color for the different tribes along the Black Coast, and there is no deviation here. The blue shades of the sea-woman are subtle and haunting, creating an ethereal look that adds a mysterious element to the writing and the other illustrations in the book.

Interestingly, an equal amount of the comic’s strength comes from what can be read between the lines and the panels. Conan has made it clear in many different issues that Belit is his true love – yet he is tempted also by the sea-woman. His resistance and ultimate decision to dive in the ocean after her lends a certain credence to the strength and power of her seductive spell.

This is an issue of Conan – and one of the rare one-off stories – that should be in any Conan comic book collection. While not heavily promoted by collectors or particularly sought after, it’s a tribute to the quality of comic book writing and art from days long past. Do not miss it.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d give this issue a solid 9.5.

On eBay, copies were available for less than $5.

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

July 17th, 2019

Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews

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REVIEW: The Final Battle with the Beast King of Abombi!

“In an incredible role-reversal of the “damsel in distress” tale, Belit races against time to rescue her beloved barbarian from the clutches of the deadly Ajaga. Conan could breathe his last at the hands of this new and deadly foe if Belit is not in time, as even the beasts of the jungle obey the command of the Beast King of Abombi!”

By ANDY MAGLOTHIN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

We’re closing in on the 100th issue of Marvel’s Conan the Barbarian and nearing the end of Roy Thomas’ memorable adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s “Queen of the Black Coast” story. This issue concludes the “Beast King of Abombi” quartet (#94-97), and only two stand-alone yarns remain before the double-sized Conan extravaganza published originally in July 1979.

This issue is not just a good story by itself – in these pages, Roy Thomas subtly foreshadows the events to come as readers see the extent to which Belit will go to save her beloved. It’s something we will see again very soon, but the second occasion will be far more poignant.

Review: Conan the Barbarian #97

The opening scene shows Conan chained to a sacrificial rock in Abombi, as Ajaga stands ready to kill our Cimmerian, a leopard and serpent standing by to finish the job! Ajaga’s call beckons animals of all species to journey to the site of the barbarian’s sacrifice.

Waiting on the offering, Krato, Beeya and Ajaga’s other followers remain safely behind the symbol of Jhebbal Sag (which, as we learned in Conan the Barbarian #95, is used to control the animals).

Bêlit and Sholo, the black lion, travel through the catacombs of Abombi searching for Conan. Bêlit is concerned Sholo will attack her at any point, but her desire to find Conan outweighs her fears. She believes the lion is drawn to Ajaga’s call and following him will lead her to Ajaga and her beloved. As Bêlit and Sholo journey onward, she hears Ajaga’s chants echoing through the tunnel.

Bêlit and Sholo quietly sneak above Ajaga and leap into action to attack! Bêlit’s assault knocks Ajaga to the ground and he strikes his head against a rock as he falls. Sholo’s attack is rapidly halted by the sign of Jhebbal Sag.

Bêlit rushes over to release Conan as the Kushite warriors hurl spears at them with the (in)accuracy of Stormtroopers from the Galactic Empire, but then suddenly stop their assault. Conan and Bêlit discover they are surrounded by Kushites and the groggy Ajaga is surrounded by the animals he summoned.

Conan uses a potion to wash away part of the sign of Jhebbal Sag, which breaks the spell holding the animals at bay. The animals savagely attack Ajaga, and since the spell keeping them under control is gone, they savagely attack each other.

The melee confuses the Kushite warriors, allowing Bêlit to seize the opportunity to attack once more. Beeya and Krato attempt to retaliate, but Conan takes the offensive, knocking Beeya to the ground. Krato lunges at Conan but the lightning fast Sholo pounces on Krato. Krato shoves his spear deep into the lion’s chest but with his dying breath, Sholo clamps down on on Krato’s head.

Beeya urges the Kushite army to continue their attack against Conan, Bêlit and the Corsairs but to no avail. As the battle begins, Beeya understands the Kushites are outmatched and he escapes through the caves. A grieving Conan and Bêlit build a cairn of stones over Sholo’s body as they recall his loyalty to both Amra and Conan. Conan, Bêlit, and the Corsairs sail away on the Tigress leaving Abombi to the scattered Kushites.

CAPSULE REVIEW: An eye-catching cover features Ajaga, poised to slaughter a bound Conan as Bêlit springs into action to save her lover. The textures of the rock, flames, steel and animal skins make this scene come to life. John Buscema once again outdoes himself with background and detail.

This issue is an action packed, fast paced end to Ajaga’s torment of Conan and company. Roy Thomas pushes the reader into the tense action and soon to be final confrontation between Conan, Bêlit, and Ajaga. The author’s description of Ajaga’s call to the wild along with the animals’ focused journey paints the picture of the Beast-King’s power and influence over his environment. Thomas’ skill to switch scenes and characters quickly while still keeping a reader engaged once again confirms that he is a top-tier writer.

One of the most touching moments in this issue was Conan’s response to Sholo’s death. Conan states he does not understand why Sholo was so devoted to him and declares he will launch an arrow into the air anytime their ships pass by the cliffs of Abombi. A very powerful scene to those of us who have pets and love animals.

The Buscema / Chan team maintains the high level of artwork readers have come to expect. Their ability to provide shadow, texture, proportion, and depth are featured here. The fight scenes provide intensity and as much brutality as possible while still complying with the comic code. The scene where the animals turn on Ajaga has an Alfred Hitchcock air, and Buscema draws facial features well, relaying a character’s emotions in support of Thomas’ text.

This is a very good issue providing closure to the arc and a must have for any Conan fan. My minor gripes are the brevity of the fight scenes and inaccuracy of the Kushite warrior illustrations. I give it 8 Aquilonian Luna out of 10.

Living life my own way – Andy from Aquilonia

July 14th, 2019

Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews

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REVIEW: Blue Was the New Black in 1970s Comics

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

One of the things that really jumps out at me in this issue – Conan the Barbarian #96 – is Sholo, the black lion. For a magazine that is generally so spot on, it seems that some lessons are forgotten, and I see that here.

Comics’ central issue, especially in those pre-computer printing days, was color. It’s something I’ve always been fascinated by and have spent a bit of time studying. I’m not going to bore you with any of that now, but I do want to briefly talk about the color black in printed comics.

Comic shorthand for black tends toward blue. Batman’s costume was black and gray, just as Spider-Man was red and black. Blue, as the highlight color, tended to become dominant over time and the characters’ color schemes shifted. It’s something we see repeatedly, over and over again.

In Conan, the Cimmerian’s hair is blue highlighted, as are Belit’s raven tresses. Thankfully, we were never cursed with a shift to a more dominate blue for their Hyborian coiffures.

**Sholo, Conan’s *blue* lion companion?**

In the first appearance of Conan’s companion, Zula, he was depicted as blue-skinned, which looked rather absurd. His later depictions, using gray as the highlight, were a marked improvement. Here, in this issue, we are faced with a black-furred lion whose bristled covering is represented by blue, not so much as highlight, but as the far more dominant color. While it makes one think of the X-Men’s Beast, who began with gray highlights, but transitioned to the more traditional blue, in the end, it just doesn’t work.

With Sholo, much like Zula’s early appearances, it looks ridiculous, but black was a struggle for colorists in those early days of comic yesteryear. It’s one of those things we’re forced to overlook as long term comic fans.

It’s also one of the few things about modern comics that is an improvement over the past.

Review: Conan the Barbarian #96

We begin with Conan, called Amra the Lion, an uneasy companion of the legendary Sholo, a black lion who had once been bonded to an Aquilonian Lord. Having now bonded with the Cimmerian, Conan remains on-guard even as he recalls Belit and members of her crew being captured by the sorcerer Ajaga.

Uncovering a cave, man and beast enter cautiously but both fall victim to a trap that hurls them into an underground river. Conan faces off against a great serpent, but is jarred by its electrical charge when he strikes it with his blade. The Cimmerian changes tactics and kills it with a large boulder, but passes out from the exertion.

The barbarian is pulled from the water by Ajaga’s men. Coming to, Conan tries to fight free and is embattled by a jaguar. Conan delivers a mighty wound, but is then struck unconscious once more by a blow from one of Ajaga’s followers. Ajaga then collapses to the ground, writhing in seizure. Rising, he claims to have communed with Jhebbal-Sag and proclaims that Conan and Belit need be sacrificed at once.

Meanwhile, Sholo comes ashore, eventually finding Belit and helping her escape. He leads the Queen of the Black Coast from her imprisonment – and the Shemite she-tiger hopes it is to Conan the black lion leads.

Elsewhere, Conan is brought to an altar where Ajaga prepares to sacrifice the Cimmerian in the Feast of the Bloodmoon, calling forth the beasts of the jungle for this dark rite.

CAPSULE REVIEW: Part One of “The Long Night of Fang and Talon” is a spectacular issue, fraught with action and suspense, and one of my favorites as a kid, to be sure. Roy Thomas is in great form as we near the conclusion to his fleshed out tale of the tragic love story of Conan and Belit.

Roy is a consummate storyteller, but I remember vividly that Buscema and Chan cover leaping out at me from the newsstand. There was no way I was going to pass this issue up — not that Marvel was ever in danger of me not dropping a dime and two bits on a Conan comic.

Of course this all leads to the flipping of the traditional ‘damsel-in-distress’ trope, finding Conan captured and in need of rescue from the she-wolf Belit.

Belit was such a great character, feminine yet strong. Hers was a commanding presence. It flies in the face of modern interpretation that women were disrespected in comics. There have always been strongly represented, and while many have decried Conan as being a book filled with “toxic masculinity”, to use the catch phrase of the moment, nothing could have been further from the truth.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue a 9, only because that blue lion bugs me. On eBay, this issue generally is available for less than $10, and as low as $6.

Alba Gu Brath – Bob Freeeman (aka The Occult Detective)

July 11th, 2019

Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews

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REVIEW: A Cave Creature & The Symbol of Jhebbal-Sag

By ANDY MAGLOTHIN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Ajaga, The Beast King of Abombi commands three baboons to carry Bêlit off to join his other captive wives. Two Chiefs, Krato and Beeya, are still concerned about Conan’s whereabouts despite his plunge off the cliff into the dense jungle below.

Ignoring their concerns, Ajaga explains there is no way Conan could survive the plunge.

The story transitions to a quick flashback of Conan battling two baboons during a plunge into some trees. Large branches slow Conan and the simians on the way down, injuring one baboon enough that Conan flips him over, landing on the baboon’s carcass. Conan is knocked unconscious, but is still alive!

As Conan lies senseless, predatory animals spot the Cimmerian as easy prey until they are spooked by the roar of Sholo, the black lion. The roar of the ferocious beast startles Conan, and the barbarian’s initial response is to get away from the great cat.

Conan quickly realizes that Sholo is there to protect him from the other jungle animals, recalling Ajaga’s ability to control animals. It registers to him Sholo might be under Ajaga’s control, and follows the feline in the hopes of arriving at Abombi.

Bêlit awakens in Ajaga’s throne room and refuses to join him. Ajaga tells her he has no intention of working with her or negotiating – he intends to kill her. Bêlit lunges to attack the beast-king, causing his faithful leopard to quickly take her down. Ajaga’s guards take Bêlit to a prison cell with other captive women.

The story shifts once more to Conan and Sholo traveling through the jungle, driven by an unknown force which Conan assumes is Ajaga’s control over the great lion. The Cimmerian confirms Sholo’s connection to Ajaga exists, because the beast-lord is more animal than human. The pair discover a cave, but Sholo suddenly freezes when they approach a strange symbol in the sand. The startled ebony lion refuses to venture past the symbol so Conan enters the cave alone.

Conan finds G’Chambi hiding in the caves. G’Chambi explains he keeps Ajaga’s beasts at bay using the sign of Jhebbal Sag, and Conan asks if he can use the sign to keep Ajaga’s beasts at bay while he rescues Bêlit. Before he can answer, G’Chambi is attacked and pulled into the darkness, his limp, mangled body slung back to the ground. A stunned Conan glances up to find a prehistoric beast crouched overhead, ready to strike.

Conan hurls a stone at the dinosaur, striking it in the head but not even phasing the creature. The beast leaps at Conan, and the barbarian slices into its thick hide, causing little damage. The reptilian monster continues to attack and Conan can barely manage to dodge its ferocious assaults. Our hero flips the creature over, then lunges for his sword but the reptile is too swift and is on the Cimmerian’s back again. Conan rams the beasts head into the wall then breaks the neck of the stunned dinosaur-dragon.

After the battle Conan carries the severely wounded G’Chambi outside the cave. As he breathes his last, G’Chambi teaches Conan the proper way to draw the symbol of Jhebbal Sag.

CAPSULE REVIEW: The cover features John Buscema’s pencils and inks and highlights the battle between Conan and the saurian. I would imagine people seeing this image on the newsstand in 1978 grabbed it largely based on Buscema’s “dinosaur cover”!

As always, Thomas’ script and pacing keeps the story moving and the reader engaged. This issue picks up where Conan the Barbarian #94 ended and if both issues are read together, the tale makes more sense. Conan Saga #38 collects the two issues together (albeit in black and white) as does The Chronicles of Conan Vol 12 (Dark Horse Comics). I’m not a huge binge reader, but with this particular story arc, it might benefit a new fan to go that route.

John Buscema’s version of Conan is my favorite and the work in this particular story line demonstrates why. His ability to provide unique attributes to characters (although it had to be accomplished with headdress coloring for Beeya and Krato) along with his depictions of anatomy and surrounding scenery demonstrates the effort he puts into his art. Look at the image of Krato looking over the cliff to the trees below.

It is a very small panel, yet unnerving for those who are afraid of heights. Skip to the battle between Conan and the ancient reptile creature. Conan’s facial features change multiple times during the battle: an initial look of shock, then determination to survive and finally, a look of desperation when he breaks the beast’s neck. You can’t ask an artist to work any harder than “Big John” Buscema did on each issue of Conan.

This feels like a filler issue, with little character development. It would have worked better as part of a double-sized issue. This comic is a necessary part of an ongoing Conan tale, but it doesn’t stand alone well. I give it 6 Aquilonian Luna out of 10.

Living life my own way – Andy from Aquilonia

July 9th, 2019

Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews

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REVIEW: Zula Departs, A Beast King & Belit Captured!

“How can Conan defeat a man that both the birds and the beasts obey? Conan the Barbarian and Belit face off with a chieftan who could perhaps be one of their deadliest foes, the Beast King of Abombi! Can Conan and Belit’s crew of Black Corsairs restore order to the tribes along the Black Coast and rescue Ombassa’s daughter?”

By WALLY MONK – Paint Monk’s Library Editor

We’re a mere six issues from the end of Roy Thomas’ adaptation of “Queen of the Black Coast”, and we’re treated this issue to the beginning of a new four-issue story arc focusing on the Beast King of Abombi. This short but entertaining tale will be concluded in the pages of Conan the Barbarian #97.

Here, Roy Thomas says goodbye to Zula, the last of the Zamballahs, as he departs with some of Belit’s corsairs to forge his own path. Strangely, and perhaps as a thank you for his service and companionship, Zula takes a few of the Black Corsairs with him with Belit’s blessing. Goodbye, Zula, we hardly knew you…

This was one of the first back issues of Conan I had to find as a kid – my first store-bought Conan story was Conan the Barbarian #95 – and I felt compelled to read this, the first part of the story.

Writer Bob Freeman has mentioned in his reviews that the team of Thomas/Buscema/Chan gave the series a certain continuity – this was something I noticed myself when I was younger. Where other titles had a revolving door of guest artists, one could always count on the world of Conan to remain consistent.

Perhaps this was why Conan was so successful during its first 100-issue run. Readers and fans always knew that whatever the story might be, the art and world would be strangely familiar.

Review: Conan the Barbarian #94

As Zula departs with some of Belit’s crewmates, Conan, the she-pirate and the crew of the Tigress continue sailing south along the Black Coast. As they travel, they notice that many of the villages they pass are in smoldering ruin.

Eventually reaching their allies, the Watambis (first seen in Conan the Barbarian #60), Conan and Belit learn that an exiled noble from a nearby tribe has assumed control of an ancient and abandoned mountain fortress called Abombi. This noble, named Ajaga, has learned the powers of an ancient god named Jhebbal Sag which allows him to control animals.

Using this power, Ajaga has extended his rule over the villages, many of which formerly paid tribute to Belit and her pirate crew.

The Watambi chieftan reveals that his tribe tried to refuse Ajaga’s leadership, but once they resisted, their village was continually harrassed and plagued by wild animals from within the jungle.

The Watambi resistance crumbled after chieftan Ombassa’s daughter, Nyami, was captured by baboons and taken off to be Ajaga’s wife. Ombassa offered tribute then to the Beast King, but the tyrant still refused to release his daughter from captivity.

As an ally of Ombassa and his people, Conan, Belit and the Corsairs pledge to help rid the coast of Ajaga and his foul control of the wild animals. Their journey to Abombi is short-lived, as the group atempts to scale the cliffs to the fortress, only to be ambushed by angry animals under Ajaga’s control.

Baboons angrily attack the group as they climb – Conan falls off the cliff and Belit is taken as a prisoner for Ajaga.

CAPSULE REVIEW: First carried off by giant hawks to the city of Harakht, Belit is once more captured, but this time by giant baboons under Ajaga’s control. Conan could be in major trouble in this issue, and the cliff-hanger at the end of this issue is disconcerting. Has the barbarian met his match?

Roy Thomas once again cobbles together another story to push forward and engage us in the goings-on along the Black Coast, and it will sad to see these stories end in a mere half-dozen issues. Seeing Zula depart was disappointing, as he was just starting to fit in as part of our heroic trio.

The whole concept of Ajaga and his control of animals is an interesting one. Theoretically, he’s an impossible character to defeat because of the sheer volume of critters he can place under his control. It will be interesting to see how Roy Thomas resolves this plot line in coming issues.

This issue is jam-packed with dialogue – it’s a tribute to the artistic team as well as letterer Bill Spicer that the panels worked as well as they did.

**Whoa! Roy Thomas fills *Conan the Barbarian #94* with more dialogue than usual.**

The color, however, seems off. Although I read this issue digitally, I checked my physical copy too and the colors seem brighter there also, and in many places too “in your face” to be the typical work of fine colorist George Roussos. Perhaps Marvel was experimenting with a new printer? Something just didn’t seem right.

This story was reprinted in Conan Saga #38, as well as The Chronicles of Conan Vol. 12 by Dark Horse Comics. On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this story a 7.5.

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

June 30th, 2019

Classic Conan Countdown, Reviews

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REVIEW: Vengeance in Asgalun & The Death of A King

“It’s a Hyborian game of thrones, as opposing factions vie for control of Asgalun. Meanwhile, Belit, the Queen of the Black Coast, plots her final revenge against Nim-Karrak, the current ruler of the city and the man who usurped her father, Atrahasis. Will the Shemite hellcat finally send Nim-Karrak to the fate he deserves?“

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

“You’ve got too many animals on the covers.”

In 1970, Conan the Barbarian came out of the gate swinging. Marvel printed over 200,000 issues of the debut comic and they moved nearly 60% of them. Very respectable. However, each issue after sold a little less than the one before and the title was in danger of being cancelled after just seven books (doled out over fourteen months).

That’s when Stan Lee asked to see the covers and commented on there being too many animals. “Get some more humanoid menacing-looking villains instead of these animals,” he had said.

Issue eight featured Conan and a beautiful damsel in the midst of a treasure horde as two skeletal warriors menacingly approached from behind. Sales ticked upward and the title flourished for the next two decades.

That’s the kind of genius Stan Lee was.

Review: Conan the Barbarian #93

Under Ptor-Nubis’s magical control, Conan, Belit, Zula, and M’Gora are commanded to fight to the death. Zula, however, is able to break free of the sorcerer’s spell, as he recalls that it was Ptor-Nubis who had sold him into slavery as a child. Zula strikes out at the wizard, killing him instead of his comrade, and ending Ptor-Nubis’ hold on them.

Zula, M’Gora, Conan, and Belit turn their attentions toward the surrounding Stygian soldiers, handling them easily. After, Zula and M’Gora set out to announce Belit’s return to the people of Asgalun.

As word of Belit’s return reaches the ears of Nim-Karrak, the king is convinced that Ptor-Nubis has been slain and thus goes into hiding as Prince Khamun takes command of the castle.

Seeking to consolidate his power, Khamun has the merchant Uriaz taken into custody, despite the growing unrest of the citizens of Asgalun. The High-Priest of Ishtar, Bal-Yamm, crowns Khamun as king and, as part of the ceremony, Urias is brought before the executioner.

The merchant begs for his life as the hooded executioner lifts his ax — but instead of taking Uriaz’ head, instead hurls the blade into Khamun’s chest, killing the newly crowned ruler. The executioner removes his hood, and is revealed to be Conan who calls Belit forth and proclaims her as the true and rightful queen.

Belit calls for the Asgalun to rise up against the Stygians, but they are poorly matched, until the arrival of Hyrkanian mercenaries.

As Belit observes the battle between the Shemites and Stygians, Nim-Karrak emerges from a secret door, slinking toward Belit with a dagger and venomous intent.

Zula reaches out with his magic and Nim-Karrak, believing that a stone lion has come to life, plummets to his death in fright, enraging Belit.

Belit’s claim to the throne is secured, but she refuses the crown, granting it to Uriaz instead, much to his horror.

Conan, Belit, and Zula leave the city as Akhirom approaches with a sizable army. Belit, having avenged her father, is eager to put this all behind her and return to plundering the Black Coast, with Conan at her side.

CAPSULE REVIEW: This was a big issue with a lot going on but it was so perfectly paced that it never felt crowded or too busy. Buscema and Chan bring a ton of kinetic energy to each and every page, but it’s the facial expressions that carry the weight of the story. They really outdid themselves.

Roy’s script is tight as he deftly maneuvers the political intrigue, brilliantly juggling the story and never letting it get bogged down in too much exposition.

This was a perfect marriage between the writer and artists that puts an endcap on Belit’s revenge arc and sets up the endgame for the Queen of the Black Coast storyline.

From the sweltering jungle action to the politically charged city-streets of Asgalun, Conan, while virtually a secondary character in the story, is still a dominate physical force, fluid and visceral.

That, in and of itself, is a neat trick, and one the creators should be applauded for.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue a 9.5. On eBay, this issue generally is available for less than $10, and often as low as $7.

Alba Gu Brath – Bob Freeeman (aka The Occult Detective)

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Review: Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 1) #101

REVIEW: A Dying Race, A Lost Ship & A Fallen Queen

Review: Conan the Barbarian #100

REVIEW: Conan Faces the Man Crabs of the Dark Cliffs!

Review: Conan the Barbarian #99

REVIEW: A Haunting Howard Poem Adapted For Conan

Review: Conan the Barbarian #98

REVIEW: The Final Battle with the Beast King of Abombi!

Review: Conan the Barbarian #97

REVIEW: Blue Was the New Black in 1970s Comics

Review: Conan the Barbarian #96

REVIEW: A Cave Creature & The Symbol of Jhebbal-Sag

REVIEW: Zula Departs, A Beast King & Belit Captured!

Review: Conan the Barbarian #94

REVIEW: Vengeance in Asgalun & The Death of A King

Review: Conan the Barbarian #93

Conan: The Podcast (Episode 2)

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Welcome to the Library!

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INTO THE KNIGHT PODCAST

Weirded Wonder

COMIC BOOK GRADING

Golden Age Podcast

Robert E. Howard News

WRITER JIM ZUB’S BLOG

ARTIST TIM TRUMAN’S SITE

Atlas Comics Archives

“Groovy” Comics Blog!

THE DEFENDERS FAN SITE

MARVEL UNLIMITED

COMIXOLOGY

Archive for the ‘Classic Conan Countdown’ Category

Review: Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 1) #101

Review: Conan the Barbarian #100

Review: Conan the Barbarian #99

Review: Conan the Barbarian #98

Review: Conan the Barbarian #97

Review: Conan the Barbarian #96

Review: Conan the Barbarian #94

Review: Conan the Barbarian #93

Conan: The Podcast (Episode 2)

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