Product History

The Chronicles of Conan Volume 8 is trade paperback published by Dark Horse Comics which collects issues 52-59 of the popular Marvel comic book series Conan the Barbarian. These issues were originally published in 1975. Its written by Roy Thomas and mostly illustrated by John Buscema. With this series, Thomas was trying to chronicle Conan’s adventures by adapting Robert E. Howard’s original stories to the comic book format and while telling new stories that would flesh out characters and places in the Hyborian world. It provided a nice sword and sorcery alternative to the superhero comics of the time. It is my understanding that the Conan the Barbarian comic book is what catapulted Conan into wider popularity that eventually lead to the film. Some Robert E. Howard purists even seem to have more respect for the Conan comic than the many pastiches written by various authors over the years.

You might be asking why not review the Conan comics from the beginning with volume 1 the Barry Windsor-Smith illustrated issues. Well I’m trying to read all the original Conan stories currently published by Dey Rey (in three volumes) and I didn’t want to read other Conan stories before getting Howard under my belt. I have finished the first book The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian, (which is really good but that is another review) when I encountered Volume 8 of The Chronicles of Conan and noticed that the events depicted lead into the Conan story Queen of the Black Coast. Since I had already read Howard’s original version, and since it was half price because it was used, I decided to pick it up.

Layout

The Chronicles of Conan Volume 8 is 160 pages long and features eight Conan stories which culminate in Roy Thomas’s adaptation of the first part of Queen of the Black Coast. It’s printed on high quality glossy paper and has been effectively re-colored using modern techniques. It has an interesting five page afterword by Roy Thomas where he discuses how he wrote these issues and what his influences were. There are also four pages of ads that list other Conan comics and merchandise from Dark Horse.

Impressions

Dark Horse has wonderfully reproduced these issues and it shows in the quality of the book. This product only enhances Roy Thomas’ version of Conan. I really enjoyed it especially for John Buscema’s art (yes I’m biased). Conan is fierce and every bit as aggressive as he should be while still being depicted as intelligent in his own wild, barbarian way. Buscema is great when it comes to facial expressions particularly anger, surprise, and pain. You really sense from Conan’s expressions that he is in life or death situations. The compositions and action sequences suit the sword and sorcery genre although a few super-heroisms do sneak in. Also the new coloring really adds to the moody, haunted nature of Conan as Buscema draws him. Although there are places where the coloring reveals a lack of detail in the illustrations, most likely due to the demands of meeting deadlines. One section is drawn by Mike Ploog, Incident at Argos, and is inferior to John Buscema’s art but the style is reminiscent of Bill Willingham’s early D&D illustrations so it still seems to fit.

Roy Thomas storytelling is better than good although not quite great. His best work comes in when he uses other fantastical stories as a basis, such as The Oracle of Ophir or when he fleshes out Howard’s characters and adapts Howard’s stories, Queen of the Black Coast. One really nice aspect to Thomas’ writing is that he has done his homework when it comes to Conan. He “gets” the Hyborian world and fleshes out details that make it more interesting. The last story in this volume is about Bêlit, Conan’s greatest love, and depicts her background in way that is true to the character.

Pros

The Conan comics have weathered the years better than most mainstream comics of the 1970s. This probably due to the fact that it set in a mythical time before known history and of course because it is based on Howard’s great imagination. I particularly noticed how the African-like supporting characters were portrayed. They weren’t presented as Shuckin’ and Jivin’ stereotypes, nor as “see we’re progressive here at marvel” tokens, which happened during the 70’s comics. N’yaga, the shaman, is an example of an interesting character that doesn’t follow the previous narrative rules.

Roy Thomas’s script is also better than a lot of 70’s comics in that most of the wording is appropriate. I have a trade paperback of the Defenders from the 1970’s, where the dialog and captions are terrible with characters describing their actions like “I will punch you with my fists…” as you see him punching with his fists. That type of over exposition by comic book writers always pisses me off. But it’s kept to a minimum or at least handled better than most. These Conan stories, most importantly, are just fun to read and with fast, dynamic, action along with strange, perilous magic.

Cons

The biggest problem with The Chronicles of Conan Volume 8 is that Conan comics were published during a time when the comics industry still cared about the Comics Code Authority. So the fighting, while energetic, isn’t as bloody as the original stories, no gruesome decapitations or spurting stumps. Also, there is no nudity, Bêlit dances naked in front of Conan in the original story but that’s out because you can’t show naked people under the code. Roy Thomas has some interesting notes in the afterword on this and other elements he had to change in order to get his stories past the comics code fascists.

Other minor complaints include the fact that there is no cover art. It was lost or something so you don’t get to enjoy the original Conan comic book covers, and that is unfortunate. The cover of the collection is from one of the splash pages. Finally, some of the stories spend time repeating information from previous sections, which would make sense when the comics were published on a monthly schedule but now as a collection it is simply dull information.

Who would find it useful?

Conan fans, people interested in non-superhero comics, those looking for ideas for their Conan/fantasy role-playing campaigns, Conan collectors. Those interested in Conan’s possible adventures right before Queen of the Black Coast. Folks who want more background on Bêlit. And folks to lazy to read the original Howard stories (shame on you).

Conclusion

It fun, frenetic and well presented, plus I think Buscema’s art does the brawny barbarian justice. So check it out.

NOTE: This series should not be confused with Dark Horse’s new Conan comic book, which is currently being published on a monthly basis, some of which has already been collected. (I hear it’s pretty good too!)