Conan the Barbarian #1-65

[Col_Fury]

Conan the Barbarian #1-6

CONAN the BARBARIAN #1 (October 1970)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan of Cimmeria (also in fb & ff) & his mother (in fb), Aesir (inc Olav), Vanir (inc Volff, Hothar, Gondur), Sharkosh (a shaman), Tara (winged demon), King Kull (in fb)

FLASHBACKS:
In the time before Atlantis sank, King Kull ruled Valusia until the great cataclysm drove it all into the oceans (a long time ago). Conan is born on a battlefield (16 years ago). Conan gets better at fighting (“last winter”). Conan will become king of a mighty Hyborian empire (in the future). Cavemen fight each other (an even longer time ago). Stygia will eventually become Egypt (farther in the future). Humankind will eventually explore space (even farther into the future).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan comes across the Aesir fighting the Vanir and joins the Aesir (because they pay more). The Vanir leader retreats and finds a shaman, who sends winged demons against the Aesir. Conan is captured and brought to the shaman. The shaman peers into the past and future and what he sees drives him insane. Conan breaks free and destroys the shaman’s source of power (his Star-Stone, a big gem). Everyone dies and Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
The King Kull scene is from “the latter days of Valusia,” so this would go near the end of his chronology.

The “flashforward” of Conan becoming a king is just a wink to readers to let us know “yes, we know, we’re getting to that stuff. Eventually.”

According to Roy Thomas’ chronology in CONAN SAGA, Conan is 16 years old here.

CONAN the BARBARIAN #2 (December 1970)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Beast-Men (inc Beast-King, Zha-Gorr, Gan-Torr (corpse), Har-Lann), Moira (Beast-King’s consort), slaves (inc Kiord & his wife)

FLASHBACK:
Generations ago, some humans go looking to kill the Beast-Men but are overpowered and enslaved.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan is surprised and captured, then taken underground where he’s enslaved by Beast-Men. Conan is disgusted by the human slaves’ subservience and immediately tries to escape. The Beast-Men make Conan fight a lion for their amusement but Conan kills it, inspiring a revolt. The humans overthrow the Beast-Men but the human leader dies. Conan wanders off.

CONAN the BARBARIAN #3 (February 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), a blond Hyperborean slaver (also in fb), Borri (Grey God/Grey Man) & his Choosers of the Slain, Dunlang (Brythunian captain), Eevin (Dunlang’s lady & mystic), Malachi (Brythunian calvary & Kormlada’s lover), Kormlada (King Tomar’s wife/queen), King Tomar (Hyperborean king), King Brian (Brythunian king), Brythunians, Hyperboreans

FLASHBACK:
Following a fight with some “apes” (the Beast-Men?), Conan is captured and enslaved by Hyperboreans but escapes.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan meets a mysterious grey man, then joins up with the Brythunians to fight against the Hyperboreans, unaware of brewing treachery. The two armies fight and pretty much everyone dies. Conan realizes the Grey Man he met is Borri, the Hyperboreans’ god, then wanders off.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The Grim Grey God Passes”.

Hylda and Skalla are two of the Choosers of the Slain seen here, as revealed in COA 7.

CONAN the BARBARIAN #4 (April 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Yara (sorcerer, also in fb), Taurus of Nemedia (prince of thieves), Yag-Kosha (elephant-like winged alien, also in fb), various residents of Arenjun

FLASHBACK:
Yag-Kosha (and his friends) arrive on Earth. They fight dinosaurs, watch man evolve and witness Atlantis fall into the ocean. Yag-Kosha is eventually the last of his friends, and is worshipped by humans in Khitai, but is overpowered and captured by Yara, a sorcerer. Yara tortures Yag-Kosha for three hundred years, learning his secrets.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan arrives in Arejun looking to steal the Elephant’s Heart, inside the Tower of the Elephant. After fighting lions and a giant spider, Conan meets Yag-Kosha who asks that Conan kill him and give the heart to Yara. Conan does so and watches as Yara is drawn into the gem where he’s killed by a revived, youthful Yag-Kosha. Conan escapes as the Tower collapses around him. Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The Tower of the Elephant!”.

According to Roy Thomas’ chronology in CONAN SAGA, Conan is already 17 years old here.

Conan considers himself a thief here, even if he’s not terribly accomplished yet.

CONAN the BARBARIAN #5 (May 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Zephra (Zukala’s daughter, turns into a tiger), King Zukala (Zamorian king), Jaggta-Noga (a demon), Zamorian villagers

SYNOPSIS:
On his way to Shadizar, Conan wanders into Zamoria when a tiger suddenly attacks. He fights the beast off and the villagers tell him the tiger is actually the king’s daughter. They offer to pay Conan to kill the king, but when he leaves they plot to kill Conan if he succeeds. Conan attacks the king, learns the daughter wants to marry him, and fights a demon. Zukala escapes with his daughter, vowing revenge. Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Inspired by the poem “Zukala’s Hour”.

According to Roy Thomas’ chronology in CONAN SAGA, Conan is already 18 years old here.

Zukala, Zephra and Jaggta-Noga will appear again!

CONAN the BARBARIAN #6 (June 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Fafnir Demonhand, Blackrat, Suwong, Jenna (tavern wench), Nubion (prince of Zembabwei), Maldiz (blacksmith), Shadizar residents, Night-God acolytes, Hajii (Night-God priestess), Night-God (giant bat-creature)

SYNOPSIS:
Finally arriving in Shadizar, Conan meets Jenna (a tavern wench); when she’s abducted by Night-God acolytes he rushes to rescue her. After Conan kills the Night-God, Jenna robs Conan while he sleeps. Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Jenna tosses aside Conan's horned helmet and he apparently stops wearing it after this.

Fafnir will appear again!

Chronologies!

BORRI
COB 3
[COA 7]

CONAN
*COB 1 (14:4)-FB
*[COB 8-FB]
*COB 1 (14:5)-FB
*COB 1
*COB 2
*COB 3-FB
*COB 3
*COB 4
*COB 5
*COB 6
COSAV 2/2
……

FAFNIR DEMONHAND
COB 6
[COB 17]

HYLDA
COB 3
[COA 7]

JAGGTA-NOGA
COB 5

KULL
……
SAVSCO 213/2
TOD 26-FB
*{COB 1-FB}

SKALLA
COB 3
[COA 7]

YAG-KOSHA
COB 4-FB
COB 4

YARA
COB 4-FB
COB 4

ZEPHRA
COB 5

ZUKALA
COB 5

[Col_Fury]

CONAN the BARBARIAN #7 (July 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Aztrias (Numalia governor’s niece, also in fb), Kallian (hall of relics owner, also in fb), Arus (Kallian’s guard), Dionus (city guard prefect), Demetrio (city inquisitor), Numalia residents, Stygians (in fb), Karanthes (priest of Ibis, in fb), a Son of Set, Thoth-Amon

FLASHBACK:
Stygians drop off a giant bowl in Numalia and leave. The bowl is to be delivered to Karanthes (a priest of Ibis).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan is on the Road of Kings nearing Numalia when he saves a woman from attacking wolves. She lets him into the gated city and tells him about the bowl, and that she wants to him steal whatever’s inside it. Conan arrives to find Killian dead; he’s accused of murdering him, but soon everyone is attacked by a snake-like beast with a human face and Conan is cleared of suspicion. However, the snake-beast (a Son of Set) kills everyone but Conan. Conan kills the beast and looks in the empty bowl to learn Thoth-Amon was controlling the monster, who was intended to kill Karanthes. Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The God in the Bowl”.

Surprisingly for a comic from the early ‘70s, there’s an entire pages with no dialogue, letting the art speak for itself. Well done!

CONAN the BARBARIAN #8 (August 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Corinthian soldiers (inc Capt. Burgin (also in fb as a Gunderman), Ari), Gundermen (in fb), Jenna, Numalia governor (bts)

FLASHBACK:
“Two winters ago,” Venarium tries to invade part of Cimmeria but the Cimmerians drive them back. Conan kills several of the attacking Gundermen.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan is being pursued by soldiers from Corinthia at the request of Numalia. Conan kills them, save one. Conan comes across an abandoned city (Lanjou) where he’s attacked by a dragon. He kills the dragon and is confronted by the surviving soldier. They team up to find out why the city was abandoned. They find a room full of riches but are attacked by mummy soldiers. They draw the mummies outside where they fall into dust in the sunlight, but the city falls apart around them. Conan escapes but the soldier seemingly doesn’t Conan comes to the next town where he runs into the tavern wench from earlier (Jenna, from COB 6). More soldiers arrive to arrest Conan, sent by Demetrio, Namalia’s governor. Conan and Jenna escape.

NOTE:
“Based on an original synopsis by Robert E. Howard”.

CONAN the BARBARIAN #9 (September 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Jenna, Hialmar & other hillmen, Garakaa (winged creature)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Jenna meet some hillmen who give them food for the night. The next day Jenna is abducted by a winged creature. Conan searches for her, eventually finding a green tower where the winged creature throws a Hillman into a bed of flowers; the flowers eat the Hillman and turn red. Conan causes an elephant stampede to destroy the flowers then climbs the tower to kill the winged man. Conan and Jenna wander off.

NOTE:
Based on “The Garden of Fear”.

CONAN the BARBARIAN #10 (October 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Jenna, Burgun, Igon (young thief), Corinthian guards (inc Capt. Aron), a priest of Anu, Bull of Anu (“Bull of heaven,” “Avenger of Anu”), Red Priest (Nabonidus), Corinthian residents (inc Gorda)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Jenna arrive at Corinthia and quickly befriend two thieves; they hide from the city guards in the Temple of Anu. Conan eventually recognizes one of them as Burgun, who he thought died in Lanjou (COB 8). They team up and start robbing places all over the city. When they rob the red priest the city guards bribe an Anu priest to betray them; Burgun is captured and executed. Conan attacks the Anu priest who summons the Bull of Anu to fight Conan. The priest is killed by the bull and the bull vanishes. Conan than kills the city guard who executed Bugun and buries Burgun.

NOTE:
In COB 8 it was spelled “Burgin” once but here it’s “Burgun” several times.

2nd story:
Reprinted from BK 5/3.

3rd story:
By Roy Thomas and Marie & John Severin

APPEARANCES:
King Kull, living trees, cavemen (in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Cavemen fight living plants.
SYNOPSIS:
King Kull fights living trees and sees a glimpse of the past. Kull escapes and begins to return to Atlantis.

NOTE:
Based on a poem by Robert E. Howard.

CONAN the BARBARIAN #11 (November 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Ch’unda (jailer), Jenna (also in fb), Igon (also in fb), Corinthian guards (inc Cpt. Aron, in fb), Athicus (jailer), Murilo (nobleman, also in fb), Sivraj (Murilo’s servant), Red Priest (Nabonidus), Joka (Red Priest’s servant, corpse), Thank (giant ape-like beast, also in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Jenna betrays Conan to the city guards; Conan is drugged and captured (before main story). Murilo sneaks in the Red Priest’s house and encounters a giant ape-like beast (during main story).
SYNOPSIS:
In prison, Conan is approached by Murilo who wants him to kill the Red Priest (Nabonidus). Murilo arranges for Conan’s release. When Conan escapes he first goes to Jenna; he kills her new lover Igon and throws Jenna into sewage. Conan then sets about killing the Red Priest. Conan finds Murilo under the house and together they find the unconscious Red Priest. The three team up to escape Thank (the ape-beast). Conan eventually kills Thak and Nabonidus quickly betrays the others. So, Conan kills him and he and Murilo leave.

NOTE:
Based on “Rogues in the House”.

CONAN the BARBARIAN #12 (December 1971)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Fatima (Zahmahn queen, dies), Yaila (Fatima’s servant, becomes queen), Zahmahn city guards (inc Yulek), Dweller in the Dark (an octopus-like beast)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan nears Zahmahn and is attacked by city guards. After killing one of them (who was also the queen’s lover) Conan is captured and brought to Queen Fatima, who hires him as her new captain (and lover). Weeks pass and Conan learns he can’t leave the palace. Conan goes to confront her and finds her servant Yaila instead. Fatima sentences them both to death for their perceived infidelity. They’re tossed in the sewers where the Dweller in the Dark attacks; Conan injures it and they escape. Then, Conan tosses Fatima to the monster and Yaila is declared the new Queen of Zahmahn. Conan wanders off.

2nd story:
By Roy Thomas & Gil Kane

APPEARANCES:
Roy Thomas, Gil Kane; Kalligor (knight of Poitain), Valannus, a Baron & his son, the Hydragon, Aquilonia residents

FLASHBACK:
Kalligor defeats Valannus in a joust. He then meets with the Baron and hears of the Hydragon killing an entire village; the Baron’s son volunteers to go after it. When the Baron’s son doesn’t return, Kalligor volunteers to take care of the Hydragon; the Baron offers his daughter’s hand if he succeeds. Kalligor kills the Hydragon but it reverts to the Baron’s son upon death. Kalligor in turn transforms into the Hydragon. Oops!
SYNOPSIS:
Roy Thomas and Gil Kane chat about the Hyborean Age.

Chronologies!

BURGUN
COB 8
COB 10

CONAN
COB 1 (14:4)-FB
*COB 8-FB
COB 1 (14:5)-FB
COB 1
COB 2
COB 3-FB
COB 3
COB 4
COB 5
COB 6
*COB 7
*COB 8
*COB 9
*COB 10
*COB 11-FB
*COB 11
*COB 12
COSAV 2/2
……

IGON
COB 10
COB 11-FB
COB 11

JENNA
COB 6
COB 8
COB 9
COB 10
COB 11-FB
COB 11

KALLIGOR
COB 12/2-FB

KANE, GIL
COB 12/2

KARANTHES
COB 7-FB

KULL
……
KULLC 3
*COB 10/3
SAVSCO 213/2
X@ 13/3-FB
SAVSCO 213/2
TOD 26-FB
{COB 1-FB}

QUEEN FATIMA
COB 12

QUEEN YAILA
COB 12

RED PRIEST/NABONIDUS
COB 10
COB 11

THOMAS, ROY
SUB 19
TOWER 9
SGTF@ 6
A 83
*COB 12/2
M/FEA 2
AA2 16
IM 72
IM 85
FF 176
NO 5

THOTH-AMON
COB 7

VALANNUS
COB 12/2-FB

[wolframbane]

Tower of the Elephant was adapted into both Conan the Barbarian #4 and Savage Sword of Conan #24. The adaptation from SSOC 24 may have extra scenes.

[Col_Fury]

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #13 (January 1972)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Omm (giant spider creature), Thanix (farmer, also in fb), Lea (Thanix’s daughter, in fb), Brotherhood (Omm worshippers, some also in fb, inc Sarkon, Modar), Brotherhood captives (inc Tork)

FLASHBACK:
The Brotherhood abducts Lea, Thanix’s daughter (recently). The Brotherhood abducts Tork (a while back).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan is ambushed by the Brotherhood and stranded in the desert. After wandring, hallucinating and almost dying he’s found by Thanix and given water. Thanix says his daughter was abducted by the people who attacked Conan, so they go to rescue her. Conan gets themselves captured on purpose. After finding Lea, Conan chats with a fellow captive (Tork) who plans to destroy the city. Conan is forced to fight Omm. Conan kills Omm and Tork causes the city to collapse. After sending Lea with Tork, Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Story plotted by John Jakes.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #14 (March 1972)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Zephra, Zukala, Green Empress (Terhali, in fb) & her Foemen (in fb), Lord Arkyn (voice only), Xiombarg (queen of the Chaos-Swords), her soldiers (“Chaos Pack”) (inc Prince Gaynor) & her Hooded Ones, Elric (sorcerer king of Melniboné, also in fb), Marduk (Prince Gaynor’s horse)

FLASHBACK:
The Green Empress (Terhali) has fallen and is entombed in the city of Yagala. The city is then sent to Hyboria and sunk in a lake (long ago). Elric learns his ancestor’s (Terhali) sorcery and finds a way to get to Hyboria (a little more recently).
SYNOPSIS:
In Koth, Conan sees some men chasing a lady and intervenes. Conan’s surprised to see them riding bird creatures instead of horses, and when one dies it turns to dust. The lady turns out to be Zephra (from COB 5) who takes Conan to her dad (Zukala), who is now dying. Zukala warns Conan about Kulan-Gath, a rival to Thoth-Amon, then tells him about the Sighing Lake. Canon and Zephra leave for the lake. Zukala then communicates with Lord Arkyn. Meanwhile, Xiombarg prepares to conquer both Melniboné and Hyboria. Later, Conan runs into Elric and the two fight until they realize they’re on the same side and call a truce. Suddenly, they’re attacked by Prince Gaynor and the Chaos Pack. Zephra makes it rain and the bad guys lose the fight.

NOTE:
Story plotted by Michael Moorcock & James Cawthorn.

Kulan Gath only appears as an image in a lake, so this issue should be deleted from his chronology.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #15 (May 1972)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Zephra, Elric, Xiombarg, Kulan-Gath (Xiombarg’s protégé), Prince Gaynor & the Chaos Pack, Zukala, Green Empress (Terhali), Arkyn (voice only)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and the others eventually make it the Sighing Lake. Inside Yagala they stop Kulan-Gath from resurrecting the Green Empress, and then they’re attacked again by Prince Gaynor and the Chaos Pack. While Conan and Elric are distracted Kulan-Gath resurrects the Green Empress. Zephra is empowered by Arkyn and kills the Green Empress but dies herself. Elric goes home and Conan brings Zephra’s body to her father. Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Story plotted by Michael Moorcock & James Cawthorn.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #16 (July 1972)
Reprint of SAVT 1, but in color!

2nd Story:
Reprint of COD 4/3, a Starr the Slayer tale.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #17 (August 1972)
By Roy Thomas & Gil Kane

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Fafnir Demonhand & his pirates, Kyrie (Rane’s daughter, also in fb), Rane the Reaver (Vanir pirate, in fb) & his pirates (in fb), Gothan (Bal-Sagoth high priest, also in fb), Groth-Golka (last of the Lizard-Gods, giant reptile creature, dies), Vertorix (“King’s defender,” animated armor), Bal-Sagoth islanders (inc King Ska, some also in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Rane the Reaver, his daughter Kyrie and his pirates are capsized and only Kyrie ends up on Bal-Sagoth, the Island of the Gods. She looks like one of their gods (Aala) and so is worshipped. High priest Gothan eventually unseats her and she’s exiled.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan fights some pirates and re-meets Fafnir and learns he’s Vanir (Conan’s not happy about that). The boat capsizes and Conan fights a shark. The two end up on an island. Conan attacks Fafnir for being Vanir, but the two eventually call a truce when they find themselves evenly matched. A woman (Kyrie) screams and the pair save her from a giant reptile creature. After hearing her story they follow her to the capital where she tells the people of a prophecy that will doom their island. In a challenge, Conan battles the king’s defender; when it’s defeated it’s revealed to be an empty suit of armor, animated by Gothan. Gothan and Ska escape while Kyrie celebrates being queen again.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #18 (September 1972)
By Roy Thomas & Gil Kane

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Fafnir Demonhand, Kyrie, Gothan, Ska, Yezdigerd (Prince of Turan) & his sailors, Bal-Sagoth islanders, monster, bat man creature

FLASHBACK:
Recap of last issue.
SYNOPSIS:
After celebrating Kyrie’s queenship, Conan is attacked by a monster. He defeats it, then Conan and Fafnir hear Kyrie being attacked by a bat man creature. It’s defeated as well, and Gothan was responsible. The fight causes an avalanche and the palace collapses, fulfilling Kyrie’s prophecy. As Conan and Fafnir escape a volcano erupts, taking the rest of the city. Conan and Fafnir are picked up by a passing boat.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The Gods of Bal-Sagoth” by REH.

Apparently, Kyrie and Gothan used to… “date.”

Chronologies!

ARKYN, LORD
COB 14-VO
COB 15-VO

CONAN
……
COB 12
*COB 13
*COB 14
*COB 15
*COB 17
*COB 18
[SAVSCO 210]
……

ELRIC
COB 14-FB
COB 14
COB 15
[EPICI 3]
[EPICI 4/2]
[M/GN 2]

FAFNIR DEMONHAND
COB 6
*COB 17
*COB 18

GREEN EMPRESS/TERHALI
COB 14-FB
COB 15

KULAN GATH
A3 29 (19:2)-FB
[COB 258-FB]
*COB 14 (delete)
{COB 15}
……

OMM
COB 13

PRINCE GAYNOR
COB 14
COB 15

XIOMBARG
COB 14
COB 15

YEZDIGERD
COB 18

ZEPHRA
COB 5
*COB 14
*COB 15

ZUKALA
COB 5
*COB 14
*COB 15

[wolframbane]

Elric and other Elric related characters next appear in Marvel Graphic Novel #2.
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/elricofmelnibone.htm

[wolframbane]

During COB 13, Conan is briefly transported to the modern era by Zarrko, where he encounters Ant-Man and Iron Man 2020. This appears just before he attacks Omm the spider with his sword. This was in FF 405.

CONAN
……
COB 12
*COB 13 (1 - 15:3)
*FF 405
*COB 13 (1:4 - 22)
COB 14
……

[Col_Fury]

Re: Elric
Yep. Also some issues of EPIC ILLUSTRATED?

Re: FF 405
Thanks!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #19 (October 1972)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Fafnir Demonhand, Yezdigerd (also in fb) & his sailors (inc Balthaz) & army, Tarim (mystic & king of Turan, in fb), Tarim II (descendant of Tarim, king of Turan, in fb), Tarim III (descendant of Tarim, king of Turan, in fb), Makkalet soldiers (in fb), King Yildiz (Yezdigerd’s father, in fb), King of Makkalet & his army, Queen of Makkalet, Kharam-Akkad (King of Makkalet’s advisor & high priest) & his giant zombies

FLASHBACK:
During the Great Cataclysm, Tarim saves a bunch of people, then becomes a king. Over the centuries his descendants continue to rule over Turan (over eight thousand years). Makkalet soldiers abduct the current Tarim; Yezdigerd’s father sends him out to start a war with Makkalet and rescue Tarim (a few weeks ago).
SYNOPSIS:
On Yezdigerd’s ship, Conan gets into a scuffle with a sailor. Soon after, Yezdigerd recruits Conan and Fafnir. The next day they (and Yexdigerd’s army) arrive in Makkalet and are ambushed. As the fighting continues Makkalet soldiers are joined by zombies at Kharam-Akkad’s command. Fafnir is shot with a flaming arrow and passes out. Conan turns the tide and there’s a break in the fighting.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #20 (November 1972)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Fafnir Demonhand, Yezdigerd & his army (inc Balthaz, Alafdhal, Kerim Bey), King of Makkalet & his army (inc Lykas), Queen of Makkalet (“Caissa”), Kharam-Akkad, Tarim III, Black Hound (a panther), a zombie soldier

SYNOPSIS:
Yexdigerd’s army retreats to their ships and Conan finds that Fafnir’s arm had to be amputated. Conan joins a small team to sneak into Makkalet to rescue Tarim. Most of the infiltrators die but Conan makes it to the priest, Kharam-Akkad. After fighting a zombie soldier, Conan nears the captive Tarim only to fall through a trap door where the Black Hound is hungry and waiting. Conan kills the beast and escapes. Returning to the ship Conan learns Fafnir was tossed overboard with the rest of the dead, even though he wasn’t quite dead yet. Conan kills the man who gave the order and jumps off the ship.

NOTE:
We will learn later that Fafnir didn’t die here, and also got his arm back (well, sort of. He will be called Fafnir “Demonhand” for a reason). Of course, Conan *thinks* he’s dead, so he shouldn’t make any appearances alongside Conan until after Conan learns he’s alive.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #21 (December 1972)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, King of Makkalet (Eannatum) & his army (inc Naram-Pyr, Kurusan, Yaar Ali, Akhaan), Queen of Makkalet (Melissandra), Kharam-Akkad, Tarim III, Yezdigerd & his army (inc Farizam), Justin (blind hermit) & his daughter, Monster of the Monoliths (giant toad-like creature), Makkalet residents

SYNOPSIS:
Conan washes ashore in Makkalet and is immediately captured. He’s brought to the king of Makkalet and recruited for a new quest; get to the queen’s father and ask for aid. After making it past Yezdigerd’s encampments, Conan and some soldiers travel for fifteen days and stops at the Black Monoliths of Xuthltan so the Makkalet soldiers can bless their travels. Then, Conan is knocked out. He wakes up to the Makkalet chief killing his soldiers as a sacrifice; Conan will be next. When the ceremony produces the Monster of the Monoliths Conan breaks free and tricks it into eating the Makkalet chief. Conan leaves to complete his mission (even though the queen ordered all of this).

NOTE:
Last issue the queen told Conan her name was “Cassia;” this issue clarifies that’s not really her name in narrator captions.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #22 (January 1973)
Reprint of COB 1.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #23 (February 1973)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja & her Dog-Brothers, King Ghannif (king of Pah-Dishah, Queen Melissandra’s father) & his concubines, Yezdigerd & his soldiers (inc Kalmus), Vulture (Mikhal Oglu, Turanian slayer), King Eannatum & his army inc (Naram-Pyr, Rhupen), Queen Melissandra, Sulimar (Yezdigerd’s councilor), Pah-Dishah soldiers & residents, villagers (inc Ivga)

SYNOPSIS:
A week after COB 21, Conan arrives in Pah-Dishah to complete his quest. Once he does he’s paid and heads south. Meanwhile, Yezdigerd is joined by the Vulture, a fierce warrior. Instead of sending him to battle Makkalet, Yezdigerd sends the Vulture after Conan for revenge. Three days later, Conan wakes up in a village set on fire. At first he wants to flee (and take his lady with him), but when the Vulture kills his lady-friend Conan’s rage is unleashed. He memorizes he Vulture’s face and heads toward Makkalet. Nearing the boarder he’s greeted by Red Sonja and her Dog-Brothers, sent by King Ghannif. After being warned against romantic advances toward Red Sonja, Conan get drunk and wanders into town, accidentally passing by Queen Melissandra. Later Conan is ambushed as a present to the Vulture. Red Sonja frees him and together they ambush the Vulture. Later, the Vulture’s head is sent to Yezdigerd as a message.

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

Conan loses his three-disc necklace thing here; Ivga is wearing it when he wakes up. When she’s killed he doesn’t stop to retrieve it.

Eannatum and Melissandra were married two years ago.

Also, Conan likes his lady-friends to be “full-bodied.” I agree, Conan! Need some meat on them bones!

Also also, Conan describes Red Sonja as “a red-haired she-devil more beautiful than the flames of hell… a girl whose savage cutting and slashing stirs his blood -- beyond all reason!” When he learns her name he verifies how it’s pronounced: “Son-Ya?”

Also also also, as pointed out to me by wolframbane:

This may help in placing Red Sonja stories connected to Conan stories. In Conan the King #28, an older Sonja teams with Conan. Conan the King #2 states Conan is 60. [CONAN SAGA’s] Red Sonja Chronology states she is 60. Thus they are the same age and therefore you can place certain RS stories parallel to certain Conan stories if you have her age.

And, a complete, nothing to do with anything, aside, in high school I was friends with a red haired girl named Sonja.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #24 (March 1973)
By Roy Thomas & Barry Smith

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja (also bts in fb) & her Dog-Brothers (inc Big Jax), Kharam-Akkad, King Ghannif (vo in fb), Queen Melissandra, King Eannatum, Makkalet soldiers (inc Chumballa Bey) & residents

FLASHBACK:
King Ghannif sends Red Sonja to Makkalet to help, but also to steal a serpent-tiara.
SYNOPSIS:
After dancing all night and accidentally starting a bar fight, Red Sonja takes Conan skinny dipping; the water sobers her up and she puts her shirt back on. Remembering she had something to do tonight the pair steal a horse and get to work. They sneak into a palace tower and Red Sonja finds her serpent-tiara. Soon after, Conan finds Red Sonja battling a giant golden serpent. After pausing for a moment after realizing Red Sonja was leaving him behind, Conan leaps forward and eventually defeats it. When it reverts to a tiara Red Sonja reveals it’s from Kull’s time and helped him defeat the Serpent Men. Red Sonja rides off without repaying Conan in the way she implied. Frustrated, Conan returns to his barracks.

NOTE:
According to Conan, Red Sonja has “sea-green eyes.”

Chronologies!

CONAN
……
COB 12
COB 13 (1 - 15:2)
FF 405
COB 13 (15:3 - 22)
COB 14
COB 15
COB 17
COB 18
*COB 19
*COB 20
*COB 21
*COB 23
*COB 24
[SAVSCO 210]
……

FAFNIR DEMONHAND
COB 6
COB 17
COB 18
*COB 19
*COB 20

KHARAM AKKAD
COB 19
COB 20
COB 21
COB 24

KING EANNATUM
COB 19
COB 20
COB 21
COB 23
COB 24

KING GHANNIF
COB 24-FB-VO
{COB 23}

KING YILDIZ III
*COB 19-FB
RS2 2
*M/GN:COR

KING YILDIZ IV
M/GN:COR

QUEEN MELISSANDRA/”CAISSA”
COB 19
COB 20
COB 21
COB 23
COB 24

RED SONJA
KULLB 3/2-FB
*COB 24-FB-BTS
*{COB 23}
*COB 24
M/FEA2 1
……

TARIM
COB 19-FB

TARIM II
COB 19-FB

TARIM III
COB 19-FB
COB 20
COB 21

VULTURE/MIKHAL OGLU
COB 23

Renumber all other Vultures (I-VII) up one notation each (to II-VIII).

YEZDIGERD
*COB 19-FB
{COB 18}
*COB 19
*COB 20
*COB 21
*COB 23

[ShadZ]

Elric and other Elric related characters next appear in Marvel Graphic Novel #2.
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/elricofmelnibone.htm

Actually, the first half of Marvel Graphic Novel #2 is reprinted from Epic Illustrated #3 & 4. So Elric next appears in Epic Illustrated #3.

[Col_Fury]

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #25 (April 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema (co-plotted by Barry Smith)

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Kharam-Akkad, Tarim III, King Kull (in fb), Brule (in fb), Tuzun Thune (in fb), Baron Kaanuub (bts in fb), Queen Melissandra, King Eannatum & his army (inc Chumballa Bey), Yezdigerd & his soldiers (inc Sulimar), Makkalet residents, tentacled monster

FLASHBACK:
King Kull is bored, so on the suggestion of a girl of the court he seeks out Tuzun Thune. Kull gazes into the mirrors of Tuzun Thune and sees the past and future, becoming transfixed. Brule arrives and kills Thune, saving Kull, and reveals this was a plot by Baron Kaanuub to dethrone Kull.
SYNOPSIS:
Watching Conan return to his barracks, Kharam-Akkad tells Tarim about the mirrors of Tuzun Thune. Now possessing those mirrors, Kharam-Akkad tells Tarim that they show a future where Conan kills Kharam. Meanwhile, Conan is arrested; when he learns he’s being taken to Kharam he fights the soldiers off and escapes. Stumbling across the king and queen, Conan wonders of he should kill the traitorous woman; while paused he’s knocked out. Meanwhile, Yezdigerd prepares to attack again. Conan wakes up and Kharam forces him to look in the mirror and Conan is attacked by a tentacled beast. Chopping off the monster’s limbs, Conan battles Kharam. Meanwhile, the king and queen prepare to leave the city as they invaded by Yezdigerd’s forces. Conan kills Kharam-Akkad.

NOTE:
Inspired in part by “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” by REH.

Published between KULLC 7-8.

One day Conan will be known as “Amra” (which means “lion”).

When Conan removes the severed tentacles from himself, he’s covered in welts left behind by the tentacles’ suction cups. Yuck!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #26 (May 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Tarim III, Kharam-Akkad (corpse), Queen Melissandra, King Eannatum & his army (inc Chumballa Bey), Yezdigerd & his soldiers (inc Sulimar), Makkalet residents

FLASHBACK:
Brief recap of COB 25.
SYNOPSIS:
Everyone fights, lots of people die and Conan gets the queen out of the city. She reveals it was Kharam-Akkad gave her the amulet that got Conan into trouble, so he forgives her. Also, she’s pregnant. Conan wishes her luck with that. Also, the Tarim is revealed as a jibbering inbred idiot, and he’s killed. Yezdigerd carts around his (robed) corpse to declare victory.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #27 (June 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Turgohl (a mute barbarian), Suwaan (Turgohl’s lady slave), the Butcher (Skol Abdhur, also in fb)’s bandit horde (inc Kai Shaah, Kadra Mahmed), Bel-Hissar (in fb), Naka (in fb), Yezdigerd’s army

FLASHBACK:
Bel-Hissar comes into possession of a blood ruby (fb). Naka tells the story of how he found the ruby (fb-fb). Eventually, the Butcher gets the ruby (fb).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan stops a mute from beating on a woman, but they’re interrupted by Yexdigerd’s approaching army. They flee to a nearby castle where they’re allowed to enter, but not the army. Inside, the place is filled with a bandit horde. After hearing about the blood ruby Conan gets drunk and passes out. When he wakes up the leader of the bandit horde is dead and the ruby is missing. The woman he rescued accuses Conan, but Conan and Turgohl (the mute) escape. The mute reveals to Conan that he has the ruby and that the woman is his wife. Meanwhile, she’s accused of taking the ruby and framing the Cimmerian for the theft. She’s killed, and when the ruby isn’t found the bandit horde slaughter each other. Conan and the mute part ways and Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Blood of Belshazzar” by REH.

Turgohl will appear again!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #28 (July 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Thutmekri (Stygian, also in fb) & his Zembabwei warriors (inc M’Gorah), Helgi (Thutmekri’s lady slave, also in fb), Dalboor (witch, possessing M’Gorah), Zemba (giant golden ape), with-dancers, a Lakhmu (giant snake w/legs)

FLASHBACK:
Thutmekri obtains a golden statue of a gorilla god then buys Helgi as his lady slave.
SYNOPSIS:
In a jungle, Conan is attacked by a Lakhmu, falls into some quicksand and is saved by the arriving Thutmekri. However, Thutmekri leaves Conan in the quicksand. Conan frees himself and poisons his knife in preparation to encounter Thutmekri again. Conan soon finds Thutmekri’s men slaughtered and Thutmekri tied up in a tree. Conan frees him and leaves. Conan finds the captive Helgi, who is going to be sacrificed by Dalboor (a witch doctor possessing one of Thutmekri’s men). Dalboor summons Zemba, a giant ape; Conan defeats it and Dalboor dies. Conan free Helgi.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Moon of Zembabwei” by REH.

Thutmekri will appear again!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #29 (August 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, King Yildiz (bts, en route to Aghrapur), Omraxes/Eithriall (wizard) & his spiritual double, Aghrapur residents (inc Amir of Khawarizm), Turanian army (inc Fredor, Usshir, Akuros)

SYNOPSIS:
In Aghrapur, Conan starts a street fight and is rescued by Omraxes. However, Omraxes is attacked and captured. Conan is later awoken by a friend of Omraxes, who tells Conan where he is. Conan leaves to rescue Omraxes. At the fortress where he’s being held, Conan learns King Yildiz is on his way to get Omraxes. He rescues Omraxes and brings him to his friend, who reveals Omraxes is actually his spiritual double. Now that they’re together again he’ll be able to ravage all of Turan. Conan foils the plot and the wizard dies. Shortly afterward, Conan is hired into the Turanian army.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “Two Against Tyre” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #30 (September 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Atalis the Far-Seeing (philosopher), Hildico (Atalis the Far-Seeing’s slave), Prince Thann, Turanian army, Munthassem Khan (Yaralet king, also in fb) & his army, Nergal (a god), Tammuz (a god), Yaralet residents (in fb), giant phantom bats

FLASHBACK:
Munthassem Khan was a benevolent king until he obtained the Hand of Nergal. Then, Khan became cruel, punished anyone who said otherwise and killed all the wizards.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan fights against Munthassem Khan’s army until they all attacked by giant phantom bats. Conan is lucky enough to get a talisman off one, then he passes out. When he wakes up everyone is dead and the bats are gone. Conan finds a lady (Hildico) on the battlefield, who tells Conan that Atalis the Far-Seeing has a job for him in Yaralet. Arriving in Yaralet, Atalis tells Conan about the Hand of Nergal and they set off to destroy it to free the city. After some shenanigans Khan is defeated. Nergal and Tammuz appear ad fight each other; Tammuz wins. Later, Conan takes Hildico as payment and leaves.

NOTE:
Adapted from “The Hand of Nergal” by Lin Carter & REH.

Nergal and Tammuz will appear again!

Chronologies!

BRULE
……
KULLC 7
COTL 10-BTS
*COB 25-FB
SAVSCO 23/2-FB
SAVSCO 23/2
KULLC 8
……

BUTCHER/SKOL ABDHUR
COB 27-FB
COB 27

*BUTCHER (renumber to be the second)
YMEN 24 (1 - 9:5)
……

CONAN
……
COB 24
*COB 25
*COB 26
*COB 27
*COB 28
*COB 29
*[SAVSCO 132-FB]
*COB 30
[SAVSCO 210]
……

KAANUUB, BARON
……
KULLC 6
*COB 25-FB-BTS
*KULLC 10
……

KHARAM AKKAD
……
COB 24
*COB 25
*COB 26

KING EANNATUM
……
COB 24
*COB 25
*COB 26

KING YILDIZ III
COB 19-FB
*COB 29-BTS
RS2 2
M/GN:COR

KULL
……
KULLC 7
COTL 10
*COB 25-FB
SAVSCO 23/2-FB
SAVSCO 23/2
KULLC 8
……

NERGAL
COB 30

QUEEN MELISSANDRA/”CAISSA”
……
COB 24
*COB 25
*COB 26

TAMMUZ
COB 30

TARIM III
……
COB 21
*COB 25
*COB 26

THUTMEKRI
COB 28-FB
COB 28

TURGOHL
COB 27

TUZUN THUNE
COB 25-FB

YEZDIGERD
……
COB 23
*COB 25
*COB 26

[Col_Fury]

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #31 (October 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Turanian army (inc Capt. Malthuz), Hill-Men (inc Hobar, Toruk)

FLASHBACK:
After Conan left Cimmeria, he fights a bear and finds a magic sword. He ends up fighting his own shadow. After defeating it Conan tosses the sword aside and develops a distaste for magic.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan and the Turanian army are ambushed by Hill-Men, so they retreat to a cave. The Hill-Men challenge a duel between their best and the Turanians’ best. The Turanian captain says he’ll go but Conan knocks him out and goers himself, instead. After a tussle, Conan kills the Hill-Men champion in an avalanche. The Hill-Men honor their bargain and leave.

NOTE:
Conan, and Cimmerians in general, doesn’t/don’t know how to read. They consider writing to be “magic.”

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #32 (November 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Kassar (sheep herder), Li-Kung the Thunderer (Khitai guard), Cmdr. Narim-Bey (of Turanian army, in fb), Amytis (Narim-Bey’s lady, in fb), Capt. Malthuz (bts in fb), King Yildiz (bts in fb), Wan Tengri residents (inc Tsien Hui) & soldiers, tentacled lady monster, Bourtai (in shadows)

FLASHBACK:
At the request of King Yildiz, Conan is sent to Wan Tengri in Khitai to see if it’s ready for conquest.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan sneaks into Wan Tengri and learns you can’t steal things within the city walls. He hides in a merchant’s shop and is tempted by a blonde woman who turns out to be a tentacled beast. He defeats it, escapers and passes out. While he sleeps he’s approached by a shadowy figure…

NOTE:
Freely adapted from the novel “Flame Winds” by Norvell Page with permission of Conde Nast.

Again, Conan is covered in welts after fighting a tentacled beast. Yuck!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #33 (December 1973)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Death, Kassar (corpse), Wan Tengri’s Brotherhood of Thieves (inc Bourtai), Seven Wizards (also in fb), Wan Tengri soldiers, a tiger

FLASHBACK:
Half a year ago on the seventh day of the seventh month, seven wizards in robes of seven colors arrived in Wan Tengri and quickly took over (new). Recap of some early Conan adventures from COB (not new).
SYNOPSIS:
The shadowy figure (Bourtai) tries to rob Conan but wakes him up; city soldiers arrive and he takes Conan to his hideout where Conan meets the city’s Brotherhood of Thieves. After hearing about the Seven Wizards Conan naps, wakes up healed and hears about the sheep herder who snuck him in having been arrested. Conan sneaks into the Seven Wizards’ tower to rescue his friend only to find him dead. Conan is caught and forced to fight a tiger, then seven soldiers. After defeating them Conan is confronted by Death herself.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from the novel “Flame Winds” by Norvell Page with permission of Conde Nast.

The letters page has a missive from future Marvel editor Ralph Macchio.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #34 (January 1974)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Death, Bourtai, Kassar (corpse), Seven Wizards, Wan Tengri Princess (& her advisors inc Chien Su), soldiers (inc Shamaash the Terrible) & residents, a manticore

SYNOPSIS:
Conan challenges Death and wins. When she vanishes, the Seven Wizards start fighting amongst themselves to learn what Conan learned from Death. Conan escapes and forms a plan to defeat the Seven Wizards. That night he sneaks further into their tower and fights a mantincore and a guard before finding the city’s princess. After freeing her, Conan sees that the Seven Wizards’ fighting between themselves has caused the populace to lose faith in them, and they’re rioting in the streets. Eventually the Wizards are killed and the princess takes back the city. She pays Conan for saving her, but the prize turns out to be a trick. Conan takes his losses and leaves for the desert with Bourtai.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from the novel “Flame Winds” by Norvell W. Page with permission of Conde Nast.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #35 (February 1974)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bourtai, bandits (inc Allo Akbar, Kai Shaah), some guy, a demon

SYNOPSIS:
In the desert west of Khitai, Conan and Bourtai spy a man being attacked by bandits. The man is stabbed and Conan drives the bandits off, only for reinforcements to chase him through the desert. The man wakes up and warns them the Azure Eye of Kara-Shehr is near and they should stay away. The man dies; Bourtai says they should find the valuable gem. After a sandstorm they stumble across the lost city of Kara-Shehr, the City of the Dead. They find the gem inside but Conan is cautious and wants to leave the gem where it is (in a skeleton’s hand). They’re attacked by more bandits and Conan recognizes one of them: Kai Shaah (from COB 27). Shaah takes the gem and is killed by a demon. Bourtai grabs the gem and is also killed. The bandits run off. Conan notices there are now three skeletons instead of two. Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Fire of Asshurbanipal” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #36 (March 1974)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Narim-Bey, Amytis & her maidens (inc Shiiba), Feyd-Ratha, King Yildiz, Prince Yezdigerd (bts, also in fb) & his army (also in fb), priest from Dimmorz, Aghrapur soldiers (inc Swartho, Torhan, Velurr) & residents, stone idol

FLASHBACK:
Yezdigerd continues to attack other cities, including Razadan.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan returns to Turan (and Aghrapur city) to give his report, but collapses. When he wakes up he was some fun with Lady Amytis. Two weeks later Amytis’ husband returns with King Yildiz who brags about his son and says they plan to get an idol from Dimmorz to match one they got from Razadan. While Conan stays in Aghrapur he learns how to use bows & arrows, spears, horseback fighting, bolos and battle axes. Later, Amytis tells Conan the Yezdigerd has conquered Dimmorz and there will be a parade tomorrow. When the two idols are reunited to make a statue, it comes to life and attacks the king. Conan notices the priest who brought the idol is controlling it, so he kills the priest, saving the king. More concerned with almost dying, King Yildiz doesn’t notice it was Conan who saved him, instead wondering if his son tried to assassinate him.

Chronologies!

AMYTIS
COB 32-FB
COB 36

BOURTAI
COB 32
COB 33
COB 34
COB 35

CONAN
COB 1 (14:4)-FB
SAVT 4 (4:4)-FB
COB 8-FB
COB 1 (14:5)-FB
SAVT 4 (4:5 - 4:7)-FB
*COB 31-FB
COB 1
……
COB 30
*COB 31
*COB 32-FB
*COB 32
*COB 33
*COB 34
*COB 35
*[SAVSCO 153/2]
*COB 36
[SAVSCO 210]
……

DEATH
KULLC3 2
M/GN:KULLVOS
*COB 33
*COB 34
AF 8-FB
……

KAI SHAAH
COB 27
COB 35

KING YILDIZ III
COB 19-FB
COB 29-BTS
*COB 32-FB-BTS
*COB 36
RS2 2
M/GN:COR

NARIM-BEY
COB 32-FB
COB 36

YEZDIGERD
……
COB 26
*COB 36-FB
*COB 36-BTS

[Col_Fury]

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #37 (April 1974)
by Roy Thomas & Neal Adams

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Rotath (also in fb), Kull (in fb), King Yildiz (bts), Princess Yolinda (Yildiz’s granddaughter, Yezdigerd’s daughter), Anaxor (Rotath’s man-like baboon beast), Turanian army (inc Capt. Kiribor, Juma), Hillmen, giant lizards, giant slug

FLASHBACK:
Kull stands over the dying Rotath, who curses his own bones before passing on. Centuries later, a savage finds Rotath’s golden skeleton; his flesh is stripped from him and Rotath is revived.
SYNOPSIS:
While escorting the King’s granddaughter for King Yildiz, Conan and some Turanian soldiers are ambushed by Hillmen. The princess is captured and only Conan and Juma survive, who are enslaved by the Hillmen. Taken to warmer climes they eventually come to a crystal tower in a forest. Inside they’re confronted by Rotath who sends Conan and Juma into the mines to dig up gold. They find a giant slug that eats gold, set it loose and escape. Returning to Rotath they interrupt a wedding ceremony between him and Yolinda. After some shenanigans the slug eats Rotath.

NOTE:
Inspired by the short story “The Curse of the Golden Skull” by REH. Juma is the creation of L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter and is used by their kind permission.

Juma tells Conan here that rhinos are called “unicorns.” Years later in CO:ROOT, Conan will be pleased to see that unicorns still roam the forest.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #38 (May 1974)
by Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Narim-Bey, Amytis, Ibi-Engur (Narim-Bey’s cousin), Feyd-Ratha, Lilitu (were-woman), Gimil-Ishbi (priest, also in fb), King Yildiz (bts in fb), Ardat Lili (Lilitu’s inhuman mate, a were-man), Turanian army, dancing ladies (inc Belbina)

FLASHBACK:
Gimil-Ishbi was a Turanian high priest who dealt with demons and was eventually banished by King Yildiz.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan (now a captain in the Turanian army) is being haunted by a were-woman. Amytis tells him about Lilitu and Gimil-Ishbi, so Conan chats with the priest to learn about the were-woman. Gimil-Ishbi shows Conan how to defeat Lilitu and demands a life in return, so Conan kills the priest. Conan follows the priest’s instructions and is attacked by Ardat Lili, the were-woman’s mate; Conan traps him and forces Lilitu to tell him why she’s after him: Narim-Bey, the jealous husband. Narim-Bey attacks but is killed by Lilitu and her mate. Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The House of Arabu” by REH.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #39 (June 1974)
by Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Ben-Hussal (also in fb), Rachalla (Ben-Hussal’s niece, also in fb), Ghul-Azalel (dark priest, also in fb), bandits, a giant alligator (“sea-god”)

FLASHBACK:
Ben-Hussal’s priest starts getting crazy so he and his niece get the hell out of town.
SYNOPSIS:
On his wat to Zamora Conan is attacked by bandits. He fights them off but his horse breaks a leg and Conan is bitten by a snake. He wakes up in a caravan who rescued him and they tell him about a crazy priest. Having heard the priest was dead they go back to their old town, but are ambushed by the priest and his men. The niece is put up for a sacrifice to a giant alligator, so Conan fights it. Conan injured the beast and ties the priest to it; the giant returns to the sea and takes the priest with. The priest is revealed as Ben-Hussal’s brother and Rachalla’s father.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #40 (July 1974)
by Roy Thomas & Rich Buckler

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Libro (priest), Ishtar (“Alonia,” goddess of fire and flesh), bandits (inc Tassgorian, Oggar, Hamarr, Phandar), a monster

SYNOPSIS:
In the desert, Conan comes across a stranded man who tells him about the lost citadel Ababenzzar. Finding the lost citadel, Conan finds bandits inside. The bandits hear a noise and split up to see what it is and Conan meets a woman, Alonia (who secretly already knows Libro). Conan attacks the bandits, and then they’re all attacked by a monster summoned by Libro. A bandit kills Libro and Alonia calls off the monster. Alonia gets her hand on a giant gem and reveals herself as Ishtar, goddess of fire and flesh, then vanishes. Conan considers taking some jewels with him but decides he probably shouldn’t anger a goddess and wanders off instead.

NOTE:
Adapted from a plot by Michael Resnick, author of Goddess of Ganymede.

It’s been three years since Conan was in the City of Thieves, so he’s roughly 21 by now.

2nd story:
Reprinted from JIM 86/3 (an editor’s box says JIM 95, though. oops).

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #41 (August 1974)
by Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Zhadorr (a tree lady?), desert village residents (inc Abool, Phandar), brigands (inc Haak-Shi, Yar Ali, Fazul)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan wanders into a desert village and sees a mob chasing a lady (Zhadoor). He saves her and the two ride off into the desert. They travel to an oasis that she knows about but they’re attacked by brigands and captured. Later, one of the brigands takes Zhadorr away for some fun; Conan frees himself but by the time he gets to them there’s only Zhadoor and a pile of bones, and then Zhadoor dies. Conan returns to the other brigands to find them being attacked by a living tree. Conan sets the tree on fire and passes out. When Conan awakes a pod from the tree hatches and Zhadoor emerges. Conan hacks her to pieces.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #42 (September 1974)
by Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Baron Takkim (also in fb), Arlinna (also as “Lady Asqueth” & “Merriam,” also in fb), Tavashtri (gargoyle monster), City of Thieves residents (inc Armand, Womar, Brutos, Krono, Lun-Faar), Zhadorr (in Conan’s thoughts)

FLASHBACK:
Arlinna is accused of killing an ambasaador; Baron Takkim catches her fleeing the scene and takes her with him.
SYNOPSIS:
In the City of Thieves, Conan overhears an argument; Baron Takkim sends Arlinna to steal something from Lun-Faar. She leaves but is approached by three thieves; Conan intervenes and takes her out on the town. That night she knocks Conan out so she can continue her mission. She fails and Lun-Faar roughs her up a bit. He then sends his gargoyle monster out to kill whoever sent her. Conan wakes up and stops her from killing herself. She takes him to Baron Takkim who is killed by the gargoyle. Conan fights the beast, which breaks Lun-Faar’s concentration. The gargoyle leaves Conan and kills Lun-Faar.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Purple Heart of Erlik” by REH.

An editor’s note tells us to check out the upcoming SAVSCO 1, which takes place between COB 42-43. Continuity!

Chronologies!

AMYTIS
COB 32-FB
COB 36
*COB 38

CONAN
……
COB 36
*COB 37
*COB 38
*COB 39
*[SAVSCO 207]
*[SAVSCO 208]
*[SAVSCO 209]
[SAVSCO 210]
M/SSPEC 9
*COB 40
*COB 41
*COB 42
*[SAVSCO 1]
[COB 44]
……

FEYD-RATHA
COB 36
COB 38

ISHTAR/INANNA/”ALONIA”
COB 40
HELL:PL 15

*ISHTAR/LEYLA (renumber to be the second)
See Vitriol

JUMA
COB 37

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

KULL
……
SAVSCO 233/3 (1 - 8)
*COB 37-FB
CO:ROOT-FB
SAVSCO 233/3 (9 - 10)
……

NARIM-BEY
COB 32-FB
COB 36
*COB 38

ROTATH
SAVSCO 231/3
SAVSCO 232/3
SAVSCO 233/3 (1 - 8)
*COB 37 (1)-FB
CO:ROOT-FB
*COB 37 (2:1)-FB
SAVSCO 233/3 (9 - 10)
*COB 37 (2:2 - 3)-FB
*COB 37
CO:ROOT

**VITRIOL/ISHTAR/LEYLA (change name to VITRIOL/LEYLA)
IM3 81-FB
……

YOLINDA
COB 37

[Col_Fury]

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #43 (October 1974)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Uathacht (pseudo-vampire, Morophla’s sister), Morophla (pseudo-vampire, sorcerer), Dromek (grotesque monstrosity), bounty hunters (inc Mamnon, Laxil), Afterlings (bat-like humanoids)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and Red Sonja are being chased by bounty hunters, but they lose them in the hills. Finding a tower, they encounter red fog and bat-like humanoids as they near it. A lady knocks them out and Conan awakes inside, confronted by two pseudo-vampires. They taunt with Conan and Red Sonja and make them fight Dromek, a grotesque mockery of a human, in a pit, then throw them in a cell, intending for Conan and Red Sonja to breed so they can feast on their offspring.

NOTE:
Thoth-Amon turned Uathacht and Morophla into vampires.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #44 (November 1974)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Red Sonja, Uathacht, Morophla, Afterlings

FLASHBACK:
Recap of last issue (nothing new).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan is awoken, drugged, and forced to mate with female Afterlings. Later, Conan barters with Uathachyt; he’ll be her mate for Sonja’s freedom. She agrees and three days later returns; she’s put her brother in a trance and frees Conan but changes her mind about Sonja and attacks. Red Sonja kills her. Morophla sends illusions against Conan and Sonja but they set the tower on fire. They climb out a window and Sonja falls, but they’re both saved by Afterlings. Sonja knocks Conan out and wanders off.

NOPTE:
Freely adapted from “The Tower of Blood” by David A. English.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #45 (December 1974)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Laza-Lanti (minstrel, also in fb), Shadizar residents (inc Tumma, Timara (also in fb)), Dark Valley residents (inc Fezal) demon-lord of the Dark Valley (octopus-like monster, also in fb)

FLASHBACK:
As a boy, the minstrel is terrified by the demon-lord and flees the Dark Valley (15 years ago). Timara was a carnival dancer until she met the Dark Valley’s demon-lord (20 years ago).
SYNOPSIS:
Still feeling morose over being duped by Red Sonja again, Conan becomes enamored by a minstrel’s melancholy song. When a drunkard interrupts the ballad, Conan starts a barfight which ends with him and the minstrel in jail. Conan asks for a song and the minstrel sings of his past, convincing Conan to return to the Dark Valley with him. When they arrive they find the villagers sacrificing cows to a lady and a demon-lord. Conan and the minstrel attack, killing the beast. They learn the lady and beast are the minstrel’s parents, and in grief the minstrel kills himself.

NOTE:
Conan first came to Shadizar “four years ago.”

According to Roy’s chronology, Conan’s next appearance after this story is SAVT 4, where Conan is still feeling morose and returns to Cimmeria in search of righting a regretful decision in his past.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #46 (January 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Merdoramon (magician), Stefanya (sorcerer’s lady, also in fb), Zoqquanor (sorcerer, corpse), Sfanol residents (inc Ivor), Yemli (vaguely humanoid desert creatures), Shokkoth (jeweled golem)

FLASHBACK:
Recap of SAVT 4 (“a few months ago”), then SAVT 1. Villagers attack a sorcerer and take his lady hostage (earlier today).
SYNOPSIS:
Wandering the desert, Conan is herded by strange beasts to a magician, who wants Conan to take an amulet to Phalkar for delivery. Conan agrees. Coming across a small village (Sfanol), Conan finds the villagers preparing to burn an accused witch. Conan frees her and agrees to bury her master’s remains. They travel to his burned down house and find Shokkoth inside. Conan fights the jeweled golem and defeats him with acid. In the next room is the sorcerer’s corpse.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from the novel Kothar and the Conjurer’s Curse by Gardner F. Fox.

The reminder flashback for “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” has a caption pointing us to SAVSCO 1/3, but that’s a reprint of SAVT 1. They’re just referencing the most recent publication of it.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #47 (February 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Stefanya, Zoqquanor (corpse), goblins

FLASHBACK:
Recap of last issue.

SYNOPSIS:
Conan agrees to take Zaqquanor’s corpse with them to Phalkar. They rest at night in some altar ruins and awake when they’re surrounded by goblins. Conan fights them off and they continue on to Phalkar. As they travel Stefanya asks Conan about Cimmeria.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from the novel Kothar and the Conjurer’s Curse by Gardner F. Fox.

Followed by a pin-up of Conan by Tim Conrad, an artistic conception of what Conan might have looked like in his early teens. Issue also includes an editorial page, “Conan’s Parents,” a speculative essay by Fred Blosser.

2nd story:
Reprint of TOWER 8.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #48 (March 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Stefanya (also in fb), Zoqquanor (corpse, also in fb), Ursla (priestess of the wild, in fb), Torkal Moh (Baron of Ravengard) & his soldiers (inc Xenic), Cimmerians (in fb)

FLASHBACK:
On his 15th birthday, Conan is sent alone into the winter wilderness to fend for himself. Curious he ventures further than he should and meets Ursla, a beautiful woman who commands polar bears. She invites Conan into her home. After a few drinks Ursla finds Conan charming, and Conan loses his virginity. As a child, Stefanya was raised by Zoqquanor and dreamed of living in a palace.
SYNOPSIS:
On the way to Phalkar, Conan tells Stefanya a tale from his youth and she tells one from hers. Days later they’re confronted by a baron who demands tribute. After a fight Conan is captured, tied down and prepares to be devoured by rats.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from the novel Kothar and the Conjurer’s Curse by Gardner F. Fox.

2nd story:
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Red Sonja, Vincentius (wizard) & his servants, Hunwolf, Sigfal (in Sonja’s thoughts), giant spider

SYNOPSIS:
In the Darkwood, Red Sonja becomes ensared in a giant spider-web. She’s freed by some Kushite servants but her horse is devoured. Brought to a castle Sonja is drugged and tied up; Vincentius plans to sacrifice her alongside his captive, Hunwolf. Sonja escapes and kills the wizard and frees the other captive. When Hunwolf reveals he killed a man she once knew (Sigfal), Sonja kills him and wanders off back into the Darkwood.

NOTE:
Sonja was “born in the month of the tiger.”

Chronologies!

CONAN
COB 1 (14:4)-FB
SAVT 4 (4:4)-FB
*COB 48-FB
COB 8-FB
COB 1 (14:5)-FB
SAVT 4 (4:5 - 4:7)-FB
COB 31-FB
COB 1
……
COB 42
[SAVSCO 1]
*COB 43
*COB 44
SAVT 5
*COB 45
SAVT 4 (6 - 7)-FB
SAVT 4
SAVT 1
[SAVSCO 34]
*COB 46
*COB 47
*COB 48
[COB 65]
……

RED SONJA
KULLB 3/2-FB
COB 24-FB-BTS
{COB 23}
COB 24
[SAVSCO 1/2]
[SAVSCO 153/2]
[SAVSCO 187/2]
[SAVSCO 1]
*COB 43
*COB 44
[RS3 3-FB]
*COB 48/2
KULLB 2/3
M/FEA2 1
KULLB 3/2
[SAVSCO 78/2]
M/FEA2 2
……

STEFANYA
COB 48-FB
{COB 46-FB}
COB 46
COB 47
COB 48

ZOQQUANOR
COB 48-FB
{COB 46}
COB 47
COB 48

[Col_Fury]

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #49 (April 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Lupalina (priestess of the wild), Ursla, Torkal Moh, Stefanya, Gwineer (serving wench), Pthassiass (sea monster), Ravengard soldiers, villagers, carnivorous trees

FLASHBACK:
Recap of COB 46-48.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan frees himself and shoos away the rats. He finds water and it attacked by wolves, but they’re called off by Lupalina (the wolf mistress) who offer her help to find Torkal Moh. After learning Lupalina’s associated with Ursla (she spoke to him in a dream), and that she’s interested in meeting Stefanya, they prepare to attack Torkal Moh. After recruiting some villagers and disguising themselves, they invade Ravengard. Conan finds and kills Torkal Moh, rescues Stefanya and goes to the “gifting tree” to retrieve the amulet he’s taking to Phalkar. He chops up some carnivorous trees and is attacked by a sea monster.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from the novel Kothar and the Conjurer’s Curse by Gardner F. Fox.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #50 (May 1975)
By Roy T & Johnny B

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Stefanya (also in fb), Lupalina (Samandra, also in fb), Gwineer, Pthassiass, Chrysalia (Stefanya’s mother, in fb), Thormond (Stefanya’s father, in fb), Themas Herklar (a general, also in fb), Elviriom (wizard, also in fb), Thalkalidies (wizard, also in fb), Zoqquandor (in fb), Ayilla (in fb), Unos (replaced Themas Herklar), Jarkon Val (neighboring leader), carnivorous trees, demons

FLASHBACK:
Thormond spent time with his bride Chrysalia, allowing Themas Herklar to gain control. Chrysalia gives birth to Stefanya (Lupalina was the midwife). She works with a wizard to overthrow Thormond, but when he (and his wife) is killed she’s horrified. She hides the baby Stefanya with Zoqquandor. Themas Herklar takes over, but eventually ignores his duties to spend time with a woman, allowing the wizards to gain control. Lupalina tries to warn Themas but he ignores her; she leaves Phalkar.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan uses the carnicorous trees to defeat the sea monster. Lupalina recognizes the rescued Stefanya and tells a story over dinner. They decide to overhrow the current leadership and put Stefanya in charge. Lupalina uses magic to see what’s going on; Unos has replaced Herklar and the wizards are still advising. They watch Unos execute a man with beams from his eyes. Also, Herklar is a prisoner. Lupalina uses the amulet to transport Conan to Herklar. Conan is attacked by demons and he’s transported back to Lupalina.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from the novel Kothar and the Conjurer’s Curse by Gardner F. Fox.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #51 (June 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Unos, Elviriom, Thalkalidies, Lupalina, Thelonia (mother of demons), Belthamquar (father of demons), Stefanya, Zoqquanor (corpse), Phalkor soldiers & residents

SYNOPSIS:
Conan publicly declares (by using Lupalina disguised as a bird) the misdeeds of the wizards, turning Unos against them. Unos meets with Lupalina, who calls for Unos’ demon parents, who kill the wizards. Unos then kills Lupalina. Meanwhile, Conan and Stefanya retrieve Zoqquanor’s corpse. They’re attacked by Unos and after a scuffle Conan kills him. Stefanya leaves to become regent of Phalkar and Conan wanders off.

NOTE:
Concluding the adaptation of the novel Kothar and the Conjurer’s Curse by Gardner F. Fox.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #52 (July 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (joins Crimson Company), Tara (acrobat, joins Crimson Company), Murilo (remember him?) & his Crimson Company (inc Gezpacho, Clops, Anakus, Dirkov, Coppolus), Gallio (in fb), Irena (in fb), Thuron (in fb), Black Shadow (also in fb), Scorpion God (bts in fb), King Kull (in fb), Belverus residents

FLASHBACK:
Thuron threatens to kill some Scorpion God worshippers but he’s killed by a scorpion instead. Soon after, King Kull arrives in town.
SYNOPSIS:
It’s spring in Belverus and Conan is looking for work. He runs in to Murilo and joins his Crimson Company. They go to a ruined city and find the scorpion altar they were looking for. The scorpion comes to life but Conan kills it. Under the altar they find the ring of the Black Shadow. Murilo orders two of his company to guard it until they return. Obviously they fool around with it, unleashing the Black Shadow.

NOTE:
Inspired by “The Altar and the Scorpion” by REH.

It’s been four years since COB 11.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #53 (August 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Murilo & his Crimson Company (inc Tara, Gaston, Gerrod, Yusef), Belzamo (Ronnoco king) & his army (inc Giano), Vanni (Belzamo’s son), Brothers of the Blade (Clawfoot, Slicer, Steel-Skull), Yvonna (princess of Pergona), Pergona soldiers

SYNOPSIS:
Crimson Company arrives in Ronnoco where they learn they’re supposed to abduct a princess to force a peace accord. Conan and Tara ambush princess Yvonna’s caravan, killing the Brothers of the Blade guarding her. Crimson Company arrives and takes care of the soldiers. Meanwhile, others of Crimson Company return to the ruined city to get the ring but are killed by the Black Shadow; only one (Yusef) escapes.

NOTE:
It’s nice to see that Conan isn’t interested in underage girls.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #54 (September 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Murilo & his Crimson Company (inc Tara, Yusef), Yvonna, King Belzamo, Vanni, Mustapho (oracle’s guard), oracle priestess, Renquis (hunchback, the oracle?), Ronnoco residents

FLASHBACK:
Black Shadow kills Yusef’s group (recap of last issue, no new info).
SYNOPSIS:
Crimson Company returns to Ronocco and presents Yvonna to Belzamo, who reveals he wants her to marry his son. Yusef returns with dire news (see FB). Conan is sent to an oracle to see what they need to do about the Black Shadow. After killing the oracle’s guard and taking his sword, Conan only learns riddles from the oracle’s priestess. Conan tries to leave but realizes he’s the new oracle’s guard since he killed the previous one. He fights against the spell and is confronted by a clone of himself. Conan returns the guard’s sword and the old guard defeats Conan’s double. Conan begins the trek to return to Ronnoco.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #55 (October 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Murilo & his Crimson Company (inc Tara, Yusef), Black Shadow, King Belzamo, Vanni, Yvonna, Ronnoco soldiers (inc Giano), Pergona soldiers, Carnolla soldiers

SYNOPSIS:
Conan returns to Ronnoco, passing the Black Shadow eating people on his way. He reports what he knows and leaves to pursue a plan. Conan returns to the ruined city and revives the scorpion idol. Meanwhile, the Black Shadow is eating horses in Ronnoco before moving on to people. Vanni takes the princess and escapes. Murilo tries shooting arrows at the monster. As the scorpion idol confronts the Black Shadow, Vanni runs into the returning Conan and dies. Conan returns to Ronnoco with Yvonna to see the scorpion defeat the Black Shadow. Pergona soldiers arrive to retrieve their princess, as does Carnolla soldiers. Yvonna returns home to Pergona. After the scorpion is returned to the ruined city, Conan, Tara and Yusef leave Crimson Company.

NOTE:
Oh boy. Tara is a flat-earther. Also, hopefully Yusef is also underage…

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #56 (November 1975)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Tara, Yusef, Mad Jakk (also in fb) & his Living City, residents, bat-creature

FLASHBACK:
Mad Jakk was shunned by society so he learned magic and eventually created a city for himself. However, the city wanted residents so it appeared whenever a brave man neared and lured them in with a woman and bat-creature; if the lost the fight they were trapped in the city.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan and friends come across a mystery city that their horses don’t want to enter. Since they have to go through it to get where they’re going they walk. The residents (all men) are in a haze until they notice Tara is a girl, then a gong sounds. A woman emerges and is attacked by a bat-like humanoid; none of the residents react so Conan and his pals go to rescue her. Tara and Yusef find Mad Jakk while Conan battles the bat-thing. The city starts to crumble and they escape, but the residents don’t. The kids tell Conan Mad Jakk’s story. The trio wander off.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #57 (December 1975)
By Roy Thomas & Mike Ploog

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Tara, Yusef, Publio (merchant), Ephemero Portus (judge), Messantia residents (Momratha) & soldiers (inc ‘Cenzo, Vorio), pirates (inc Murivo, Tonio)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan and pals arrive in Argos’s capital Messantia. Finding no mercenary work they get into a scuffle with some soldiers. Conan buys his friends new clothes so they won’t be recognized then leaves to get some new armor. He’s ambushed to be sold to pirates but he breaks free. After talking with an old witch and seeing his future, he sees the present; his friends assaulted in a tavern and killing a soldier, then fleeing. Conan leaves to find his friends but he’s arrested for the earlier altercation. At his trial Conan breaks free and escapes the city, not seeing his friends in a nearby alley.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from an episode by REH.

In his future, Conan sees himself as a pirate captain, a king, and crucified. Also, lots of ladies.

Chronologies!

BELTHAMQUAR
COB 51

BLACK SHADOW
COB 52-FB
COB 52
COB 53
COB 55

CHRYSALIA
COB 50-FB

CLAWFOOT
COB 53

CONAN
……
COB 48
*COB 49
*COB 50
*COB 51
*COB 52
*COB 53
*COB 54
*COB 55
*COB 56
*COB 57
[COB 65]
……

ELVIRIOM
COB 50-FB
COB 51

KING BELZAMO
COB 53
COB 54
COB 55

KULL
……
KULLC 3
*COB 52-FB
KULLC 4
……

LUPALINA/SAMANDRA
COB 50-FB
{COB 49}
COB 50
COB 51

MURILO
COB 11 (1 - 14)
COB 11-FB
COB 11 (15 - 34)
COB 52
COB 53
COB 54
COB 55

PUBLIO
*COB 57
COB 66

SLICER
COB 53

STEEL-SKULL
COB 53

STEFANYA
*COB 50-FB
COB 48-FB
{COB 46-FB}
COB 46
COB 47
COB 48
*COB 49
*COB 50
*COB 51

TARA OF HANUMAR (to differentiate from the other three TARAs)
*COB 52
*COB 53
*COB 54
*COB 55
*COB 56
*COB 57
COB 67

THALKALIDIES
COB 50-FB
COB 51

THELONIA
COB 51

THORMOND
COB 50-FB

UNOS
COB 50
COB 51

URSLA
COB 48-FB
COB 49

VANNI
COB 53
COB 54
COB 55

YUSEF
*COB 53
*COB 54
*COB 55
*COB 56
*COB 57
COB 67-FB
COB 67

YVONNA
COB 53
COB 54
COB 55

ZOQQUANOR
*COB 50-FB
COB 48-FB
{COB 46}
COB 47
COB 48
*COB 51

[Col_Fury]

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #58 (January 1976)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (captain of the Tigress, Shemite woman who leads the Black Corsairs, wildest she-devil yet unhanged, queen of the black coast!) & her Black Corsairs (inc Odongo, N’Yaga), Argos residents & soldiers, Argus sailors (inc Tito), Shem soldiers, Stygian women

FLASHBACK:
Recap of last issue, no new information (“yesterday”).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan evades Argos soldiers by jumping onto a boat (the Argus) leaving for Kush. Conan joins the Argus crew. Passing several states they finally arrive in Kush only to see the port ravaged by other pirates. The Argus’ captain is afraid he knows who did this, and they set off. Soon after they’re attacked on the sea by who the captain feared: BÊLIT! They try to run aground to escape them but fail, and Bêlit’s Kushite warriors board the Argus and begin their slaughter. Conan leaps onto the Tigress to take the fight to the enemy but he’s quickly surrounded. Intrigued, Bêlit calls off her men to learn who this fierce fighter is. She proposes a contest between Conan and her best (Odongo), who Conan defeats and sends to the sharks. Impressed, Bêlit offers Conan a place on the Tigress and as her lover. Later, to celebrate, Bêlit performs her love dance (which makes dying men forget death!) for the crew, seducing Conan.

NOTE:
Adapted from “Queen of the Black Coast” by REH. Apparently the most-requested Conan adaptation from readers. I have to say, I’ve been looking forward to Bêlit. (an editor’s caption says it’s pronounced Bay-Leet)

Another letter from Ralph Macchio!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #59 (February 1976)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit (also in fb) & her Black Corsairs (inc N’Yaga (also in fb)), Stygian sailors, Atrahasis (king of Asgalun, Bêlit’s father, in fb), Nim-Karrak (Atrahasis’ brother, in fb), Stygian soldiers (in fb), Bird-Riders (in fb, inc Uzumi, M’Gora), mound-dwellers (in fb)

FLASHBACK:
Daughter of a king, young (motherless) Bêlit (taught sailing by her father) is happy until she sees her father murdered by Stygian soldiers at the command of her uncle. N’Yaga (shaman and royal advisor) escapes with Bêlit and takes her to his old island home past Kush and tells the islanders that Bêlit is a goddess, daughter of the death-goddess Derketa. The islanders agree to let N’Yaga and Bêlit live among them. Growing up Bêlit becomes a fierce warrior, killing leopards and baboons easily. To join the army, the chief tasks Bêlit with retrieving the missing eye from a Dagon statue; she accepts. She gets the eye but the mound-dwellers give chase. Bêlit returns to camp where the chief has already declared her dead. Bêlit poisons the chief with liquid silver and the mound-dwellers take the chief underground to forge a new eye from his silvery guts. Bêlit is named the new chief of the southern isles and she swears vengeance upon those who used to profit from her tribe, but especially against the Stygians. All hail Bêlit, queen of the black coast!
SYNOPSIS:
After raiding a Stygian ship, Bêlit calls Conan into her cabin. Wondering why she hates Stygians so, Conan asks her shaman N’Yaga, who tells Conan a tale three years gone, the Ballad of Bêlit…

NOTE:
A letter from Kim Thompson! (of Fantagraphics fame in the near future)

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #60 (March 1976)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc N’Yaga, M’Gora, Yasunga, Ajonga, Laranga), Watambi tribe (inc Ombassa, Nyami), Dragon Riders (inc Tindaga), Red Sonja (in Conan’s thoughts)

SYNOPSIS:
After some time on the sea, the Tigress arrives at the Watambi tribe to get their tribute of ivory. Bêlit is outraged when they have none; they blame it on the Dragon Riders. They go to their camp and that night Conan joins in the tribe’s dancing to Bêlit’s displeasure. Later when everyone’s asleep the Dragon Riders attack. The Riders are defeated and Conan learns they fear Amra, a wild man who runs with the great cats. When Conan realizes that Bêlit has been abducted he agrees to help the Watambi against the remaining Dragon Riders.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #61 (April 1976)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (N’Yaga, M’Gora, Kawaku), Amra (lion man), Watambi tribe (inc Ombassa, Nyami, Anaki), Dragon Riders (inc Tindaga), giant moth; Red Sonja, Jenna, Melissandra, Fatima, Amytis (prev 5 in Conan’s thoughts)

SYNOPSIS:
Conan, along with some Watambi, begins to search for Bêlit. Meanwhile, Bêlit’s Dragon Rider captors tell her about Amra, and that she’s going to be his bride. Not liking the idea, Bêlit escapes. Later, Conan finds the Dragon Riders and attacks. Elsewhere, Bêlit is attacked by a giant moth and is saved by Amra.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #62 (May 1976)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit, Amra (also in fb), Watambi tribe (inc Anaki), Dragon Riders (inc Tindaga, others in fb), Amra’s father (in fb), Barachan pirates (in fb), Makeda (Amra’s mistress), Shulo (lion), giant moth (corpse)

FLASHBACK:
Sailing from Aquilonia, Amra’s father’s ship is attacked by pirates and then a storm hits. Amra and his father wash up on an island. The father is killed and Amra is raised by lions. Years later he takes control of the Dragon Riders (years ago). Makeda, angry at Amra, casts a spell to unleash some monsters (during main story).
SYNOPSIS:
As Conan searches for Bêlit, she’s overpowered by Amra who wants her for a mate. He tells her his story then takes her to his place. Amra’s previous mistress (Makeda) attacks Bêlit in jealousy so Amra kicks her out. She’s attacked by a tiger and saved by Conan, who demands she take him to Amra and Bêlit. Makeda reveals she unleashed monsters against Amra and Bêlit.

NOTE:
A letter from Peter Sanderson!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #63 (June 1976)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit, Makeda (also in fb), Amra, Watambi tribe (inc Anaki, Otari), Sulo (spelled “Sholo” this time), Dwellers in the Darkness (spider-like humanoids)

FLASHBACK:
Makeda runs from the monsters she unleashed (during last issue). Conan fights various monsters (from previous issues of COB, no new information).
SYNOPSIS:
As Conan approaches Amra’s home, Amra begins his wedding ceremony to the unwilling Bêlit. Suddenly, Amra and Bêlit are attacked by spider-like humanoids. Elsewhere, Conan enters the building and fights off more of the same monsters. Everyone meets and defeats the monsters, then Amra challenges Conan to a duel for Bêlit. Conan defeats Amra and they leave. Outside, Conan is confronted by Sulo, Amra’s black-maned lion, who bows in deference to Conan. The Watambi tell Conan that there must always be an Amra, so Conan must be the new one.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #64 (July 1976)
Reprint of SAVT 5. (this time in color!) (an editor’s box says this happens between COB 44-45)

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #65 (August 1976)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Bêlit & her Black Corsairs (inc N’Yaga, Kawaku), Tezcatlipoca (also in fb), Ahmaan (pirate, corpse, also in fb) & his Reavers (in fb), Pygmies, feathered serpent, Publio (mentioned)

FLASHBACK:
Ahmaan, a former slave, was a ruthless pirate. One day he came to an island and met Tezcatlipoca, who killed him in battle (100 years ago).
SYNOPSIS:
Back on the open sea, Conan and Bêlit spot Stygian ships and sail further away from land, despite the protests of Bêlit’s crew. They find an island and explore, finding Ahmaan’s seemingly freshly-died corpse. Soon after they’re surrounded by Pygmies and captured, then confronted by Tezcatlipoca. After a battle they escape and set sail once again.

NOTE:
Freely adapted from “The Thunder Rider” by REH.

Chronologies!

AJONGA
*COB 60
COB 66

AMRA
COB 62-FB
{COB 61}
COB 62
COB 63

AMRA II/CONAN
See Conan

*BÊLIT (change name from BELIT to BÊLIT, please)
*COB 59-FB
*{COB 58}
*COB 59
*COB 60
*COB 61
*COB 62
*COB 63
*COB 65
COB 66 (1 - 16)
COB 66 (17) ~ M/FEA2 6
COB 67
M/FEA2 7
COB 68
COSAV 2/2
COSAV 3/2
COSAV 4/2
[COB 100]

CONAN
……
COB 57
*COB 58
*COB 59
*COB 60
*COB 61
*COB 62
*COB 63
*COB 65
COB 66 (1 - 16)
COB 66 (17) ~ M/FEA2 6
COB 67
M/FEA2 7
COB 68
[COB 69]
……

KAWAKU
COB 61
COB 65

KING ATRAHASIS
COB 59-FB

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

N’YAGA
COB 59-FB
{COB 58}
COB 59
COB 60
COB 61
COB 65

NIM-KARRAK
COB 59-FB

TEZCATLIPOCA
*COB 65-FB
*COB 65
T 300-FB
T 301-FB
T 301
……

[wolframbane]

Keep up the great work Daron!!!