Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 71, Conan the Barbarian 72

Conan 071 coverConan the Barbarian #71 – “The Secret of Ashtoreth” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one continues from last issue, with Conan, Bêlit, and some of her pirates in a dungeon in the city of Kelka, where they were captured as sacrifices by the high priest (Akkheba, who drugged their wine) after doing him the favour of fighting off some Barachan pirates menacing the city. Akkheba drops by to taunt them, but one of the pirates finds a hidden tunnel out of their cell. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 71, Conan the Barbarian 72”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 69, Conan the Barbarian 70

Conan 069 coverConan the Barbarian #69 – “The Demon Out of the Deep” – Roy Thomas/Val Mayerik/The Tribe

If you’re wondering what happened to issues 66-68, I skipped them because I’m using the Chronicles of Conan editions for these reviews and those issues are omitted. They feature Red Sonja and she’s owned by a different company, so Dark Horse was forced to leave those stories out. If I get my hands on some copies I might go back and review them someday, but for now I’m sticking with the Chronicles and moving on to issue 69. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 69, Conan the Barbarian 70”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 63, Conan the Barbarian 65

Conan 063 coverConan the Barbarian #63 – “Death Among the Ruins” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Steve Gan

This one continues from last issue, with Makeda leading Conan and the Watambis to the ruined city where Amra plans to marry Bêlit. Conan is so focused on saving Bêlit, he doesn’t know (or doesn’t care) that Makeda cast a spell to raise the dead of the lost city. Bêlit doesn’t want to be Amra’s mate, but he’s not giving her a choice. He shows his battle prowess by killing a lion with a knife when it threatens Bêlit, but Conan also kills a lion (with a sword) on the way to the city, so it seems the two titans are evenly matched. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 63, Conan the Barbarian 65”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 61, Conan the Barbarian 62

Conan 061 coverConan the Barbarian #61 – “On the Track of the She-Pirate” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Steve Gan

This one continues from last issue, with Conan getting ready to go after the Dragon-Rider tribe who kidnapped Bêlit from the Watambi village. The Watambi chief (Ombassa) warns Conan not to trek through the jungle alone and offers to send some of his warriors as guides. But one of Bêlit’s crew (Kawaku) thinks she should be left to her fate, since she’s supposed to be the daughter of a goddess. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 61, Conan the Barbarian 62”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 59, Conan the Barbarian 60

Conan 059 coverConan 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 Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 57, Conan the Barbarian 58

Conan 057 coverConan 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 Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 55, Conan the Barbarian 56

Conan 055 coverConan 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 Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 53, Conan the Barbarian 54

Conan 053 coverConan 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 Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 51, Conan the Barbarian 52

Conan 051 coverConan 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 Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 49, Conan the Barbarian 50

Conan 049 coverConan 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”