Conan The Barbarian Annual #10
Jim Owlsey (w) Ernie Chan (a)
Spinning off from the regular Conan series published by Marvel were of course the Annuals, quite different to what us Brits call such publications but all the same these oversized adventures are a joy to read. This one is no exception. The Story Scorched earth begins with the abuse of power by a Baron and his whore. Their victims are many but the Court jester? Might this be a step too far.
Later (as they say in the comic books) the Baron has failed to pay his taxes and stories of his corruption have led the King to dismiss the Baron and appoint a new one. An army is sent to besiege the castle. Amongst them is a mercenary. Our favourite Cimmerian.
The King commands that the castle be taken as the expense of sending a thousand troops is costly whatever the crimes of the Baron and his general has a plan. It may or will require sacrifice but a small group will scale the walls and open the gates whilst a distracting attack is made. And so Conan's immediate future is decided.
As they ascend the walls they see a dwarfly figure, that of the Court Jester. He has an axe and intends to use it. Conan makes it to the top but as things go awry Conan finds himself separated from his mostly dead companions so heads to the dungeons to find allies.
meanwhile his companion Redondo discovers that Baron Shamir is in a trance and though he answers his minions when they approach he is clearly bewitched. Remember the dwarf. The Court Jester he was thrown to the are beneath the castle where great evil lay. Using this power the dwarf has gained revenge for having his tongue cut out on the whim of a gold digging whore.
Conan and Redondo somehow find themselves at the centre where treasure lies and their is a great eye of a gigantic monster who when disturbed destroys the castle and kills the evils that lay within. Conan and his friend (of sorts) escape with a little booty.
In all Marvel published 12 Annuals between 1973 and 1987 originally billing them as Giant Sized Specials. Certainly seem to be worth picking up!
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