“The Drellik King K’Chama believes he has found a suitable peer in Conan, and offers the barbarian the vampire’s curse and a lifetime conquering kingdoms at his side. Conan, of course, refuses – but will he be able to save his own life and that of his Bamula tribesmen and escape from the Men Who Drink Blood?”

(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, #103.)

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

In the aftermath of the Belit cycle, Roy Thomas was looking toward his exit strategy. In slightly more than a year, his time on Conan the Barbarian would come to an end. While he’d still navigate the superior black and white magazine, The Savage Sword of Conan, the color comic was the more profile monthly title.

How would the color Conan fare once Thomas was no longer at the helm? Thomas set out rebuilding the Cimmerian’s character in the wake of Belit’s death. As in this issue I am about to recap and review for you, Conan continues to reflect and pine for the She-Wolf of the Black Coast, which is terrific character development. It shapes him, helps redefine him moving forward, all without losing touch with what made Conan great, without altering the man Howard had given birth to.

That’s a nifty trick, showing change and development without altering the character. It’s that ability to play in the creative sandbox and ensure that all the toys are still there, unbroken and ready to be played with by the next creative team, that made Roy Thomas one of the greats.

Review: Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 1) #103

The savage Bamula are placed in a large cell by the blood drinking Drellik as their war chief, Conan, was carried away by K’Chama, the Drellik’s vampire king. The unconscious Cimmerian was laid upon an altar stone, when he suddenly  awoke and attacked the vampire, but the undead fiend merely shrugged off the mighty barbarian’s punch like it was nothing.

K’Chama then shared his story with Conan. Originally from a tribe to the east, he was attacked by a vampire while out seeking to further bolster his warrior status. He managed to slay the creature, stabbing it through the heart with the shaft of his spear, but not before being infected with its vampiric curse. Using his newfound powers, he took command of another tribe and, through hypnotic mind control, had them reshape their ears and trained them to drink blood in ceremonies when they were just children and file their teeth upon reaching manhood — all that they would become vampire-like.

The Drellik King withheld transforming any of his subjects into actual vampires until he found one worthy of the secret of eternity… but no one impressed him, until he discovered Conan. The Cimmerian, of course, refused and was thrown into a cell with Eesee, the bride of K’Chama. Eesee’s life had been extended by the vampire king but now she was beginning to show her age and K’Chama had tired of her. Still, she loved him despite his change in feelings for her.

Conan attempted to escape, but failed, thus the next day he was taken before K’Chama. The vampire slayed one of the Bamula in front of the Cimmerian, so, in order to save the others, Conan agreed to join the Drellik so long as the rest of the Bamula were freed. Conan barters for Eesee’s life as well, but K’Chama degraded her to the Cimmerian. Eesee charged out and stabbed the vampire with a spear.

The spearhead had no effect on the creature and he swats her away, fatally injuring her. Conan, despite being chained, used the distraction to flee. The Drelliks chased after the barbarian but they were met by Bosatu and the Bamula who had returned in force to rescue their War Chief.

Meanwhile Conan took cover as K’Chama stalked him, the spear still sticking from his back. Conan, recalled K’Chama’s story of how he killed the vampire that made him. The Cimmerian kicked K’Chama over the side of a cliff, the shaft of the spear piercing the vampire’s heart. To ensure the fiend’s death Conan cut off its head even as Eesee crawled over to die with the creature she loved.

As Conan and the Bamula left, with the Drellik encampment in flames, the Cimmerian promoted Basotu to sub-chief and offered him a bride, Felida, the widow of the warrior Yorubo, who had been given to him. Conan will not be tied down, believing he travels highest who travels lightest. Thinking of Belit, he returns to the Bamula village.

CAPSULE REVIEW:  A good story, penned by Thomas, that showcases Conan’s intellect over brute strength. Easily outmatched by the vampire’s superior physical strength, Thomas, along with terrific art from Buscema and Chan to highlight this, was able to convey the cunning nature that is something far too people overlook. Conan was not an unintelligent brute. He was smart, agile, and calculating. Arnold’s shadow is long, however, and it is the image of the dunderheaded barbarian that far too many people imagine when they think of Conan.

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this issue 7 skulls of my enemies. On eBay, this issue generally is available for less than $10, and often lower than $5.

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

(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, #18. )

By JOESEPH SIMON – PM Library Associate Editor

Welcome to the another adventure of Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian and Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd from Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories, AKA “Fafnir” in Marvel’s Conan! This issue is written by Roy Thomas (adapted from “The Gods of Bal-Sagoth,” a Turlogh Dubh O’Brien story) with art by guest artist Gil Kane.

We’re into the 18th issue of Conan’s first run in comics and what remains, even decades after being published, is not specifically new to the series. Fafnir already appeared in Conan the Barbarian #6 (along with Blackrat, AKA Gray Mouser) and Roy Thomas has previously adapted Howard’s Turlogh Dubh O’Brien stories in Conan the Barbarian #3 and #17, which continues into this issue. Gil Kane already had the inside move to being a guest artist above others, as he had tackled cover art for several issues already.

It is interesting how Thomas, through unusual means, is creating a world in which Conan can adventure. While buried in the world that Howard created, Thomas expanded, creating a Marvel version of the Hyborian Age without it being part of the Marvel universe. Should we expect any less?

This is the same creator whose long stretch on DC’s All Star Squadron utilized a mix of Thomas-created new characters with DC’s golden age characters in an retroactive continuity (Retcon), rewriting the already established history of DCs super heroes during the period of the 1940s. As a result, he eliminated continuity errors, improved character origins and other problems DC had with its older heroes.

Librarian Dean Plakas reviewed the first part of the story that we now continue. If you’re not caught up, you might consider reading his review of Conan the Barbarian #17 before proceeding!

Review: Conan the Barbarian #18

At the end of the last issue Conan, Fafnir and Kyrie stand victorious with Kyrie (now known as Aala) as the ruler of Bal-Sagoth, and our barbarous heroes as her bodyguards. Those who were dethroned ran away and are now at large.

After much exposition and recapping of the previous issue, we discover that while protecting Aala during her new-found rule of Bal-Sagoth, Conan and Fafnir’s appearance is a close similarity to the actual legends of Bal-Sagoth; this Aala deems very fortunate. Conan prefers that the legends are simply stories.

Stating that Gothan and Ska remain a danger (even in hiding!) Aala decides to retire for the night while Conan and Fafnir take turns standing guard outside her bedchamber, an obviously inexperienced and naive choice for all involved. Acknowledging the prospect of danger and not securing safely anything more than the outside of your bedchamber is not the greatest decision for anyone, especially the people she rules.

Perhaps it is due to Aala’s decision, but Conan and Fafnir don’t even secure the room before Aala enters. Given that this was likely by the queen’s choice, it was by their own choice to not secure their own room.

The lack of securing the area does allow Conan and Fafnir time to have a conversation, albeit a short one. Fafnir remarks how things have changed when Conan was his captive and he the captain of a pirate band (and Fafnir on drums! No, not that kind of band)! He also tells the “coy” Conan that Aala has eyes for the Cimmerian before falling asleep. Then, in turn, Conan falls asleep also.

Conan wakes to a demonic creature about to attack. Narrowly missing a quick return to sleep (the kind from which you never awaken), Conan with effort kills the creature through strength, resources, his sword and flame. Despite Conan’s attempts to wake Fafnir, the red bearded Vanir warrior stirs only due to the smell of the demonic creatures smoke-charred carcass burning.

This gives Aala a chance to jump into the security and strength of Conan’s arms. Thankfully, this obvious handicap isn’t met with other enemies, but Aala herself now starts to show her true colors. Conan wants to leave and help Fafnir. Aala says “No! Why do you need him when you have me?“

She even indicates that the direction Fafnir took, chasing the bat creature out of her bedchamber (only one entrance) leads to Gothan’s black hell and essentially gives up on Conan’s companion. Aala doesn’t wish the Cimmerian to “share his fate.”

If I was Conan, I would be furious at the lack of being told that their enemy, the very enemy Aala warned still lurked, was 1) within the kingdom that she now ruled, and 2) just down the hall from her bedchamber!

Conan does get angry, but for not being able to help his friend and other problems that knowing Aala has brought to him. He throws her down and takes off to help Fafnir. This does not sit well with the Queen. She throws a tantrum and as she does her guards come to her – she instructs them to find and kill Conan and Fafnir.

How will this fare for our heroic duo? Will Conan find Fafnir in time? If they survive the Bat creature, they still have to contend with Gothan as well as Aala and her guard. It just doesn’t pay to be loyal royal security. Conan has been in similar situations in the past. If only dreams of gold, being a king and lust didn’t cloud his vision!

CAPSULE REVIEW: Conan has always had a supporting cast. But unlike most comics, where you can depend on them to frequent the life of the star that they support, Conan’s cast members are transitory. While only seen on occasion, they are likely to reappear at some point in the future (given they are not killed. This is Hyboria after all and Conan’s battles are more in line with life and death struggles than super hero slugfests.)

If your curiosity as a Fritz Lieber or Fafhrd and Grey Mouser fan ever caught you day dreaming about Fafhrd teaming up with Conan (or at least a more capable and able-bodied fighter) look no further. There is a great chance you will enjoy this three-part tale!

Dean inquired last issue if Conan would realize his dreams of being a King in this very issue. The answer, sadly, is no. But I believe this is a good thing.

A good ruler, which I believe Conan would want to be (aside from his dreams of gold aplenty) is partially defined by experience and wisdom. Conan, as a fierce Cimmerian fighter, is very experienced. As a leader, much less so. He continues to be gullible and makes many poor choices. His rule, this early in life, would likely have be a short one.