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Post by eja on Mar 11, 2019 6:01:22 GMT -5
The latest issue of the new CtB comic from Marvel, while fairly enjoyable, ends by saying that Conan was a beloved king, right up until the day he disappeared. Perhaps I'm jumping the gun a little, but this sounds to me like a reference to the on-going story arc with the Crimson Witch, hinting at where it will go: That his last encounter with her will somehow result in his disappearance and presumed death (I don't for an instant think he actually will die for real). But this seems to fly in the face of what Conan of the Isles established about Conan's last recorded adventure. Could Jason Aaron possibly not consider that story to be canon? A bit disconcerting, considering that throughout the comic's first run at Marvel, that book was canon to everyone who wrote for it. Opinions, folks?
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Post by johnnypt on Mar 11, 2019 6:14:50 GMT -5
If they’re using the same mindset as DH that only Howard is canon, then it’s not canon since it’s LSDC. That’s not to say it can’t happen, it just may get there a little differently and hew more closely to Howard’s idea of Conan wandering in the West, but maybe not staying there. I’m fine with it if that’s how they decide to go.
I do want them to reprint the CotI GN with Conan the King!
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Post by eja on Mar 11, 2019 6:16:34 GMT -5
Being four issues into the new CtB series, does anyone have any thoughts on where the stories told thus far fit in Conan's chronology? Some stories are fairly easy to place: issue two is shortly after Beyond the Black River (and also shortly before Moon of Blood, assuming the writer considers that pastiche canon); issue four and the ending portions of issue one and issue three occur some time in the days of Conan's kingship, with issue four beginning very shortly after Conan has seized the crown. But what about the bulk of the story of issue one, and issue three?
At the beginning of the first issue, Conan is still quite young and is earning a living as a pit fighter in Arenjun, Zamora. Given his age and situation, I'd tentatively place it after SSOC's adaptations of the trilogy of Conan and the Sorcerer, Conan the Mercenary, and Conan: The Sword of Skelos; Conan has passed through his thieving days but is still in Zamora, and has not yet joined the Turanian army. This, to be, seems the best fit. Issue three is more difficult. It's stated that Conan is 17 years old and has been stealing his way through Nemedia, and also that he came to Red Tree Hill in the company of some Hyrkanian brothers whom he met outside the city of Numalia. So could it occur between Marvel's adaptations of The God in the Bowl (as The Lurker Within) and The Hall of the Dead (as Keepers of the Crypt), by which time he's crossed into Corinthia to resume his trade?
I have not read any issues of the new Savage Sword of Conan series, so I've no idea where the stories there may fall.
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Post by eja on Mar 11, 2019 6:18:23 GMT -5
Are they going the DH route? Hmm, issue four did mention King Conan having a son, which is consistent with the de Camp/Carter material.
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Post by johnnypt on Mar 11, 2019 6:26:13 GMT -5
I’d only go by where the stories relate to Howard. All the other stories by different authors I’d consider in a separate chronology (as I would the first Marvel run and the DH series, all separate). I know some people have done a lot of work trying to reconcile Marvel, DH and the pastiche novels and God bless ‘em, it’s an overwhelming project. Figure the first issue is around Tower, second around Black River, third around Hall of the Dead and 4th between SC and Hour.
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Post by eja on Mar 11, 2019 6:31:37 GMT -5
Well, Aaron has said that the new series is 100% canon to the mainstream Marvel Comics Universe. But so was the original run, and that definitely included the pastiches by de Camp/Carter.
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Post by stubbs on Mar 11, 2019 7:05:06 GMT -5
I've thought about this but I'm not that familiar enough with the original Marvel chronology. There is a post on the forum somewhere with a likely Marvel chronology worked out I think (unless it was just in the old one). You're placing sounds right to me. There's not that many clues but in #1 the witch says:
"You're young but you've already seen unspeakable horrors. I can tell. And killed more men, beasts and wizards than I imagine you could count in a day."
Suggests early on but far enough into his career that's already killed several wizards. A trickier fit if you only use the REH canon, but less difficult with pastiche where he's already seen several off by the time he hits his twenties!
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Post by johnnypt on Mar 11, 2019 7:08:08 GMT -5
Well, Aaron has said that the new series is 100% canon to the mainstream Marvel Comics Universe. But so was the original run, and that definitely included the pastiches by de Camp/Carter. Thing is these days the mainstream MCU isn't 100% with itself!  Like I said, base any placements off of Howard then if you really want to try make things fit, go from there. I've read all 4 of the current issues but haven't had time to go through things more thoroughly so things like my placement for #1 may be off. #2 I'm pretty sure about though  |
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Post by johnnypt on Mar 11, 2019 7:13:40 GMT -5
It's also consistent with Howard (the line in the Clark letter about having a goodly number of sons by concubines), though in this case it does sound more like an official "son"). As I mentioned in the thread for CtB #4, I didn't really care for it so I think I missed the son line. It can still be referring to a son of Zenobia, she may have died, but not strictly be in alignment with the old DeCamp chronology. There's a lot of different roads to get to the same destination.
My frame of mind about it is it fits in and around the Howard stories and I leave it there. I'm not even worried about when Conan joins the Avengers!
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Post by stubbs on Mar 11, 2019 7:19:51 GMT -5
These two maps showing Conan's wanderings in the original Marvel series might help. #1-24  #25-58  |
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Post by stubbs on Mar 11, 2019 7:41:11 GMT -5
My guess is there'll be something of a pick and choose position being taken. Nominally within the original Marvel chronology but not strictly adhering to it.
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Post by johnnypt on Mar 11, 2019 19:41:35 GMT -5
OK, reread the last page with the son reference, definitely meant to imply it happens in the future. The idea of Conan disappearing might be implying a Conan of the Isles situation or it might refer to something Jason has in mind for his arc. Or both, we'll just have to wait and see.
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Post by eja on Mar 12, 2019 5:40:29 GMT -5
I suspect it refers to the ongoing arc with the Crimson Witch in some way.
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Post by eja on Mar 12, 2019 5:43:41 GMT -5
So could we fit issue 3 between The Lurker Within and Keepers of the Crypt?
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Post by johnnypt on Mar 12, 2019 7:10:16 GMT -5
So could we fit issue 3 between The Lurker Within and Keepers of the Crypt? It felt more Zamoran than Corinthian, maybe between 6 & 7 or 12 & 13. Oddly enough, I think it actually works better within the DH timeline around that era since with those early BWS issues you have...the helmet. |
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