Let's Read - King Conan

[johnnypt]

#4

I don’t think the series quite reaches the heights of Truman and Giorello’s last two collaborations, Iron Shadows In The Moon and The Scarlet Citadel. But it’s not because their work wasn’t up to the level of those stories, it’s simply due to the nature of the original story. When discussing on the conan.com boards why some changes needed to be made for the comic, I laid out a rough outline of the five chapters of the story: Chapter One-two guys talking, Chapter Two-two guys talking, Chapter Three-two guys talking, then one guy gets killed, Chapter Four-one guys dreams about talking to another guy, Chapter Five-The bloodshed. As you can see by the short descriptions, this is a very visual version and in that, it may be some of Giorello’s best work. The full page panel on page 2 should have been a cover or at the very least should be a poster.

The other thing it does is completely smash the old L. Sprague DeCamp version of the Conan-Thoth Amon conflict. When the series started, it looked like it would pick up the old meme that the two were lifelong blood enemies when the original stories never actually had them meet. Two of the first three stories Howard wrote had the two characters in them, but they only interacted tangentially. The demon baboon was sent to destroy Ascalante, Conan just happened to be there. Tim Truman came up with his own idea of what happened to Thoth after POTS in his and Paul Smith’s Conan #40. The wizard does get a mention in the novel Hour of the Dragon, but even though Conan is in Stygia for part of the story, they never meet. And certainly nothing was hinted at on the level of the stories in DeCamp’s Conan of Aquilonia, where the two have a battle to the death (no surprise who wins). Besides, in the DH series, we remember the wazir from the old framing sequence sort of, kind of, maybe a little bit like…ok, it was him, let’s just say it. You can’t have that with the guy dead.

[lordyam]

Fred Van Lente's take was interesting. Conan was a person of interest but not a major player in Thoth's mind. After their clash in Hanumar Thoth saw him as someone to observe. Not a top priority but on the radar. That's.....a fair compromise. It's like "Conan knows the guy by reputation and has first hand experience that it's not bullshit. But he doesn't hate Thoth as much as the pastiche."

[lordyam]

Ah:

Final Assessment for Phoenix:

Overall this was a good adaptation but it was a little awkward translating it into comic form. Johnny summed up beautifully when he said it was mostly talking before a bloodbath at the end. That's....apt. Some of the changes (having Thoth basically show Dion the images of his past) were effective but creatively unusual. It felt like changing the work of the text. I know I've often expressed scepticism at some of the more purist fans, and have said they've overreacted. Now I'm sort of getting where they're coming from. I still think bitching over giving a character a tan or changing eye color is retarded, but I'm getting more understanding. Having Epimitreus mention Thoth by name makes sense (Conan's fought Thoth in Hanumar and while that may have been 25 years ago it's not the kind of encounter one forgets) it still felt odd. Fortunately the plotting and planning was great, as were the fight sequences. All things considered, it was fine enough, but a little awkward to convey. 7.5 out of 10.

[lordyam]

Let's do this: KING CONAN THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON
Issue #1

Recap: Conan is in a tomb as the sun sets holding a torch. He stands over a sarcophagus with a woman's face and sadly says "Zenobia." before leaving a rose on the coffin. Pramis appears behind him and Conan whirls, almost gutting Pramis, who quickly says Pramis sent him so they could have done further work on the chronicles. Conan tells him he's lucky he didn't get gutted and Pramis says that Publius wanted them to do more work before Conan sets out west. Conan is exasperated and asks Pramis if he's tired, but Pramis admits he's not. He says Publius suggested inquiring about how Conan met Zenobia. Conan is not amused; apparently it's the anniversary of Zenobia's death. Pramis comments that Zenobia was allegedly very beautiful, which Conan appreciates. He admits he's bedded a lot of women but Zenobia and Belit where the only two he would have spent his life with. How ironic he outlived them both. He agrees to tell Pramis the story and they sit down.

We cut to the past (evidently Conan somehow learned the events that happened) in a remote mountain hideout somewhere in Nemedia. It was the end of the year of the lion and the year of the dragon was about to begin. 4 men are standing around a coffin, and one of the men uses the Heart of Ahriman gem to blow open the lid revealing a hideous mummy. One of the men, Tarascus, is skeptical at that Orastes (the guy with the jewel) is able to bring the mummy back, but Orastes is having none of that. He puts the jewel on the mummy's chest and says "AWAKEN, XALTOTUN! AWAKEN!" Before everyone's eyes the mummy starts to regain form until it's fully human, culminating in it opening his eyes, which glow a healthy red. Valerius, another of the men, is horrified and moves to draw his sword, but Orastes stops him. He marvels at Xaltotun's revival and boasts of their accomplishments (with Tarascus still sure this is a bad idea.) Xal overhears this and remembers that he is dead; he died in stygia. Orastes says that he is Xaltotun High Priest of Acheron but he is not dead. He lives thanks to the heart of Ahriman. Xaltotun's mind becomes clearer, and he recalls that it was stolen when Acheron fell. He asks who they all are and Orastes introduces them as Tarascus brother to Nemedia's King, Amalric, Baron of Tor and Valerius, rightful heir to the throne of Aquilonia (he's giving Xaltotun a robe to wear as all this happens). He is Orastes, formerly a priest of Mitra. Xaltotun is confused; he doesn't know these names and asks how long he's been dead. Orate's says it's been 3000 years since Acheron was conquered and Xaltotun poisoned by jealous priests. Xaltotun takes the revelation in relative stride and is curious how a Mitran priest learned of how to restore him. Orastes admits he was cast out for trying to learn black magic; had Amalric not saved him he would have been burned. From there he learned of the Iron Bound books of skills and the heart of ahriman. Xaltotun asks what they require and Orastes admits they need help. Tarascus wants the throne of Nemedia and Valerius wants Aquilonia. They can't take Aquilonia by war, since their king is invincible in battle. Xaltotun uses his magic to see the king, and we get a cool shot of Conan. He recognizes Conan is no Hyborian, and Orastes admits that he's a Cimmerian named Conan. Xaltotun is impressed and intrigued. Even in Acheron's heyday they could NEVER conquer the Cimmerians. Orastes says that they're still badass and that as a son of that race Conan has defeated nations and patriots who have tried to dethrone him. Even other wizards. He asks Xaltotun to help them.

We cut to Belvarus in the day, as the year of the dragon begins. The year of the dragon starts with a pestilence brought from the south. Cattle died in their tracks. Crops withered. The famine was caused by the plague which no physician could cure. No matter the rank (rich or poor) EVERYONE was in danger. Eventually King Nimed and his sons die of the plague and the very next day a great wind roars among the towers, which combined with a cleansing rain the crops regrow. The plague vanishes and Tarascus is crowned, which is accompanied by rejoicing that often signals conquest (we see Tarascus and the others, with Xaltotun wearing a hood.) Tarascus announces his intent to put Valerius on the throne of Aqulionia, and rides out with an army accompanied by Xaltotun. That night in the Valkia valley Conan is having terrible dreams even as his 45000 strong army waits. Conan awakens and swings his sword wildly. Pallantides and a squire named Vallanus enter and Conan admits he has a feeling of doom creeping on him. Conan asks if the camp guards are ready and Pallantides assures him that no one could enter unchallenged. Conan isn't assured. He's seen death strike a king down in the midst off thousands, and he feels an unnatural presence watching and walking among them. Pallantides thinks it's just a dream but Conan thinks there's more too it. In his dream he flashed through the battlefield of his birth, himself as a youth, all his careers....but this time there was a dark shadow among them. The dream ended with him in a tent with a hooded figure standing over and the hood falling away to reveal a skull. He's also suspicious that the plague only stopped when Nimed died. Pallantides says that according to the rumors he sinned. Conan doesn't buy it though. If the plague struck all who sinned there wouldn't be a soul alive. He says that in the south it's told that the black plague lurks in tombs to be called forth by wizards. Pallantides scoffs, saying that "As you said, my king, men are fools--especially men of the south." Conan isn't amused and says "Laugh if you will, but I can't shake the feeling that there's a black, subtle brain behind all this."

At this moment trumpets roar and Pallantides realizes that the dawn is near with the Nemedians marshaling their forces. Conan orders them to make sure everyone is ready; they may not want to fight them without Prospero's reinforcements but they will if they must. He'll be ready once he has his armor on. As he finishes he notices something. Xaltotun emerges out of mist, and gestures. Outside, Vallanus and Pallantides hear Conan scream and rush in. Conan is alive (too their relief) and when Pallantides asks what happens Conan tells them about a thing with burning eyes. He's been spellbound. He can't move. Pallantides wants Vallanus to fetch physicians but Conan insists on being tied into his saddle so he can lead. Vallanus says that if the host learns Conan has been smitten they're boned. Pallantides orders him to summon a squire and no one else. They may be able to salvage this. The three swear to secrecy; Vallanus will take Conan's place, donning the armor. The squire is sworn to secrecy. Conan tells Vallanus he'll make him a baron if he brings Tarsus's head. They head out and the horns blow. Vallanus rides out with the army. Tarascus orders his men forth and in the valley between the cliffs they clash. In his tent Conan tells his squire to say what's happening. With Tarascus and Xaltotun, Xaltotun is saying that it's time for him to strike. Tarascus is somewhat shocked since his men are there, but Xaltotun cuts him off and casts the spell, shattering the two cliffs. Everyone looks in total fear and as Conan shouts at the squire the kid stares in shock. Tarascus is horrified to sacrifice his cavalry (Xal's pleased and leers) but Xaltotun points out that the bulk of their army remains while the aquilonian army is crushed (lying and saying Conan is with them.) He orders the men forwards.

In the camp, Conan forces himself to his feet sword in hand despite the squires protests. The kid says the enemy is advancing. Conan stands ready. "Then let them come, by Crom......let them COME!!!!!"

Review: The first issue ends dramatically. Overall it's a fine issue; aside from a few minor niggles I rather liked it. The cast are all introduced and Xaltotun is downright horrifying in his evil. The atmosphere of darkness and dread is well delivered, even if elements were cut. I am wondering how the hell Conan found out about what happened in that mountain chamber. Maybe there was a servant there. Maybe they wrote it down. Either way it's a great issue; I liked that we see humanity from Tarascus. The guy's a jerk but even he is appalled at so callously killing his own men. 9 out of 10