Savage Sword of Conan (Red Sonja)

[Col_Fury]

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #1 (August 1974)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja (also in fb), King Hadranor (of Zamora, bts in fb, ordered Castranno’s execution), Berthilda (also in fb), Costranno (sorcerer, also in fb), bandits (inc Rikko), Arenjun/Maul residents (also in fb), Fiend from the Pit

FLASHBACK:
Red Sonja witnesses Castranno’s execution.
SYNOPSIS:
Walking through Arenjun, Conan is jostled by bandits chasing a priest. The priest escapes so the bandits attack Conan; he kills all but one then trips. Red Sonja arrives and kills the last bandit. Conan finds what he tripped on: a severed ringed finger. They discover it belongs to the recently executed Castranno. Wanting nothing to do with magic Conan tosses the finger aside; as they leave the finger rejoins Castranno’s body. Red Sonja gets into a fight with a bar wench, so she accuses Sonja and Conan of murder. During the ensuing bar fight, Conan spots the ring from the finger he found and realizes Castronno isn’t dead anymore. He and Sonja chase the sorcerer to his lair, where he’s preparing to kill Berthilda, who caused his execution in the first place because she wanted his ring. Conan attacks and Sonja is grabbed by a monster in a nearby pit. Conan chops off Castranno’s hand, killing his again, and throws his body in the pit, distracting the monster and freeing Sonja. Still wanting the ring, Berthilda returns to the pit. Conan decides he already saved her once and lets her go. As the pair leave they hear Berthilda’s screams.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Mistress of Death” by REH.

2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Esteban Maroto

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja (also in fb), King Ghannif (also in fb) & his harem (in fb, inc Lucrezia), Trolus (Ghannif’s body guard, also in fb), Pah-Dishah guards (inc Amir Lurhan) & mercenaries (in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Months ago, King Ghannif of Pah-Dishah hires Red Sonja to steal a serpent-tiara from Makkalet (2:4-2:7). Recap of COB 23-24 (3). Red Sonja gives the tiara to King Ghannif and to show his thanks he arrest Sonja and throws her in his harem. After she’s bathed and dressed he calls her to his bedroom where she kills him and his bodyguard (4-10:6).
SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja leaves Pah-Dishah.

NOTE:
Followed by “Conan’s Women Warriors,” an essay by Fred Blosser.

3rd Story:
By Gil Kane

This Blackmark tale was covered elsewhere.

NOTE:
Followed by “An Atlantean in Aquilonia,” an article by Glenn Lord.

4th Story:
By Roy Thomas & Barry Windsor-Smith.

A reprint of SAVT 1.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #45 (October 1979)
2nd Story:
By Christy Marx & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, House of Shadow (family of assassins), Ashmir residents

SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja relaxes in the Gardens of Ashmir until some jerks try hitting on her. She beats them up, but the third warns that they don’t take defeat well and she should leave town. She decides to stay in town anyway and that night one of them tries to kill her; she kills him instead. The innkeeper asks her to leave or he’ll be killed to so she asks for breakfast. She finds out her horse has been killed, then when a cat steals her breakfast that her food had been poisoned. Sonja goes to the House of Shadows and demands payment for her horse. The master pays her but obviously, the others try to kill her so she kills them all. She returns to the House of Shadow and tells the master she had no choice. With all of his family dead, he has no choice either, so they fight. Sonja kills him and she returns to the Gardens to relax.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #78 (July 1982)
2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas, Doug Moench, Dick Giordano & Terry Austin

This a retelling of KULLB 3/2, just redrawn. Same dialogue, same narration, same panel layouts, everything. Bizarre.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #144 (January 1988)
By Chuck Dixon & Gary Kwapisz

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, brigands (inc Rhulk, Hain), mercenaries (inc Nokall), villagers (others in fb), “devil-cursed son of the punished ones” (deformed grotesquery, also in fb), Rustopha (mentioned, Nokall stole his children)

FLASHBACK:
A man and woman are driven out of the village because they committed adultery; they eventually find a strange shrine where the woman gives birth, but the child is monstrously deformed. The man tries to kill it but the woman kills him instead and raises the grotesquery in the mountains.
SYNOPSIS:
As Conan crosses the wintry Graaskals he deals with some thieves. Meanwhile, Red Sonja arrives at an inn where she finds who she’s been looking for (Nokall), and stops a rape in addition. Sonja attacks, demanding to know where the stolen children are. He tells her, but only at the point of dying. Afterward, Sonja realizes Conan has been watching the whole time. They take a bath together and catch up on old times. Conan is searching for a lost idol in the Graaskal mountains; Sonja joins him if he helps her search for the missing children. Meanwhile, brigands are also looking for the idol. They stop at another inn and learn of a monster in the mountains. The brigands burn down the village the mext day. In the mountains Conan and Sonja encounter the deformed child; Sonja chops off one of its hands and they escape into a cave. Later, the monster is distracted by the brigands; as they fight Conan and Sonja escape into the nearby shrine. They find the idol but are confronted by the brigands and the monstrosity. After a fight all but one brigand (Hain) dies, who escapes with the idol. Conan joins Sonja in searching for the children. Days later Hain dies from radiation poisoning.

NOTE:
It’s been years since Conan’s & Sonja’s last encounter, which according to Roy’s chronology was SAVSCO 229-230 (and beyond). Also, Roy’s chronology puts this between SAVSCO 178 & SAVSCO 114 for Conan.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #145 (February 1988)
By Chuck Dixon & Gary Kwapisz

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Rowinda, Hilar, Lady Alophic (also in fb) & her army (inc Lord Rhastur, Krattic), Slavers (inc Hyabis, Taliph) & their slaves, Stag Cult (inc Stagbringer (also in fb), Rowinda’s parents), Oranah (Stag god, also in fb), Dread (dog)

FLASHBACK:
Eons ago, Oranah the Stag god, a member of the elder race, roamed the Earth. Recently, Stagbringer formed a cult to bring Oranah back, recruiting farmers. Lady Alophic wants to stop them so her people won’t starve from lack of farmers.
SYNOPSIS:
Still in the Graaskal mountains, Red Sonja and Conan find the slavers and the missing children. Sonja and Conan part ways; Sonja rides to return the children while Conan heads the opposite way, quickly running into a murderous Stag Cult. Conan rescues a young girl from her parents, who try to kill her in order to bring forth Oranah the Stag god. He joins up with Lady Alophic’s army, but Krattic is jealous of her attraction to Conan. Stagbringer starts to sacrifice his followers. Lady Alophic’s army meets with with the Stag Cult and they fight. When Stagbringer is killed Oranah returns. The army sets Oranah on fire, defeating him. With Oranah gone the cult followers regain their senses. Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Conan befriends a dog (Dread); when it sacrifices himself to save Conan he says “Farewell, loyal hound. I expect to meet you again, lying content before Crom’s fire.”

The second story, a King Kull tale, is already in the MCP.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #153 (October 1988)
2nd Story:
By Jim Owlsey Luke McDonnell

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Red Sonja (also in fb), Melnek (in fb) & his mercenaries (also in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Red Sonja is hired to lead a band of mercenaries when Conan arrives and challenges her to a duel; if he wins she’ll sleep with him, if she wins he’ll give her gold.
SYNOPSIS:
As they spar, Conan is distracted by imagining what it would be like to sleep with Sonja. Sonja wins the fight but refuses Conan’s gold.

NOTE:
Sonja’s not wearing her chainmail bikini here, but rather a leather vest.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #157 (February 1989)
2nd Story:
By Bruce Jones

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Magus Bolstan, Jasmine, “little grub worm,” demons

SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja stop an old man from killing a child; with his dying words he tries to warn her the child is a demon. She spots a nearby castle and assuming it’s the child’s home starts to trek to it. During the journey she’s attacked by various annoying critters and monsters. She makes it to the castle where the old man is alive and claims to be the child’s father. He wants Sonja to be the child’s nanny, so she clobbers him and leaves.

NOTE:
This one’s not included in Roy’s chronology, so…

Sonja’s in her chainmail bikini, which she was still wearing in COB 115 & M/SSPEC 9/2, but not since (with the possible exception of M/SAGA 1, which I’m ignoring for now). She’s in the Lema Plains, which is in Brythunia. She praises Crom at one point, so she’s already met Conan. She’s on the Vialet Sea in SAVSCO 187/2, then goes west to Zamora in SAVSCO 1; she’s still in Zamora in COB 43-44 and RS3 3-FB. She then heads west again to Nemedia in COB 48/2. Brythunia is between Zamora and Nemedia, so between RS3 3-FB and COB 48/2 seems like the best bet.

Also, Bruce Jones likes to draw butts.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #169 (January 1990)
2nd Story:
By Peter B. Gillis & Steve Carr

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, villagers, a stranger clothed in stars

SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja is drinking in a tavern when the fabled “Endless Stair” appears, which only happens every few centuries. Having learned about it previously, Sonja goes looking for treasure and meets a strange man clothed in stars. He tries to entice her, but she tells him of her vow; he forms a sword of flame and bests her in combat. Before he can seal the deal, the “Endless Stair” takes him away after he sprouts wings.

NOTE:
Another one not in Roy’s chronology, so…

Sonja’s wearing a chainmail shirt, not a bikini. She’s in a village in the Bossonian Marches, which is between Aquilonia and the Pictlands. She’s in the Nemedian Darkwood forest in KULLB 2/3, M/FEA2 1 and KULLB 3/2, then heads south to Corinthia in M/FEA2 2-3. By M/FEA2 4 she’s in Zingara, which is just south of the Bossonian Marches. She’s still in Zingara in M/FEA2 5. In M/FEA2 6 she heads south to Argos, and she’s still there in the COB 66-68 / M/FEA2 7 crossover. So maybe between M/FEA2 3-4?

She ends up in Aquilonia in RS 15, so maybe after that? After that she’s south in Shem in COB 115, and north again (and slightly east) in Zamora in M/SSPEC 9. She’s further east in Turan in RS2 1-2 / SVASCO 225/2. In RS3 1-13 she starts in Nemedia and ends up in Hyperboria. In COB 195 she’s traveled south to Koth. By the time she’s on her own again (after COB 250 & SAVSCO 210/2) she’s in Turan again. In SAVSCO 229/2 she’s even further east in Kosala. She’s traveling again in SAVSCO 192/2 but is was only west as Koth in SAVSCO 230/2. By the time she’s free to appear alone again she’s in Turan again in SAVSCO 233.

According to Roy’s chronology, “some time later” Sonja is in Brythunia in SAVSCO 144-145. “After another round of exploits,” Sonja is in Hyperborea in SAVSCO 170 & 179.

I’m tempted to put this in the “some time later” gap, because we’re talking about years of unrevealed adventures.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #170 (February 1990)
By Chuck Dixon & Gary Kwapisz

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Valeria, Varnigern & his crew (inc Thargil), Aerik Blackeye, his daughter (Hala) & his clan (inc Hala, Dulf Argon), a Kothian, dolphins, walruses, sharks

SYNOPSIS:
Aerik Blackeye returns home to find Conan with his daughter; Conan escape and Aerik vows to kill him. Meanwhile, Arnigern’s ship picked up a dying Kothian and only Valeria can understand him; his crew was looking for a giant gem in the ice up north. Aerik tries to hire a band of mercenaries but only Red Sonja will join him. Conan joins Varnigern’s crew when Valeria vouches for him. Missing Conan by moments, Aerik hires a boat to chase him. After Conan and Valeria fool around for a bit, Varnigern finds the giant emerald gem mountain. Conan disovers it’s just ice as Aerik’s boat arrives. Everyone fights; Valeria attacks Sonja is a jealous rage. An avalanche destroys both boats and kills everyone but Conan, Sonja and Valeria. They trek south, eating walruses along the way.

NOTE:
So… Valeria’s not all there upstairs, is she?

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #172 (April 1990)
4th Story:
By Jim Valentino & Steve Carr

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Tara & her brothers, King’s guards (inc Bork), villagers

SYNOPSIS:
Nearing a town Red Sonja comes across a trapped girl asking for help. She doesn’t fall for it and continues on. The girl swears vengeance and accuses Sonja of luring travelers to a band of thieves, even though she’s the one doing it. The King’s guards attempt to arrest Sonja but she kills them, and then the girl’s brothers. The girl says she was the one controlling her brothers, not the other way around, and Sonja is satisfied the girl can take care of herself and wanders off.

NOTE:
Another one not in Roy’s chronology, so…

Sonja is again in a chainmail shirt, not a bikini. She’s in a desert. Looking at the map of her travels in SAVSCO 169/2 NOTE above, I’d say shortly after SAVSCO 233, where she’s in Turan (which is largely a desert).

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #178 (October 1990)
2nd Story:
By Sue Flaxman & Gavin Curtis

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, villagers (inc Kayla & her husband, Medora, her husband & daughter, Retep, Barak, Neela, guards), dogs

SYNOPSIS:
In a desert town, a woman hires Red Sonja to free her sister from a marriage she was sold into against her will. They arrive at the husband’s location and are attacked by dogs; Sonja kills them. They find the sister, chained to a wall, but she doesn’t want to leave. Sonja breaks her chains and the sister calls for guards. Sonja kills the guards but the woman is killed. Sonja learns the sister has a daughter who loves her father, and that’s why she can’t leave. The sister pays Sonja and she wanders off…

NOTE:
Another one not in Roy’s chronology, so…

Sonja is wearing the simple top she’s been wearing since RS2, basically. She’s in an eastern desert town. Again looking at the map of her travels in SAVSCO 169/2 NOTE above, I’d say shortly after SAVSCO 172/4, still in a desert but further east.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #179 (November 1990)
By Chuck Dixon & Gary Kwapisz

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Valeria, Iron Damsels (inc Marika, Soraya, Persephone, Lupara), Vanir (inc Gurvald), Nainmen, merchants, bears

SYNOPSIS:
Vanir tortures some Nainmen to find out where an idol is. Meanwhile, Conan, Red Sonja and Valeria continue to make their way south. While hunting for food they fight a bear, then come across the Nainmen and learn of their golden idol. Valeria wants to steal it but Conan says no. The Nainmen lead them to a trading outpost. Valeria slips away and steal the idol, hiring a boat to transport it. When they wake up Conan and Sonja give chase. Valeria kills the merchants she hired when they come on to her. The Vanir following short of closely behind. Valeria’s boat crashes; leaving the river Valeria meets the Iron Damsels, some of which want to settle a score with Conan. Soon all three groups converge on the idol and everyone fights. The Vanir all die. Sonja is disgusted when she learns Conan planned to steal the idol and leaves with Valeria and the Iron Damsels. Conan retrieves the idol and sails away on a raft.

NOTE:
The Iron Damsels first appeared in SAVSCO 111.

Yeah, Valeria’s nuts.

2nd Story:
By Eric Fein & Ernie Chan

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Lord Angus, Zena (Angus’ daughter), Turon (blowhard), Dondo (Angus’ servant), Sarris (kidnapper) & his guards, villagers, monster in a pit

SYNOPSIS:
In a tavern near the Khitai border, Conan tires of a blowhard’s yammering and stabs him. Lord Angus, impressed, hires Conan to rescue his kidnapped daughter. Conan accepts and quickly infiltrates Sarris’ stronghold. Inside, he finds Sarris preparing to feed Zena to a monster in a pit. Conan kills the guards and feeds Sarris to the creature, then kills the creature. Conan returns Zena to her father. Angus pays Conan and Zena offers herself as a prize, but Conan just wanders off.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #187 (July 1991)
2nd Story:
By Marie Javins & Steve Buccellato

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, King Adano, his daughter & his soldiers, Sirens

SYNOPSIS:
King Adano hires Red Sonja to protect his daughter as she sails away to be married, but Sonja didn’t expect the princess to be such a slut. During a storm at sea the ship’s crew are tempted by Sirens. Listening to their singing the horny men begin leaping overboard to their deaths. Sonja appeals to the princess’ vanity to lure the men back to the boat, and it works. As Sonja tries to get the boat back on course the princess jumps overboard wanting to be a siren herself.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #192 (December 1991)
3rd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Tony DeZuniga

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Gerta, her mother & her siblings, a warrior

SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja kills a warrior, takes a bath and chats with a little girl.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #194 (February 1992)
2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Tony DeZuniga

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Zula, Zabibi, slavers (inc Kahoul, Arhim)

SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja and Zula are traveling to Zamboula and Sonja doesn’t like the desert heat. Sonja is surprised to see that Zula still has the Scroll of Chthon. They camp for the night and are awoken by slavers; they kill all but one and free their captives. Zabibi wants to come with them, and Sonja chains the head slaver to a tree, just out of reach of the key to his chains.

NOTE:
An editor’s note says COB 249 already happened and dialogue makes it sound recent.

No chainmail bikini for Sonja; she’s basically wearing what she was in COB 250.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #195 (March 1992)
2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Tony DeZuniga

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Zula, Zabibi/Nafertari, Jungir Khan (Satrap, ruling for Turan) & his men, Totrasmek (Hamuman priest) & his men, Zamoulka residents (inc Aram Baksh)

SYNOPSIS:
Arriving in Zamboula Red Sonja rents three rooms, but they’re captured when lured by the promise of a good horse. Zabibi is taken to Jungir Khan for questioning and she dances for him, her greatest desire. Sonja and Zula are taken to Totrasmek, who saw their arrival in a prophesy. Zabibi entices Jungir Khan. Sonja and Zula escape from Totrasmek, but lose the Scroll of Chthon. As they leave they learn Zabibi has become Jungir Khan’s lover and she’s taken the name Nafertari. They’re ordered to leave the city.

NOTE:
These folks will appear again (or rather, already did) in SAVSCO 14!

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #207 (March 1993)
2nd Story:
By Roy & Dann Thomas & Del Barras

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Zula, Lord Linneus & his men (inc Jenghir, Murabi), Yukkub residents

SYNOPSIS:
In the Turanian outpost Yukkub, Red Sonja and Zula walk into a bar. After a barfight and Sonja chopping off a man’s hand, Lord Linneus hires Sonja to lead his men on a quest for the lost city of Zanadu; Zula and Sonja part ways.

NOTE:
An editor’s note points to SAVSCO 193-194 instead of SAVSCO 194-195. Oops.

King Yildiz is mentioned as losing his grip on Turan.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #208 (April 1993)
2nd Story:
By Roy & Dann Thomas & Del Barras

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Lady Darya (Linneus’ sister), Essarchiribezzar (demon/genie), Lord Linneus & his men (inc Jenghir)

SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja and crew take a narrow mountain pass on their search for Zanadu. Linneus’ sister’s horse is startled and she almost falls off the cliff, but Sonja and Jenghir save her. A gem was knocked loose and when Darya picks it up a demon/genie emerges and pledges loyalty to Darya; she’s excited to have a magic slave but is cruel to it. That night Linneus flirts with Sonja and she dreams of him.

NOTE:
The mountain pass is called “The High Way to Heaven.”

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #209 (May 1993)
2nd Story:
By Roy & Dann Thomas & R. Jones

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Lady Darya (Linneus’ sister), Essarchiribezzar (demon/genie), Lord Linneus & his men (inc Jenghir)

SYNOPSIS:
Angry at Linneus for being attracted to him, Red Sonja challenges him to a sword fight. He loses, but Darya’s genie stop her from killing him. Later, Sonja challenges Linneus to a different duel; the board game they’ve been playing with her as the prize. Linneus wins but must remain chaste until they’re married, and he can’t do that until they’ve reached Zanadu. Soon after they find the magic city.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #210 (June 1993)
2nd Story:
By Roy & Dann Thomas & Kirk Etienne

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Lady Darya (Linneus’ sister), Essarchiribezzar (demon/genie), Lord Linneus & his men (inc Jenghir), monstrous demon

SYNOPSIS:
Linneus is distraught to see that Zanadu is in ruins and wails like a baby. He finds a seal on the ground and thinks treasure is buried under it. Darya orders her genie to break it open; it warns her not to but she orders again. He breaks it and a monstrous demon escapes. It slaughters the genie and Linneus’ men. Linneus proves to be a coward when he pushes his sister in front of him; the demon rips her to pieces. Sonja puts the seal back together, driving the demon back into its tomb. Disgusted with Linneus, Red Sonja wanders off.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #223 (July 1994)
2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Gonar, Tuzun Thune, Conan reflection, Red Sonja reflection, Dragon of the World’s Dawn (dinosaur), a bear, King Kull (illusion), Gonar (illusion)

FLASHBACK:
Recap of Red Sonja’s origin, no new information.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Red Sonja chase Gonar, who mysteriously ran off. They chase him into a cave where they fight a bear. They enter a room full of mirrors and Gonar says they’re the mirrors of Tuzun Thune. Looking in a mirror, Sonja sees her origin and a twisted version of herself. Conan wants to smash the mirrors but is stopped by a twisted version of himself. Tuzun Thune appears in a twisted reflection of Gonar and tricks him into vanishing with mirrors. Happy that he has a new body, Thune sends Conan and Sonja away to fight dinosaurs.

NOTE:
A follow-up/sequel to CO:ROOT.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #224 (August 1994)
2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Gonar, Dragons of the World’s Dawn (dinosaurs)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Red Sonja fight dinosaurs until Gonar arrives and rescues them. But instead of taking them home he takes them to the time of King Kull.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #226 (October 1994)
By Roy Thomas & Michael Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Gonar, King Kull, Brule, Thuronolos (Black Shadow priest, son of Thuron), Red Slayers (inc Capt. Hoga), Volonius VII (descendant of King Kull), Atlanteans (inc Kuthulos, Nathos, Fara, Enol, Donnar), Ka-Nu (bts, empowered Gonar)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Red Sonja are captured by Kull’s Atlantean soldiers. Kull never returned from CO:ROOT, So Conan is magically disguised as Kull to fight the Priest of the Black Shadow. Soon after, Sonja (who was disguised as a dancing girl, much to her chagrin, to keep her “safe”) is sent 500 years into the relative future during the sinking of Atlantis, where she finds King Kull. Returning to Kull’s time, the three defeat the Black Shadow priest (Thuronolos). Their mission complete, Conan and Sonja vanish, only to appear (a few thousand years later) in an arena surrounded by hungry sabretooths.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #229 (January 1995)
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, King Bafomai & his elite guard, Kheperu (wizard), Xaltotun (priest of Set), Thugra Khotan, Stygian King, Queen Xaltana (bts, imprisoned), slave-rebels of Acheron (inc Mynas, Mahalat (ancestor of Bêlit)), grand alliance against Acheron

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Red Sonja escape the arena but are accused of being wizards. They meet other arena fighters who are being kept as slaves and are planning a rebellion against Acheron. Conan is surprised to see the rebellion leader, Mahalat, looks exactly like Bêlit. Mahalat doesn’t believe our heroes’ story and orders them killed. Instead they’re captured and Mahalat has Conan infiltrate the King’s elite guard, made up of Cimmerians. Meanwhile, Sonja escapes and finds Xaltotun sacrificing virgins to Set.

2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Howard Simpson

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Kosala residents (inc Dira, Hasrat)

SYNOPSIS:
Leaving Zanadu and entering Yota-Pong, capital of Kosala, Red Sonja finds that when a man dies all of his belongings are burned, including his wife. Waiting until the ceremony, Sonja kills the executioner, swaps him out with the girl and gets her out of town.

NOTE:
The third story, a King Kull tale, is already in the MCP.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #230 (February 1995)
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, King Bafomai & his elite guard (inc Samain, Beltan, Hapu-Saa), Kheperu, Xaltotun, slave-rebels of Acheron (inc Mahalat, Mynas), grand alliance against Acheron, half-demon

FLASHBACK:
Kheperu convinces King Bafomai to imprison his sister Xaltana.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan disguises himself as one of the King’s elite and brings rebels disguised as prisoners inside the castle; Mahalat secretly kills two Cimmerian guards. Meanwhile, Red Sonja steals Xaltotun’s magic object and escapes. Xaltotun decides it’s time to leave. Conan and the rebels attack King Bafomai but he escapes and sounds the alarm. The Elite Guard discovers the dead Cimmerians and blame the Acheronians. Red Sonja evades a half-demon sent by Xaltotun and finds Acheron in a civil war. Conan and Sonja fade away and find themselves in the mirrored cavern of Tuzun Thune.

2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Esteban Maroto

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Asroth (in fb), Lord Olin & his troop (inc Allas, Tias, Duke Pelides, Som), Olin residents (inc Izak, palace guards (turned into flying creatures) & army (in fb)), ghosts (in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Asroth, commanding ghosts, raids the town of Olin (10 days ago). Recap of KILLB 3/2-FB, no new information.
SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja joins Lord Olin’s troop led by Allas to defeat the wizard Asroth. When they arrive at Olin they’re attacked by flying creatures who revert to humans when killed. After defeating them Olin recognizes the dead formerly winged creatures as his palace guard.

NOTE:
Adapted from the novel “The Ring of Ikribu” by David C. Smith & Richard Tierny.

To look at Duke Pelides’ mangled face only leads to madness and death, so he wears a mask. How nice of him!

The third story, a King Kull tale, is already in the MCP.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #231 (March 1995)
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Fafnir Demonhand (also in fb), Roxelana (from COB 275), Turghol (from COB 27), Zula, Kaidu, Tania (from COB 275), Thuzun Thune, Conan reflection, Red Sonja reflection, Vanov, Atalis (in fb), Kx’Ulthuum (corpse, in fb), Scarlet Mage (in fb), Prince Thann (in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Recap of COB 27, 84, 245, 161, 167, 169-170. The Scarlet Mage took Kx’Ulthuum’s arm and bonded it to Fafnir. Fafnir wandered to Yaralet where he was hired by Atalis, Prince Thann’s advisor, to be his enforcer.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan, Red Sonja and Gonar meet up with the Kozaks, but they don’t believe it’s Conan when he says he wants to attack Cmdr. Grimm immediately. Conan recites how he met some of the Kozaks to prove who he is, but Fafnir notices he’s using the wrong dominant hand; Sonja stabs him before he can tell anyone. Conan heads to his tent with Roxelana. While Zula and Turghol bury Fafnir, he wakes up healed and tells them what he noticed. The trio confronts them and “Gonar” reveals himself as Thuzun Thune in disguise and imprisons the three’s souls in one of his mirrors. Meanwhile, the real Conan and Red Sonja race toward the Kozaks.

NOTE:
Fafnir calls himself “Hellhand” here.

2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Esteban Maroto

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, priests of Ikribu (Stygian wizards, inc Sopis), Asroth (in fb), Lord Olin & his troop (inc Allas, Tias, Duke Pelides (also in fb), Som), Suthad residents, tentacled monster

FLASHBACK:
A millennium ago, Asroth as a member of an order who worshipped Ikribu, tried to resurrect the empire of the serpent; the other order members killed him. He stayed dead for centuries, but when an Ikribu priest tried a spell he couldn’t handle he accidentally revived Asroth. The recently revived Asroth mutilated Duke Pelides for betraying him.
SYNOPSIS:
Lord Olin’s troop arrives at the walled city of Suthad to find all the men dead or gone and only old women and children left amid the rubble; Asroth is gone as well. They spread out to see if anyone knows where he went. Red Sonja finds a Stygian wizard who knows Asroth left yesterday and tells Sonja Asroth’s story, reveals he was looking for the Ring of Ikribu in Suthad but he plans to use it to kill Asroth (again). Suddenly they’re attacked by a great tentacled monster; Sopis is killed and Sonja retrieves his ring after she drives the beast back. As Sonja takes a bath Duke Pelides demands to know where the ring is, but she’s not telling. Later, Olin challenges Sonja to a duel but he loses. They’re confronted by the priests of Ikribu.

NOTE:
Adapted from the novel “The Ring of Ikribu” by David C. Smith & Richard Tierny.

The third story, a King Kull tale, is already in the MCP.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #232 (April 1995)
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Tuzun Thune, Conan reflection, Red Sonja reflection, Cmdr. Grimm, Fafnir Demonhand, Maj. Juma, Roxelana, Tania, Turghol, Zula, Ogadai, King Yildiz (bts, ordered war against Kozaki), Prince Yezdigerd (bts, leading war against Kozaki)

SYNOPSIS:
“Conan” tells the Kozaks to burn Fafnir, Zula and Turghol at midnight then rapes Rozelana. Meanwhile, “Red Sonja” takes two men for a threesome. Elsewhere, Turanian forces war against the Kozaki. At midnight when they plan to burn the corpses, the true Conan and Red Sonja return and attack their reflections. Tuzun Thune uses his mirrors to spirit away the Kozak chiefs. Tania grabs Tuzun’s mirror and restores the three dead to life. Seeing that they’re losing, the reflection mortally wound Tuzun and flee; as he dies he uses his last mirror to destroy them.

2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Esteban Maroto

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, priests of Ikribu, Asroth (bts), Lord Olin & his troop (inc Allas, Tias, Duke Pelides, Som), revived mercenary corpses, tentacled monster

SYNOPSIS:
Red Sonja and Olin kill the priests of Ikribu and Sonja reveals she has the ring, but tells Olin Duke Pelides can’t know they have it; she doesn’t trust him. The troop leaves Suthas in search of Asroth, but when they make camp seventy of the men die in their sleep from nightmares thanks to magic from Asroth. They continue on and are attacked by animated corpses in a swamp, then another tentacled monster which kills Olin.

NOTE:
Adapted from the novel “The Ring of Ikribu” by David C. Smith & Richard Tierny.

The third story, a King Kull tale, is already in the MCP.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #233 (May 1995)
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), & his Kozaks (inc Fafnir Demonhand, Turghol, Zula), Red Sonja, Princess Serena (Iranistan King’s half-sister), Jehungir Agha (lord of Khawarizm), Lord Khovan (commander of Fort Ghori), Achlemedes (brother of Turanian lord Shah Amurath), Turanian army (inc Cmdr. Grimm, Maj. Juma (also in fb), Amir Saltim), Yolinda (in fb), flying demon, cannibal monsters

FLASHBACK:
Conan, Juma and Yolinda ride away from the events of COB 37.
SYNOPSIS:
After a lot of fighting, avalanches and shenanigans, Conan and his Kozaks bring the fight to the Turanian army. Juma, a member of the Turanian army, tells Grimm that he knows Conan and goes to infiltrate the Kozaks. Juma tells Conan that he took Yolinda to Kherdpur six months ago, so the pair travel there so Conan can convince her to tell her grandfather King Yildiz to stop the war. Of course it’s a trap and Conan fell for it. He’s sent into the basement to fight monsters. Not trusting Juma, Zula had followed and attacks. Juma goes to help Conan but they’re overpowered; the cannibals take the pair away to feast.

2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Esteban Maroto

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Lord Olin’s troop (inc Allas, Tias, Duke Pelides, Som), Asroth, priests of Ikribu, mercenary corpses, monstrous beast

SYNOPSIS:
The troop convinces Red Sonja to give the ring to Duke Pelides; he takes it and leaves to everyone’s surprise. The revived corpse of Lord Olin returns and challenges Sonja to another duel; it turns out to be a dream. More priests of Ikribu arrive and they join forces with Sonja and friends to make sure Duke Pelides killed Asroth. Arriving at Asroth’s fortress they evade booby traps and fight a monstrous beast. They find both Duke Pelides and Asroth to be dead, but Asroth possesses Pelides’ corpse and attacks. Pelides is defeated and the priests use the ring to make sure Asroth can’t be revived. Sonja helps by stabbing Asroth in the face.

NOTE:
Adapted from the novel “The Ring of Ikribu” by David C. Smith & Richard Tierny.

The third story, a King Kull tale, is already in the MCP.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #234 (June 1995)
2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Zula, Maj. Juma, Cmdr. Grimm, Yolinda (also in fb), Zosara (Yolinda’s monstrous daughter), Turanian army, Prince Yezdigerd (bts, sent scout for an update, also in fb), King Yildiz (in fb), cannibal monsters (inc Salbutanu, Yolinda’s monstrous son), Prince Tespaya (King Yildiz’s younger brother, mentioned)

FLASHBACK:
Yolinda is raped by Rotath’s beast-man. After she was freed by Conan and Juma she discovered she was pregnant. Yezdigerd wanted to kill her buy Yildiz spared her and sent her to Kherdpur.
APPEARANCES:
Conan and Zula awaken surrounded by cannibal monsters. Yolinda arrives and tells the monsters to stop. Meanwhile, the Turanian army tends to business. Yolinda reveals the monstrous girl is her daughter, and surprises the pair when she says Juma has been nice to her. Meanwhile, Juma sneaks downstairs to visit Yolinda and free Conan but is ambushed by Grimm and is tossed in with the cannibals.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #235 (July 1995)
2nd Story:
By Roy Thomas & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Zula, Maj. Juma, Yolinda, Zosara, Cmdr. Grimm, Prince Yezdigerd (bts, sent Shah Amurath), Turanian army (inc Shah Amurath), cannibal monsters (inc Salbatanu)

SYNOPSIS:
Juma fights for his life. Meanwhile, Shah Amurath visits Cmdr. Grimm on orders from Yezdigerd. Yolinda commands the monster to stop and reveals it’s her son. Shah Amurath tells Grimm to kill Yolinda. Juma reveals he only stayed with the Turanian army to protect Yolinda, and Lured Conan here to do the same. Conan and Zula wish them luck and leave. Grimm arrives and kills Yolinda’s children, as well as the other monsters. Conan turns back when Yolinda’s dying daughter gets their attention. Grimm tortures Juma and Yolinda until Conan and Juma attack; Grimm’s men are killed and Conan decapitates Grimm. Conan, Zula and Juma escape, but Yolinda has died. They start to make their way back to the Kozak camp.

NOTE:
Shah Amurath will appear again (or rather, already has in at least SAVSCO 4)!

They ran out of room to show th ereunion with Red Sonja and the Kozaks, I guess, because this is the last issue of the series.

Followed by an editorial by Roy saying goodbye to the book.

[Col_Fury]

Chronologies!

ALLAS
SAVSCO 230/2
SAVSCO 231/2
SAVSCO 232/2
SAVSCO 233/2

ALOPHIC, LADY
SAVSCO 145-FB
SAVSCO 145

ARAM BAKSH
SAVSCO 195/2
[SAVSCO 14]

ASROTH
SAVSCO 231/2-FB
{SAVSCO 230/2-FB}
SAVSCO 232/2-BTS
SAVSCO 233/2

ATALIS
COB 30
SAVSCO 231-FB

BRULE
……
CO:ROOT
*SAVSCO 226 (remove brackets)

CONAN
……
COB 35
*SAVSCO 153/2-FB
*SAVSCO 153/2 (remove brackets)
COB 95 (11:5)-FB
COB 36
COB 37
*SAVSCO 233-FB
COB 38
……
COB 42
*SAVSCO 1 (remove brackets)
GSCO 1 (15:3)-FB
……
CO:ROOT
**[SAVSCO 223] (delete)
*SAVSCO 223/2
*SAVSCO 224/2
*SAVSCO 226
*SAVSCO 229
*SAVSCO 230
*SAVSCO 231
*SAVSCO 232
*SAVSCO 233
*SAVSCO 234/2
*SAVSCO 235/2
*[SAVSCO 131]
*[SAVSCO 110]
*[SAVSCO 160]
*[SAVSCO 4]
[SAVSCO 62]
……
[SAVSCO 189/2]
*[SAVSCO 19]
*SAVSCO 179/2
*[SAVSCO 95]
*[SAVSCO 181]
SJNS-FB
……
[SAVSCO 128]
*[SAVSCO 178]
*SAVSCO 144
*SAVSCO 145
*[SAVSCO 114]
[SAVSCO 206]
……
[SAVSCO 211]
*[SAVSCO 107]
*SAVSCO 170
*SAVSCO 179
*[SAVSCO 133]
SAVSCO 46
……

CONAN REFLECTION
SAVSCO 223/2
SAVSCO 231
SAVSCO 232

COSTRONNO
SAVSCO 1-FB
SAVSCO 1

DARYA, LADY
SAVSCO 208/2
SAVSCO 209/2
SAVSCO 210/2

DUKE PELIDES
SAVSCO 231/2-FB
{SAVSCO 230/2}
SAVSCO 231/2
SAVSCO 232/2
SAVSCO 233/2

ESSARCHIRIBEZZAR
SAVSCO 208/2
SAVSCO 209/2
SAVSCO 210/2

*FAFNIR DEMONHAND/”HELLHAND” (ass alias)
COB 6
COB 17
COB 18
COB 19
COB 20
*SAVSCO 231-FB
*SAVSCO 231
*SAVSCO 232
*SAVSC0 233

GONAR II
CO:ROOT
*SAVSCO 223/2
*SAVSCO 224/2
*SAVSCO 226

GRIMM, CMDR.
[SAVSCO 218]
[SAVSCO 219]
SAVSCO 232
SAVSCO 233
SAVSCO 234/2
SAVSCO 235/2

JENGHIR
SAVSCO 207/2
SAVSCO 208/2
SAVSCO 209/2
SAVSCO 210/2

*JUMA, MAJ. (add rank)
COB 37
*SAVSCO 233-FB
*SAVSCO 232
*SAVSCO 233
*SAVSCO 234/2
*SAVSCO 235/2
SAVSCO 41
SAVSCO 42
SAVSCO 43

JUNGIR KHAN
SAVSCO 195/2
[SAVSCO 14]

LINNEUS, LORD
SAVSCO 207/2
SAVSCO 208/2
SAVSCO 209/2
SAVSCO 210/2

KA-NU
……
SAVSCO 169/3
*SAVSCO 226-BTS (remove brackets)
KULLB 2

KHEPERU
SAVSCO 230-FB
{SAVSCO 229}
SAVSCO 230

KING ADANO
SAVSCO 187/2

KING BAFOMAI
SAVSCO 230-FB
{SAVSCO 229}
SAVSCO 230

KING GHANNIF
SAVSCO 1/2-FB
SAVSCO 1/2

KING HADRANOR
SAVSCO 1-FB-BTS

KING YILDIZ III
COB 38-FB-BTS
{COB 19-FB}
COB 29-BTS
COB 32-FB-BTS
COB 36
COB 37-BTS
*SAVSCO 234/2-FB
RS2 2
*SAVSCO 232-BTS
M/GN:COR

KING YILDIZ IV
M/GN:COR

KX’ULTHUUM
[COB 170]
SAVSCO 231-FB

KULL
……
CO:ROOT
*SAVSCO 226 (remove brackets)
{COB 1-FB}

KUTHULOS
……
KULLC3 6
*SAVSCO 226

LUPARA
[SAVSCO 111]
SAVSCO 179

MAHALAT
SAVSCO 229
SAVSCO 230

MARIKA
[SAVSCO 111]
SAVSCO 179

NAFERTARI/ZABIBI
SAVSCO 194/2
SAVSCO 195/2
[SAVSCO 14]

OLIN, LORD
SAVSCO 230/2
SAVSCO 231/2
SAVSCO 232/2

ORANAH
SAVSCO 145-FB
SAVSCO 145

PERSEPHONE
[SAVSCO 111]
SAVSCO 179

PRINCE THANN
COB 30
SAVSCO 231-FB

PRINCE YEZDIGERD
……
COB 26
COB 36-FB
COB 36-BTS
*SAVSCO 234/2-FB
*SAVSCO 232-BTS
*SAVSCO 234/2-BTS
*SAVSCO 235/2-BTS
KCO 5-FB-BTS
KCO 6-FB-BTS
KCO 7-FB

QUEEN XALTANA
SAVSCO 229-BTS
{M/GN 19}

RED SONJA
KULLB 3/2-FB
*SAVSCO 1/2 (2:4 - 2:7)-FB
COB 24-FB-BTS
{COB 23}
COB 24
*SAVSCO 1/2 (4 - 10:6)-FB
*SAVSCO 1/2 (remove brackets)
*SAVSCO 153/2-FB
*SAVSCO 153/2 (remove brackets)
*SAVSCO 187/2 (remove brackets)
*SAVSCO 1-FB
*SAVSCO 1 (remove brackets)
GSCO 1-FB
COB 43 (1 - 12)
DSSS 11/2-FB
COB 43 (13 - 18)
COB 44
RS3 3-FB
*SAVSCO 157/2
COB 48/2
KULLB 2/3
M/FEA2 1
KULLB 3/2
**[SAVSCO 78/2] (delete)
M/FEA2 2
M/FEA2 3
M/FEA2 4
M/FEA2 5
M/FEA2 6 (1 - 16)
COB 66 (1 - 16)-VO
M/FEA2 6 (17) ~ COB 66 (17)
COB 67
M/FEA2 7
COB 68
RS 1
RS 2
RS 3
RS 4
RS 5
RS 6
SAVSCO 23/3
RS 7
RS 8
RS 9
RS 10
RS 11
RS 12
RS 13
RS 14
RS 15
*SAVSCO 45/2 (remove brackets)
[COB 115]
M/SSPEC 9/2
RS2 1 (1 - 14:1)
SAVSCO 225/2 (5:3 - 5:4)-FB
RS2 1 (14:2 - 17)
SAVSCO 225/2 (5:5)-FB
RS2 1 (18 - 22)
RS2 2 (1 - 8:2)
SAVSCO 225/2 (6:3)-FB
RS2 2 (8:3 - 21)
SAVSCO 225/2 (6:7)-FB
RS2 2 (22:1 - 24:2)
SAVSCO 225/2 (7:5)-FB
RS2 2 (24:3 - 24:6)
SAVSCO 225/2 (7:6 - 7:7)-FB
RS2 2 (24:7 - 24:9)
SAVSCO 225/2 (7:8 - 7:9)-FB
RS2 2 (25)
RS3 1
RS3 2
RS3 3
RS3 4
RS3 5
RS3 6
RS3 7
RS3 8
RS3 9
RS3 10
RS3 11
RS3 12
RS3 13
*[COB 195]
*[COB 250]
*SAVSCO 194/2
*SAVSCO 195/2
*SAVSCO 207/2
*SAVSCO 208/2
*SAVSCO 209/2
*SAVSCO 210/2
*SAVSCO 229/2
*SAVSCO 192/3
*SAVSCO 230/2
*SAVSCO 231/2
*SAVSCO 232/2
*SAVSCO 233/2 (remove brackets)
CO:ROOT
*SAVSCO 223/2 (remove brackets)
*SAVSCO 224/4
*SAVSCO 226
*SAVSCO 229
*SAVSCO 230
*SAVSCO 231
*SAVSCO 232
*SAVSCO 233
*SAVSCO 172/4
*SAVSCO 178/2
M/SAGA 1
*SAVSCO 169/2
*SAVSCO 144
*SAVSCO 145
*SAVSCO 170
*SAVSCO 179
COK 28
M/TU 79

RED SONJA REFLECTION
SAVSCO 223/2
SAVSCO 231
SAVSCO 232

RED SONYA OF ROGATINO
SAVSCO 223/2

ROXELANA
[COB 275]
SAVSCO 231
SAVSCO 232

SALBUTANU
SAVSCO 234/2
SAVSCO 235/2

SCARLET MAGE
[COB 169]
[COB 170]
SAVSCO 231-FB

SCOPIS
SAVSCO 231/2

SHAH AMURATH
SAVSCO 235/2
[SAVSCO 4]

SOM
SAVSCO 230/2
SAVSCO 231/2
SAVSCO 232/2
SAVSCO 233/2

SORAYA
[SAVSCO 111]
SAVSCO 179

STAGBRINGER
SAVSCO 145-FB
SAVSCO 145

TANIA
[COB 275]
SAVSCO 231
SAVSCO 232

THUGRA KHOTAN
SAVSCO 229
[COB 249]

THURON
COB 52-FB

THURONOLOS
SAVSCO 226

TIAS
SAVSCO 230/2
SAVSCO 231/2
SAVSCO 232/2
SAVSCO 233/2

TOTRASMEK
SAVSCO 195/2
[SAVSCO 14]

TURGHOL
COB 27
SAVSCO 231
SAVSCO 232
SAVSCO 233

TUZUN THUNE
COB 25-FB
*SAVSCO 223/3
*SAVSCO 231
*SAVSCO 232

VALERIA OF THE RED BROTHERHOOD/MERINA II
SAVSCO 225/2 (5:1 - 5:2)-FB
RS2 1 (1 - 14:1)
SAVSCO 225/2 (5:3 - 5:4)-FB
RS2 1 (14:2 - 22)
RS2 2 (1 - 5)
SAVSCO 225/2 (6:2)-FB
RS2 2 (6:1 - 12:5)
SAVSCO 225/2 (6:4)-FB
RS2 2 (12:6 - 18:5)
SAVSCO 225/2 (6:5)-FB
RS2 2 (18:6 - 22:6)
SAVSCO 225/2 (7:2 - 7:3)-FB
RS2 2 (22:7 - 22:9)
SAVSCO 225/2 (7:4)-FB
RS2 2 (23:1 - 24:9)
SAVSCO 225/2 (7:8 - 7:9)-FB
RS2 2 (25)
SAVSCO 225/2 (8-13)-FB
SAVSCO 225/2
[SAVSCO 196]
[SAVSCO 197]
[SAVSCO 198]
[SAVSCO 199-BTS]
SAVSCO 225-FB
SAVSCO 225
SAVT 2
SAVT 3
SAVT 3/3
GSCO 1-FB
[SAVSCO 211]
*SAVSCO 170
*SAVSCO 179

VOLONIUS VII
SAVSCO 226

XALTOTUN
*SAVSCO 229
*SAVSCO 230
{GSCO 1}
GSCO 2-FB
GSCO 2
SAVSCO 10-FB
SAVSCO 10

YOLINDA
*SAVSCO 234/2 (14:2 - 14:3)-FB
{COB 37}
*SAVSCO 233-FB
*SAVSCO 234/2 (14:4)-FB
*SAVSCO 234/2 (15:2 - 15:3)-FB
*SAVSCO 234/2
*SAVSCO 235/2

ZOSARA
SAVSCO 234/2
SAVSCO 235/2

ZULA
……
COB 94
*[COB 250]
*SAVSCO 194/2
*SAVSCO 195/2
*SAVSCO 207/2
*SAVSCO 231
*SAVSCO 232
*SAVSCO 233
*SAVSCO 234/2
*SAVSCO 235/2

[wolframbane]

Re:
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #223 (July 1994) 2nd Story:
Looking in a mirror, Sonja sees her origin and a twisted version of herself.

This version is actually the original version of Red Sonya of Rogatino, from Robert E. Howard's original "Shadow of the Vulture." She was a 16th century mercenary and Red Sonja of Hyrkania appears to be seeing her during the Siege of Vienna in 1529. This is her only canon Earth-616 appearance. She has also appeared in Savage Sword of Conan #29/2, where her appearance is based upon a cosplay by Dianne De Kalb, but this story is a non-canon tale.


RED SONYA OF ROGATINO
SAVSCO 223/2

[Col_Fury]

I see what you're talking about. That one panel has Sonja thinking she's looking at someone else, and as you say REH story title is used. I think you're right.

Good catch, and thanks!

[Col_Fury]

According to the introduction she gives herself in SAVSCO 29/2, Red Sonya is a descendant of Red Sonja. I guess a man eventually bested her in combat at some point.

[wolframbane]

It could mean indirect descent. Direct descendant means those who are biologically descended from a person, while an indirect descendant means someone who is of a blood relation, but not a biological descendant. In fact, in Conan the King #28, Red Sonja was age 60 and still a formidable warrior, thus probably still blessed by Scathath/Erlik, but probably too old to bear children. Perhaps she descended from one of Sonja's two brothers.

Red Sonya was the sister of Aleksandra Ruslana Lisowska (later Roxelana), a historical figure who married Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Thus, her real name may have been Sonya Lisowska. Between "Shadow of the Vulture," Savage Sword of Conan #29/2, and real world history, it provides some background detail to the character.

Sonya Lisowska (later Red Sonya) and her sister Aleksandra Ruslana Lisowska (later Roxelana) were born in Rogatino, Poland (modern Rohatyn, Ukraine) to Havrylo Lisowski, a Ruthenian Orthodox priest, and his wife Leksandra Lisowska, and they were raised in the house of their father. Aleksandra was born around 1504, and they were descended from Red Sonja. Rogatino is plundered by Turkish raiders in 1520, and Sonya and Aleksandra are the only survivors of their family. Sonya is ravaged by soldiers but escapes into the forest, promising vengeance as the mercenary Red Sonya. Aleksandra is enslaved and taken to Istanbul, Turkey, where the infidel monk Retlaw sells her to the harem of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire. As his favored concubine, she eventually becomes the legal wife of Suleiman as Khurrem the Joyous, known in Europe as Roxelana, and the mother of his heir Sultan Selim II. Suleiman reigned 1520-1566. Later, Hungary is conquered by the Ottoman Empire during the Battle of Mohács on August 29, 1526, when German knight Gottfried von Kalmbach scars Suleiman himself. From September 27-October 15, 1529, Red Sonya and Gottfried von Kalmbach defend Vienna, Austria during the Siege of Vienna led by Sultan Suleiman, during which they cut off the head off Akinji assassin the Vulture (Mikhal Oglu) and sent it to the sultan.