Hi,

Just wondering who is still reading Conan, and what your thoughts were 20 issues into the series.

Dark Horse has revealed they plan on doing a mix of new and old Conan stories, with the aim of setting them in semi chronological order. Meaning old ones will be weaved in to new to try and make a comprehensive history of our favorite sword swinging barbarian.

Currently we're being treated to a redux of the Elephant Tower. Myself, I love Nord's artwork, and will buy the book as long as he and Busiek are on it, but his Elephant Tower has left me a little 'meh'. I liked the old Marvel one which really looked like a tower coated in jewels (as it's described in Howard's work). The upshot, it is nice to get some behind the scenes stuff that Marvel didn't cover (such as who the guardian in the tower is before becoming the guardian, sorry don't want to hand out spoilers).

i find Busiek has a knack for capturing the grim bravado of the Cimmerian. The dire resolution to stand his ground come hell or high water, and still be able to smile grimly in the face of death.

Nord's work really captures the simpler, more savage time. I miss his covers, but if that's what it takes to let him keep producing the book it's a small price.

We're also getting another Conan mini-series, and may be getting a second Conan title (hinted at in issue 20's letter page).

Anyways, I'll turn the floor over to anyone else who's reading this great book.

I suppose part of the "problem" is they want to avoid looking as if they are just
rehashing old Marvel stuff.
It's a year or two since I read my Marvel Conan's, but this run is convincing my
memories that Dark Horse is definately showing Conan in fuller dimensions, and
that is pleasing me.
I'll be going out to find #20 later today, but there was some talk of a new mini
in the letters page of #19.
It seemed to imply that from October, when this King Conan in Khitai story comes,
there'll be 2 books out a month. I got the impression that this meant the regular
series, and a continuous supply of mini series.
These'll be stories that've been submitted that are set away from the current time frame of the ongoing series I suppose.
Not sure how I feel about that.
I didn't think the "Daughters" one shot was that good, and the "Jewels" mini was
better, but I prefer the way they're forming continuity through the main series.
If they start having a permanent string of mini series, it would mean:
1) There'd likely be varying quality as they give people who submitted random ideas a shot with a mini series.
2) It'd be yet another comic I'd have to buy or strongly resist buying.

I really enjoy this series. Busiek and Nord really capture the original novels spirit. I like them jumping around in the timeline. I do not, however, like the minis very much so far. They are "just another Conan story" to me. Even if they are done by creators who have done previous Conan stories, its just not the same as Busiek's version.

If you mean the flashbacks to his youth, then, yes...I think they are quite effective.
The Khitai mini has started, and as with the other minis it's feeling fairly average.
Let's hope at least Conan kicks the snot out of some ninjas.

Just read this:

Ron Perlman (Hellboy) has signed on to voice Conan of Cimmeria for Swordplay Entertainment's Conan: Red Nails, the first animated film featuring the mythic barbarian, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Marg Helgenberger ("CSI") and James Marsden ("X-Men" films, Superman Returns) also are joining the voice cast, which includes Clancy Brown, Cree Summer and Mark Hamill ("Star Wars").

The film will be directed by Victor Dal Chele, with a screenplay by Steve Gold and Timothy Dolan. Gold and Jonathan Bogner are producing. Swordplay's David R. Schwarcz and Patricia Gillum are executive producing along with Peter Sederowsky and Fredrik Malmberg of Paradox Entertainment, owners of the Conan property. Nicholas Temple is the film's co-executive producer.

Hmmm...Interesting news about the animated Conan. Don't know how well that will turn out.

Call me crazy, but I really liked Conan the Barbarian, and wish Arnold would have come back to do a King Conan flick.

I think what makes the current run seem so good is the rough art mixed with Busiek's style. The rough style and coloring of the book give it a totally different feel then the hyper muscled art you get in some other Conan books. Plus the coloring is simply fantastic. Every pannel is lush with vivid hues, really helping to capture the feel of the story.

Busiek does a good job keeping Conan as the often grim, moody Cimmerian that Howard writes about. He captures Conan's lust for life and always wandering spirit very well. It's also one of the few books with gore where said gore doesn't feel pointlessly gratuitous (ie just sticking gore in there to make the title seem edgy and mature).

I picked up the latest issue yesterday, continuing the Elephant Tower story. I enjoyed it a lot.

I can't express why I enjoy this comic so much, but it just "feels" right to me. The combination of art, narrative, and dialogue all go together perfectly.

How many of you have gone back and picked up the old Conan mags? Either the originals, or Dark Horse's collections.

The current run got me to go pick up a bunch of the Dark Horse collections. I love the stories (new and old), they're just so...unique.

Years back I got an Essential Conan as soon as it came out, (before the Howard
estate got it pulled), and I have originals of all the Marvels from about 40 on.
Except for the earliest ones with Barry's art, they are usually pretty cheap to pick
up. (In the UK anyway)
Don't have much of the Savage Sword Magazine though.
I think unique is a pretty good description, even though he has imitators.
Unless a character has a totally different angle, it is hard for this genre to avoid
looking like it's copying the original and best.
From a Celtic mythology viewpoint, the other barbarian I always enjoyed was
Slaine, from 2000ad. As with all series in my opinion, it really hit it's stride when
it did fewer stand alones (which do have their place) and focussed more on the
overall long term continuity.
That's something I'd criticize the Marvel series for in places.
When you have a long term overview, you're less likely to get palmed off with
something thrown together without care, as it really sticks out.

I agree, the current magazines attempt to keep everything in order, and follow a coherant path is a definate selling point. It makes for a much more flowing over all tale.

I'm not a big fan of Barry Windsor Smith, his Conan looks to effeminate. Once Sal Buscema took over though it all started looking much better. Plus, more of the issues that Sal was the artist for seem to flow together. When Smith was drawing him, the stories often seemed disjointed. There seemed to be more flow/continuity when Buscema took over (and you know, I really don't like Buscema on anything else, but his syle fit Conan).

Do you mean John Buscema? I always liked his stuff more than Sal's(if Sal did any Conan work, I'm unaware). I also loved the Ernie Chan Conan stuff too.

Oops, sorry, yes. I always think of Sal when I see that last name.

Changes are coming.
Hmm.

I had heard that Busiek was going to DC to make Aquaman an underwater sword and sorcery book, and was worried that meant he would be leaving Conan as well. I am stoked to see that Mignola will write 3 issues, I think I'll like his slant on a Howard classic. With Truman announced as the new regular writer, I'm somewhat encouraged (at least Nord will be back) because at least he isn't a "superhero" writer, traditionally. Even his Hawkworld wasn't traditional superheroics. I always place him in mind with westerns, from his Scout work, and can possibly see him making a good choice for taking over on Conan. But like I said earlier, Busiek has a unique flair for Conan, and I will certainly miss his voice. I can only hope Truman will shine half as much on this series.

So, how many of you will be checking out the new Aquaman? I know I'll give it a shot.

There is a web site now.
It looks alright.