Conan the King #20-55

[Col_Fury]

Conan the King #20-28

CONAN THE KING #20 (January 1984)
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb), Queen Zenobia (also in fb), Conn (also in fb), Count Trocero (also in fb), Publius, Prospero (also in fb), Zelata (in fb), King Numedides (in fb), Aquilonians (inc Capt. Lysias, Lysander, others in fb), assassins, Baron Maloric (bts), Thoth-Amon (bts)

FLASHBACK:
Recap of GSCO 1-2 (20:3-20:4). Recap of CO@ 4 (21:1). Recap of CO@ 5 (21:2-21:3). Conan holds his infant son Conn while Zenobia watches (new!, 21:4). While Zenobia is in labor, Zelata tells Conan a prophecy of his son. Zenobia gives birth and Conan names him Conn, who will be King Conan II (22:2-23:4). King Numedides starts to become paranoid about Gen. Conan. When Conan returns from another victory Numedides has a parade and feast for Conan, but drugs him and throws him in prison (27:5-29:2). Trocero and Prospero conspire to have Conan released and they begin to plot an usurping of Nemedides (29:5-33:4). Repeat of GSCO 1-FB, same dialogue (34:2-34:4). Expands SAVSCO 52 (34:5-35:3). Repeat of SAVSCO 52 (35:4-35:7).
SYNOPSIS:
While recruiting Gundermen into the Aquilonian army, Conn and his regiment ae attacked by assassins. All but one dies, so he grabs Conn sword and cloak and returns to Aquilonia. King Conan and Queen Zenobia are heartbroken by the news and Conan’s friends have to talk him into staying king. Meanwhile, Conn awakens injured and alone in the wilderness, but alive!

NOTE:
It’s assistant editor’s month!

The (34:2-35:7) scene expands on SAVSCO 52, which itself expands on GSCO 1 (16:2-16:7)-FB.

The (27:5-29:2) & (29:5-33:4) scene will later be expanded on in SAVSCO 201. Conan was invited to a parade after a victory in SAVSCO 46; by SAVSCO 47 he was already out of favor with Numedides.

The mysterious wizard work for Baron Maloric is later revealed to be a revived Thoth-Amon.

CONAN THE KING #21 (March 1984)
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb) & his army (in fb), Queen Zenobia, Publius, Count Trocero, Prospero, Queen Ayelet, Taurus (also in fb), Radegund, Aquilonians (inc Baron Aemilius, Baron Maloric), Thoth-Amon

FLASHBACK:
King Conan and his army go looking for Conn’s remains but find nothing. A spectre tells them to search the salt marshes (weeks ago). Conan tests Taurus’ courage; the child fails.
SYNOPSIS:
As Conn’s funeral nears, King Conan’s melancholy grows. Royalty is upset with his distraction and assassination plots are planned. At the funeral Conan is poisoned but survives; he’s ordered to stay in bed for at least two weeks. Conan orders the Black Dragons to search the salt marshes for Conn.

NOTE:
Taurus likes to torture small animals. That’s not good.

2nd story:
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
Conn (also in fb), King Conan (in fb), slavers, wolves

FLASHBACK:
Conan tests Conn’s courage; the child passes.
SYNOPSIS:
Alone in the wilderness, Conn evades wolves only to be picked up by slavers.

CONAN THE KING #22 (May 1984)
By Alan Zelenetz & Geoff Isherwood

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb), Queen Zenobia, Black Dragons (inc Capt. Tarquin, Hrolf, Syan-Lin, Markon, Leonidas (Publius’ son)), Pallantides (bts), Radegund, Taurus (also in fb), Publius, Queen Ayelet, Count Trocero, Aquilonians (inc Baron Alemilius), Baron Maloric, Thoth-Amon, bandits, monster, a gargoyle

FLASHBACK:
King Conan scolds Taurus for failing his test of courage.
SYNOPSIS:
As King Conan recovers from being poisoned, the Black Dragons search the salt marshes for Conn. Queen Zenobia and Conan’s counselors try to keep things in order with varying degrees of success. Baron Maloric meets with the wizard he’s been working with to eventually overthrow Conan (they’re responsible for sending the assassins after Conn). The Black Dragons are attacked by a monster but they defeat it. The wizard sends “proof” to the scene, framing Baron Aemilius for Conn’s death.

2nd story:
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
Conn (also in fb), King Conan (in fb), Corinthians (Runolfo), slavers

FLASHBACK:
After a battle, King Conan tells his son Conn about the importance of vengeance.
SYNOPSIS:
Conn is sold to new owners but eventually escapes. He’s unable to save a servant girl that helped him, though.

CONAN THE KING #23 (July 1984)
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb) & his army (inc Leonidas), Queen Zenobia, Count Trocero, Prospero, Radegund, Taurus, Zandra (a witch), Publius, Aquilonians (inc Baron Aemilius, Lucius, Polix, Timon, Lysander), Thoth-Amon, a gargoyle

FLASHBACK:
Conan is tortured on an Aquilonian rack.
SYNOPSIS:
Given the “evidence” the Black Dragons found, a revived King Conan arrests Baron Aemilius. Meanwhile, Radegund meets Leonidas. Taurus meets with Zandra, a witch, and continues to learn sorcery. Conan tortures Aemilius, then puts him through the ordeal; while bound, if he drowns he’s guilty. Having second thoughts, Conan rescues Aemilius from death. Later, Taurus is abducted by a flaming bird.

2nd story:
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
Conn (also in fb), Queen Zenobia (in fb), Numalia residents

FLASHBACK:
Zenobia shows young Conn the riches of Aquilonia.
SYNOPSIS:
Conn gets into a bar fight and is recruited into thievery. Soon after he’s framed for murder.

CONAN THE KING #24 (September 1984)
By Alan Zelenetz & Dave Simons

APPEARANCES:
King Conan, Taurus (also in fb-fb), Zandra (also now), Prospero, Dexitheus, Publius, Queen Zenobia (in fb-fb), Black Dragons (Capt. Tarquin, Hrolf, Syan-Lin, Leonidas) (everyone in fb), Conn

FLASHBACK:
Zenobia tries to get Taurus to pay attention to his lessons (fb-fb). As Zandra continues to teach Taurus about wizardry, King Conan gathers the Black Dragons to rescue him. After a skirmish Zandra’s house is burned down and Taurus is left with a goat leg after a transformation spell to hide him goes wrong.
SYNOPSIS:
Zandra tells Conn her story.

NOTE:
First mentioned here, Radegund is supposed to be married to Baron Maloric’s oldest son when they’re both of age.

2nd story:
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
Conn, Zandra, King Conan, Taurus, Black Dragons (Prospero, Capt. Tarquin, Hrolf, Syan-Lin, Leonidas), Dexitheus, Numalia residents

SYNOPSIS:
Conn is set to be executed for the murder he was framed for but suddenly vanishes. He appears before Zandra, who was trying to summon Taurus. Meanwhile, Taurus wanders intot he woods and finds the pair; he tells Zandra to get rid of Conn or else he won’t be prince anymore. Zandra does so as Conan arrives to retrieve Taurus. Conn finds himself in Khitai.

CONAN THE KING #25 (November 1984)
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
King Conan, Queen Zenobia, Radegund, Count Trocero, Prospero, Lysander, Dexitheus, Taurus, Publius, Black Dragons (inc Capt. Tarquin, Hrolf, Syan-Lin, Leonidas), Baron Maloric, Ladunia (Maloric’s wife), Pepin (Maloric’s son), rogues, Cantrium residents, Thoth-Amon (bts)

SYNOPSIS:
King Conan brings Radegund to meet her betrothed (since birth) in Baron Maloric’s Cantrium. They meet Maloric’s son Pepin, who Conan can’t tell if he’s a boy or girl. Capt. Tarquin of the Black Dragons notices that Radegund and Leonidas have a romance. Meanwhile, rogues hired by Maloric plan to kill Conan. In Tarantia, the neglected Zenobia begins to feel for Lysandar, the soldier who survived Conn’s “assassination.” Meanwhile, the rogues attack but are defeated. Leonidas makes a fool of himself in front of Conan and quits the Black Dragons. Later, Radegund tells him goodbye in a very… intimate way.

2nd story:
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
Conn, Li-Tan & her lover, Kang Sho (Conan’s son w/Kang Lou-Dze), Khitai residents, Paikang residents

SYNOPSIS:
Conn finds two lovers who start to bring him to food. They’re attacked by warriors from both of their villages and the boy is captured. Conn rescues him, but he commits ritual suicide. The girl (Li-Tan) brings him to Paikang where his father once stayed while rescuing his mother and he meets his half-brother, Kang Sho.

CONAN THE KING #26 (January 1985)
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb) & his army, Queen Zenobia, Count Trocero (also in fb), Ghord (Trocero’s steward), Capt. Tarquin (also in fb), Syan-Lin, Prospero (also in fb), Baron Maloric, Radegund, Taurus, Leonidas (bts), Amanda (Trocero’s wife, also in fb), Trocero’s father (also in fb), Tomas (Conan’s stweard), Guigemar (Radegund & Taurus’ tutor, bts), Thoth-Amon

FLASHBACK:
Trocero adventures with his father (11:9-12). Trocero romances Amanda (17:4-18:4). Trocero bids farewell to Conan and his friends (11:3-11:4).
SYNOPSIS:
As a melancholy Count Trocero returns to Poitain, King Conan trains new Black Dragons. Zenobia worries that Conan will leave her and Aquilonia soon. Baron Maloric has been promoted in Trocero’s absence, and his wizard is angry at him. Taurus makes an ass of himself, snooping around like a little creep. A new Black Dragon is selected. Trocero finally returns home to his ailing father. Trocero’s spirits are finally lifted when he’s reunited with his wife.

NOTE:
This was a good one.

2nd story:
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
Conn, Li-Tan, Kang Sho, Kang Lou-Dze, Paikang residents (inc Capt. Laotung); Conan, Zenobia (both in Conn’s dream), Genjis (bts)

SYNOPSIS:
With war approaching the village many are leaving. After wrestling with the knowledge of his father’s infidelity, Conn decides not to return to Aquilonia with his half-brother but instead joins the army to fighting the nearing force. Also, he’s married to Li-Tan now.

CONAN THE KING #27 (March 1985)
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb), Conn (in fb), Queen Zenobia (in fb), Radegund (also in fb), Taurus (also in fb), Baron Maloric (also in fb), Ladunia (in fb), Thoth-Amon (also in fb), Publius (also in fb), Prospero (in fb), Count Trocero (in fb), Tiliticus (in fb), Aemilius (in fb), Lysandar, Aquilonians, Nhaton, Amutep (prev 2 corpses, also in fb) & their son (unnamed), Khemi residents

FLASHBACK:
A fisherman and his wife find a magic item inside a fish. Elsewhere, a wizard is reborn and forms a partnership with Baron Maloric. Later (and shortly before COK 20), while King Conan’s court talks of matters of state, Conan and Conn hunt a bear. Conan breaks off a tooth and gives it to Radegund as a necklace. Taurus watches from afar and feels sorry for himself, like the sap he is.
SYNOPSIS:
Maloric’s wizard searches for a magic item. Finding the fisherman and his wife dead he starts looking at other wizards with no luck. He uses his magic to see what’s going on in Aquilonia. King Conan promotes Lysandar to be Zenobia’s bodyguard. Elsewhere, a boy stops the wizard’s prying spell and admires a golden ring.

NOTE:
I was spoiled on the reveal of the wizard’s identity in CONAN SAGA, but this issue has all the hints you’d need to figure out he’s a revived Thoth-Amon.

CONAN THE KING #28 (May 1985)
By Alan Zelenetz & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
King Conan, Red Sonja, Prospero, Capt. Tarquin, Radegund, Taurus, Queen Zenobia, Lysandar, Publius, Aquilonians, Kushites, Queen Ayelet (mention, see NOTE)

SYNOPSIS:
King Conan’s drinking is interrupted with news that Queen Ayelet has been captured. Heeding advice from Prospero, Conan sends the Black Dragons to investigate. Feeling wistful for his youth, Conan is surprised by a visit from Red Sonja. Meanwhile, Taurus pulls a trick on Radegund for her birthday. Red Sonja convinces Conan to go on an adventure with her. Zenobia and Lysandar flirt with each other. Red Sonja leads Conan to a death barge manned by Kushites. Sonja gets her prize, a gem in a corpse’s eye socket. Conan grabs an amulet “for old time’s sake.” Conan suggests they find a tavern where she can dance like a she-devil until dawn while he sings her name. Sonja tricks him and runs off. Meanwhile at Radegund’s birthday party, Radegund wonders why her father isn’t there. Conan arrives and presents Radegund with the amulet, to which she’s elated.

NOTE:
Ayelet’s abduction will be shown in COK 50-FB.

CONAN SAGA’s Conan and Red Sonja chronologies say that Conan and Rd Sonja are roughly the same age. So, Red Sonja is roughly in her mid-to-late-50s here, give or take. She’s still selling her sword and looks good doing it. She’s probably not wearing the bikini anymore at this point, though (she's wearing fur here, fyi).

The Conan chronology in CONAN SAGA questioned (not stating absolutely, just raising the question) if this was actually Red Sonja, as did the Sonja chronology. I don't care. This is Sonja, and she still looks GREAT in her 50s.

I liked this one. It’s a "why can’t I be young anymore?" tale, and a "reunion with a lost chance" story. Good stuff, and it’s always nice to see Sonja.

Chronologies!

AEMILIUS, BARON
COK 27-FB
{COK 21}
COK 22
COK 23

AMANDA, COUNTESS
COK 26-FB
COK 26

CONAN
……
[SAVSCO 211]
*[SAVSCO 46]
*COK 20 (27:5 - 29:2)-FB
*COK 23-FB
*COK 20 (29:5 - 33:4)-FB
*[SAVSCO 47]
*[SAVSCO 48]
*[SAVSCO 59/2]
[SAVSCO 76/2]
*[SAVSCO 49]
*[SAVSCO 50]
*[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]
……
KCO 8-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 8
*COK 21/2-FB
*COK 22/2-FB
KCO 9
……
KCO 19
*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 27
*COK 28
CO@ 7-FB
……

CONN
*COK 20-FB
*COK 23/2-FB
*[SAVSCO 177/3]
KCO 1-FB
……
KCO 8
*COK 21/2-FB
*COK 22/2-FB
KCO 9
……
KCO 19
*COK 27-FB
*COK 20
*COK 21/2
*COK 22/2
*COK 23/2
*COK 24/2 (1 - 8:3)
*COK 24
*COK 24/2 (8:4 - 12)
*COK 25/2
*COK 26/2
CO@ 7

DEXITHEUS
[SAVSCO 52]
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25

HROLF
COK 22
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25

KANG HSIU
KCO 8-FB-FB
KCO 8-FB

KANG LOU-DZE
KCO 8-FB
COK 26/2

KANG SHO
COK 25/2
COK 26/2

KING NUMEDIDES
*[SAVSCO 46-BTS]
*COK 20 (27:5 - 29:2)-FB
*[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-OP
*[SAVSCO 52 (37:5 - 43)]

LADUNIA
COK 27-FB
{COK 25}

LEONIDAS
COK 22
COK 23
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25
COK 26-BTS

LI-TAN
COK 25/2
COK 26/2

LYSANDAR
COK 20
COK 23
COK 25
COK 27
COK 28

MALORIC, BARON
COK 27-FB
COK 20-BTS
{COK 21}
COK 22
COK 25
COK 26
COK 27

PALLANTIDES, GEN.
……
KCO 8-OP
KCO 14
*COK 22-BTS

PEPIN
COK 25

PROSPERO
*COK 20-FB
CO@ 2
……
KCO 19-BTS
*COK 27-FB
*COK 20
*COK 21
*COK 23
*COK 24-FB
*COK 24/2
*COK 25
*COK 26-FB
*COK 26
*COK 28

PUBLIUS
……
KCO 19
*COK 27-FB
*COK 20
*COK 21
*COK 22
*COK 23
*COK 24-FB
*COK 25
*COK 27
*COK 28

QUEEN AYELET
KCO 17-FB
KCO 17
*COK 21
*COK 22

RADEGUND
KCO 1-FB-BTS
{KCO 12}
*COK 27-FB
*COK 21
*COK 22
*COK 23
*COK 25
*COK 26
*COK 27
*COK 28

RED SONJA
……
[SAVSCO 223/2]
M/SAGA 1
*COK 28
M/TU 79

SYAN-LIN
COK 22
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25
COK 26

TARQUIN, CAPT.
COK 22
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25
COK 26-FB
COK 26
COK 28

TAURUS
KCO 12
*COK 24-FB-FB
*COK 27-FB
*COK 21-FB
*COK 22-FB
*COK 21
*COK 22
*COK 23
*COK 24-FB
*COK 24/2
*COK 25
*COK 26
*COK 27
*COK 28

THOTH-AMON
……
KCO 4 (28:4 - 33)
*COK 27-FB
*COK 20-BTS
*COK 21
*COK 22
*COK 23
*COK 25-BTTS
*COK 26
*COK 27

TROCERO, COUNT
*COK 26 (11:9 - 12)-FB
*COK 26 (17:4 - 18:4)-FB
*COK 20-FB
CO@ 2
……
KCO 19-BTS
*COK 27-FB
*COK 20
*COK 21
*COK 22
*COK 23
*COK 25
*COK 26 (11:3 - 11:4)-FB-OP
*COK 26
CO@ 7

ZANDRA
COK 21-BTS
{COK 23}
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2 (1 - 8:3)
COK 24
COK 24/2 (8:4 - 12)

ZELATA
GSCO 3
COK 20-FB

ZENOBIA
……
KCO 8-FB
*COK 20-FB
*COK 23/2-FB
KCO 1-FB
……
KCO 19
*COK 24-FB-FB
*COK 27-FB
*COK 20
*COK 21
*COK 22
*COK 23
*COK 25
*COK 26
*COK 28
CO@ 7-FB

[wolframbane]

Great work on the Conan reviews Daron!!

[Col_Fury]

A few editor’s notes and the letters page makes it clear that this story happens around COK 27 and then immediately after COK 28, so I’ll be doing COK 50-55 next. Also, here’s what CONAN SAGA has to say:

For various contextual reasons, based on internal evidence, CONAN THE KING #51-55 are considered as occurring between COK 28 and 29.

One peculiarity: For various reasons, based on internal evidence, CONAN THE KING #51-55 are considered as occurring between COK 28 and 29; we’ll go into more detail about that sometime, if anyone’s interested, but trust us – it wasn’t merely a capricious choice. Meanwhile, onward – as we join Conan as king of Aquilonia, in his early sixties:

CONAN THE KING #50 (January 1989)
By James Owsley & Geof Isherwood

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb), Queen Ayelet (also in fb) & her guards (in fb), Baron Maloric (also in fb), Publius, Prospero, Radegund, Taurus, Black Dragons (Capt. Tarquin, Hrolf, Syan-Lin, the new Pict from COK 26), Thoth-Amon, Queen Zenobia, Lysandar, Kang Sho, Kang Lou-Dze, Vendyhan assassins (also in fb), Aquilonians, Stygian Devil priests & their oracle

FLASHBACK:
King Conan catches Queen Ayelet sneaking out of Aquilonia. She admits to not saying goodbye because she’s in love with him. On her way back to Shem she’s ambushed by assassins and captured. Baron Maloric is pleased (between COK 26-27, according to CONAN SAGA).
SYNOPSIS:
Publius and Prospero confront Maloric about the abduction of Ayelet and his reveal of Conan’s secret drinking place. Hopefully Conan won’t be distracted by this and will attend Radegund’s birthday party (during COK 28). After pulling a trick on his sister, Taurus and Radegund run into Maloric in the hallway. Maloric is then confronted by Capt. Tarquin of the Black Dragons (also during COK 28). Thoth-Amon tells Maloric he’ll be leaving for a while to search for his lost property (he was looking for it in COK 27 but had no luck, so he must be going on a new search here). At Radegund’s birthday party, Conan gives his daughter a gift (12-14:3), repeated from COK 28, same dialogue) and she thanks him as Conan kisses his queen (14:4-14:7). Two weeks later, Conan and Tarquin prepare as troops near Tarantia. Meanwhile, Taurus puts Maloric under a subservience spell. As Conan and the Black Dragons search the forset, Taurus follows Maloric to a meeting with his Vendyhan assassins and finds a captive Ayelet. As he considers whether to free Ayelet, Conan and the Black Dragons battle Stygian Devil priests. Taurus frees Ayelet but they’re attacked by drunks and Ayelet’s head is smashed on a rock, killing her. Conan defeats the attackers and is given a key to use against an upcoming great evil. Taurus hangs Ayelet’s corpse from Maloric’s roof. In the woods, the Black Dragons find Kang Sho (thinking he’s Conn) and his mother Kang Lou-Dze.

NOTE:
Yeah, it’s pretty obvious where they intended for this to go.

It’s been a year since Conn “died.”

Radegund comments on Taurus' hobby of torturing small animals.

Well, dang. That's a depressing end for Ayelet.

CONAN THE KING #51 (March 1989)
By James Owsley & Geof Isherwood

APPEARANCES:
King Conan, Black Dragons (Capt. Tarquin, Syan-Lin, Hrolf, Kepchoe), Timon Flavius (bts), Baron Aemilius, Radegund, Taurus, Baron Maloric, Publius, Prospero, Kang Sho, Kang Lou-Dze, Queen Zenobia, Lysandar, Emperor Strabonus, Anneka (Kobe’s wife), Khorshemish residents, Genjis (Kobe), Nod & his rogues, Gundermen, Aquilonians (inc Jarell), the unnamed son from COK 27

SYNOPSIS:
King Conan and the Black Dragons root out Nod, who’s overtaken a Gunderman outpost. After a celebration Conan is told Timon Flavius wants Baron Aemilius released from prison; Conan assumes it’s a threat to secede. Meanwhile, Tarquin, having verified Kang Sho’s history, tells Publius and Prospero about him. Conan grabs Lysandar for drinks. Radegund passes out when she sees Kang Sho, thinking he’s Conn. Conan is told about Kang Sho, who then tells Zenobia. Aemilius is released, because Kang Sho says Conn is alive. Aemilius kills himself to frame Conan in revenge. Meanwhile, Genjis makes his way to Aquilonia.

NOTE:
The new Black Dragon is named here: Kepchoe.

Genjis is revealed to be Kobe. CONAN SAGA says he used to be friends with Conan, and a bit of digging tells me he first appeared in COB 190, Anneka was a supporting character for a bit around that time and Strabonus as in at least SAVSCO 30.

2nd story:
By A.S. Blaustein & Dale Eaglesham

APPEARANCES:
Conn, rebel army (inc Capt. Chensu, Lord Tsinje-Nushan, Lao, Yabu, Tachi), Khitai army (inc Lord Kao)

SYNOPSIS:
Conn gets himself kicked out of the rebel army because he’s too brash and won’t follow orders.

CONAN THE KING #52 (May 1989)
By James Owsley & Geof Isherwood

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb) & his army (inc Thaddeus), Kang Sho, Prospero, Radegund, Taurus, Baron Maloric, Publius, Lysandar, Queen Zenobia (also in fb), Kang Lou-Dze, Genjis/Kobe (also in fb) & his army (inc Zuri), Anneka, Black Dragons (Capt Tarquin, Syan-Lin (also in fb), Hrolf, Kepchoe), Timon Flavius, the unnamed son from COK 27

FLASHBACK:
Conan and Kobe fought together for a season (12:3)-FB. Kobe tied to sever their bond, but the battle was inconclusive (12:4)-FB. Kobe is presented to Conan as a slave (12:5)-FB-FB. After Conan became king and Kobe took over the Yagyu Clan, a truce was formed when Kobe’s son Syan-Lin was given to Aquilonia (12:6-13:1)-FB. Syan-Lin becomes a Black Dragon (13:3)-FB. See NOTE.
SYNOPSIS:
Timon Flavius is starting a rebellion over Aemilius’ death. King Conan brings Kang Sho along to show him how to keep a kingdom in order, but he keeps calling him Conn. Taurus keeps acting like a little brat. Zenobia chats with Kang Sho’s mother. It’s understandably awkward. Conan meets with Genjis/Kobe, who says he knows where Conn is. Conan kills Flavius, quelling his rebellion. Later, Conan tells Zenobia he’s going to bring Conn home. Taurus chats with the shape-changing by from COK 27.

NOTE:
Kobe was presented to Conan in COB 190 and they part ways in COB 206-208. (12:3)-FB is a recap of COB 191, (12:4)-FB is a recap of COB 208 and (12:5)-FB-FB. Is a recap of COB 190. The rest is new.

2nd story:
By A.S. Blaustein & Dale Eaglesham

APPEARANCES:
Conn (also in fb), Taurus (in fb), Conan (in fb), Khitai villagers (inc Bhosk), Lord Tsinje-Nusham

FLASHBACK:
Conn and Taurus play around with some of Conan’s stuff. Taurus runs away and Conn gets caught.
SYNOPSIS:
Wandering around, Conn stumbles into a recently ravaged village. He saves them from a tiger and they make him their guardian. Elsewhere, Tsinje-Nusham learns who Conn really is.

CONAN THE KING #53 (July 1989)
By James Owsley & Geof Isherwood

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Prospero, Numedides (corpse), Taurus, Zandra, Baron Maloric, Publius, Radegund, Capt. Tarquin, Genjis/Kobe, Thoth-Amon, priests of Set, the unnamed son from COK 27

SYNOPSIS:
King Conan uses the key to open Numedides’ tomb and retrieves a journal. Taurus brings the unnamed son from COK 27 to Zandra who immediately recognizes the danger the boy poses and tells Taurus to get as far away from him as possible. The wizard returns to Aquilonia and confronts Baron Maloric. The unnamed boy starts taunting and torturing Taurus. Finally realizing the danger he’s brought home, Taurus tries to warn everyone he can but no one will listen. Conan leaves for Khitai. The wizard kills the unnamed boy and retrieves the ring he found inside a fish, blowing up the building they’re in in the process. The wizard reveals himself: Thoth-Amon!

2nd story:
By A.S. Blaustein & Dale Eaglesham

APPEARANCES:
Conn, King Conan, Lord Tsinje-Nushan & his rebel army (inc Kenje), Khitai villagers (inc Bhosk), Aquilonians

SYNOPSIS:
Tsinje-Hushan tracks down and captures Conn. Conn escapes and immediately afterward King Conan arrives demanding to know where Conn is.

CONAN THE KING #54 (September 1989)
By James Owsley & Geof Isherwood

APPEARANCES:
Thoth-Amon, Taurus, the unnamed son from COK 27 (corpse, revealed to be a demon), Baron Maloric, Queen Zenobia, Lysandar, Radegund, Kang Sho, Leonidas, Aquilonians

SYNOPSIS:
Thoth-Amon takes over Aquilonia. The royal family flees, taking refuge in Leonidas’ recently abandoned home. Thoth-Amon forces Taurus to be his disciple. All is lost! Meanwhile, Leonidas has fled Aquilonia to find King Conan to tell him of Thoth-Amon, or die trying.

NOTE:
Taurus pictures his family fawning over Conn while ignoring him, but he has his goat foot. There was no time before this where Conn was still around and Taurus had his goat foot, so this is just Taurus picturing something, not a flashback.

2nd story:
By A.S. Blaustein & Dale Eaglesham

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb), Conn (also in fb), Queen Zenobia (in fb), Publius (in fb), Genjis/Kobe & his army

FLASHBACK:
Conn wants to attend the fall festival. Conan agrees and lets him ride his own war horse.
SYNOPSIS:
King Conan finally finds Conn. Conn hates his father for betraying his mother and they fight. Conan knock Conn out ad returns to Kobe. Conan lets Conn choose his own path, but leaves him his journal hidden in Conn’s supplies.

CONAN THE KING #55 (November 1989)
By James Owsley & Geof Isherwood

APPEARANCES:
King Conan, Taurus, Thoth-Amon, Baron Maloric (corpse), Kang Sho (corpse), Queen Zenobia, Radegund, Lysandar, Conn, Black Dragons (Capt. Tarquin, Syan-Lin, Hrolf, Kepchoe, Leonidas), Prospero, Publius, Zandra, Black Circle (inc Zembalou), Aquilonians, a giant snake

SYNOPSIS:
Thoth-Amon has ruled over Aquilonia for “three seasons.” Everyone’s miserable and fighting each other in the streets for food. Taurus is Thoth-Amon’s lackey (and feels real bad about it) and Baron Maloric and Kang Sho have been killed and kept as statues in Thoth-Amon’s quarters. Leonidas returns, saying he got in touch with Conan. Conn returns and teams up with Taurus and Zandra. Conan returns and fights Thoth-Amon. Thoth-Amon is eventually defeated and Conan’s family is reunited.

NOTE:
Well, dang. That's a depressing end for Kang Sho. I wonder what happened to his mother?

2nd story:
By A.S. Blaustein & Dale Eaglesham

APPEARANCES:
Conn, Solaise, Tsinje-Nushan (in magic illusion)

SYNOPSIS:
After a while of wandering, Conn is greeted by Solaise, daughter of the elder gods. She brings him to Li-Chaandra where she warns him not to let his rage be his undoing. He’s confronted by Tsinje-Nushan but refuses to kill him (he passed the test). Outside he finds his father’s journals and reads it, finally realizing how alike and unlike he and his father are. Solaise gives Conn the sword of the elder gods and transports him to Aquilonia where Tarantia is in flames.

NOTE:
This story happen before the first story.

Really really good. I liked this arc a whole bunch.

Chronologies!

AEMILIUS, BARON
COK 27-FB
{COK 21}
COK 22
COK 23
*COK 51

ANNEKA
[COB 194]
COK 51
COK 52

CONAN
……
KCO 8-FB
*COK 52-FB
COK 20 (22:2 - 23:4)-FB
……
KCO 19
*COK 52/2-FB
*COK 54/2-FB
COK 27-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
CO@ 7-FB
……

CONN
……
KCO 19
*COK 52/2-FB
*COK 54/2-FB
COK 27-FB
……
COK 26/2
*COK 51/2
*COK 52/2
*COK 53/2
*COK 54/2
*COK 55/2
*COK 55
CO@ 7

EMPEROR STRABONUS
[SAVSCO 30]
COK 51

GENJIS
See Kobe

HROLF
COK 22
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25
*COK 50
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 55

KANG LOU-DZE
KCO 8-FB
COK 26/2
*COK 50
*COK 51
*COK 52

KANG SHO
COK 25/2
COK 26/2
*COK 50
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 54
*COK 55

KEPCHOE
COK 26
COK 50
COK 51
COK 52
COK 55

KING NUMEDIDES
……
[SAVSCO 52 (37:5 - 43)]
*COK 53

KOBE
[COB 190]
*COK 52-FB
COK 26/2-BTS
COK 51
COK 52
COK 53
COK 54/2

LEONIDAS
……
COK 26-BTS
*COK 54
*COK 55

LYSANDAR
……
COK 25
COK 27
COK 28
*COK 50
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 54
*COK 55

MALORIC, BARON
……
COK 26
*COK 50-FB
COK 27
*COK 50
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 53
*COK 54
*COK 55

PROSPERO
……
COK 26-FB
COK 26
*COK 28 (1 - 13)
*COK 50 (1 - 11)
*COK 28 (14 - 38)
*COK 50 (14:4 - 38)
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 53
*COK 55

PUBLIUS
……
KCO 19
*COK 54/2-FB
COK 27-FB
……
COK 25
COK 27
COK 28
*COK 50
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 53
*COK 55

QUEEN AYELET
……
COK 22
*COK 50-FB
*COK 50

RADEGUND
……
COK 26
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 54
*COK 55

SOLAISE
COK 55/2

SYAN-LIN
*COK 52-FB
{COK 22}
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25
COK 26
*COK 50
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 55

TARQUIN, CAPT.
……
COK 26
*COK 28 (1 - 13)
*COK 50 (1 - 11)
*COK 28 (14 - 38)
*COK 50 (14:4 - 38)
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 53
*COK 55

TAURUS
KCO 12
*COK 52/2-FB
COK 24-FB-FB
……
COK 26
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 54
*COK 55

THOTH-AMON
……
COK 26
COK 27
*COK 50
*COK 53
*COK 54
*COK 55

TIMON FLAVIUS
COK 23
COK 51-BTS
COK 52

ZANDRA
……
COK 24/2 (8:4 - 12)
*COK 53
*COK 55

ZENOBIA
……
KCO 8-FB
*COK 52-FB
COK 20-FB
……
KCO 19
*COK 54/2-FB
COK 24-FB-FB
……
COK 26
COK 28
*COK 50
*COK 51
*COK 52
*COK 54
*COK 55
CO@ 7-FB

[Col_Fury]

Once again, from Roy’s chronology:

Some time, perhaps a year or more, passes. Count Trocero has returned to his duties as king’s councilor at the royal court. Leonidas has returned to duty with the Black Dragons elite corps, and Radegund [age given in COK 30 as 16, but probably closer to 18] resumes her romance with him. Tarquin, commander of the Black Dragons, makes certain that nothing serious results from their relationship. Lysandar, who clearly loved Queen Zenobia, has vanished, disheartened.
In an as-yet-untold tale, Prince Conn, now in his early twenties, apparently no longer has use of the ensorcelled Sword of the Elder Gods, and Mad Zandra has gone away. The prince himself has vanished again from Aquilonia, and is believed by many to be dead. In Aquilonia, a drought has made crops fail, and in its capital, religious unrest grows.

CONAN THE KING #29 (July 1985)
By Don Kraar & Marc Silvestri

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Queen Zenobia, Conn, Dexitheis, Crassus, Hadrathus, Prospero, Publius, Rufio, Queen Leora, King Xantaus, King Tarascus II, Memnob (Tarascus’ aide), Pallantides (bts), mercenaries (inc Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan), Aquilonians (inc Capt. Leontes), Picts (inc Shooz Dinj), assassins

SYNOPSIS:
Priests of Mitra say famine and war are coming and want to blame it on the followers of Asura. The Picts attack an Aquilonian outpost. Conn returns; King Conan and Queen Zenobia are so happy that they make Conn friend Rufio the court jester as a reward. Queen Leora, King Xantaus and King Tarascus plot against Aquilonia. Assassins try and fail to kill Conan. Crassus (a priest of Mitra) is revealed to be working with the evil trio, who helped the Picts attack. Conan prepares for war with the Picts.

NOTE:
Dexitheis previously appeared in SAVSCO 49-52.

“Hey, I’m back” wasn’t a very satisfying return for Conn (for me, anyway). I can see why they went for a re-do in COK 50-55.

CONAN THE KING #30 (September 1985)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Black Dragons (inc Capt. Tarquin, Leonidas, Hrolf, Syan-Lin, Aku, Pepin), Pallantides, Rufio, Prospero, Count Trocero, Publius, Conn, Dexitheus, Crassus, Radegund, Queen Zenobia, mercenaries (inc Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan), Glisande & her ladies, Aquilonians (inc Count Barthold, Baron Endore), Picts (inc Shooz Dinj), King Xantaus & his army, Hadrathus

SYNOPSIS:
The Black Dragons are killed by the Picts. As King Conan oversees the rebuilding of the destroyed outpost, Pallantides returns to Tarantia to tell Radegund the bad news. Priests of Mitra blame food shortages on followers of Asura. Conan plans an attack against the Picts. Crassus meets with Aquilonians who want to overthrow Conan; they’re the ones hoarding the food. Conan springs his surprise attack on the Picts. Depressed, Radegund prays to Mitra and is drugged by Crassus. Conan decapitates the Pict leader and sends his head back as a warning. Enemy forces surround Tarantia, so Conn escapes to tell Conan.

NOTE:
Well, that’s a depressing end for the Black Dragons and Radegund’s romance.

CONAN THE KING #31 (November 1985)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Queen Leora, King Xantaus & his army, King Tarascus II, Queen Zenobia, Conn, Count Trocero, Publius, Hadrathus, Crassus, Aquilonians (inc Count Barthold, Baron Endore), Radegund, mercenaries (inc Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan), Dexitheus, Gaius Flavius, Rufio, Pallantides, Prospero, Aesgard warriors (inc Rolf), Cimmerian warriors, Sigurd (witch)

SYNOPSIS:
Enemy forces surround Tarantia, so Conn escapes to tell Conan. Conn learns Crassus is working with the attackers. Crassus has Radegund under his control; she’s now pledged to Mitra. Crassus kills Dexitheus and blames it on the followers of Asura. Hadrathus gives the Heart of Ahriman to Zenobia for safe keeping. Conn tells Conan what’s going on at home, so Conan goes to the Aesgard and Cimmerian warriors for an alliance. He has to kill Rolf to gain control.

NOTE:
The first few pages repeat the last few pages of last issue. Repeated dialogue and everything. Odd.

CONAN THE KING #32 (January 1986)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Conn, Zelata, Pallantides, Servius Gallanus, Quintus, Gaius Flavius, Rufio, Prospero, Queen Zenobia, Count Trocero, Publius, Hadrathus, Crassus, Radegund, Count Barthold, Baron Endore, mercenaries (inc Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan), King Xantaus’ army, Aquilonians

SYNOPSIS:
As King Conan and his army near Tarantia, Crassus tries to assassinate the queen. Conn returns in time to save her.

CONAN THE KING #33 (March 1986)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Crassus, Radegund, Conn, Taurus, Count Trocero, Publius, Hadrathus, Rufio, Prospero, mercenaries (inc Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan), Queen Leora & her army, King Xantaus & his army, King Tarascus II, Zelata, Aquilonians, Aesgard warriors (inc Deryck), Cimmerian warriors

SYNOPSIS:
Crassus escapes Tarantia with Radegund with Taurus’ help. Conn can’t understand why Taurus would turn traitor. King Conan meets with King Xantaus; both refuse to surrender. Crassus meets with the three evil leaders. Conan tells his forces to attack the enemy.

CONAN THE KING #34 (May 1986)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Conn, Pallantides, Prospero, Rufio, mercenaries (inc Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan), Queen Leora & her army, King Xantaus & his army, King Tarascus II, Crassus, Count Trocero, Publius, Hadrathus, Queen Zenobia, Radegund, Taurus, Zelata, Aesgard warriors (inc Deryck), Cimmerian warriors, Aquilonians

SYNOPSIS:
Everyone fights. Conan wins, the bad guys retreat and Crassus kills Taurus. Hadrathus uses the Heart of Ahriman and learns about Taurus, but Zelata tells them that Taurus had been switched with a changeling as a child by Crassus. Conan prepares to go after Crassus. Deryck, son of Rolf, leaves the alliance.

NOTE:
So… where has Taurus been for the last 18 years or so? Conan and Zenobia have essentially never met their son if this is the case, right?

CONAN THE KING #35 (July 1986)
By Don Kraar & Judith Hunt

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Queen Zenobia, Hadrathus, Count Trocero, Taurus imposter (corpse), Zelata, Conn, Rufio, King Xantaus & his army, Queen Leora, King Tarascus II, Memnob, Crassus, Radegund, Deryck, Pallentides, Gaius Flavius, Prospero, Publius, mercenaries (inc Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan), Servius Gallanus, Aquilonians, border region warriors (inc el Mullah)

SYNOPSIS:
As King Conan returns home the enemy regroups and Conn searches for Radegund. Meanwhile, Deryck stumbles across Radegund and fights to save her. Conn arrives, rescues Radegund and saves Deryck, though he’s wounded. Radegund falls in love with Deryck. Conan is convinced by his aides the only way to stop the attacks is to conquer the invading nations. Radegund blames Conan for Leonidas’ death, so Zenobia slaps her for being a brat. Conan’s forces begin attacking the enemy forces.

NOTE:
Hey, I get it Radegund. You’re upset. But still.

CONAN THE KING #36 (September 1986)
By Don Kraar, Judith Hunt & Mike Manley

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Conn, Pallantides, Rufio, Prospero, King Tarascus II, Memnob, Quintus, Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan, Queen Leora, King Xantaus, Crassus (also in fb), Taurus (also in fb), Taurus imposter (in fb), Radegund (also as “Moira”), Deryck, Queen Zenobia (also in fb), Publius, Nemedians, Stygians (others in fb), Aesir warriors (inc Arn, Hasting), a Stygian priest of Set with green, withered skin (unnamed so far)

FLASHBACK:
Crassus swaps out Taurus with a changeling.
SYNOPSIS:
King Conan prepares to attack Belverus. Radegund tells Deryck that’s she’s “Moira, the princess’ handmaiden.” Queen Zenobia warns her that lying won’t work out well. Conan attacks Belverus and King Tarascus II wants to talk terms of surrender. Conan asks for his head. Crassus returns to Stygia and meets Taurus, who’s been raised to want Conan dead.

NOTE:
So… they killed Taurus to replace him with a more evil version? Wasn’t he already evil, laughing while innocent people were killed in #33? That wasn’t evil enough?

CONAN THE KING #37 (November 1986)
By Don Kraar, Judith Hunt & Mike Manley

APPEARANCES:
King Conan, Conn, Rufio, Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan, Pallantides, Prospero, Radegund (also as “Moira”), Deryck, Zelata, Queen Zenobia, King Xantaus, Crassus, Taurus, King Tarascus II, Memnob, Balmus, Queen Leora, Nemedians, Stygians

SYNOPSIS:
King Conan reminds the Nemedians that he’ll spare their women and children if they bring him Tarascus’ head. Deryck finds out who radegund really is and leaves, feeling betrayed. Crassus presents Taurus to King Xantaus. Deryck returns to Conan’s army. Tarascus is assassinated, so Conan allows the Nemedians to evacuate their women and children. Belverus is defeated and Conan re-meets Balmus, who shows him the Nemedian Chronicles. Queen Leora slaughters the Nemedian women and children. Numalia surrenders to Conan before fighting begins; Conan accepts, hoping to use it as a staging ground for a fight with Ophir.

NOTE:
Balmus previous appeared in M/GN 19.

CONAN THE KING #38 (January 1987)
By Don Kraar, Judith Hunt & Mike Manley

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Queen Leora & her army, Deryck, Pallantides, Conn, Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan, Servius Gallannus, Prospero, King Xantaus, el Mullah, Crassus, Taurus, Gaius Flavius, Count Trocero, Queen Zenobia, Radegund, Rufio, Karim Fez, Zelata, Aquilonians, zombies

SYNOPSIS:
Ophir turns out to be well guarded, so King Conan decides to save it for later. Leora and Xantaus meets with Crassus and Taurus. Conan returns home and spends some time with Zenobia. Taurus makes a magic arrow that can kill Conan. A spy for the bad guys arrives at Conan’s camp and tells him where to find Taurus. Conn and Deryck get in a fight over Radegund. Conan finds Taurus and Taurus changes his mind, but Conan’s shot anyway. Conan tells Conn to take charge of the army while Rufio stays behind to tend to his wound. Crassus conjures zombies to attack Conan.

CONAN THE KING #39 (March 1987)
By Don Kraar, Judith Hunt & Mike Manley

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army (inc Harald, Bjorn), Crassus, Taurus, Zelata, Rufio, Pallantides, Radegund, Hagan, Deryck, demons, zombies

SYNOPSIS:
Radegund arrives at camp. Conn tells her King Conan has been injured, so she leaves to apologize before he dies. Demons attack her on her way as zombies siege Conan’s hiding spot. Deryck hears she’s in trouble and goes to help. Once the attacking monsters are defeated, Deryck asks Conan if he can marry Radegund; he agrees. Crassus is upset his plot failed and learns Taurus has escaped.

CONAN THE KING #40 (May 1987)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Conn, Pallantides, Gaius Flavius, Karim Fez, Servius Gallannus, Glisande, Radegund, Deryck, Rufio, Kuaga, Hagan, Eamon, Arn, Torvold, Count Trocero, Crassus, Queen Zenobia, King Xantaus, Queen Leora, Taurus, Zingara army

SYNOPSIS:
King Conan rejoins his army as they begin an assault on Zingara. Deryck is declared ruler of the Aesir. A scout is captured and Conan learns Taurus is being held by Crassus nearby. Conn leads a small party to rescue him, but Taurus is gone. Rufio is captured by Crassus. As Rufio is tortured by Crassus, Xantaus and Leora, Taurus appears at Conan’s camp wanting answers.

CONAN THE KING #41 (July 1987)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Crassus, King Xantaus, Queen Leora, Rufio, Zandar (torturer), Conn, Hagan, Servius Gallanus, Pallantides, Karim Fez, Eamon, Deryck, Queen Zenobia, King Sancho (corpse), Radegund, Kuaga, Taurus, Zelata, Zingaran army

SYNOPSIS:
King Conan’s forces storm Kordava, the Zingaran capital while Conn rescues Rufio. Crassus, Xantaus and Leora escape. The Zingaran army is defeated and Conan is hailed a Conan the Liberator. Conan annexes the land into his new empire and names Karim Fez governor of Zingara. Taurus now knows he’s Conan’s son, but realizes he’s a stranger to his “family.” Radegund and Deryck are married. After new war plans are made, Crassus attacks Conan. Taurus battles Crassus and defeats him, but dies in the process. As Conan leaves for Argos, Radegund and Zenobia tell each other that they’re both pregnant.

NOTE:
So… they killed Taurus and replaced him just to kill him again? Wouldn’t a redemption story have been better?

CONAN THE KING #42 (September 1987)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Pallantides, Conn, Deryck, Rufio, Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan, Servius Gallanus, Crassus, Hadrathus, King Xantaus & his army, Queen Leora, Zelata, Caliastros, Brax-Al-Thar

SYNOPSIS:
As King Conan sails to Argos they’re attacked by a magic storm from Crassus. Hadrathus uses the Heart of Ahriman to dispel the storm. They make it to shore and prepare to attack Messantia. Seeing the size of Conan’s army, Xantaus and Leora flee. Crassus transforms into a winged serpant and abducts Conn.

CONAN THE KING #43 (November 1987)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Pallantides, Servius Gallanus, Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan, Queen Leora & her army, King Xantaus & his army, Conn, Crassus, Rufio, Deryck, Brax-Al-Thar, Caliastros, Hadrathus

SYNOPSIS:
More fighting. Leora abandons Xantaus. Conn kills Crassus, but is captured by Leora. Conan kills Xantaus. Hadrathus uses the Heart of Ahriman to learn where Conn is. Leora uses a potion to give Conn amnesia and begins to seduce him.

CONAN THE KING #44 (January 1988)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Pallantides, Deryck, Kuaga, Eamon, Hagan, Servius Gallanus, Rufio, Zelata, Crassus (corpse), Queen Leora & her army, Count Trocero, Brax-Al-Thar, Caliastros, King of Brythunia, Conn, Corinthians

FLASHBACK:
Conn kills Crassus but is captured by Queen Leora (repeat of last issue).
SYNOPSIS:
With Argos defeated, King Conan is hailed as Conan the Emperor. Zelata appears and tells Conan where Conn is. Conan defeats the Ophiran army and Queen Leora flees to Arbitana in Corinthia. The Ophirans agree to an unconditional surrender. Deryck and Rufio leave to find Conn, eventually finding him in Arbitana with Leora. Brax-Al-Thar grows impatient with Caliastros’ plan and tries to kill Conn, but fails. Conan returns to Tarantia and learns his wife and daughter are both pregnant. Caliastros learns of this and plans to have them miscarry. Deryck and Rufio try to rescue Conn but are captured, and Deryck is forced to fight Conn.

CONAN THE KING #45 (March 1988)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Conn, Deryck, Rufio, Queen Leora, Brax-Al-Thar, Caliastros, Queen Zenobia, Count Trocero, Hadrathus, Publius, Pallantides, Princess Ilia & her mother (King Aechides’ wife), Servius Gallanus, Corinthians (inc Demites), Aquilonians

SYNOPSIS:
As they fight, Conn reveals he’s had his memory back for three days. They free Rufio, take Leora captive (again) and escape. Meanwhile, King Conan prepares to leave for Corinthia despite Hadrathus’ warning to stay. Conn and company go underground and meet the former royal family (the princess is blind), who have been in hiding for five years. Leora breaks free, kills the former queen and escapes. Conn and friends leave for Conan’s camp. Caliastros casts a spell to complicate Zenobia’s pregnancy and Publius (who doesn’t like followers of Asura) refuses to let Hadrathus help. Conn reaches Conan and they prepare for war.

NOTE:
Caliastros sees a vision of Conan killing him. Is this the future?

CONAN THE KING #46 (May 1988)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Conn, Deryck, Demites, Rufio, Princess Ilia, Count Trocero, Caliastros, Publius, Hadrathus, Queen Zenobia, Radegund, Brax-Al-Thar, Pallantides, Servius Gallanus, Hagan, Kuaga, Eamon, Queen Leora & her army, Corinthians, Rolf (Radegund’s son, -op)

SYNOPSIS:
As King Conan begins fighting the Corinthians, Zenobia’s child is stillborn. Publius regrets not letting Hadrathus help. More fighting. Publius allows Hadrathus to help, so he calls in his priests. When the Corinthians learn Ilia is alive and under Conan’s protection, they defect to Conan’s side. Queen Leora arrives with her army only to learn the Corinthian army has defected. Leora abandons Brax-Al-Thor. Radegund gives birth to a son. Leora returns to Caliastros, who is taxed after his spell was defeated. Conn defeats and kills Brax-Al-Thar. The Ophirian army refuses to surrender, so Conan is forced to kill them. Conan learns of his grandson and his new son’s death; he vows to kill Caliastros. Leora plans to attack Tarantia.

NOTE:
Caliastros again sees a vision of Conan killing him.

CONAN THE KING #47 (July 1988)
By Don Kraar & Tony DeZuniga

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Caliastros, Queen Leora (also as “Lea”), Conn, Pallantides, Queen Ilia, Deryck, Demites, Rufio, Count Trocero, Queen Zenobia, Publius, Radegund, Rolf (Radegund’s son), Servius Gallanus, Corinthians, Aquilonians

SYNOPSIS:
Terrified that King Conan will kill him, Caliastros animates statues of former Corinthian kings (except Aechides, who Caliastros killed) to defend him. As Conn takes a caravan back to Tarantia, Leora disguises herself to tag along. Conan and friends battle the statues while Rufio attacks Caliastros. Rufio is killed and Conan battles Caliastros, who accidentally animates the statue of Aechides. The statue kills Caliastros, which restores Ilia’s sight. Ilia and Conn begin a romance. Conan returns home to find that Zenobia hates him for never being around when she needs him. Conan talks Publius out of killing himself. Aquilonians don’t like Conan anymore, thinking him a tyrant. Leora tries to kill Radegund but Radegund kills her first. Conan finally sees his grandson and starts to brag about him.

NOTE:
Caliastros again sees a vision of Conan killing him. Turns out the visions were wrong.

CONAN THE KING #48 (September 1988)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan (also in fb) & his army (inc Scipio), Pallantides, Deryck, Count Trocero, King Yezdigerd III (see NOTE), Radegund, Rolf, Queen Zenobia, Conn, Publius (also in fb), Servius Gallanus, Zelata, Cimmerians (inc Voric, Thak), Turanians (inc Seraglio, Arznarbonodus), Aquilonians (inc Gavic)

FLASHBACK:
Recap of previous stories (no new information). Conan grieves for his stillborn son (new).
SYNOPSIS:
Cimmerians are rebelling against King Conan, so he goes home to take care of it. Meanwhile in Turan, King Yezdigerd III decides to wait a bit before attacking Aquilonia. He then checks in on a wizard he found, Arznarbonodus, who can’t remember if he’s living life forward or backward. Yezdigerd asks for the secret of teleportation but the wizard can’t recall. Conan returns home where Zenobia still doesn’t want to see him. Publius tells him the treasury is empty as are the food stores. An Aquilonian scout is revealed to be an agent of Yezdigerd (revealed to the reader, anyway) when he plans to poisons Conan. At a banquet Conan get drunk and starts smashing things but calms down when he sees his grandson. The next day Deryck and Radegund leave for Aesgaard and Conan makes an old soldier king for a day, then Conn regent the day after. In Turan, the wizard vanishes, making a fool of Yezdigerd. Conan’s wine is found to be poisoned when the king for a day dies. Meanwhile, Conan rides away from Tarantia…

NOTE:
This Yezdigerd doesn’t have a scarred face, which makes sense since this one is noted as “King Yezdigerd III.” I guess there was another one in between? Or one before the scarred face one, making him the second?

CONAN THE KING #49 (November 1988)
By Don Kraar & Mike Docherty

APPEARANCES:
King Conan & his army, Scipio, Voric, Deryck, Radegund, Rolf, Freia, Hagan, Conn, Queen Ilia, Arznarbonodus (also in fb), Count Trocero, Publius, Queen Zenobia, King Yezdigerd III, Servius Gallanus, Eamon, Kuaga, Pallantides, Prospero, Hadrathus, Aesgaardians, Turanians, Hyperboreans

FLASHBACK:
Arznarbonodus appears above Tarantia.
SYNOPSIS:
King Conan travels to Aesgaard to visit his daughter and grandson. While Conan and Deryck go on a hunting trip, Scipio (the poisoner from last issue) and Voric (a rebel Cimmerian) steal Rolf (Conan’s grandson). Meanwhile, Conn is told about Arznarbonodus appearing out of nowhere. Conn meets the wizard. Meanwhile, Conan and Deryck fight a bear, then learn of Rolf’s abduction. The wizard warns Conn of the treacherous Turanians. Voric is overrun by Hyperboreans while Scipio travels to Tarantia. Conan bargains with the Hyperboreans for Rolf; they demand his left hand. When Conan agrees, they just give him Rolf. Conan confronts Scipio in Tarantia, where the wizard makes him confess he’s one of Yezdigerd’s sons. Conan kills Scipio and reunites with Zenobia. The wizard warns Conan about Yezdigerd. Conn pledges to marry Ilia. Aquilonians once again think Conan’s a swell fellow. THE END.

NOTE:
Once again, from Roy’s chronology:

[As related last chapter, the events of CONAN THE KING #50-55 must be considered as occurring between COK 28 and 29.]

The remainder of the story of the conflict between Their Majesties Conan I, King of Aquilonia and Emperor of the Aquilonian Empire, and Yezdigerd III, King of Turan, has not yet been revealed, but is certain one day to add blood-stained pages to the Nemedian Chronicles.
When the problem is settled at last, more years have passed. Queen Zenobia has died in childbirth; the baby, a girl, also dies. Conan continues to train Conn for kingship. Whether or not Conn weds Ilia, Queen of Corinthia, has not yet been related. By now, Conan is nearing seventy.

Zenobia’s death was related in CO@ 7-FB.

[Col_Fury]

Chronologies!

ARN
COK 36
COK 40

ARZNARBONODUS
COK 48
COK 49-FB
COK 49

BALMUS
M/GN 19
COK 37

BARTHOLD, COUNT
COK 30
COK 31
COK 32

BRAX-AL-THAR
COK 42
COK 43
COK 44
COK 45
COK 46

CALIASTROS
COK 42
COK 43
COK 44
COK 45
COK 46
COK 47

CONAN
……
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

CONN
……
COK 55
*COK 29
*COK 30
*COK 31
*COK 32
*COK 33
*COK 34
*COK 35
*COK 36
*COK 37
*COK 38
*COK 40
*COK 41
*COK 42
*COK 43
*COK 44
*COK 45
*COK 46
*COK 47
*COK 48
*COK 49
CO@ 7

CRASSUS
COK 36-FB
{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

DEMITES
COK 45
COK 46
COK 47

DERYCK
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
COK 49

DEXITHEIS
[SAVSCO 52]
COK 29
COK 30
COK 31

EAMON
COK 29
COK 30
COK 31
COK 32
COK 33
COK 34
COK 35
COK 36
COK 37
COK 38
COK 40
COK 41
COK 42
COK 43
COK 44
COK 46
COK 49

EL MULLAH
COK 35
COK 38

ENDORE, BARON
COK 30
COK 31
COK 32

FREIA
COK 49

GAIUS FLAVIUS
COK 31
COK 32
COK 35
COK 38
COK 40

GLISANDE
COK 30
COK 40

HADRATHUS
GSCO 3
SAVSCO 10
*COK 29
*COK 30
*COK 31
*COK 32
*COK 33
*COK 34
*COK 35
*COK 42
*COK 43
*COK 45
*COK 46
*COK 49

HAGAN
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 46
COK 49

HROLF
……
COK 55
*COK 30

KARIM FEZ
COK 38
COK 40
COK 41

KING TARASCUS II
COK 29
COK 31
COK 33
COK 34
COK 35
COK 36
COK 37

KING XANTAUS
COK 29
COK 30
COK 31
COK 33
COK 34
COK 35
COK 36
COK 37
COK 38
COK 40
COK 41
COK 42
COK 43

KING YEZDIGERD III
COK 48
COK 49

KUAGA
COK 29
COK 30
COK 31
COK 32
COK 33
COK 34
COK 35
COK 36
COK 37
COK 38
COK 40
COK 41
COK 42
COK 43
COK 44
COK 46
COK 49

LEONIDAS
……
COK 55
*COK 30

MEMNOB
COK 29
COK 35
COK 36
COK 37

PALLANTIDES, GEN.
……
KCO 8-OP
KCO 14
COK 22-BTS
*COK 29-BTS
*COK 30
*COK 31
*COK 32
*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
*COK 49

PROSPERO
……
COK 55
*COK 29
*COK 30
*COK 31
*COK 32
*COK 33
*COK 34
*COK 35
*COK 36
*COK 37
*COK 38
*COK 49

PUBLIUS
……
COK 55
*COK 29
*COK 30
*COK 31
*COK 32
*COK 33
*COK 34
*COK 35
*COK 36
*COK 45
*COK 46
*COK 47
*COK 48-FB
*COK 48
*COK 49

QUEEN ILIA
COK 45
COK 46
COK 47
COK 49

QUEEN LEORA
COK 29
COK 31
COK 33
COK 34
COK 35
COK 36
COK 37
COK 38
COK 40
COK 41
COK 42
COK 43
COK 44
COK 45
COK 46
COK 47

QUINTUS
COK 33
COK 36

RADEGUND
……
COK 55
*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 46
*COK 47
*COK 48
*COK 49

ROLF II
COK 31

ROLF III
COK 46-OP
COK 47
COK 48
COK 49

RUFIO
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

SCIPIO
COK 48
COK 49

SERVIUS GALLANUS
COK 32
COK 35
COK 38
COK 40
COK 41
COK 42
COK 43
COK 44
COK 45
COK 46
COK 47
COK 48
COK 49

SHOOZ DINJ
COK 29
COK 30

SYAN-LIN
……
COK 55
*COK 30

TARQUIN, CAPT.
……
COK 55
*COK 30

TAURUS
COK 36-FB
COK 36
COK 37
COK 38
COK 39
COK 40
COK 41

*TAURUS (change name to TAURUS IMPOSTER)
*COK 36-FB
{KCO 12}
COK 52/2-FB
COK 24-FB-FB
COK 27-FB
COK 21-FB
COK 22-FB
COK 21
COK 22
COK 23
COK 24-FB
COK 24/2
COK 25
COK 26
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 54
COK 55
*COK 33
*COK 34
*COK 35

TROCERO, COUNT
……
COK 26
*COK 30
*COK 31
*COK 32
*COK 33
*COK 34
*COK 35
*COK 38
*COK 40
*COK 44
*COK 45
*COK 46
*COK 47
*COK 48
*COK 49
CO@ 7

VORIC
COK 48
COK 49

ZELATA
GSCO 3
COK 20-FB
*COK 32
*COK 33
*COK 34
*COK 35
*COK 37
*COK 38
*COK 39
*COK 41
*COK 42
*COK 44
*COK 48

ZENOBIA
……
KCO 2-BTS
*COK 36-FB
KCO 10
……
COK 55
*COK 29
*COK 30
*COK 31
*COK 32
*COK 34
*COK 35
*COK 36
*COK 37
*COK 38
*COK 40
*COK 41
*COK 45
*COK 46
*COK 47
*COK 48
*COK 49
CO@ 7-FB

[wolframbane]

CONAN THE KING #28 (May 1985)

CONAN SAGA’s Conan and Red Sonja chronologies say that Conan and Rd Sonja are roughly the same age. So, Red Sonja is roughly in her mid-to-late-50s here, give or take. She’s still selling her sword and looks good doing it. She’s probably not wearing the bikini anymore at this point, though (she's wearing fur here, fyi).

The Conan chronology in CONAN SAGA questioned (not stating absolutely, just raising the question) if this was actually Red Sonja, as did the Sonja chronology. I don't care. This is Sonja, and she still looks GREAT in her 50s.

Specifically, CONAN THE KING #28 has Conan himself stating he was age 60. The Red Sonja Chronology also says that during this adventure she
is also 60. So I figure they are the same age.