Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Conan the Barbarian #59 – “The Ballad of Bêlit” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Steve Gan
This one starts with Bêlit and Conan leading the crew of the Tigress against a Stygian galley. They make short work of the Stygians and Conan notices that Bêlit has a special hatred towards them. She’s not inclined to talk about it so Conan asks the Ship’s shaman (N’yaga), who has known Bêlit for years. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 59, Conan the Barbarian 60”
Conan the Barbarian #57 – “Incident in Argos” – Roy Thomas/Mike Ploog
This one starts with Conan, Tara, and Yusef arriving in Messantia, capital of Argos. Conan is looking for mercenary work and is very disappointed to find out Argos has just signed a peace treaty with Stygia. He takes out his frustrations on some arrogant guardsmen who think they own the streets. Conan and the others take off but realize all the city guards will be looking for them. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 57, Conan the Barbarian 58”
Conan the Barbarian #55 – “A Shadow on the Land” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Tom Palmer
This one continues from last issue, with Conan, Tara, and Yusef returning from the oracle and trying to figure out what her cryptic words mean. They run into the shadow creature not far from Ronnoco and it has grown even bigger after devouring so many people. Conan and company return to King Belzamo’s throne room, where Yvonna is telling the king she won’t marry his son, Vanni. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 55, Conan the Barbarian 56”
Conan the Barbarian #53 – “Brothers of the Blade” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Frank Springer
This one starts with Murilo and his Crimson Company (which includes Conan and his new squire, Tara) approaching the city of Ronnoco. The city leaders have hired them to recover the Ring of the Black Shadow, but their reception isn’t too warm, with archers firing at them from the walls. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 53, Conan the Barbarian 54”
Conan the Barbarian #51 – “Man Born of Demon” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Dick Giordano
This one starts with Conan arriving (finally!) in the capital city of Phalkar to complete his mission. He’s impersonating a merchant and bullies his way through some guards to get to the usurper, Unos. Conan presents Unos with a gift, a golden bird that he says can answer questions about the past, present, and future. The two wizards who killed the true regent and installed Unos in his place (Thalkalides and Elviriom) don’t believe the bird can prophesy (or maybe they just fear losing influence with Unos), but the acting regent is eager to hear what the bird will say about his future. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 51, Conan the Barbarian 52”
Conan the Barbarian #49 – “Wolf-Woman” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Dick Giordano
Last issue, Conan was captured by a bandit lord named Torkal Moh and staked out for some rats to devour. He manages to cut himself free by breaking the ceramic bowl of water Torkal Moh left to taunt him, and he rips the stakes out of the round, scaring the rats away. Conan follows Torkal Moh’s trail and finds water, but he’s beset by wolves. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 49, Conan the Barbarian 50”
Conan the Barbarian #47 – “Goblins in the Moonlight” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Dan Adkins
Last issue, Conan was on his way to Phalkar to deliver an amulet to the regent of that city when he got sidetracked by (what else?) a beautiful woman. He saved the woman (Stefanya) from a bloodthirsty mob who accused her of sorcery, but Stefanya told Conan the real sorcerer was her hated master, Zoqquanor. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 47, Conan the Barbarian 48”
Conan the Barbarian #45 – “The Last Ballad of Laza-Lanti” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Crusty Bunkers
This one starts with Conan drinking in a tavern in Shadizar, trying to forget Red Sonja. A minstrel sings a sad ballad and Conan takes a liking to it, so when local toughs start giving the minstrel a hard time, Conan kicks their asses. The bard (Laza-Lanti) turns out to be a fighter too and saves Conan by tossing a dagger into a thug trying to sneak up on the barbarian. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 45, Conan the Barbarian 46”
Conan the Barbarian #43 – “Tower of Blood” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one starts with Conan and Red Sonja (remember her from issues 23 and 24?) being pursued by bounty hunters from the City of Thieves. Apparently, Sonja was chosen as a Hyrkanian king’s concubine but stabbed him instead of marrying him, plus one of Conan’s wenches accused them both of murder, so now there’s a price on both their heads. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 43, Conan the Barbarian 44”
Conan the Barbarian #41 – “The Garden of Life and Death” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one starts with Conan arriving at a small village about a week away from Zamora. He runs into a mob chasing a girl and naturally, he defends her. The mob claim the girl (who they refer to as Zhadorr, although it seems more of an appellation than a name) is a demon in human form, but Conan still won’t let them near her. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 41, Conan the Barbarian 42”