Conan the Barbarian #69-115

[Col_Fury]

Conan the Barbarian #69-84

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #69 (December 1976)
By Roy Thomas & Val Mayerik

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Bêlit & her Black Corsairs, Vanir (in fb, inc Lireigh, “Fallon” (corpse), Marga, Gowar, Sturli)

FLASHBACK:
Conan is attacked by a Vanir war party, overpowered and enslaved. When they arrive at the Vanir fishing village Conan is excited to see the sea for the first time (the Western Sea). A villager (Fallon) has mysteriously died in the sea, but his girlfriend (the chief’s daughter Marga) thinks it’s an imposter, as does her former suitor (Gowar). That night Conan is transfixed by the sea until a scream breaks his attention. Marga has been killed and Gowar blames Fallon’s corpse. The corpse rises and drowns Marga (-FB-FB). Conan and the chief (Lireigh) look for the corpse but the chief is killed, and then so is Gowar. Everyone else flees and Conan confronts the corpse. They wrestled, but when the sun rose the corpse reverted into a sea creature (a “merman”), dead. Conan wanders off.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Bêlit practice archery and Conan tells a tale from his past…

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Out of the Deep” by REH.

Roy’s Conan Saga chronology places this flashback tale between COB 2-3 (to be fair, so does an editor’s note), specifically between COB 2 & SAVSCO 39. Conan will be captured by the Hyperboreans some weeks later; that’s probably what happens in SAVSCO 39.

Page 16’s gutter ad reads MARVEL SPOTLIGHT #31: NICK FURY MUST CAPTURE THE INFINITY FORMULA–OR DIE!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #70 (January 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc M’Gora, Kawaku, N’yaga), Kelkans (inc Akkheba, Aluna), Barachan pirates (inc Auro)

SYNOPSIS:
The Tigress is caught in a storm and is tossed at an island; the ship is damaged but easily fixed. Bêlit and Conan are surprised to find a towering city on an island in the middle of the sea. They find the city is Kelka, and is filled with ape-like men and beautiful women. Akkheba, priest of Ashtoreth, offers to pay the Black Corsairs to defend Kelka against Barachan pirates who attack annually and are due soon. When the Barachans arrive, the Black Corsairs drive them off. The city throws a party to celebrate, but the wine’s been drugged and everyone passes out. Akkheba plans to sacrifice them to Ashtoreth.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Marchers of Valhalla” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #71 (February 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc M’Gora, Kawaku), Kelkans (inc Akkheba, Aluna), Barachan pirates (inc Auro), Astarta /”Ashtoreth” (also in fb), Astarta’s father (King of Mu, in fb), a sea-god (off-panel, also off-panel in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Centuries ago, Astarta, daughter of the King of Mu, was wed to an ancient sea-god whose name has long since been forgotten; the sea-god’s gift to his bride was life everlasting. As all of her friends grew old she stayed young. When Atlantis sank her island was destroyed but she was spared. When she wahed upon the shore of Kelka, the residents mistook her for Ashtoreth and worshipped her, but the priests feared and imprisoned her.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan and friends wake up in a prison, but a hidden tunnel is found and they escape. Conan wants to punish Akkheba, so Bêlit goes with while her Black Corsairs go back to the Tigress to finish repairs. They overhear the priest is planning a sacrifice tonight and head for the tower where he does such things. They arrive too late to stop the sacrifice and Akkheba runs away. Conan and Bêlit find a prisoner woman (Astarta) who claims to be Ashtoreth. As she tells her story the Barachan pirates return. Conan and Bêlit kill the pirates then the priest. Astarta calls for her sea-god and the sea swells; she warns Conan and Bêlit to flee before they drown. They make it back to the Tigress as Kelka is swallowed by the sea.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Marchers of Valhalla” by REH.

Astarta sez “The world beyond holds nothing for me but pain.” Cripes, I guess living for a millennia turns you into a rockabilly song.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #72 (March 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc Kawaku, N’yaga, Yasunga), Asgalunians, Stygians (inc Ptaman, Rasirith, Ptor-Nubis (a Black Ring sorcerer)), King Nim-Karrak (Bêlit’s uncle), Shemite merchants

SYNOPSIS:
The Tigress attacks Shemite merchants. Afterward, Bêlit’s mentor N’Yaga is sick; the only medicine that will help is in Asgalun, so Bêlit decides to return to her homeland despite not yet having her army. They sneak in posing as acrobats and are brought to the palace. King Nim-Karrak decides to take the woman as his bride and has her brought to his bedroom. Bêlit finds the medicine then attacks her uncle, but stops when he reveals her father is still alive, being held in Stygia. She leaves her uncle alive and they escape from Asgalun.

NOTE:
letters from Mike W. Barr and Peter Sanderson!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #73 (April 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (also in fb) & her Black Corsairs (inc Kawaku, M’Gora, Laranga, Yasunga, Ajonga, Chama, Awogmu, N’Yaga (bts, gets medicine), a toad-like monster

FLASHBACK:
Bêlit frees herself (between pages 6-7 of 17).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Bêlit return to the Tigress to find Kawaku leading a mutiny. Bêlit is captured and Conan agrees to show Kawaku where Bêlit has buried her bounty. Arriving on an unmarked island, Conan says the treasure is in the island’s “Temple of the Toad,” lowered into the temple’s Well of Skelos. Kawaku goes into the well but wakes a toad-like monster inside; he’s killed and so are his men. Conan tosses the monster back into the well and is met with Bêlit.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from a plot by REH.

COB 71 was weeks ago.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #74 (May 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (also in fb) & her Black Corsairs (inc M’Gora), Thoth-Amon, Atrahasis (in fb), Nim-Karrak (in fb), N’Yaga (in fb), Stygians (inc Bekhet), Neftha (Zingaran born Stygian slave woman), Khemi navy, a massive serpent

FLASHBACK:
Life was nice for Bêlit until her uncle murdered her father (expands COB 59-FB).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan is contacted in his dream by Thoth-Amon, who warns him not to rescue Bêlit’s father. After he wakes the Tigress spots a Stygian ship; they attack and kill everyone except a slave woman (Neftha) who agrees to guide them through Stygia’s capital, Luxur. Also, she plays a mean Lyre. As the Tigress approaches Khemi the crew is forced to battle an attacking, massive serpent. Conan stabs out one of its eyes and it retreats. The crew set fire to the Kemi boat fleet, distracting the soldiers as they sneak past.

NOTE:
Conan just can’t wrap his head around suicide. Why would anyone do that?

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #75 (June 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit, Neftha, a Khemi merchant & his slaves, Hawk-Riders of Harakht (inc Kamut, Teti), crocodiles

SYNOPSIS:
Leaving the burning Khemi fleet behind them, Conan and Bêlit find a merchant and convince him to take them to Luxur. As they sail down the River Styx they’re ambushed by the Hawk-Riders of Harakht. The merchant is killed and Conan climbs on one of the giant hawks, kills its rider, kills the bird, lands in a marsh and kills a crocodile. He turns his attention to Harakht to see if he can find Bêlit.

NOTE:
Kamut and Teti will be named next issue.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #76 (July 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (also in fb), Neftha (also in fb), Hawk-Riders of Harakht (also in fb, inc Kamut, Teti, Ator), Harakhtians (inc Mer-Ath (priest, also in fbs), Montu (in fb), Gol-Thir (also in fb), Ah-Min), King Hor-Nib (also in fbs)

FLASHBACK:
The captured Bêlit and Neftha are brought to Harakht; the king claims Bêlit and the preist gets Neftha (hours ago). Giant eggs and a meteor is found. When the eggs hatch the birds are trained and bred (years ago).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan makes his way to Harakht, stirs up trouble and is captured. When he refuses to cooperate he’s tossed into the Pit of Shadows. He finds a meteor on a pedestal and is attacked by a massive man when he touches it.

NOTE: Conan is now 23 years old.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #77 (August 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit, Neftha, Hawk-Riders of Harakht, Harakhtians (inc Gol-Thir), King Hor-Nib, King Mer-Ath

SYNOPSIS:
Conan defeats the giant, who then tells Conan about the meteor that makes living things grow larger. Conan climbs out of the pit and finds himself in an arena; he’s told to choose a door, one holds death and the other holds Bêlit and freedom. After fighting a tiger Conan frees a drugged Bêlit, then the giant is told to kill Conan. Instead, the giant helps Conan kill Hor-Nib. Mer-Ath is made the new king. The giant helped Conan because Bêlit reminded him of his late wife.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #78 (September 1977)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

Reprint of SAVSCO 1. But this time in color! Also, the two-page spread in SAVSCO 1 has been re-drawn into a one-page splash here.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #79 (October 1977)
By Roy Thomas & Howard Chaykin

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Bêlit (in fb), Neftha (in fb), King Mer-Ath (in fb), Harakhtians (inc Ak-Ner (also in fb), Fa-Tah (also in fb), Hun-Ya-Di (also in fb)), Bardylis, Alexander the Great (“Iskander,” in fb), King Ptolemy, Attalus residents

FLASHBACK:
Conan agrees to deliver an eye-like gem to a nearby city in exchange for safe passage to Luxur (hours ago). Alexander the Great travels backwards in time and establishes Attalus.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan is attacked by one of his guides. He kills another but is knocked out when other attack. When he wakes up he causes an avalanche to defeat his foes. He comes across Bardylis, a girl trapped under some rocks. Some survivors chase them but they safely make it to Attalus, the town Conan was looking for and where Bardylis is from. Bardylis takes Conan to King Ptolemy so he can hand over the eye-like gem, but Ptolemy acts like a big jerk.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Lost Valley of Iskander” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #80 (November 1977)
By Roy Thomas & Howard Chaykin

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bardylis, King Ptolemy, Attalus residents (inc Ablah & his mercenaries, Perdiccas (Bardylis’ father) & his wife, Aristo), Hun-Ya-Di (bts, hired Ablah)

SYNOPSIS:
The arrogant King Ptolemy agrees to talk with Conan… tomorrow. Conan goes to Bardylis’ home and sleeps. He’s abducted by Ablah who wants the eye-like gem for Hun-Ya-Di. Conan kills his mercenaries but Ablah escapes, who runs to King Ptolemy. Conan is ordered to address the king; Ablah has accused Conan of murder. Conan fights King Prolemy and knocks him out. Suddenly, Aristo arrives and wanrs of a Stygian attack. Since Conan defeated Ptolemy, he’s now the king of Attalus so he has to decide what to do about the Stygians.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Lost Valley of Iskander” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #81 (December 1977)
By Roy Thomas & Howard Chaykin

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bardylis, King Ptolemy, Attalus residents (inc Ablah (corpse), Aristo (corpse)), Hun-Ya-Di & his Stygians

SYNOPSIS:
Conan leads the Attalus army against the attacking Stygians, then fights Hun-Ya-Di, killing him. King Ptolemy wakes up after the fighting is over and Conan finally gives him the eye-like gem.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Lost Valley of Iskander” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #82 (January 1978)
By Roy Thomas & Howard Chaykin

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Kushites (inc Sabia (the “Bride of Damballah”), Toroa (bts)), Stygians (inc Neth-At)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan is making his way back to Harakht but is ambushed by a Kushite woman (Sabia) and three men; Conan kills one and the others escape. Later he meets some Stygians who tell Conan the Kushites have been ambushing anyone who comes through, under the orders of Toroa, a wizard. Conan goes to the Stygian outpost, led by Neth-At and learns where Toroa might be. Instead of finding Toroa Conan runs into Sabia again, who uses magic to freeze him. She taunts Conan, says he’ll die in the swamp and leaves. Conan un-freezes and swears not to go to the swamp.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Black Canaan” by REH.

Toroa only appears in a symbolic image, but he is -BTS.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #83 (February 1978)
By Roy Thomas & Howard Chaykin

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Kushites (inc Sabia, Toroa), Stygians (inc Neth-At), “Man-Dragons”

FLASHBACK:
Recap of last issue; nothing new.
SYNOPSIS:
Met with Neth-At, Conan continues to search for Toroa, now following the sound of drums. They’re stalked by a man who can breathe underwater (a “man-dragon”). Neth-At spots Sabia and shoots her with an arrow, injuring her, but he’s then killed by the mysterious water-breather. Conan continues on and finds the Kushite natives doing a dance no one’s ever seen around Toroa. Sabia does her skull dance, but dies from her arrow wound. Conan confronts Taroa and kills him but is attacked by the man-dragons. Conan escapes and wanders off.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Black Canaan” by REH.

Toroa is spelled “Torora” once this issue.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #84 (March 1978)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (also in fb), Neftha (also in fb), Mer-Ath (also in fb), Zula (slave, former gladiator), Sheb-At (merchant), Hawk-Riders of Harakht (in fb, inc Ator), Harakht residents (inc Hanut, Etah), Thoth-Amon (bts on fb, see NOTE)

FASHBACK:
Mer-Ath has a vision of Harakht’s destruction and is told it will be Bêlit’s fault if she reaches Stygia. He tries to imprison her, but she instead takes Neftha “hostage” and leaves the city.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan finally returns to Harakht but he can’t find Bêlit; Mer-Ath tells him what happened. Wanting Neftha back, Mer-Ath attempts to take Conan hostage. A Stygian slave (Zula) helps capture Conan and he’s imprisoned. Conan is surprised to see the Stygian is also being held prisoner. Meanwhile, Bêlit and Neftha arrive in Luxur, but when they try to sneak into a temple of Set they pass out. Zula introduces himself, says that by knocking Conan out he saved his life, then asks if he wants to help him get revenge in Kheshatta. Conan agrees and they make a bloody escape.

NOTE:
It’s been “a few short weeks” since Conan left Harakht in COB 79-FB.

It’s not stated directly, but Thoth-Amon REALLY doesn’t want Conan and Bêlit to reach Stygia, and he sent Conan a vision to try to stop him in COB 74. The vision Mer-Ath gets here is almost definitely sent by Thoth-Amon.

Chronologies!

AJONGA
COB 60
COB 66
*COB 73
{SAVSCO 8/5}
SAVSCO 10

AKKHEBA
COB 70
COB 71

*ALEXANDER THE GREAT/”ISKANDER” (add alias)
IH2 457-FB
{AIWW 21/2}
*COB 79-FB

ASTARTA/”ASHTORETH”
COB 71-FB
COB 71

AURO
COB 70
COB 71

BARDYLIS
COB 79
COB 80
COB 81

BÊLIT
*COB 74 (7:5)-FB
*COB 59 (5)-FB
*COB 74 (7:6)-FB
*COB 59 (6-16)-FB
{COB 58}
……
COB 68
*COB 69
*COB 70
*COB 71
*COB 72
*COB 73 (1 - 6)
*COB 73-FB
*COB 73 (7 - 17)
*COB 74
*COB 75
*COB 76-FB
*COB 76
*COB 77
*COB 79-FB
*COB 84-FB
*COB 84
COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
[COB 100]

CONAN
……
COB 2
*COB 69-FB
*[SAVSCO 39]
COB 3-FB
……
COB 68
*COB 69 (remove brackets)
*COB 70
*COB 71
*COB 72
*COB 73
*COB 74
*COB 75
*COB 76
*COB 77
*COB 79-FB
*COB 79
*COB 80
*COB 81
*COB 82
*COB 83
*[SAVSCO 97]
*COB 84
COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
[COB 100]
……

GOL-THIR
COB 76-FB
COB 76
COB 77

HUN-YA-DI
COB 79-FB
COB 79
COB 80-BTS
COB 81

KAWAKU
COB 61
COB 65
*COB 70
*COB 71
*COB 72
*COB 73

KING ATRAHASIS
*COB 74 (7:5)-FB
{COB 59-FB}
*COB 74 (7:6)-FB

KING HOR-NIB
COB 76-FB
COB 76
COB 77

KING MER-ATH
COB 76-FB
COB 76
COB 77
COB 79-FB
COB 84-FB
COB 84

KING PTOLEMY
COB 79
COB 80
COB 81

LARANGA
COB 60
*COB 73
{SAVSCO 8/5}
SAVSCO 10

M’GORA
COB 59-FB
COB 60
COB 61
COB 66
*COB 70
*COB 71
*COB 73
*COB 74
COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
[COB 100]

N’YAGA
*COB 59 (5)-FB
*COB 74-FB
*COB 59 (6-16)-FB
{COB 58}
COB 59
COB 60
COB 61
COB 65
*COB 70
*COB 72
*COB 73-BTS

NEFTHA
COB 74
COB 75
COB 76-FB
COB 76
COB 77
COB 79-FB
COB 84-FB
COB 84

*NIM-KARRAK (change name to KING NIM-KARRAK)
COB 59-FB
*COB 74-FB
*COB 72

PERDICCAS
COB 80

PTOR-NUBIS
COB 72

SABIA
COB 82
COB 83

THOTH-AMON
COB 7
COB 68
*COB 74
*COB 84-FB-BTS
SAVSCO 48 (7:1 - 7:4)-FB
……

TOROA
COB 82-BTS
COB 83

YASUNGA
COB 60
*COB 72
*COB 73
[COB 94]
{SAVSCO 8/5}
SAVSCO 10
CO@ 7
M/GN:COISLES
COSAV 10

ZULA
COB 84

[dimadick]

*ALEXANDER THE GREAT/”IKSANDER” (add alias)

That should be "Iskander". In the real-world: "Iskandar, Eskandar, Iskander, Skandar or Scandar (Persian: اسکندر, سکندر‎) is the Eastern variant of the given name Alexander after Alexander the Great, as preserved by various cultures such as Persia (or Iran), Arabia and others of the Middle East and Central Asia through works such as the Iskandarnamah and Sirr al-Asrar. " See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iskandar

[dimadick]

ASTARTA/”ASHTORETH”

The character is named after a real-world goddess, Astarte/Astoreth. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astarte

"Astarte (/əˈstɑːrtiː/; Greek: Ἀστάρτη, Astártē) is the Hellenized form of the Middle Eastern goddess Astoreth (Northwest Semitic), a form of Ishtar (East Semitic), worshipped from the Bronze Age through classical antiquity. The name is particularly associated with her worship in the ancient Levant among the Canaanites and Phoenicians. She was also celebrated in Egypt following the importation of Levantine cults there. The name Astarte is sometimes also applied to her cults in Mesopotamian cultures like Assyria and Babylonia."

Astarte is the equivalent goddess to Greek "Aphrodite", Roman "Venus", Mesopotamian "Ishtar", and Sumerian "Inanna".

[Col_Fury]

Thanks!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #85 (April 1978)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (also in fb), Zula (also in fb), Neftha, Atrahasis (in fb), Nim-Karrak (in fb), N’Yaga (in fb), Zula’s chief father (in fb), Zamballahs (in fb), Kushites (in fb), Ptor-Nubis (in fb, see NOTE), Shu-Onoru (wizard, in fb), Helgor (demon, in fb), Sheb-At (in fb)

FLASHBACKS:
Bêlit’s origin in brief, then a recap of COB 58, 70, 72, 74, 76-77 & 79-81. Years ago, Kushites attacked Zula’s village, killed the men and stole the women. Zula removed his royal decorations and was taken as a slave. He was eventually sold to a Stygian who took him to Kheshatta as a wizard’s (Shu-Onoru) slave. Zula taught himself to read and tried to learn magic, but Shu-Onoru caught him, and forced him to fight other slave to the death for his pleasure. Zula won and Shu-Onoru sold him to Sheb-At.
SYNOPSIS:
As they travel, Conan and Zula tell each other about themselves. They decide to search for Bêlit before completing Zula’s revenge. Meanwhile, Bêlit and Neftha wake up in a cave under King Ctesphon II’s palace.

NOTE:
COB 89 reveals Ptor-Nubis sold Zula to Shu-Onoru.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #86 (May 1978)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit, Zula, Stygians (inc Riodan, Ter-Et, Ayeeda (horny bartender)), Devourer of the Dead (giant tentacled monster)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Zula arrive at Luxur. After asking some questions at a tavern they sneak into a funeral procession to get closer to finding Bêlit. They’re discovered and fight the priests before escaping inti another chamber, where they run into the Devourer of the Dead. After setting the monster on fire they’re surprised to find Bêlit inside the funeral procession’s sarcophagus. They escape when the monster causes the chamber to collapse on it. Bêlit reveals Nefth is King Ctesphon II’s sister.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #87 (June 1978)
By Roy Thomas & Tony DeZuniga

Reprint of SAVSCO 3/4. But this time in color! Some of the panels have been re-drawn and others have been re-inked. For example, the crucified corpse they find is covered in maggots in SAVSCO 3/4, but isn’t here.

Followed by The Hyborian Age, based on the essay by REH. This originally ran in SAVSCO 7-8, 12, 15-17 with art by Walt Simonson; this has been shortened, and re-drawn by Ernie Chan. Same text, though.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #88 (July 1978)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (also in fb), Zula, Neftha (also in fb), King Ctesphon II (also in fb) & his guards (also in fb), Hath-Horeb (wizard, also in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Bêlit and Neftha sneak into Luxur and confront King Ctesphon, but Bêlit is captured by the king’s wizard advisor Hath-Horeb. Also, Bêlit learns Neftha is the king’s older sister.
SYNOPSIS:
Bêlit tells Conan how she ended up in a sarcophagus. The trio sneak back into Luxur and find Neftha about to be executed. A fight breaks out and Bêlit corners the king, asking where her father is. He says he executed all the prisoners to make room for new prisoners, including her father. He begs for his life and gives Bêlit his kingdom, but she kills him anyway. Neftha is crowned King Ctesphon III, who orders the trio executed. Bêlit kills Hath-Horab and the trio escape.

NOTE:
This issue reveals that King Ctesphon (Ctesphon II’s father) was responsible for the attack on Bêlit’s father, making him -BTS in COB 59-FB.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #89 (August 1978)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit, Zula, King Ctesphon III (Neftha), Thoth-Amon, Stygians (inc Akhose), Serpent Men, a Man-Serpent

SYNOPSIS:
The trio continue to make their way out of Luxur. Meanwhile, King Ctesphon III takes Thoth-Amon on as her advisor. The trio fight a man-serpent and after its defeat, Conan recognizes it as one of Thoth-Amon’s creatures. As they make their way through the cave they also battle Serpent Men. They make it outside and find a merchant boat.

NOTE:
Letter writer Eric Kelly notes that if Roy keeps padding out original stories between the adaptations, they won’t finish Conan’s story until the year… 2020! The response reveals that COB is intended to pass in “real time” as opposed to “comic time;” Conan was 16 in COB 1 and is 23 now, seven years later. And also, in REH’s “Queen of the Black Coast,” Conan was with Bêlit for two or three years, so that’s how long they plan to do stories with her. Also, by 2020 Conan would be in his 60s, and would be the right time to do Conan of the Isles, the last published Conan story. They also say that by 2020 Roy will be 80 years old and a different writing/editing team can worry about that.

Also, I’ve read elsewhere that out of the “famous” Conan ladies, Red Sonja, Bêlit, Valeria and Zenobia, Bêlit was always Roy’s favorite.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #90 (September 1978)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit, Zula, King Ctesphon III (Neftha), Thoth-Amon, Ptor-Nubis, Stygians (inc Ahtim, Mateb), a Giant-King

SYNOPSIS:
The trio has hitched a ride with some Stygian merchants to Khemi. Meanwhile, Thoth-Amon and King Ctesphon III plot against our heroes, and Thoth-Amon contacts Ptor-Nubis, who is now King Nim-Karrak’s advisor. An Earthquake shakes the trio, and one of the merchants falls into a new crevice. Following him they discover an unearthed cave and a tomb with a giant skeleton. The merchants mutiny and try to steal some treasure, but it revives the giant skeleton, who reforms its flesh and attacks, eating the merchants. The trio evades the giant until dusk falls, when several bats blind the giant. The trio take the opportunity to escape.

NOTE:
Narration says that the Giant-King hasn’t eaten for “a hundred millennia.” Dang, yo.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #91 (October 1978)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc Zula, N’Yaga, M’Gora (also in fb), Laranga, Basara, Yasunga (also in fb), Ajonga (also in fb)), Imbalayo (in fb) & his Kushite Calvary (also in fb), Hyrkanians (inc Gen. Mazdak), King Sumuabi (in fb) & his Anakia army (in fb, inc Akhîrom), King Nim-Karrak (in fb), Ptor-Nubis, Asgalunim (in fb, inc Uriaz), Stygians (also in fb), swamp rats

FLASHBACK:
M’Gora embarks on a spy mission. To gain entrance into Asgalun, he joins Imbalayo’s Kushite Calvary. Stygia was tied up with its own business, so they’ve hired mercenaries like Imbalayo to do other things. The Stygians are basically running Asgalun with Nim-Karrak as their puppet king, and they’re coordinating with the Hyrkanians. Both Uriaz and Akhîrom may have claims to replace Nim-Karrak, but Uriaz is fat and last and Akhîrom is insane; the latter is leading King Sumuabi’s army in Shem.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Bêlit are finally reunited with her Black Corsairs. When M’Gora returns to the Tigress he tells Bêlit what’s been going on in Asgalun. Bêlit wants her revenge on her uncle now and is unwilling to wait, because Stygia may annex Asgalun before she gets the chance. They sneak into the city but are quickly ambushed by Ptor-Nubis, who hypnotizes them to fight each other. TO THE DEATH!

NOTE:
It’s been three years since COB 58.

Yasunga is spelled Yasanga here.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #92 (November 1978)
By Roy Thomas & Sal Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Aesgaardians (in fb), Hyperboreans (in fb), Thing in the Crypt, wolves

FLASHBACK:
Fighting alongside Aesgaardians, Conan is captured by Hyperboreans, but escapes.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan fights hungry wolves; he kills one to distract the others to make his escape. He ducks into a cave to get away from the wolves. Inside he finds carvings and furniture. Starting a fire he spots a giant skeleton. Conan takes the corpse’s sword, which wakes it up. After a fight Conan sets the skeleton on fire. After it’s turned to ash, Conan leaves the cave and wanders off.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The Thing in the Crypt!” by L. Sprague de Camp & Lin Carter.

An editor’s note says this happens between COB 2-3, and Roy’s chronology narrows that down to between COB 254-FB & COB 3. Another editor’s note points to the recent adventure seen on COB 30, but it should have said COB 31. Oops.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #93 (December 1978)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc Zula, M’Gora, Laranga, Yasunga, Ajonga), Imbalayo & his Kushite Calvary, Akhîrom & his Anakia army, King Nim-Karrak, Ptor-Nubis, Shyla (Nim-Karrak’s aide), King Ctesphon III (bts, sent Prince Khamun), Bal-Yamm (priest of Ishtar), Thoth-Amon (bts, spying on things through a bird), Stygians (inc Prince Khamun), Asgalunim (inc Uriaz), Hyrkanians

SYNOPSIS:
Under Ptor-Nubis’ command, everyone fights! Zula shakes off Ptor-Nubis’ influence and kills him, releasing the others’ from fighting each other. Bêlit tells M’Gora and Zula to spread word through Asgalun that the daughter of Atrahasis has returned and is looking for her crown. Meanwhile, King Nim-Karrak freaks out and goes into hiding. Shortly afterwards, Prince Khamun of Stygia arrives planning to capture Nim-Karrak, but with him gone, decides to imprison Uriaz instead, which he does. Prince Khamun announces himself king of Asgalun but the public revolts. Uriaz is brought out for execution, but the executioner turns out to be Conan, and he kills the prince instead. Bêlit announces her presence and claims the crown for herself. The public attacks the Stygians, and the Black Corsairs trick the Hyrkanians to do so as well. During the chaos Nim-Karrak appears to assassinate Bêlit, but trips and dies. Bêlit decides she doesn’t want to be queen and instead crowns Uriaz. As our heroes leave, Akhîrom arrives; Bêlit says the people can decide who they want to be their king.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #94 (January 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc Zula, M’Gora, Laranga, Yasunga, Ajonga, N’Yaga, Datira), Watambi tribe (inc Chief Ombassa (also in fb), Nyami (in fb)), Ajaga (Beast-King of Abombi, in fb) & his followers (also in fb, inc Krato, Beeya), inland tribe (in fb, inc their Chief (Ajaga’s father)), animals

FLASHBACK:
Ajaga was cast out of his tribe, so he took his followers to an abandoned city on the sea, Abombi. After praying he became the Beast-King of Abombi; he began terrorizing tribes demanding tribute or he and his followers would burn their villages, commanding animals to do his attacks. When he attacked the Watambi he took Nyami as a hostage.
SYNOPSIS:
Deciding revenge isn’t satisfying, Zula decides not to return to the city of magicians; he and a bunch of the Black Corsairs head north for new adventures. Bêlit, Conan and the remaining Black Corsairs sail south for the Black Coast. They spot several burned villages along the way. They visit the Watambi to find out what happened. Our heroes agree to help out, approach Abombi but are attacked by baboons. Bêlit is captured.

NOTE:
Yasunga is spelled “Yarunga” here.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #95 (February 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fbs), Bêlit, G’Chambi, Ajaga, his harem (inc Nyami) & his followers (inc Krato, Beeya), Sholo (Amra’s lion, remember?), Isto (serpent), animals

FLASHBACK:
Conan falls while fighting baboons. One breaks his fall and Conan passes out (2:4-3:3). Recap of last issue, no new information (5:3-5:5). Conan finds a symbol carved into a wall in a cave in the uninhabited mountains, beyond the Vilayet Sea, half a world from here. No man had visited the cave for a million years, he somehow knew (11:5).
SYNOPSIS:
Bêlit is brought to Ajaga’s harem. Conan is awoken by Sholo, Amra’s lion. Sholo leads Conan to a cave with strange carvings outside of it, so Conan explores the cave. Inside he finds G’Chambi, a wizard with power over animals using symbols. Before they can talk they’re attacked by a large lizard creature. Conan kills it and as G’Chambi dies, explains the secrets of the symbol to Conan.

NOTE:
As far as I can tell, the one-panel flashback of Conan in the cave is new. The same dialogue is used in SAVSCO 27 when Conan is explaining the symbol to another character, but this is the first time we see Conan discover the cave. Given this happens beyond the Vilayet Sea, I’m placing this during his time in Khitai, between COB 35-36.

Jhebbal Sag, ancient animal god, is mentioned a lot in this story but he doesn’t appear.

And hey! A letter from Cat Yronwode.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #96 (March 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit, Ajaga, his harem (inc Nyami) & his followers (inc Krato, Beeya), Sholo, animals

FLASHBACK:
Recap of last issue, no new information.
SYNOPSIS:
Sholo leads Conan to a secret entrance to Ajaga’s lair, but they fall through a trap bridge into an underground river. Conan fights a giant electric eel, then passes out; he’s found by Ajaga’s followers. Ajaga decides to sacrifice Conan and Bêlit to Jhebbal Sag. Meanwhile, Bêlit tries and fails to start a revolt in Ajaga’s harem, and then she’s surprised when Sholo arrives and helps her escape. Conan is strapped to an altar and Ajaga calls all the jungle creatures from near and far to feast on his flesh.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #97 (April 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc M’Gora), Ajaga, his harem (inc Nyami) & his followers (inc Krato, Beeya), Sholo, animals

SYNOPSIS:
As Ajaga begins his bloodmoon ritual to sacrifice Conan Bêlit and Sholo attack, knocking Ajaga out. Bêlit frees Conan, who erases Ajaga’s symbol; with it gone his control over the animals vanish and they devour him. When Ajaga is consumed the animals turn on each other. As Conan and Bêlit battle Ajaga’s men, Sholo is killed. The Black Corsairs arrive as reinforcements. After they’ve won the day, Conan buries Sholo and vows that every time his ship passes Abombi he will shoot an arrow in the sky to salute an animal nobler by far than most men he’s known. They free the harem and leave.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #98 (May 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc M’Gora, Ajonga, N’Yaga, B’Tumi, Asambi), Sea-Witch, Stygians

SYNOPSIS:
The Tigress spots a strange woman in the sea and brings her on board. She makes everyone on the Tigress (except Bêlit) horny, and after a few days crewmen start to go missing. Later, Conan watches as she lures one of the Black Corsairs into the sea and drains him of life. Conan swears to kill her, but she sings to him, draining his will. Bêlit calls for Conan, breaking the sea-woman’s spell. Too strong in the water to kill, Conan brings her back aboard the Tigress and is surprised he has only seaweed in his hands. The Tigress wanders off.

NOTE:
Based on the poem “Sea-Woman” by Glenn Lord.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #99 (June 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc M’Gora, N’Yaga), Argosseans (inc Florannus, some also in fb), Devil-Crabs of the Dark Cliffs (also in fb)

FLASHBACK:
The crab-people torture their Argossean prisoners.
SYNOPSIS:
Bêlit has been working her understaffed Black Corsairs without rest, a rumors of a mutiny begin to form. They spot a moored Argossean ship and board it to find the crew ripped to pieces and Khitai treasures. Noticing there was more treasure, the Black Corsairs explore the nearby cliffs to see if they can find it. Further into the caves they discover a race of crab-people slaughtered the Argosseans and took the treasure and some prisoners. Conan wants to free the prisoners while Bêlit wants their treasure. After some shenanigans, avalanches and geyser steam, our heroes are triumphant. Conan has a brief spell of weakness but brushes it off.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The People of the Black Coast” by REH.

Those murmurs of mutiny? Check out COSAV 2/2-4/2 to see what happens with that. Those issues are already in the MCP, but I will note they’re based on “At the Mountain of Madness” by H.P. Lovecraft and “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym” by Edgar Allan Poe.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #100 (July 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (also in fb) & her Black Corsairs (inc M’Gora, N’Yaga, Laboto, others in fb), Stygians (in fb), Winged One, giant serpent

FLASHBACK:
Not long before Conan joined the Black Corsairs, the Tigress chased a Stygian ship into the River Zarkheba. Days later the Stygian ship returned with only one crewman who had been driven insane.
SYNOPSIS:
The Tigress enters the poisonous River Zarkheba because Bêlit has been dreaming of it lately, thinking there must be a hidden city in the jungle with treasure. Bêlit and Conan chat about gods, death and love and Bêlit swears that if she dies she’ll return to protect Conan. They’re interrupted by an attacking giant serpent. Conan drives it back but they lose a crewman. They continue on and find an abandoned city guarded by a large winged creature. They find an altar but it’s booby-trapped and they lose three more Corsairs; Conan is concerned at how callous Bêlit has become since finding the city. They clear the wreckage and find a treasure the worth of which they can’t imagine, but the great winged creature returns. Conan discovers the creature has sabotaged their water supply and goes looking for fresh water. Feeling they’re being followed, Conan orders the Corsairs to march ahead and wait for him, setting himself as bait. Unfortunately, Black Lotus flowers bloom and cause Conan to pass out. Half awake, Conan sees a vision of the creation of the city by great winged beings; as mellennia pass he watches the environment change and the paradise turn into a poisoned jungle swamp, earthquakes and volcanoes destroy the city and mutate its inhabitants, turning them into monsters. He watches over centuries as both men and beasts enter but don’t leave. He catches up to the present as he watches the Black Corsairs arrive and forces himself awake when he sees the winged beast attack his friends. He goes searching but only finds their weapons. Conan is attacked by a mutated M’Gora, more beast now than man; Conan is forced to kill his friend. He forges ahead and finds the rest of the Corsairs dead. He races back to find Bêlit but only finds more Corsair corpses. He returns to the Tigress to find Bêlit dead, hanged from the mast with the jeweled necklace she found earlier. Conan wraps Bêlit in his red cloak and lays her to rest among her plunder, then returns to the altar to wait. A wave of 20 hyenas attack, but he fells them all with arrows and sword. The winged beast returns but an earthquake topples the tower Conan is under, so he dives to avoid being crushed, but his legs are pinned by rubble. The beast returns and Conan’s sword is out of reach. Suddenly, Bêlit, wrapped in Conan’s red cloak arrives to distract the beast; Conan frees himself and disembowels the monster. With it dead, the oldest race in the world is now extinct. Conan returns to the Tigress where Bêlit still lies among her riches. Later, with Bêlit on board, Conan sets the Tigress ablaze for its last voyage.

NOTE:
Based on the conclusion of “Queen of the Black Coast” by REH.

Was that really Bêlit, or a fever dream? I like to think it really was her.

And so ends the Ballad of Bêlit. Good stuff.

Chronologies!

AJAGA
COB 94-FB
COB 95
COB 96
COB 97

AJONGA
COB 60
COB 66
COB 73
*COB 91-FB
*COB 91
*COB 93
*COB 94
*COB 98
{SAVSCO 8/5}
SAVSCO 10

AKHÎROM
COB 91-FB
COB 93

BAL-YAMM
COB 93

BATAGA
**COSAV 2/2-BTS (delete)
*COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
**[COB 100-BTS] (delete)
*COB 100

BEEYA
COB 94-FB
COB 95
COB 96
COB 97

BÊLIT
COB 74 (7:5)-FB
COB 59 (5)-FB
*COB 85 (2:5)-FB
COB 74 (7:6)-FB
*COB 85 (2:6)-FB
COB 59 (6-16)-FB
*COB 85 (3:1)-FB
*COB 100-FB
{COB 58}
……
COB 84
*COB 88 (2:6)-FB
*COB 85
*COB 88 (3-8:6)-FB
*COB 86
*COB 88
*COB 89
*COB 90
*COB 91
*COB 93
*COB 94
*COB 95
*COB 96
*COB 97
*COB 98
*COB 99
COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
*COB 100 (remove brackets)

CONAN
……
COB 2
COB 69-FB
[SAVSCO 39]
*[COB 254-FB]
*COB 92
COB 3-FB
……
COB 35
[SAVSCO 153/2]
*COB 95 (11:5)-FB
COB 36
……
COB 84
*COB 85
*COB 86
*COB 88
*COB 89
*COB 90
*COB 91
*COB 93
*COB 94
*COB 95 (2:4-3:3)-FB
*COB 95
*COB 96
*COB 97
*COB 98
*COB 99
COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
*COB 100 (remove brackets)
[COB 126]
……

G’CHAMBI
COB 95

HATH-HOREB
COB 88-FB
COB 88

HELGOR
COB 85-FB

IMBALAYO
COB 91-FB
COB 93

KING ATRAHASIS
COB 74 (7:5)-FB
{COB 59-FB}
*COB 85-FB
COB 74 (7:6)-FB

KING CTESPHON
COB 59-FB-BTS | cf COB 88

KING CTESPHON II
COB 88-FB
COB 88

*NEFTHA (change name to KING CTESPHON III/NEFTHA)
……
COB 84
*COB 88 (2:6)-FB
*COB 85
*COB 88 (3-8:6)-FB
*COB 88
*COB 89
*COB 90
*COB 93-BTS

KING NIM-KARRAK
COB 59-FB
*COB 85-FB
COB 74-FB
COB 72
*COB 91-FB
*COB 93

KING SUMUABI
COB 91-FB

KING URIAZ
COB 91-FB
COB 93

KRATO
COB 94-FB
COB 95
COB 96
COB 97

LABOTO
[SAVSCO 107]
**COSAV 2/2-BTS (delete)
*COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
**COSAV 4/2-BTS (delete)
*COSAV 4/2
*COB 100 (remove brackets)

LARANGA
COB 60
COB 73
*COB 91
*COB 93
*COB 94
{SAVSCO 8/5}
SAVSCO 10

M’GORA
……
COB 74
*COB 91-FB
*COB 91
*COB 93
*COB 94
*COB 97
*COB 98
*COB 99
COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
*COB 100 (remove brackets)

MATAWA
**COSAV 2/2-BTS (delete)
*COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
**COSAV 4/2-BTS (delete)
*COSAV 4/2
**[COB 100-BTS] (delete)
*COB 100

MAZDAK, GEN.
COB 91-FB

N’YAGA
COB 59 (5)-FB
COB 74-FB
*COB 85-FB
COB 59 (6-16)-FB
{COB 58}
COB 59
COB 60
COB 61
COB 65
COB 70
COB 72
COB 73-BTS
*COB 91
*COB 94
*COB 98
*COB 99
*COSAV 2/2
*COSAV 3/2
*COSAV 4/2
*COB 100

NYAMI
COB 60
COB 61
COB 94-FB
COB 95
COB 96
COB 97

OMBASSA
COB 60
COB 61
COB 94-FB
COB 94

PRINCE KHAMUN
COB 93

PTOR-NUBIS
*COB 85-FB
{COB 72}
*COB 90
*COB 91
*COB 93

SHEB-AT
COB 85-FB
{COB 84}

SHOLO
COB 62
COB 63
COB 95
COB 96
COB 97

SHU-ONORU
COB 85-FB

THOTH-AMON
COB 7
COB 68
COB 74
COB 84-FB-BTS
*COB 89
*COB 90
*COB 93-BTS
SAVSCO 48 (7:1 - 7:4)-FB
……

YASUNGA
COB 60
COB 72
COB 73
*COB 91-FB
*COB 91
*COB 93
*COB 94 (remove brackets)
{SAVSCO 8/5}
SAVSCO 10
CO@ 7
M/GN:COISLES
COSAV 10

ZULA
*COB 85-FB
{COB 84}
*COB 85
*COB 86
*COB 88
*COB 89
*COB 90
*COB 91
*COB 93
*COB 94

And a round ‘em up for the big man:

CONAN
COB 1 (14:4)-FB
SAVT 4 (4:4)-FB
GSCO 1 (15:2)-FB
COB 48-FB
KCO 9-FB
COB 8-FB
COB 1 (14:5)-FB
SAVT 4 (4:5 - 4:7)-FB
COB 31-FB
COB 1
COB 2
COB 69-FB
[SAVSCO 39]
[COB 254-FB]
COB 92
COB 3-FB
COB 3
COB 4
COB 5
COB 6
COB:HOA
COB 7
COB 8
COB 9
COB 10
COB 11-FB
COB 11
COB 12
COB 13 (1 - 15:2)
FF 405
COB 13 (15:3 - 22)
CO:DCIG 1
CO:DCIG 2
CO:DCIG 3
COB 14
COB 15
COB 17
COB 18
COB 19
COB 20
COB 21
COB 23
COB 24
COB 25
COB 26
COB 27
COB 28
COB 29
[SAVSCO 132-FB]
COB 30
COB 31
COB 32-FB
COB 32
COB 33
COB 34
COB 35
[SAVSCO 153/2]
COB 95 (11:5)-FB
COB 36
COB 37
COB 38
COB 39
[SAVSCO 207]
[SAVSCO 208]
[SAVSCO 209]
[SAVSCO 210]
M/SSPEC 9
COB 40
COB 41
COB 42
[SAVSCO 1]
GSCO 1 (15:3)-FB
COB 43 (1 - 12)
DSSS 11/2-FB
COB 43 (13 - 18)
COB 44
SAVT 5
COB 45
SAVT 4 (6 - 7)-FB
SAVT 4
SAVT 1
[SAVSCO 34]
COB 46
COB 47
COB 48
COB 49
COB 50
COB 51
COB 52
COB 53
COB 54
COB 55
COB 56
COB 57
COB 58
COB 59
COB 60
COB 61
COB 62
COB 63
COB 65
COB 66 (1 - 16)
COB 66 (17) ~ M/FEA2 6
COB 67
M/FEA2 7
COB 68
COB 69
COB 70
COB 71
COB 72
COB 73
COB 74
COB 75
COB 76
COB 77
COB 79-FB
COB 79
COB 80
COB 81
COB 82
COB 83
[SAVSCO 97]
COB 84
COB 85
COB 86
COB 88
COB 89
COB 90
COB 91
COB 93
COB 94
COB 95 (2:4 - 3:3)-FB
COB 95
COB 96
COB 97
COB 98
COB 99
COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
COB 100
[COB 126]
CO@ 6-FB
CO@6
[COB 127]
[SAVSCO 116]
COB2 1
COB2 2
COB2 3
[COB 231]
[SAVSCO 101]
M/GN:COBSOS
[SAVSCO 66]
[SAVSCO 108/2]
M/GN 19
[SAVSCO 117]
[COB 275]
SAVSCO 219
SAVSCO 220
[SAVSCO 221]
CO:ROOT
[SAVSCO 223]
[SAVSCO 62]
COV.RUNE
M/GN:COR-FB
M/GN:COR
M/SSPEC 2 (7:4 - 8)-FB
[SAVSCO 38]
CORG
[SAVSCO 223]
M/SAGA 1
[SAVSCO 37]
M/SSPEC 2 (6:2 - 6:3)-FB
[SAVSCO 189/2]
SJNS-FB
TCORPS 3
[SAVSCO 128]
[SAVSCO 206]
M/SSPEC 2
[SAVSCO 73 (1 - 4:4)]
SAVSCO 225 (12:6)-FB
[SAVSCO 73 (4:5 - 49)]
[SAVSCO 122]
[SAVSCO 94]
SAVSCO 40
SAVSCO 41-FB
SAVSCO 41
SAVSCO 42
SAVSCO 43
[SAVSCO 68]
[SAVSCO 69]
SAVSCO 225 (13:1 - 13:3)-FB
SAVSCO 225
SAVT 2
SAVT 3
SAVT 3/3
GSCO 1 (15:4)-FB
[SAVSCO 211]
SAVSCO 46
COK 20 (27:5 - 29:2)-FB
COK 23-FB
COK 20 (29:5 - 33:4)-FB
SAVSCO 48 (47:6 - 48:2)-FB
SAVSCO 47-FB
SAVSCO 47
SAVSCO 48
[SAVSCO 59/2]
[SAVSCO 76/2]
SAVSCO 49
SAVSCO 50
SAVSCO 51-FB
SAVSCO 51
SAVSCO 52 (1 - 32)
GSCO 1 (16:2)-FB
SAVSCO 52 (33:1 - 33:3)
GSCO 1 (16:3 - 16:4)-FB
SAVSCO 52 (33:4 - 34:3)
COK 20 (34:5 - 34:7)-FB
SAVSCO 52 (34:4 - 35:3)
COK 20 (35:1)-FB
SAVSCO 52 (35:4)
COK 20 (35:2)-FB
SAVSCO 52 (35:5)
COK 20 (35:3)-FB
SAVSCO 52 (35:6 - 37:3)
GSCO 1 (16:5)-FB
SAVSCO 52 (37:4)]
GSCO 1 (16:6)-FB
SAVSCO 52 (37:5 - 43)
[SAVSCO 214]
CO@ 2
[SAVSCO 227/4]
[SAVSCO 205/2]
[SAVSCO 30]
GSCO 1
GSCO 2-FB
GSCO 2
GSCO 3
GSCO 4
SAVSCO 8/5
SAVSCO 10
CO@ 4
CO@ 5 (1 - 26:1)
CO@ 5-FB
CO@ 5 (26:2 - 33)
KCO 5-FB
KCO 6-FB
KCO 7-FB
KCO 8-FB
COK 52-FB
COK 20 (22:2 - 23:4)-FB
COK 20 (21:4)-FB
[SAVSCO 166]
[SAVSCO 167]
[SAVSCO 168]
[SAVSCO 169]
COSAV 4
[SAVSCO 177/3]
KCO 1-FB
KCO 1
KCO 2-FB
KCO 2
KCO 3
KCO 4 (3:6 - 4:2)-FB
KCO 4 (1 - 22)
KCO 4 (30:5 - 31:2)-FB
KCO 4 (23 - 24)
P@ 2/4 (5:5)-FB
KCO 4 (25 - 27)
KCO 4 (33:3)-FB
KCO 4 (28:1 - 28:3)
KCO 4 (33:4)-FB
KCO 4 (28:4 - 33)
P@ 2/4 (5:6)-FB
KCO 5
KCO 6-OP
KCO 7
KCO 8
COK 21/2-FB
COK 22/2-FB
KCO 9
KCO 10
KCO 11
KCO 12
KCO 13
KCO 14
KCO 15
KCO 18-FB
KCO 16
KCO 17
KCO 18
KCO 19
COK 52/2-FB
COK 54/2-FB
COK 27-FB
COK 20
COK 21-FB
COK 22-FB
COK 21
COK 22
COK 23
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25
COK 26-FB
COK 26
COK 50-FB
COK 27
COK 28 (1 - 13)
COK 50 (1 - 11)
COK 28 (14 - 38)
COK 50 (14:4 - 38)
COK 51
COK 52
COK 53
COK 53/2
COK 54/2
COK 55
COK 29
COK 30
COK 31
COK 32
COK 33
COK 34
COK 35
COK 36
COK 37
COK 38
COK 39
COK 40
COK 41
COK 42
COK 43
COK 44
COK 45
COK 46
COK 47
COK 48-FB
COK 48
COK 49
CO@ 7-FB
CO@ 7
M/GN:COISLES
COSAV 10

[wolframbane]

Great work!!!

[wolframbane]

ALso, N'Yaga was in COSAV 2/2-COSAV 4/2

N'YAGA
...
*COB 99
*COSAV 2/2
*COSAV 3/2
*COSAV 4/2
*COB 100

Additionally, the Tigress sailed directly from Leng to Zarkheba, so if there were any crew who appeared in COB 100 but were not mentioned in COSAV 3/2 or COSAV 4/2, they would probably be BTS.

[Col_Fury]

Thanks!

[wolframbane]

Additional background for Belit:

https://www.chronologyproject.com/phpbb ... =9&t=16453

[Col_Fury]

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #101 (August 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bamulas (inc Shangu, Mulla, Yorubo & his wife (Felida)), a Katumi captive, Many-Legged One (giant spider)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan mourns for Bêlit until he’s captured by the Bamula tribe. Yorubo wants to be the new war chief and is impatient about it. Knowing a bit about their customs thanks to his time with the Black Corsairs, Conan challenges Yorubo to be chief. They battle with spears, standing on a beam over a pit housing a giant spider. Conan wins, but when Yorubo falls into the pit his wife jumps in after him. Conan instinctively jumps into the pit and kills the beast; he’s named the new war chief. Yorubo’s wife is now Conan's; that night she plans to kill Conan in his sleep but she can’t bring herself to do it.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #102 (September 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bamulas (inc Basotu, Belima, Felida), Kungado (inc the chief & his son), Drelliks (“vampires,” inc Drellik-King, Ashido, others in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Drelliks steal cows and drink their blood. They file their teeth and shape their ears as children to resemble real vampires.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan and the Bamulas conquer a nearby tribe, the Kungado. That night they celebrate, but Conan is still in mourning over Bêlit and doesn’t celebrate with any ladies. Later, Drelliks attack the Baluma’s cattle, so Conan leads a fight against them. Some Drelliks are killed, some escape and Conan takes on as hostage. Conan has the hostage show the way to the Drellik’s camp. He does, but it’s a trap. As the Bamulas fight the Drelliks, Conan realizes their king is an actual vampire. Conan is knocked out and the Bamulas surrender.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #103 (October 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bamulas (inc Basuto, Tumara), Drelliks (inc Drellik-King (K’Chama, also in fb), others in fb), Eesee (bride of K’Chama)

FLASHBACK:
K’Chama is attacked by a vampire; he kills it but has been turned into a vampire himself. He conquers a tribe and teaches them to imitate vampires.
SYNOPSIS:
The Bamulas are tossed in a cell while the Drellik-King tells Conan his story, then offers to make him a vampire. Conan turns him down so he’s tossed into a cave where he meets Eesee, bride of K’Chama. Later, the Drellik-King kills one of the Bamulas; Conan agrees to become a vampire if the other Bamulas are freed. Once they’re gone Eesee attacks the Drellik-King when she overhears that she’ll be killed once Conan is a vampire. Conan uses the distraction to escape. The Drelliks give chase, but the Bamulas return and attack. Conan fights the Drellik-King, kills him and chops off his head. To thank Basuto for returning, Conan says Felida can be his wife instead of Conan’s.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #104 (November 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Livia (an Ophirean, of the House of Chelkus), Bamulas, Bakalah (inc King Bajujh), lost women, an elder god, Theteles (Livia’s brother, mentioned)

SYNOPSIS:
Livia is a captive of the Bakalah tribe. Conan and the Bamulas arrive and a party is thrown. When everyone goes into their huts Livia steals into Conan’s and begs for his help. The next day, knowing the Bakalah will betray them, Conan and the Bamulas attack, killing the king and many of the warriors. Livia is terrified and leaves on horseback. Hours later the horse stumbles and she’s thrown off. When female figures with white flowers in their hair approach her she realizes she’s in the Vale of Lost Women. They hypnotize her and place her on an alter where an elder god descends upon her. Conan arrives and the women vanish. Conan injures the elder beast and it flies away. Conan say he’ll arrange to have Livia sent back to Ophir.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The Vale of Lost Women” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #105 (December 1979)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Balumas (also in fb), Stygian slavers (inc Kaspa, Merap), King Ctesphon (Nefta, bts, sent slavers), ghosts, lions

FLASHBACK:
Long months ago, Conan starts making decisions for the Balumas (2:2). Recently a drought has dried up their rivers and a plague has swept through their people (2:3-2:6).
SYNOPSIS:
A Baluma witch doctor is complaining about Conan’s leadership; when he calls for Conan’s death, Conan kills the witch-doctor and escapes, heading toward Kush. He’s stalked by lions until they suddenly stop, not wanting to go in the direction Conan is going. He comes across an oddly built castle and decides to spend the night when a thunderstorm rolls in. He explores the strange building and falls asleep. Ghosts swirl around as Stygians arrive to take shelter from the storm. Conan watches as the ghosts form a fleshy physical form and attack the Stygians. Conan escapes and takes a horse.

NOTE:
Adapted from “Castle of Terror” by L. Sprague de Camp & Lin Carter.

Last issue was “some time ago.” If there are any stories that has Conan with the Balumas they would take place between COB 104-105.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #106 (January 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Queen Tananda (also in fb) & her royal guard (also in fb), Diana (Nemedian slave), Meroe residents (inc Amboola (also in fb), Lord Aahmes (in fb), Lord Tuthmes (plotting to overthrow Tananda), Afari (spy), Muru (wizard), Shubba (Tuthmes’ agent), Ageera (witch-smeller), Falaha (Tananda’s major domo)), Demon of the Night

FLASHBACK:
Queen Tananda accuses two guys of treason and throws them in a cell.
SYNOPSIS:
As Conan nears Meroe in Kush, a prisoner (Amboola) is killed by a pig-like dust demon. Afari reports this to Lord Tuthmes, who tells Afari to tell everyone Tananda killed him on purpose. Tuthmes then tells his wizard he did a good job with the pig-demon. The next day Tananda rides through town and Conan watches as she’s accused of killing Amboola. The crowd attacks and Conan saves her, so she makes him the captain of her royal guard. Tuthmes acquires a slave girl that he plans to gift to Tananda, and that she’ll spy on the Queen for him. The queen is immediately suspicious and prepares to torture the girl, but Conan stops her.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The Snout in the Dark” by L. Sprague de Camp & Lin Carter.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #107 (February 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Queen Tananda & her royal guard (inc Mongo), Diana, Meroe residents (inc Lord Aahmes, Lord Tuthmes, Muru, Shubba, Ageera), Demon of the Night

SYNOPSIS:
Conan warns Queen Tananda not to let the outer city folks into the inner city to witness her executing Lord Aahmes, because they’ll likely revolt. She doesn’t care. Conan takes the slave girl away and Tananda swears revenge against Conan. At the execution Conan returns to his quarters, not wanting to watch. He sees the pig-demon attacking the slave girl so he beheads it. It gets up and leaves, despite its injury, so Conan follows. The demon returns to Tuthmes, so the crowd kills him. The queen orders her guards to kills the rioters, but they kill her instead and turns on the lords. As the city erupts in flames Conan leaves with Diana, the slave girl.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The Snout in the Dark” by L. Sprague de Camp & Lin Carter.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #108 (March 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Diana (also in fb) & her father (in fb), Thutmekri (from COB 28) & his caravan (inc Maat-Neb, Erfu), Argosseans (in fb), Zingaran buccaneers (in fb), Shemite slavers (in fb), Kushite sentries, Darfari, King Nimed (bts in fb, appointed Diana’s father to the royal court of Argos), King Milo (bts in fb, helped Diana escape the plague)

FLASHBACK:
Diana and her father moved to Argo, but a curse set the Purple Plague on the city. They flee, but their boat was sunk by buccaneers; Diana was sold to slavers and her father was killed (a few months ago).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan kills an attacking Kushite sentry, then sets up camp in a cave with Diana. They continue the next day and are attacked by Darfari savages. They fight some off and run into a caravan; Conan and Thutmekri recognize each other and join up. The Darfari want either the woman or two men. Conan volunteers, knowing they plan to sacrifice them. Thutmekri offers his indentured servant. They eventually escape, but when they rejoin Thutmekri Conan learns Diana has agreed to be Thutmekri’s woman. Conan and Erfu leave.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #109 (April 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Erfu, Aesir (inc Niord (from SAVT 1), Visimar), Sons of Shem, dwarves, Nasati (god of bears)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Erfu have been ambushed by Shemites. After fighting them for a bit the pair retreat into some long grass. Conan wants to go through as a shortcut despite Erfu’s warning. As they go deeper Erfu is attacked by mist. After shrugging it off they come across dwarves who hold some Aesir as slaves. The dwarves attack so Conan kills them. Crom recognizes Niord among the Aesir and asks if they’ll join him in leaving the grass, but they’re interrupted when the god of bears arrives.

NOTE:
Adapted from “Sons of the Bear God” by Norvell W. Page.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #110 (May 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Erfu, Aesir (inc Niord, Visimar, Tossa), dwarves (inc King Aosoka), Nasati

SYNOPSIS:
Conan realizes the giant bear isn’t moving the grass and tells everyone to calm down. The bear turns into mist and knocks Conan out. Conan awakes while being brought by the Aesir into the dwarves’ city and to their king, Aosoka. Erfu negotiates a chance at survival, Conan must fight a bear. He does, and kills it by breaking its ribs. After he rests an Aesir woman, Tossa, says she’s interested in Conan. He’s not in the mood. As she leaves she’s attacked by a black panther. Conan jumps in the way and the panther turns into Visimar, one of the Aesir. He wants Tossa for himself, so Conan kills him in self-defense. Tossa says Conan can be her husband.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Sons of the Bear God” by Norvell W. Page.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #111 (June 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Erfu, Aesir (inc Tossa, Niord (bts, held prisoner for treason), Thanamund, Mardoric), dwarves (inc King Aosoka)

SYNOPSIS:
After a nice night with Tossa (wink wink nudge nudge), Conan is warned that the dwarf king wants to kill him. Conan confronts the king, but is brought low by an electric net. He tosses it aside and realizes the king was never there, but was rather a reflection. He’s attacked by the dwarf army, so he climbs a spire where a globe is located, a source of the dwarves’ magic. Thanamund offers his help, so Conan destroys the globe and joins him. He shows Conan a secret way out of the city, but he vows to return.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Sons of the Bear God” by Norvell W. Page.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #112 (July 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Erfu, Aesir (inc Niord, Tossa, Thanamund), dwarves (inc King Aosoka)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan finds the Aesir camp and convinces Niord to fight the dwarves. Realizing the dwarves have been drugging the Aesir, Conan finds an herb that will uncloud their minds. They plan their attack. The dwarves send a regiment after Conan, but are scared away when Conan and the Aesir attack them disguised as bears. They return to their city and the populace panics. The city is quickly conquered, and Conan learns that Tossa and her brother Thanamund already killed the king. Conan and some Aesir leave to search for deserting dwarves and Conan learns Thanamund is Tossa’s husband, not her brother. They return to the city to find Tossa has claimed it for herself. Suddenly, Tossa kills her husband, and as he dies he kills her as well. Deciding he wants nothing to do with the city of dwarves, Conan leaves with Erfu.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Sons of the Bear God” by Norvell W. Page.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #113 (August 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Erfu, Moraga (also in fb), Naj (Moraga’s son), Satan (also in fb), Shemites

FLASHBACK:
Moraga is run out of town for practicing medicine, but is saved then raped by Satan.
SYNOPSIS:
As they travel, Conan and Erfu are ambushed by Shemite rogues. Erfu is wounded so Conan burns the heart of a stag to call a wood-witch. Soon after Moraga arrives and begins to heal Erfu, then leaves. Later, a great hairy, horned beast-man (Satan) asks where the woman is. Conan drives it away with fire, then follows to see it found Moraga and her son. Conan fights the beast until Erfu sets it on fire; it flees and is crushed by boulders that move themselves. Erfu decides to stay with Moraga and Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from a plot by Christy Marx.

Moraga is a vegetarian.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #114 (September 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Akkharians (inc Zebel, Kagal, Tamris, Shallam, others in fb), Caldix (corpse, also in fb) & his mastiff (also in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Ten years ago Caldix arrived, built a fortress and performed strange rituals. Months later some ventured forth to see if Caldix was still around, but the one who entered his fortress was tossed out the window to his death.
SYNOPSIS:
In Akkharia, Conan gets into a bar fight. When he is awoken he chases after Kagal, who has taken refuge in a haunted fortress. Conan enters and finds Kagal’s corpse. He continues, searching for Tamris the bar wench, but she’s guarded by Caldix’s mastiff, possessed by Caldix. The man-dog wants the woman for his own pleasure, so Conan tries to kill it but fails. It chases Conan through the fortress, but the Cimmerian tricks him past the property’s border and the dog is once more just a dog. Caldix’s ghost realizes what he’s lost and the fortress begins to crumble. Conan rushes to save Tamris and regrettably notices the dog has died.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Shadow of the Beast” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #115 (October 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Zukala (also in fb), Karanthes (also in fb, see NOTE), Jaggta-Noga, Othbaal (King of Asgalun’s cousin), King of Asgalun (Uriaz, bts, assembling army), Akkharians (inc Elysia), King Sumuabi (in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Zukala travels and meets King Sumuabi, becoming his right-hand man. Later, Karanthes arrives in Akkharia, eventually replacing Zukala as Sumuabi’s right-hand man.
SYNOPSIS:
As Conan travels back to Akkharia, he’s contacted by Zukala who tries to lure him away to Ghaza. Conan refuses and continues on. Conan spends a night in a stable and awakens with Red Sonja’s company. Sonja wants breakfast so Conan pays. Sonja teases Conan about Bêlit, not knowing she’s dead. Conan bests Sonja in battle and takes her to a room (remembering her vow), but when Sonja tries to apologize Conan leaves. He rides off to another tavern, drinking away his sorrows over Bêlit’s death. The drunken Cimmerian is once again contacted by Zukala, who promises Bêlit’s return if Conan does what he wants (kill Karanthes). Conan agrees, but afterwards barfs up his guts. The next morning he sets forth, followed by Sonja who spots him. She follows him to Karanthes, but is knocked out by the wizard. Conan takes them both to Zukala, who reveals he wants Sonja in addition to their earlier bargain. Conan refuses, so Zukala summons Jaggta-Noga and Conan agrees. Once the spell is begun, though, Sonja stirs and Conan changes his mind. Zukala shows Conan visions of what life could be a dream if Bêlit were brought back, but he rejects the wizard and beheads him. Sonja thanks Conan for what he did, but bids him farewell. Karanthes topples Zukala’s temple and Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Karanthes reveals he was -BTS in COB 74 here, posing as Thoth-Amon.

Double-size 10th anniversary issue. Special contributions by Cindy Ward, Cat Yronwode & Danette Couto (later Dann Thomas).

Letters from Bob Weinberg, Larry Niven & Glenn Lord! Holy Carp! Also, Geo. W. Proctor!

Roy Thomas has been writing Conan for a decade; he’ll take another decade off (to oversee the movies and write the animated movie Fire & Ice amongst other things) before coming back for ANOTHER decade later.

Chronologies!

CALDIX
COB 114-FB
COB 114

CONAN
……
COB 100
*COB 101
*COB 105 (2:2)-FB
*COB 102
*COB 103
*COB 104
*COB 105 (2:3 - 2:6)-FB
*COB 105
*COB 106
*COB 107
*COB 108
*COB 109
*COB 110
*COB 111
*COB 112
*COB 113
*COB 114
*COB 115
[COB 126]
……

DIANA, LADY
COB 108-FB
{COB 106}
COB 107
COB 108

DRELLIK-KING/K’CHAMA
COB 103-FB
{COB 102}
COB 103

ERFU
COB 108
COB 109
COB 110
COB 111
COB 112
COB 113

JAGGTA-NOGA
COB 5
*COB 115 (remove brackets)
COB 242
COB 243

KARANTHES
COB 7-FB
M/FEA2 6
M/FEA2 7
COB 68
*COB 115-FB
*COB 74-BTS | cf COB 115
*COB 84-FB-BTS | cf COB 115
*COB 115 (remove brackets)
COB 241
COB 242
COB 243

KING AOSOKA
COB 110
COB 111
COB 112

KING BAJUJH
COB 104

KING CTESPHON III/NEFTHA
……
COB 93-BTS
*COB 105-BTS


KING MILO
*COB 108-FB-BTS
SAVSCO 49-BTS
{SAVSCO 50}
SAVSCO 51-BTS

KING NIMED
*COB 108-FB-BTS
COB 257
{GSCO 1}

KING SUMUABI
*COB 115-FB
{COB 91-FB}

KING URIAZ
COB 91-FB
COB 93
*COB 115-BTS

MORAGA
COB 113-FB
COB 113

NAJ
COB 113

NIORD
SAVT 1
*COB 109
*COB 110
*COB 111-BTS
*COB 112

OTHBALL
COB 115

QUEEN TANANDA
COB 106-FB
COB 106
COB 107

RED SONJA
……
RS 15
SAVSCO 45/2
*COB 115 (remove brackets)
SM/RS 1
……

SATAN/"MARDUK KURIOS"
*COB 113-FB
*COB 113
SAVSCO 19/2-BTS
……

THANAMUND
COB 111
COB 112

THOTH-AMON
……
COB 68
**COB 74 (delete)
**COB 84-FB-BTS (delete)
COB 89
……

THUTMEKRI
COB 28-FB
COB 28
*COB 108

TOSSA
COB 110
COB 111
COB 112

TUTHMES, LORD
COB 106
COB 107

ZUKALA
COB 5
COB 14
COB 15
*COB 115-FB
*COB 115 (remove brackets)
COB 242
COB 243

[wolframbane]

SAVSCO 219 and SAVSCO 220, where Conan meets Solomon Kane in Africa, occurs one month after the death of Belit in COB 100, according to SAVSCO 219.

[Col_Fury]

Thanks!

I'm working on those issues now and just caught that reference.