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Post by lordyam on May 23, 2016 13:59:35 GMT -5
Well there was a bit of a blurb about why aquilonia tolerated zauran. He fought their enemies as well and they figured "eh his son's a pussy. We can either kill him or restore him to the fold." But thanks for commenting. Aside from Fernando this thread has been depressingly bare; not like the old thread.
But in any case, it's time for Part 4: The Face on the Coin
Recap: We open with a scene of horror and destruction; Natohk's armies are advancing on a city, followed by corpses. This (and other scenes) are overcut with a document written by Yasmela, talking about the horrors refugees describe, the power of Natohk and the new revelation that Prince Katuman is now bringing 5000 new soldiers and war chariots; this is the finishing touch to his legion. As such she has made a fateful decision; rather than await destruction she has sent the Khorajan army forth to do battle with Natohk under the new commander. She ends the document with a hope for her baby brother's safe return.
In the present Conan, Thespides and Amalric are riding forth at the head of a massive army. We get some exposition of how it's laid out; the cavalry is at t he front, than the light cavalry, then the spearmen then the mercs. Yasmela also rides into battle carried by a litter. Conan observes and says that he hopes she has something better for fighting in the desert. Amalric quickly corrects him, saying that Yasmela intends to watch. He also tells Conan that he's learned that she's afraid of something, an aspiration that comes by night. He reveals he knows this because he's been banging Vateesa. Amalric you dog. Amalric then makes a joke about how "perhaps her majesty could use a man in her bed to chase the ghosts away." Thespides is shocked; Amalric is a lord! He should be above such vulgarity. Thespides goes on to say that perhaps he's spent too much time with lowborn soldiers and common savages (the last is obviously a dig at Conan). Conan counters that "perhaps you have spent too much time sniffing the glove that Yasmela favored you with!" Ooooohhhhh! Burn. He tells Thespides to see to the knights, and Thespides backs off to do his job. Amalric warns Conan that Thespides could be trouble, since he feels HE should lead the army. Conan says that if so he'll deal with him. Still, Amalric is concerned; Thespides isn't the only trouble Conan'll have. There's something off about Natohk. He thinks it's more than flesh and blood. Conan again is confident; they'll find out for sure when they cut his throat. Conan rides ahead and rearing his horse yells "HELL OR PLUNDER COMRADES! MARCH! ONWARD TO SHEM!!!" They then head out to the Shamla pass, the gateway to Shem.
In Natohk's camp Katuman has presented him a gift. A band of reformist priests who were bound to stygia for protection. As a gift for both Set and Natohk Katuman has their heads chopped off and thrown into a pit filled with snakes. Natohk is greatly amused; it's not quite canonic but it's still entertaining. With Katuman's forces, they shall cleanse the desert of those who weakened the old faith. Katuman wants to march on Stygia, so that Set's blessings will return, but Natohk wishes to first obliterate the kingdoms of the north while the armies are still warring with each other. He throws back his tent, and we see that big hulking demon thing that's been following Natohk throughout the arc munching on a slave girl's organs. Turns out it's a demonic djinni, one of two of it's kind. The only other one is bound to Thoth Amon as part of the serpent ring (I think that's the creature Conan fights in Phoenix). Natohk asks if he's procured what was required. The creature hands him a golden vessel, and Natohk explains that while he is powerful their foes are wily. Should the advantage be required this vessel's materials will provide it. He gestures a still scared Katuman to tell his mean to get some sleep, for tomorrow they march.
After Katuman gets out the Djinni (wiping it's mouth, how thoughtful) comments that he pushes north because of Yasmela, as well as stating their enemies draw near. Natohk says he already knows this, as he looks through a crystal ball at the various tents. He reaches out to Yasmela again, this time as a voice saying he's coming for her. Understandably scared Yasmela seeks Conan out. Conan's initially concerned, saying she should be in her tent. Yasmela says she can't go back and is afraid. Conan moves to draw his sword asking if she fears a man in the host, and Yasmela says no. She also begs to be with Conan for the time being. Conan acquiesces and Yasmela asks him if there is anything he fears. Conan says (half sarcastically) "the curse of the gods and a woman who cannot sleep." He asks why she's awake, and she says that she's afraid of sleep. Whenever she does she's visited by a fiend whispering ancient and awful secrets. He means to drag her to hell to be his queen, and that she's afraid he will come to her tent as easily as he came to the palace. She asks Conan to keep her besides him. Conan agrees, telling her to sleep near the fire, and that no harm will come to her. He even gives her his cape as a blanket. Thespides watches from afar, cursing Conan under his breath. Yasmela watches Conan, impressed by his elemental fury and a heart that throbs with the fire of the hills and forests.. Soon enough she falls asleep, sleeping more soundly than she has been able to in weeks
The next day she awakens to the sound of voices; Conan is talking to a thief who seems to know Conan. Conan's given him a beer and asks if he's seen Natohk. The thief says that he has; he may be a prince of liars but he'd never lie to an old comrade (huh. We never saw him in the comics. Maybe it was an offscreen adventure). Anyway, the thief dude explains that it was Natohk he saw. He also explains that he learned that Shevatas (the only thief he acknowledged as his superior) found the location of Kuthchemes. Eventually, after some months he found Shevetas's trail and got to Kuthchemes. When he arrived the doors were open and in the hall lay the serpent Shevetas slew. Inside there was no wizard mummy, and the treasure was untouched. Instead there was just Shevetas's corpse. Conan tells him to get to the point. The thief explains that he took a few coins from the crypt and sought out the oasis of aphaka to buy water. Instead he saw Natohk and his horde (which now includes Kushites). Out of curiosity he stole into the ranks. When Natohk showed up and demonstrated his wizardry by having his demon camel vanish, he was surprised. When everyone did incantations he bowed like everyone else but didn't kneel his head, instead seeing his face. When the veil was blown away he saw the full face, and is quite clearly terrified of what he saw. He takes out a coin, explaining that the face on it is the same he saw in the oasis. It's the face of Thugra Khotan. Yasmela is horrified to realize that the likeness is uncanny and faints in shock. Conan catches her and realizes that Amalric was right. They face more. Nevertheless, he's willing to face him. In the morning he'll march the army into hem and either Natohk will die or Conan will. The issue ends with the vulture with green eyes surveying him.
Review: This is again a slow issue, focusing more on buildup. It's slow but the character interactions again help to increase the story; we see Conan and Yasmela become closer, and even Thespides gets development, clearly resenting loosing Yasmela's favor for one he considers beneath him. It's like that show The Knick when Dr Gallinger (a white man) grows resentful that Dr Edwards (a black man) not only gets his job, but gains the favor of the guy who championed him AND is ultimately a better surgeon. The idea that someone he thinks beneath him is getting the glory AND ultimately proving worthier. The revelation that Natohk was Thugra Khotan was well handled, but honestly the reveal was as obvious as the reveal that Palpatine was Darth Sidious. Still it's a good issue overall. 7.5 out of 10.
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Post by lordyam on May 23, 2016 14:47:03 GMT -5
Time for Part 5: The Battle of Shamla Pass
Recap: We open with the vulture, flying over the canyon. We find out that the vulture is Thoth Amon's, as the scene is overcut with Thoth Amon writing about how Thugra will kick everyone's asses and make the world Set's again. Back with Conan he's helping Yasmela, so Thespides rushes forwards asking Yasmela if she's okay. Yasmela says she just felt a little faint due to the air, wisely choosing to keep the news of Thugra being Natohk. Thespides complains that Yasmela should be in her tent. Conan says that Yasmela sought him out and tells him to make sure the knights are ready. We get a brief staredown between Conan and Thespides as both say they are always ready, when Shupras introduces some members of the local Zaheemi tribe. Amalric is skeptical, but Shupras says they've guarded the pass for centuries. As such they won't see it fall now. Their scouts also say that Natohk is camped at the well of Altaku three days away. Assuming the army is at rest Conan says they'll wait for him. Thespides, obviously wanting to show off, advocates charging against the horde when they enter the pass, but Conan says they should wait and fight from the plateau. Down there the numbers would work against them, and there's water. Thespides calls him a pussy and goes to lead the knights into the valley, saying they don't fear "some ragged desert swarm." Amalric points out they will have to come back to refill their campaign, while Conan simply lets him go; it's hard for Thespides to take orders from someone like him. Amalric is surprised at how mature Conan has become; just a few weeks ago he would have expected this stupidity from Conan. Conan says that's true but that back then he was just another skull splitter. Now he has more than his own life to think of. Wow. Conan's become rather mature. Conan asks Shupras to fetch him the chain mail since the armor chafes him. As he walks off to get some grub Yasmela and Amalric have a brief chat about how yes Natohk is coming. However Amalric is confident; Conan arranged the lines well so that they can see the entire pass and the plains beyond; Natohk will have a hard time sneaking up on them. Yasmela just hopes they are correct.
Conan walks among the rest of the mercenaries to get some grub. He reflects that he's come to trust most of them with his life....except for the hyperborean renagade with them due to his past experiences. It seems that the other mercs don't like him either. Conan has a friendly conversation with some of the officers, who say that he looks more like himself. Conan says that he prefers his chainmail since its more practical, but everyone agrees that the rations they have are better than what they have in Corinthia. The thief from earlier rides off, since he's not a soldier. He gives Conan the coin and rides off. Yasmela approaches Conan asking if it's true that Natohk is Thugra Khotan resurrected. Conan is unsure but that if he lives again he can die again. Of course Thugra never died but neither can know that. Ahead Count Thespides and his knights see something. A mist erupts from nowhere, even though it's the desert's edge. He also feels a low rumbling from the valley below. Conan instantly realizes they've been had and orders the men into position and as the fog dissipates we see Natohk's army arranged in front of them. The army is fucking massive; Kushite warriors, Katuman's men, Asshuri from Shem, and lawless nomads. He holds up the vessel to his men and Yasmela is horrified, assuming that he is coming for her. Thespides assumes the Kushites up front are confused and orders the men to charge. Yasmela wants Conan to send men, and Conan calmly says that he can't afford to loose more men. Yasmela is temporarily skeptical about Conan thinking that maybe she was misled....when suddenly Natohk's chariot emerges from the army with Natohk holding the vessel as it releases green mist. The chariot sweeps in front of everyone releasing the green stream of powdery mist. Thespides and his knights, unable to check their pace charge right in and the mist explodes, immolating Thespides, his knights and their horses. Thespides dies saying Yasmela's name and still holding her glove (wow even as he's being burned alive he's devoted to her.) Thug notices and overcome with lust and sweating orders the horde to attack. As the Kushites finish off the knights unlucky enough to survive the flames the rest of the horde moves forwards. One of the men on Conan's side attempts to flee but Conan decks him and forces any doubters to get back to their posts by threatening to behead any who try to flee. He says that they must stand so that neither man nor devil will come up the pass this day.
As Natohk's warriors advance they are bombarded with arrows, though as they advance the sheer tide makes the Khorajan army look puny. As Conan kills those who make it to the summit the Djinni recommends that while the humans at the summit are occupied they take the remainder of the force around the plateau and through the pass so that they can take Khoraja and the other lands. Natohk says no. He will have his kingdom but he will also have a queen. Soon Yasmela will be his.
Review: Well things escalated damn quickly. All the buildup finally pays off in a manner most glorious. The decimation Thespides and his knights is a horrifying yet awesome as fuck sight. This is easily the best issue of the arc so far, having everything that one could want. Good character interaction, marvelous fight sequences, action up the wazoo and great art. Well worth the price. 9.5 out of 10
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Post by johnnypt on May 23, 2016 15:05:48 GMT -5
One ball I think DH dropped was not including Conan's thief friend in the original Tower/Hall/Rogues trio. Not as a major character, but a quick inclusion. It isn't anything major and doesn't ruin the enjoyment of the story, it just would've been a nice prelude/precursor.
I'll see if I can dig out any more of my old reviews and see if there's anything interesting...
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Post by lordyam on May 23, 2016 15:28:56 GMT -5
Let's bring this sucker to a close
Black Colossus Part 6: Black Altar
Recap: We open in the heat of battle, with Conan Amalric and the summit warriors, killing those who break through the rain of arrows. Yasmela's guards take her away as she wonders how the army can hope to win. Conan fights on, destroying enemies left and right, before ordering Shupras to pour more arrows into their flank or if necessary to drop rocks on them. Anything to break the wedge. Ultimately this helps turn the tide as hundreds of Natohk's soldiers die. Another wave will be coming but for now they've broken the first wave. At the same time, they won't have long to respite. Down below the Djinn asks if Yasmela is worth the slaughter, but Natohk says it takes more than a single hammer blow to shatter a door. He orders the sub commanders to signal Katuman to regroup and try again.
Conan stands with one of the Zaheemi warriors, aware that they're in a death grip and will probably die. He tells the tribesman that he saw a trail earlier and asks if there's a way men might circle the pass. When the Zaheemi confirms so Conan orders Amalric to gather the Cavalry and to lead the men through the ridge to strike the horde from behind. He thinks they're doomed but figures they should deal some damage before they die. Conan gathers his own men to ride forth to face Katuman's forces. At the base Katuman rallies his men to charge forwards. Conan rallies them with a cry of HELL OR PLUNDER and orders the first wave forwards. The mercs charge forwards covered by Shupras's archers, even as they are sure they'll die. Despite his desire to join them Conan sees that he must wait. Below Katuman orders the skirmishers to attack the archers and the asshuri to fill the flanks. He will NOT allow his men to get beaten back twice. As the enemy advances Lord Shupras is hit by an arrow, and Conan, seeing that Amalric has not come, tries waiting some more before going "fuck it" and charging the spearmen into the battle, saying that today they become knights. They charge forwards in a manner most glorious, cutting down Natohk's soldiers, since they failed to anticipate the sudden attack. Still, our hero is pessimistic. In time they'll realize how few the attackers are and push the advantage. Conan desperately hopes for Amalric to show himself. Fortunately Amalric does just that, as one of Katuman's men tells him that there are men behind them. Amalric and his soldiers charge Katuman's rear, and the horde begins to panic. Beset by two forces, their cohesion breaks to the point that once a horde breaks not even a magician can put them together. Natohk watches in horror, saying it's impossible, but the Djinn takes charge saying "Fool of a man! We can do nothing!"
With Conan and Amalric the ruse works. The horde breaks and Shupras's hillmen join the fray, killing enemies left and right. Yasmela watches, aware it will be over soon. As Conan rides off he surveys the carnage wondering if they really killed everyone. That question is answered when Prince Katuman hurls a shield at Conan's head before hitting him in the jaw with a broken sword and tackling Conan off the horse. As Yasmela asks if anyone can see Conan and the men one of the guards says they can't because o the dust. At this point Natohk shows up. We cut back to Conan and Katuman. Katuman beats Conan with a rock again and again. Fortunately Conan is able to grab a discarded spearhead and male Katuman through the head. As Katuman falls Conan sees Natohk riding with Yasmela as a captive. Conan barely dodges getting run over. Conan, thinking quickly grabs his sword and a horse before riding after Natohk in pursuit. Eventually they arive at a border temple long ago abandoned.
At the temple, the Djinni tells Natohk that he's found shelter, before ordering him to bugger off. He was only bound to serve him until he either gained an empire for Set or lost his army. Natohk desperately begs where he's going, but the Djinni says that sorry, he blew it. His debt is done and Set gave him the means to achieve victory. He even came close, but he threw it away to win Yasmela. As far as the Djinni's concerned Natohk has chosen his prize and can keep it. As he slowly vanishes into flames he says there is a way to regain Set's favor, and that he knows how this can be done. The Djinn tells him to go and do it. "Make Amends with the Master - or be my ssslave in hell!!" He vanishes at this point and Natohk grabs a screaming Yasmela dragging her into the temple as Conan arrives. As Yasmela protests Natohk angrily curses her saying that his want of her clouded his mind but no more. As he rips her clothing off on the altar he declares that he must now redeem himself in the eyes of his god. Conan arrives as he's chanting for set's forgiveness and giving the standard "I offer the sacrifice" speech." He realizes Conan is there and turns towards him. He confirms that yes he is Thugra Khotan and that as he rose once so shall he again." As he speaks he turns his staff into a snake and hurls it at Conan. As Conan fights the serpent Thugra begins to chant. The scorpion he holds starts to morph into a dagger. Conan defeats the serpent just as Thugra finishes making the dagger and Thugra declares "O Set, father of my fathers! I, Thugra Khotan give thee this precious gift that I may find thy favor again" as he raises the dagger. Thinking fast, Conan hurls his sword which impales Thugra. Mortally wounded, Thugra collapses into bones as Conan helps Yasmela. After throwing the coin to Thugra's bones Conan tells Yasmela they should get leaving. Yasmela refuses. She declares that they are bound and that while she belongs to others in Khoraja, hear she is Conan's and he is hers. Conan is immediately turned on and they share a passionate kiss before proceeding to fuck on the altar.
As the story ends, the Vulture from earlier observes Thugra's skull and Conan and Yasmela Copulating. Thoth calls Thugra a failure and that Set will grant him no mercy in death though even in failure his work glorified Set. He'll burn, but other willing vessels will be found to restore Set's dominion. The whole Earth will swear allegiance to him alone. So swears Thoth Amon.
Review: Well this arc ended with a bang; The final battle was intense and full of desperation, and it was largely due to a combination of luck (Conan attacking at the same time as Amalric) and Thugra's horniness causing him to make tactical blunders that allowed him to win. To be honest I thought that angle made a lot of sense. The final battle with the serpent, which I always found a bit anticlimactic, took on life in this comic and was intense. Thugra's final stand was also oddly appropriate. He's a desperate man on his last legs, trying desperately to salvage the situation he put himself in. Unfortunately Conan is there and takes the bastard down, killing him. Even Yasmela and Conan's hook up made sense. We see them get closer over the arc to the point that it feels like a culmination. Certainly not the stereotype where the barbarian saves the screaming damsel he's never met and they immediately screw. A good finale to a great arc. 9.5 out of 10
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fernando
Thief
I'm purist and proud! I hate insistent people! And I only give opinions when I'm ASKED!!
Posts: 141
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Post by fernando on May 23, 2016 15:29:12 GMT -5
I think faithfulness is important too, but that good storytelling is just as important. If one were adapting hour of the dragon in something like video game form you'd have to do things like make the final confrontation on king's alter more epic and a fight. Xal going down like a chump after all that buildup is pretty lame. One more reason for I hate video game...
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Post by johnnypt on May 23, 2016 19:35:26 GMT -5
Here's my wrap-up discussion of the Cimmeira arc:
There’s a strain in 20s and 30s fantasy fiction where the heroine dies while the hero lives on, most famously in A. Merritt’s Dwellers In The Mirage. Howard had a number of stories where the women die, leaving a profound effect on the hero, ranging from The Dark Man where the girl commits suicide rather than be taken by warriors, to Exile of Atlantis, where Kull kills a girl before she can be sacrificed for her crimes and sends him to his destiny. This is the vein Truman is mining with this story. Truman wanted to have something dramatic happen to Conan. He’d seen death many times, but these are different. The two times he leaves Cimmeria, both come after a girl he cared for was killed: Arianne after Venarium and now Caollan. If he ever thought about making a life there, it keeps getting taken away from him, so why stay when there’s another life out there? They mentioned wolves a bunch in this issue, so I was surprised that the man-wolf from earlier issues didn’t return even briefly. There was also some online discussion of whether Cimmerians would drink ale and wine as well as celebrate in the manner shown in Conan’s homecoming, when Howard described them as drinking little else but water and not being happy in any way. Fair points, I think it could’ve stuck closer to Howard’s descriptions without hurting the story in any great way.
Normally I haven’t been particularly thrilled with the trend towards uncompressed storytelling and “writing for the trade”. In this case, however, it did not hurt the story detrimentally. I think the main reason it worked was because of the Corben sections. These gave the story a kind of Godfather Part 2 vibe, paralleling the past with the present (relatively of course). It also gave it a narrative drive, because not enough happens to fill seven issues. Without Corben’s contribution, the story runs a little over four issues. It was an experiment that worked out this time. I’m actually going to miss Connacht’s stories, maybe they can get Corben back for a one shot or something.
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Post by johnnypt on May 23, 2016 19:37:17 GMT -5
Issue #8 discussion:
This is a good start to the adaptation, and very different from the one Roy Thomas & John Buscema did in 1974. They did theirs in 36 compact pages. This time Tim & Tomas will have almost 100 pages more for their version, but their goal is not just to adapt the events in Robert E. Howard’s story. They also have a character that has been developed over nearly five years and this story will be used to continue that development. So when choosing what episodes to present and how long to spend on them, they had to make different choices. This issue dealt with the first four pages of the original story and one of the posters on Dark Horse’s Conan board mentioned this issue didn’t spend as much time on Shevatas’s entrance to Thugra Khotan’s tomb as either Howard or Roy & John did. While this is true, the main events are touched on. Instead telling us about the battle with the snake, we see the thief standing over the dead reptile. Truman apparently wanted to use the space instead on fleshing out the flashback sequence and Conan’s joining up with Amalric, which Howard never showed. These are legitimate choices without betraying the source material. Conan doesn’t appear in the story until it’s around a third of the way through and there’s no way he can be offstage in his own book for almost two issues. Another poster mentioned something else I totally forgot about, namely the prince and the vizier who were reading the Nemedian Chronicles. Did the creative team forget them or has a conscious decision been made to leave them in the last series? I have to believe they did it on purpose, though there’s always the option of going back to them.
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Post by johnnypt on May 23, 2016 19:38:46 GMT -5
Issue #9:
There’s quite a bit going on in here. Most of it though isn’t specifically part of Howard’s Black Colossus, only about four or five pages come from the original story. However, several future plots are being set up here. First off, we see how Conan comes to be a captain in Amalric’s army, which is how he first appears in the story. The story of the capture of the king of Khoraja is given by Count Exposition there. Conan explicitly says in several stories, including this one, he has no love lost for the king of Koth. Getting stiffed on payment after almost getting killed many times over is a pretty good reason. The name of Sergius of Khrosha is also introduced here, though I think he’s not going to make an appearance until the next arc. This also ties into the ongoing antagonism between Conan and Aratus which, outside of a single incident, does not exist in Howard’s writing. I’m a little surprised Truman spent quite a bit of space setting up that incident. It’s just as easy to believe these two characters (three characters including Ivanos) really didn’t know each other when it happened. But this is the path Tim decided to take. I guess he figured if Conan knew Sergius he knew his crew.
And for the teenage boy in all of us, Tomas does follow Howard to the letter when showing the dream meeting between Natohk and Yasmela. She completely nekkid, and we even get a little side nip slip. Her hand maids are the same way, so it looks like the artist decided to have some fun. Can’t blame the guy for that. Then again, one page earlier, he also has some women in Natohk’s temple, or should I say sacrifices, so he’s not shying away from anything. For those wondering, Dark Horse doesn’t have ratings on their comics.
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Post by johnnypt on May 23, 2016 19:40:16 GMT -5
Issue #10
Like the episode with Shevatas at the beginning of the arc, there were some things from the original story that were either dropped or changed a little in essence to make room for the meeting with Sergius at the tavern. As I’ve mentioned previously, this is going to be the way they tackle this part of the saga, so no use getting to upset about it. What was changed amounts to where Conan is coming from when he meets Yasmela and precisely what he says. There was also a little compression of the women going to the temple. In the end, it’s not much. Otherwise in the parts of the issue that come directly from Howard, namely the opening with Yasmela, Natohk and Mitra and everything after the initial meeting in the street, are spot on. The characterizations are solid, and Giorello’s work is particularly good this time out (and I’m not saying that because of all the nekkid girls at the opening of the issue…though it didn’t hurt!). There’s a panel where Yasmela points out Conan to her advisers as her chosen leader and he’s got his feet up while eating that’s just perfect. Plus there was a nice little payoff to the Mitra statue incident from a couple of issues back done without words. It’s a solid issue, but one that made a choice to highlight a payoff in the future at the minor expense of little parts of this story. A bit of nitpick, just wanted to point it out to show the differences that people can make when doing an adaptation. Now that the set-ups for this story (and the next for that matter) are out of the way, from here on out I expect the issues to mainly be based on Howard’s text almost exclusively. We’ll see.
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Post by johnnypt on May 23, 2016 19:41:49 GMT -5
Issue #11:
This is a very cinematic issue by Truman and Giorello. From the opening letter that read like a voiceover to the images of Natohk’s army and the death in its wake, I can see these images used as a kind of storyboard should anyone ever want to make a filmed version of Black Colossus. Both writer and artist are in top form this issue. The letter is completely an invention of Truman’s but it conveys past and current plot points, vivid imagery and growth in characterization for Yasmela. There’s a killer panel of Conan with drawn sword pointed down, protecting Yasmela as she sleeps that’s downright iconic. The bat winged camel is also particularly frightening. It also shows that when the guys want to be concise and to the point they can be, this issue from beginning to end is an adaptation of Chapter III of Black Colossus, nothing more, nothing less. And it sets things up for a strong finish.
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Post by johnnypt on May 23, 2016 19:42:50 GMT -5
Issue #12:
This issue is interesting in the ways it sticks to Howard’s original and where it deviates. The opening Song of Set is completely a creation of Tim Truman, and a questionable one. It seems to imply that all the sorcerers of the Hyborian era were in league in some way, that they were all part of one big plan. Howard definitely does not give this impression in his stories. Stygia is the home of sorcerers but there are plenty of others around and they all seem to be involved in their own stories. Apart from Thoth-Amon, we’ve also already met Yara, and he really doesn’t have anything to do with anyone outside of the Tower of the Elephant. Additionally, in one panel, Tim makes very explicit something Howard tries to keep hidden until the end of the story, though to be honest, you’ve probably already figured it out too. I thought it would’ve been better to just leave the hint from last issue out there and then next issue, you have the big reveal. There’s also the curious description of the Hyperborean, pointing out how much Conan distrusts them. I hope they don’t get a “moment of understanding” next issue. On the positive side, the matching descriptions of Natohk’s and Khoraja’s armies came from different chapters of the story, but work well as counterpoints. Yasmela was specifically back in her tent during this part of the story, but like the addition of Arwen into the film version of Fellowship of the Ring, it works bringing the character into the action (though someone online pointed out a stray arrow might take her out). Conan’s growth in the role of leader is also done well in an understated fashion. And Giorello’s work is stellar, going from the depictions of all the various people in the armies to two almost full page panels of Conan in action, one of them with a bone in his hand.
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Post by johnnypt on May 23, 2016 19:46:47 GMT -5
Issue #13 (with an assist from Tim Truman via the old boards):
This story arc has seen Tomas Giorello’s artwork become more detailed and action oriented. And when it comes to the ladies, he’s become a slightly scratchier version of Mark Bagley, so that’s a big compliment from me! Tim’s adaptation at times stuck very close to Howard’s original text, but other times saw him take some liberties here and there. The death of Shupras and Amalric with the spear in his leg are perfectly depicted. But the battle with Kutamun is quite different. First Conan has a helmet on, which makes getting beaten about the head with a rock easier to understand than as many times he got hit in this issue without it. He kills Kutamun by stabbing him over and over again before he dies, not with one shot to the head. I suppose they needed to get it done in a single page and move on. The final sequence also has a few differences. The main one is with the scorpion. In the original story, Khotan holds it in front of him and when Conan throws his sword, the sorcerer crushes it in his hand and falls on it, the creature’s tail stinging him to death. The Roy Thomas-John Buscema version presents this scene exactly how Howard describes it, so I don’t know why he chose to change the depiction. But with so much to deal with, you have to make choices. The ending wasn’t fundamentally changed so there’s not a problem there. I just would’ve liked to have seen it as Howard wrote it.
Then there’s the subject of Thoth-Amon. I mentioned last time out, and a few times in the past as well, about the inclusion of Thoth-Amon in places he wasn’t originally, like Black Colossus. I felt it was a little unnecessary. Now we can throw in the final page of this issue. Answering some questions to “Strom” over at Conan.com, Tim gave this explanation:
"The inclusion of Thoth was actually something that the editors suggested. Initially, they wanted Thoth's presence to be a little more profound than I was comfortable with. However, the more I thought about it I thought about it in context of the overall Grand Conan Epic that the comics version is designed around, including Thoth in a more-or-less "off screen" mode made sense to me. In "Phoenix on the Sword," which occurs years later in the Conan chronology, we learn that Thoth Amon had spent decades or more as the most powerful, influential and feared of the god Set's sorcerer-priests. We also learn that he had many rivals and enemies among lesser, jealous priests, who eventually brought about his downfall. Thus, at the time of "Black Colossus", which is set at least twenty years before "Phoenix", Thoth would have been at the peak of his powers. No Set-related event could have occurred without his knowledge-- especially events of such significance as Thugra Khotan's resurrection and bold invasion of the north. Thoth would have looked upon Thugra Khotan/Natohk as a rival-- unless, of course, Thugra could have been utilized as an instrument for the greater good of Set (and of Thoth Amon!). Anyway, it's just part of finding and emphasizing things within the many episodic Conan tales and fragments that REH hinted and developing them for the huge, years-and-years-and-thousands-of-pages-long graphic novel epic that is the Dark Horse Conan title."
Glad to see he had misgivings about an increased role for him as well. I suppose this is a reasonable enough explanation. So over all a good job, with some reservations. I’ll be interested to see how they deal with the next adaptation a few months from now.
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Post by lordyam on May 24, 2016 16:01:09 GMT -5
Okay, it's time to continue this. We've got two issues of filler (though admittedly one of them is REALLY good filler)
Issue #14: Home for the Hunt
Recap: Yasmela (sleeping in very flimsy garments before waking up to see that Conan has left) is writing her brother a letter. She knows it probably won't reach him, but at the same time she wants him to have a record of how she reigned that he can read when he returns). She tells him that Khoraja is safe and that they have Conan to thank for it. She admits she's grown fond of the big lug, and that she feels safe with him regardless of what the gossips say. Sadly just as she doesn't know what to do without him she doesn't know what to do WITH him. She says she hopes he warns to courtly life, but knows that day is VERY far away. He's still used to sleeping on the course rocky ground than in feather beds and has become restless. In fact just that day he left the palace before dawn to the royal garden....carrying a spear.
We cut to Conan, hunting a deer with a spear, but before he can cast it two arrows are shot and narrowly miss him. Some royal guards have come, assuming that he's a poacher. They attack and Conan effortlessly overpowers two of them. The captain orders him to stand down, saying that this is the property of Yasmela and that she will have his head. Conan turns and hurls a spear after asking "will he". Fortunately the captain finally recognizes him as Conan. They beg forgiveness and Conan tells the guy to stop bowling. They ask why the hell Conan is in the park alone and Conan says that it's midsummer. Back in Cimmeria the herds are moving to the grazing grounds for summer. His people are hunting where he's from.
In Cimmeria a war band led by Gwydd is out hunting when they come across the remains of Horsa's war band, including the bones of the witch Olva. Gwydd tries to calm everyone down but even he feels the darkness emanating from the bones. A Scout comes forwards saying that Duarsa has found a trail to the elk. Gwydd absently impales the skeleton's hand, when he notices that the hand bleeds. Wanting to reassure himself he kicks the skull clear off. Unfortunately, the combined efforts of black magic and human trampling about has caused a lone skrae survivor to emerge from the earth; months have passed and still the damn thing feels the need to hunt Conan and Caollan and kill them. Little does it know that's no longer possible (Conan's fled and Caollan's dead.) It knows the men who passed are not it's prey so it decides to follow them too the village, hoping it's prey is there. In the village an elderly Cimmerian named Loch and Kulin are walking along carrying salt. Fialla calls out for Loch to stop bitching and for Kulin to fetch water. Kulin is upset; why isn't he allowed to go on the hunt? He's old enough. He doesn't want to tend to the old men pregnant women and babies. Fialla says that what they do is just as important, since the smokehouse is important to cure hides and dry meat. Besides, Kulin promised Conan he'd look after her. Kulin, feeling ashamed goes off with his wolf Abbe. As the Skrae finds Caollan's grave and starts rummaging it, Kulin starts to act out the story of Conan vs Thak the gray ape, when Abbe starts to bark. Realizing something's up, Kulin and Abbe go off and find the desecrated grave. As Kulin tries to work out what caused it they hear a loud cry from the dog pens. Getting there they find a lot of blood and strange animal tracks. Kulin realizes the tracks are leading towards Fialla, and remembering his vow to protect her rushes off to the house.
He arrives and sees a shadowy thing eating....after gathering his strength he charges in with his spear. Fortunately it's just Loch from earlier, stealing Fialla's stew. Kulin asks where Fialla is when suddenly the Skrae bursts through the wall. As it examines the blankets Kulin (goaded by Loch) attacks the Skrae and impales it. However the bastard is more durable than he looks and effortlessly pimpslaps him. Loch gets Kulin out and they all flee the advancing Skrae. However one of the rocks knocked loose from the house hits Kulin and knocks him down. The Skrae stands over him ready to eat him when out of nowhere a spear comes flying. It's Fialla, who calls Loch and Kulin to her. As they follow Kulin asks where they can go and Fialla yells to go to the smokehouse. As they run she shouts for another woman to flee and bring the children to the hills. The Skrae is in pursuit; it decides that while Fialla ain't Conan she'll suffice....along with everyone else in the village. They make it to their destination and bar the door just before the Skrae starts battering through. When it punches it's way through the door Abbe bites it enough for it o give it pause. Kulin is told that he most climb the scaffolding, get to the roof, and then run like hell. Kulin is reluctant. He too Conan he would protect her and he means to keep that promise. Instead he suggests another plan; he'll take a rope up top and when he reaches the roof he'll tie it and pull them up. Loch is skeptical but Fialla agrees and as Kulin climbs the Skrae continues it's beating, eventually breaking through just as Kulin makes it up. Fialla warns him to flee but Kulin is hesitant. As he hesitates he accidentally dislodges a conveniently placed spike, falling with it and somehow managing to launch the damn thing straight at the skrae, impaling the thing through the mouth and finally killing it. Fialla tells Kulin he has scars, and that a boy needs those scars to become a man. She says that maybe he can go on the hunt next year, but Kulin then asks who will protect her. They go off to tend to their wounds.
Back in Khoraja Conan walks right through the morning wine gathering carrying a deer over his shoulder. Vateesa comes to get Conan and calls out...before noticing the deer over his shoulder. Conan tells Vateesa Yasmela will have to wait unless she wants the animal skinned and dressed in her bedchamber. He eventually finds a place near the stables where he can butcher the stag prepare the meat and con it. Eventually Yasmela comes along asking where Conan was. Conan says he was hunting and she points out that there's plenty of food in the palace. Conan says he doesn't want it to be served to him. Yasmela sits down explaining she also wanted to give him time alone. She asks him about his life before or his home. She asks if he has a woman. He says that he had one named Caolla, but she's dead now. They're alive. He offers her meat, and she takes it. However, she does not enjoy it.
Review: This was a weird issue. The fight sequences with the Skrae were intense but the way it was defeated was utterly contrived even by fantasy standards. The idea that Fialla would need protecting (even in Busiek's series she speared a vanir while pregnant) rubbed me the wrong way. Loch was simply comic relief and doesn't do much, but Kulin was a nice boy. The scenes with Conan and Yasmela also were rather mixed. It was hilarious watching Conan horrify the nobles by dragging that stag in through the gala, and Yasmela's inner thoughts were interesting. The ending was odd however. Overall it was a weak issue in an otherwise great series. 5-6 out of 10.
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Post by lordyam on May 24, 2016 17:05:52 GMT -5
Issue #15: Sorrow of Akivasha
Recap: The Prince (it's been a while since we saw this guy) is meeting with some tomb raiders he hired to gather relics from a bygone era. He pays them gold and they leave. He opens a crate and there are several artifacts; the sacred armlet and the spear of nilus among them. He also sees a statue of a head. A woman's head. He manages to read the words on the bottom thanks to studying the ancient languages for months on end and reads out "Akivasha." At first he's horrified, begging the gods to protect him. Suddenly a voice comes out saying "A Name. Someone has spoken a name. Who dares to speak it? My name. The Name of Akivasha. Borne across gulfs of time and night, I can feel your mind. You have read from scrolls...touched artifacts from an age not your own. Is it knowledge you seek? Then listen." (throughout this we see Akivasha awaken from her coffin and arise. As Akivasha walks she explains that her father Tuthamon reigned over Stygia while she, his favorite child, ruled the labyrinth of erupts and tunnels beneath Set's temple. She further explains that she had not always lived that way. Once she knew the warmth of the sun and the cold breath of moonlight, reveling in purple feasts in Luxur among lovers. She was proud, young and beautiful and could not stand the thought of growing old and winkled. So she sought out the priests of Set, who ensured that she would live forever in darkness and so retain her youth. Eventually she hears the sound of a gong and incantations as well as sandals upon stone. When the priests of set show up Akivasha is somewhat confused. It's not time for rituals or for them to leave her the usual slave or nomad for her to enjoy. As she and her minions wait and observe she sees a man in a priests uniform stalking behind them. Realizing instantly that he's not a priest she feels his power and is attracted. She senses that he is a warrior with the bearing of a king and smells the blood in his veins. The man whirls on her, having sensed her and sees her. Akivasha greets him, saying he is no Stygian, and asks who he is. The man isn't buying it and threatens to crush her throat (putting his hands around it for good measure). It's a surprisingly light touch, and the voice is deep and "scarred by a lifetime of curses and oaths, battle cries and cheap wines, made hoarse from the dry desert winds." Akivasha admits that it intoxicated her.
Akivasha tells him she won't betray him and that he is mad to come here. The man relaxes his grip and says he seeks a priest called Thuthothmes, and when Akivasha asks why the masked man says "He has something of mine which was stolen." Akivasha says that she will lead him to Thuthothmes, with the man warning her not to play games. Akivasha says she does not play and has no love for Thuthothmes or his priests. She leads the man to her chamber and sits down. When he asks where Thoththmes is she says to be patient. What is an hour or a day or a century. She asks him to take his mask off so she can see his face, before removing it herself. It's Conan. She is entranced, knowing something of scars. She removes his cape, saying there is power in him. Great strength enough to strangle a bullock. She moves to kiss him, asking if she is not beautiful. Telling him to come to her and she will show him pleasures beyond his dreams. However, Conan hesitates and pushes her away, which ironically makes her even more attracted. Instead Conan walks towards the sarcophagus. Akivasha is intrigued and asks Conan if he can read the ancient language. Conan says he can read them well enough. Akivasha asks what they say, and Conan says "Akivasha". Akivasha begins to describe herself and the legend about how she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and how she loved life and all the meanings and to win life she courted death. Conan removes the sarcophagus lid and realizes that Akivasha is well.....Akivasha. Conan calls her a monster and starts to draw his sword. Akivasha admits that she is Akivasha and moves to touch Conan, touching his chest, asking why he's scared of her. She admits she's weary of the priests and magicians and captive girls dragged screaming in the dark. She tells Conan to stay with her and she will teach him the wisdom of the ages and make him king of the shadowy horde among the tombs. She says to give her his lips now and love her and starts to bite his neck saying "love me." Conan pushes her away, calling her a damned vampire and a monster. Akivasha gets angry and tells him that he will never find his way out. He will die in the darkness. Conan bolts out and Akivasha sends her shadowy creatures after him but doesn't pursue. She realizes that she could have followed him, but didn't. She doesn't even realize why she refused. Was it a desire to see him beg, death when he was tired, the revulsion on his face.
Eventually finding herself alone, Akivasha breaks down crying, seeing his face and the desire replaced by disgust and revulsion. To be called a monster. Akivasha goes on to say that "Fools say I was lifted from the earth by the gods in the full bloom of my youth and beauty to shine forever in the realm of heaven. Nay. It is in the shadows that mortals find immortality. For ten thousand years, I dwelt in the tombs....Away from the air and the sun. Countless generations of priests kept watch over me, like the caretakers of a caged beast. The only warm flesh I had known had been that of the wretches the priests had brought to me. There had been too lovers. No handmaidens. No music. No sunlight. What is time to one such as me? It is everything. It is all that I know." Eventually Akivasha calms down and stands up. The image of Conan will not leave her mind, so she decides to follow him. However, Conan's gotten VERY far ahead of her and she wonders how it was possible. Eventually she hears sounds (first murmur, then fighting) from the dynastic vaults. She sees Conan and the priests and whitens engaged in a three way showdown. The display of blood and combat excites her and intoxicates her. Eventually, only Conan remains in the room full of corpses. She sees the corpse of Thothmekri, which rises up and gives the jewel on his breast to Conan. As Thothmekri leads Conan out Akivasha tries to follow behind but the jewel's presence keeps her from getting at all close to Conan. Conan turns and sees her briefly. Up close we see her shed a tear. Conan than walks out forever. As Akivasha walks out to the window of the pyramid she reflects on how she is again alone, with the withering dead and lifeless flesh and the centuries that will continue on alone, turning down the stairs as she says "alone". As she continues she sees Thothmekri approach her, and after both glance Akivasha smiles and leads him away. She gives the prince a final speech. "There are tales within tales....Like dreams within dreams....the stories of things heretofore untold. For within such tales lie the threads that connect all. The living....and the dead." The prince awakens and rubs his eyes as Akivasha continues speaking. "If there is a lesson in the past, it is this....that which is thought dead may not remain so." (As she says this the prince looks out the window to see the Wazir passing by with a scroll. "It may live anew....reborn....to shadow your path....to hiss in your ear....to walk by your side....Remember this, Prince. Aye....Remember this." As eps ays this we see the Wazir turn to face the prince. The prince looks into his face suspiciously as the Wazir (or rather Thoth)'s eyes flash green
Review:
This was a phenomenal issue. When I first got it at the age of 16 back in 09 I got it because of the cover of Akivasha on the cover. However, it proved to be far more than just the standard story. Instead it does what few writers could; it shows Akivasha in a new light. Don't get me wrong, it makes it clear that she's still evil and bloodthirsty (she herself is intoxicated by the bloodlust and makes no illusion that she has killed and fed on people over the centuries). However, we see the small sliver of humanity buried deep within the monster. It's a feeling of loss; of regret. Of someone who wanted immortality and got what she wanted....only to find it hollow. After long centuries she has found that without genuine love and companionship that immortality and eternal beauty are nothing. Even better is that this isn't entirely out of line with hour of the dragon; she was attracted to Conan than and admitted she wanted a man. Even better, it also slides in with the "ugly truth of immortality" In addition to requiring horrid actions, it also proves to be a fruitless undesirable prize in the end. There were some small creative liberties taken with the scene, but we are seeing this through Akivasha's eyes so complete accuracy can't be expected. Even her ending with Thothmekri is the closest thing she will get to a happy ending. Yeah she doesn't want dead flesh but hey the guy has some life in him so she'll take what she gets. Hell she even gives the Prince a valuable warning about Thoth Amon showing that maybe there is still some humanity buried there.
This is also the last time we see the Prince and Wazir for the time being; it's not a bad stopping point; the ending implies the Prince is finally becoming suspicious of the Wazir, that he may be something more. I don't think we'll get this plot until the very end of the saga, when the final tales are being adapted. That way we get the final arc of Conan's life, intercut with Thoth making his move in the present.
Overall a fantastic issue. 10 out of 10.
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Post by lordyam on May 24, 2016 21:18:52 GMT -5
: Free Companions Part 1: Alliance
Recap: As one of Rinaldo's song's plays We open up in the middle of a swamp, where a lot of corpses are lying in varying states of death. A raptor wanders through the jungle looking for food it sees movement in the water and moves towards it hoping to attack a wounded survivor. He sees a breathing straw....at which point Conan leaps the fuck out of the swamp and attacks the beast, gaining a hold of it and stabbing it to death. Conan surveys the scene and decides that while he doesn't want to eat the raptor's meat he has no choice. He's hurt and needs to keep his strength up. At the same time he's alive. He's horrified to realize he's the only one alive and soon comes across he corpses of his captains; Afreet the Archer, laughing Galan, Cashius the Zingaran he sparred with.....All dead. Trapped beneath the steppes and stream and slaughtered by Amurath. Conan swears he shall pay. But for now he has to keep moving. The guy's almost certain to have his patrols hunting survivors. Conan has to keep moving, hidden by the swamps lest he die. As he flees into the jungle he thinks back to when things were different. Back when he was in Khoraja.
We cut to Khoraja; the nobles are waiting for an important visitor to arrive. He hasn't shown up so everyone's passing their time watching Conan and Yasmela and gossiping about it. They say things like "She took a northern lover!" "Lowborn Savage." "Would he share Yasmela's crown as well as her bed?" Yasmela can't help but notice, and neither can Conan. As each day passes Yasmela feels him grow more distant and feels she knows him less. Eventually the courtsman's bell halts the gossiping as he announces the arrival of Prince Julion Prince of the province of Muric. Julian threats her, and Yasmela does so as well (rather warmly I might add.) We learn they have been friends since they were teenagers and exchange pleasantries (with Julion expressing sorrow for Khossus's kidnapping) and he even gives her a gift; the scarlet roses that grow only in his home province of Koth. Both Amulric and Yasmela hear Conan growling, and Amulric quickly speaks up, pointing out that Strabonus banned Julion from the territories. Julion explains his predicament and thanks Yasmela for granting him shelter and agreeing to hear his proposals. She offers to have her attendants show them to their rooms and that they convene a council that night. As they leave Yasmela asks Conan to make sure the generals are ready. Conan agrees than bitingly asks "and should we have them bring flowers?" As Yasmela leaves offended Amalric tells Conan that his tongue will get him killed someday. Conan says he speaks as he wishes to anyone, be it Yasmela or her visitor. Amalric acknowledges that Yasmela seems fond of Julion due to their history as children, however it would be unwise to underestimate him; only a good leader could have possibly held an army like Julion's together. Conan may need his legions to save Khossus from Koth (so Ophir HAS indeed given Khossus to Koth). Conan says he has plans of his own on that account. Amalric points out that Conan's hackles rose when the prince approached her and tells Conan to remember that royals are a fickle lot with short memories. He warns Conan to beware the games they play and Conan says "You've seen me face fire and sword, Amalric. Do you think me unfit for their games?" He tells Amalric to get the councilors, as well as to get the leech check his wounds.
Several hours later everyone is meeting in the council room, with Conan and Amalric (who is injured) the only commanders left from Natohk's campaign. Yasmela asks Julion what he has come to propose. Julian explains how his stepfather kicked him out for opposing his policies, and this in turn led to other Kothic provinces and cities to join up. He also points out that Strabonus holds Khossus, having been given him by Ophir. Yasmela also explains that in exchange for his freedom Strabonus wants a portion of the northern territories of Khoraja and a ransom. Julion (who's last name is Al-Muric. Get it?) explains the ransom is because Strabonus is near bankrupt; he can barely afford to pay his mercenaries due to the wars in Koth and Julion's spies know where Khossus is being held. Yasmela asks if he has a plan and Julion proposes they join their legion, encircle the Kothian capital and demand Khossus's freedom. Conan dismisses the plan as a load of crap. He agrees that when Strabonus sees the army at the gates he might well just slit Khossus's throat. He also argues that he himself has spies in Koth and that they've spent weeks communicating, relaying messages collecting intelligence and planning a rescue. He brings up that as a Cimmerian he's seen hostage taking; the Cimmerians have been freeing hostages from enemies for years. If they're to save Khossus it will be a small force. Julion says the situation isn't comparable and argues that killing Khossus will eliminate his only advantage. If sees armies he might be willing to negotiate. Amalric agrees that the sight of a force might convince Strabonus to come to the table. Conan argues that the army is still recovering from Shamla and that they need to replace their weapons and the recruits and officers need training. It will take weeks to compare for a campaign like that and if Khossus is to be saved it must be soon. Strabonus is not a patient man and his dungeon isn't pleasant. Yasmela comes out on Julion's side; she thinks it unthinkable that Strabonus would dare harm a fellow king. Besides, Julion's legions are battle hardened enough to offset the disadvantaged state.
Conan says that whatever they do they should do it quick. Strabonus is an evil man and he may soon see Khossus as a threat to be eliminated. HE storms out saying that if they march and Strabonus doesn't yield than Khossus and countless men will die. After he leaves Julion comments that Conan is like a wolf, and Yasmela agrees with the assessment. As much as she owes Conan he tests her lately. She beckons him away. They have a private dinner and reminisize about old times, when Yasmela visited Julion's dad's estate. Julion wants those days to come back. Feeling that Julion is helping her to relieve stress she kisses him. From a window Conan observes and remembers Amalric's words about nobles being a fickle lot. He decides to play his own game. Gathering three men (Afreet the Acher from Hyrkania, Galan the Aquilonian and Cashius the Zingaran) they get their gear and head out. Amalric moves to stop him, saying that he can't go into Koth's capital alone. Conan argues that his friends will protect him and AMalric warns that if he leaves Yasmela will be pissed but Conan says that they can fuck off. He tells Amalric to get out of his way or he'll ram his crutch down his throat. The three ride out, with Conan realizing he had missed the freedom of the ride.
In the Present Conan wonders whether he would have gone back and changed what he did that night if he knew it would end hear, but for now decides there isn't any turning back. For now he can only hope to get good meat clean water and herbs to ward off infection, which at this point is more dangerous than any sword. He decides to press on and reach the brackish marches that border the inland sea and with luck find the men who butchered his friends; if Amurath is amongst them so much the better. First he has to survive. Conan wonders away into the night as the issue ends.
Review: Well we're back to the main story and it immediately starts off strong with the aftermath of the Illbars massacre. Conan is remembering the events that led up here, which I think is....interesting. The scenes in Khoraja are well done; we see that despite the initial high of the relationship Conan and Yasmela have started to come apart. It makes sense; Yasmela's a spoiled rich girl (albeit a competent monarch) and Conan's a barbarian and soldier; He's not at the point where he's good to be king. So when the dashing prince Julion shows up it's natural Yasmela is smitten. AT the same time, Julion's a nice guy. He was exiled for daring to speak out against his douchebag stepfather, clearly has enough military skill to hold a military together and is actually relatively smart. He raises some legitimate counterpoints to Conan's arguments, even as Conan accurately points out they don't have time. Conan's words about having friends in Koth is interesting and I personally LOVED the reveal we get next issue. The only problem is that Truman's art is....bizarre. Still it's a good issue overall. 8.5 out of 10
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