CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #13
Review by: JimBilly4
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Size: pages
Price: 2.99
This review contains spoilers, click here to read
I am a registered Conan the Barbarian freak, so I have been thrilled ever since Dark Horse relaunched Conan 5-6 years ago. And the first 3 years were amazing, but then there was upheaval in writing, artist, coloring, and even editor and it lost its way a bit. So a mere 50 issues in they decided to relaunch again, with hopefully a more consistent tone and artwork. The first arc (1-7) was excellent, both art and storywise, and so I was excited for their adaptation of Howard's Black Colossus (8-13). This is the final issue in that arc.
My general thoughts on the whole Black Colossus adaptation: I think Truman stretched it out a bit too much, as we spend something close to two entire issues just introducing the armies and tactical situation. Too much. Which is too bad, because I was really enjoying up to the point where it bogged down. Conan was lusty, dangerous, and deadly competent. The princess was alluring in a Conan-how can she get away with so little clothing- kind of way. Natohk was menacing and his army appeared merciless. Several other minor characters were weaved in, allowing both nice moments for Conan but clearly setting up future storylines. And Giorello's art ranged from beautiful to breathtaking. His demon was terrifying.
But all that kind of broke down as we got to the big battle, which was stretched out way too long. I think a big problem is that Giorello, who had done such beautiful work drawing Conan talking, laughing, and fighting one-on-one, seemed out of his depth when it came to rendering large battle scenes in any kind of meaningful way. I think Truman wanted to capture the potentially fascinating intricacies of a battle field, to carry us along in the mind of the general like Robert E. Howard was so good at. But instead we got some written description of changing battle conditions and frame after frame that looked almost indistinguishable from each other. Screaming people, blood, Conan with a sword over his head, repeat. Which is too bad, because Giorello really can draw the hell out this comic as his 1st 12 issues really showed. Overall it was a good story with a bad ending (a comment that has often been made about the original REH story, although I disagree slightly. I always loved Conan just dispatching the villain and ravaging the princess on the altar amdist all the death and carnage... but then I am a sick man.)
My general thoughts on the whole Black Colossus adaptation: I think Truman stretched it out a bit too much, as we spend something close to two entire issues just introducing the armies and tactical situation. Too much. Which is too bad, because I was really enjoying up to the point where it bogged down. Conan was lusty, dangerous, and deadly competent. The princess was alluring in a Conan-how can she get away with so little clothing- kind of way. Natohk was menacing and his army appeared merciless. Several other minor characters were weaved in, allowing both nice moments for Conan but clearly setting up future storylines. And Giorello's art ranged from beautiful to breathtaking. His demon was terrifying.
But all that kind of broke down as we got to the big battle, which was stretched out way too long. I think a big problem is that Giorello, who had done such beautiful work drawing Conan talking, laughing, and fighting one-on-one, seemed out of his depth when it came to rendering large battle scenes in any kind of meaningful way. I think Truman wanted to capture the potentially fascinating intricacies of a battle field, to carry us along in the mind of the general like Robert E. Howard was so good at. But instead we got some written description of changing battle conditions and frame after frame that looked almost indistinguishable from each other. Screaming people, blood, Conan with a sword over his head, repeat. Which is too bad, because Giorello really can draw the hell out this comic as his 1st 12 issues really showed. Overall it was a good story with a bad ending (a comment that has often been made about the original REH story, although I disagree slightly. I always loved Conan just dispatching the villain and ravaging the princess on the altar amdist all the death and carnage... but then I am a sick man.)
Story: 3 - Good
Art: 2 - Average
Art: 2 - Average
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