Synopsis
Compiling the early Conan the Barbarian stories by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, this collection contains some of the most powerful and compelling comic stories ever created. Following Robert E. Howard's pulp hero Conan through the early part of his life, Thomas and Windsor-Smith (then going by the name "Barry Smith") wove together pieces of the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres, all built around the framework of Howard's original fiction. Featuring completely remastered color and text corrections, these stories have been unavailable in color since their original publication, nearly thirty years ago. A must for Conan fans and art afficionados alike.
Featuring completely remastered color and text corrections, these stories have been unavailable in color since their original publication.
Why do I have a picture of a guy? Because this man, ROY THOMAS, is, and has been for decades, one of the greatest men in comics. Voted fifth favourite comic book writer of the century, and fourth favourite editor, this man has shaped comics enormously for the better.
Here is what perhaps you expected.
A picture of Conan, by Barry Windsor-Smith, who along with Roy Thomas, created the fan base and readership that still exists today in the comics. That probably caused the films (Yay for the first one, Boo for the second one).
I think Roy Thomas knows what is best in life - it isn't the open steppe, fleet horse, falcons at your wrist, and the wind in your hair. It is a good adaptation, faithful to the stories or their spirit when outside them, and luscious, brutal art that conveys the world in all its detail. And great art with blood and guts and the women all draped and screaming. Let's not fool ourselves, we are monkeys deep down that respond to this for a reason!
This volume contains some of the classic Robert E. Howard story-adaptations, and is even better because it is recoloured. I grew up reading them all in black and white, and this is probably as close as it gets to what my imagination created when I was young. You always knew it was a good story if Roy Thomas wrote it, and you always knew it would look good and give all the thrills of muscley warriors and naked ladies if Barry Windsor-Smith was doing the art.