Conan The Barbarian #200 (Marvel)
James C Owsley (w) Val Semieks (a)
Rather than review the new Conan the Barbarian comic which is all over the internet and a great read I have to say, I thought I'd pick up a couple of back issues of which this, issue #200 is the first. An over-sized anniversary edition that seems to be the illumination of an epic story line including that years annual.
However these were the days when a recap could bring the reader up to scratch and there's plenty of explanations of what's going o unlike today when so much "minimalism" is employed. Lots of text and it took longer to read than some modern comics.
Other than a quite weird colouring scheme (or at least I thought so) this is a great story as Conan and his team including Red Sonja and Thulsa Doom. are on the way to defeat Acheron who threatens to destroy all of existence. Conan is aided i his quest with an Eldritch sword provided by the Elder Gods awoken from their slumber by this threat.
The initial confrontation does not end Conans quest but the aftershocks of Acheron's strikes destroy at least three nearby cities without warning. The companions retreat and Thulsa Doom makes a pact with Xuthul, an evil God but one whose interest's do not lie with the destruction of creation.
Xuthul approaches Acheron and demands a payment for the boons he has shown him. Acheron must find a woman who is truly in love with him. Trouble is he does and mourns the death of his beloved. It is at this point Conan and his companions strike.
The rest you can guess.
Conan's original run with Marvel lasted 275 issues. Conan spent some time at Dark Horse but has now returned the fold that birthed his comic appearances and made me the fan I am today. I have a preference for the black & white Savage Sword of Conan magazine format but there's nowt wrong with the colour ones!
The new run of Conan at Marvel has now begun with this over-sized (and priced) first edition but it's a cracker! The second part of this adventure is out in a week or so as Marvel solicited two issues for January, reverting to monthly from February.
Next month we get the return of the Savage Sword of Conan but as a full colour comic. It's the story wot counts so it's on my pull list. There's one more title to come. The Age of Conan which is solicited in this months Previews. Pensioner I may be but it'll probably be on my pull list . In the mean time rush down your local comic store and grab a copy of the new Conan The Barbarian. Tell 'em Howie sent y. Nuff said!
Multiple covers are available.
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