(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, #95.)

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