Savage Sword of Conan #46-52

[Col_Fury]

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #46 (November 1979)
By Roy Thomas & Ernie Colon

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Aquilonian army (inc Capt. Arno, Lt. Flavius (promoted to Capt.), Laodamas, Glyco, Hermius), Gen. Viscount Lucian (also in fb), Edric (also in fb), King Numedides (bts), Picts (also in fb, inc Sagayetha (also in fb))

FLASHBACK:
Gen. Viscount Lucian makes a deal with the Picts.
SYNOPSIS:
After predicting, then surviving a Pict ambush, Capt. Conan of the Aquilonian army discovers treachery; Gen. Viscount Lucian has betrayed Aquilonian soldiers to the Picts for riches. Conan returns to base and reports what he saw. Not quite believing him, the other soldiers ask for proof. That night, Conan intercepts the shipment of riches and takes a prisoner, Edric. After hearing a confession, Conan confronts Lucian. The general escapes. Conan takes command and orders his men to stop the Picts from attacking. After the Picts test the Aquiloniqn forces, Conan ventures forth alone at night. H finds the Picts’ camp and infiltrates it, and decapitates Sagayetha, the Pict shaman. Returning to camp, Conan leads another charge against the Picts. After driving the Picts back Conan is promoted to general by King Numedides (by decree, not personally).

NOTE:
From the story Moon of Blood by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

Followed by a review article by Fred Blosser.

2nd story:
By Don Glut & Hal Santiago

APPEARANCES:
Atola (mercenary, also in fb) & his crew (inc Kamala, Zar-Zak), Nemedians (inc Darrion)

FLASHBACK:
Atola arrives in Nemedia.
SYNOPSIS:
Kamala dances (nude) in a tavern but is abducted by a large glowing face. Various customers pool money to hire Atola, a mercenary who arrived recently, to rescue her. Atola finds a wizard in a cave and fights him in front of a crowd. At first distracted, the crowd suddenly realizes they’ve been robbed. Later, Atola and his friends Kamala the dancer and Zar-Zak the wizard ride off to the next place to pull their shenanigans.

NOTE:
The letters page proudly announces production on the motion picture CONAN THE BARBARIAN starring Arnold Schwarzenegger (noted as Golden Globe winner for STAY HUNGRY) has been officially announced and will begin filming soon.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #47 (December 1979)
By Roy Thomas, Gil Kane & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Capt. Zarono (also in fb) & his crew, Thoth-Amon (also in fb), Aquilonians (inc Lady Belesa, Tina (also in fb), Galbro, Count Valenso, Zingelito (in fb)), Barachan pirates (inc Strombanni (also in fb), Galacus), Tranicos (pirate, corpse, also in fb), Picts (also in fb), Demon of the Caves

FLASHBACK:
Tranicos hides his treasure and vanishes. Others’ come looking for him but are killed by the Picts (nearly a century ago). Capt. Zarono and Strombonni begin searching for the treasure (some years back). Tina spot Thoth-Amon on the shore (during main story). Conan arrives in the Pictlands (before main story).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan, alone, evades attacking Picts until he climbs a small mountain. The Picts become terrified and retreat. Confused, Conan enters the mountain cave and finds drunken pirates inside. When he approaches them he’s enveloped in a blue mist. Meanwhile, pirates approach an Aquilonian outpost overseen by Count Valenso. The blue mist has turned into a monster that attacks Conan, but vanishes when Conan fights back. The pirates attack the outpost, wanting a treasure Valenso knows nothing about. The pirates cut short their attack when they see Capt. Zarono’s ship approach. Valenso agrees to let them resupply and Zarono tells him about the treasure of Tranicos and offers to split it if he marries his niece Lady Belesa. After hearing Thoth-Amon has arrived Valenso agrees to Zarono’s deal despite Belesa’s protests. Later while searching for the treasure, Zarono and Valenso are caught in an unnatural storm. Strombanni returns and proposes the three team up. They begin to argue until Conan arrives, who reveals he already knows where the treasure is. They eventually come to terms.

NOTE:
Adapted from the story The Treasure of Tranicos by REH and L. Sprague de Camp.

Conan mentions he’s no longer with the Aquilonian army after a “recent difference” with the king, to be shown next issue!

Followed by an article about the original “Treasure of Tranicos” by Fred Blosser.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #48 (January 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Capt. Zarono & his crew, Prospero, Count Trocero, Publius, Dexitheus, Tranicos (corpse), Barachan pirates (inc Strombanni, Bracus), Aquilonians (inc Lady Belesa, Tina, Count Valenso (also in fb), Galbro (corpse)), Thoth-Amon (also in fb), King Fedrugo (in fb), King Numedides (in fb), Alcemides (in fb), Picts, Demon of the Caves

FLASHBACK:
Valenso worked with Thoth-Amon to gain wealth and power, but Valenso eventually betrayed Thoth-Amon and sends him away to King Fedrugo (long ago). After Fedrugo’s death, Thoth-Amon magically lets Valenso know he’s now out for revenge. Valenso leaves Zingara, hoping not to be found (two years ago). King Nunemides throws a parade for Conan, then drugs his wine during a banquet because he fears the barbarian’s ambitions; later wakes up in a cell. During the banquet, Alcemides warns Conan of Nunemides’ jealousy. After escaping, Conan rides for Bossonia but is diverted into the Pictlands.
SYNOPSIS:
Conan leads the pirates to the treasure cave while Valenso tells Belesa about his history with Thoth-Amon. Conan allows the pirates to enter first where the blue mist begins to form, but they charge back out and attack Conan. Conan climbs higher and the pirates’ men are attacked by the Picts. Surrounded, the pirates agree to work with Conan to escape. They make it to the outpost, but it’s swarmed by Picts. While staving off the siege, Valenso receives a message from Thoth-Amon, taunting the count. Later, one of Strombanni’s men is killed and he assumes it’s Zarono’s fault so he confronts him, and of course a fight breaks out between the two factions. Conan tries to break up the fight, but they’re interrupted by Picts who have made it inside the outpost. The pirates are both killed and Conan notices the manor is on fire, so he rushes to save Belesa and her ward. He finds Valenso dead and the Demon of the Caves nearing Belesa. Recalling an old curse, Conan defeats the demon with silver and fire. As the Picts overwhelm the outpost Conan escapes with the ladies. The next morning Conan signals the ship to pick them up, ready to be their new captain. Conan realizes the ship coming for them isn’t a pirate ship but a war galley and is greeted by friends: Trocero, Prospero, Publius and Dexitheus. They begin to plot a rebellion.

NOTE:
Concluding the adaptation from the story The Treasure of Tranicos by REH and L. Sprague de Camp.

Followed by an article about the upcoming Conan movie and REH’s life by Kenneth Turan.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #49 (February 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Count Trocero, Prospero, Publius, Dexitheus, Lady Belesa, Tina, King Numedides (also in fb), Thulandra Thuu (also in fb), Capt. Zeno, Quesado (spy), Vibius Latro (chancellor to Numedides), Alcina, Hsiao, Lepidus, Silano, Aquilonian army (inc Capt. Alaricus, Capt. Dio), King Milo (bts), Gen. Amulius Procas (bts), Count Ascalante (bts)

FLASHBACK:
Numedides was a cruel king, but when the magician Thulandra Thuu arrived he started going mad.
SYNOPSIS:
Numedides’ wizard warns him of upcoming strife in Aquilonia. Meanwhile, Conan has amassed an army 10,000 strong and continues to train them. A spy joins his ranks and arranges for him to meet a tavern dancer; bounty hunters attack Conan and the dancer, Alcina, saves him. Conan takes her back to camp. King Milo grows nervous that Numedides will notice his support of the rebellion and asks Conan to move his camp from Messantia, so he does. While on the road, Alcina meets with the spy and give shim information about Conan’s troop movements. Conan’s instincts tell him he’s being spied on; Trocero suspects Alcina. After receiving words things are prepared in Aquilonia, Conan mobilizes his army. They’re attacked and many run off. Conan begins to regroup.

NOTE:
Beginning the epic adaptation of the novel Conan the Liberator by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

Followed by an article about Hyborian age slavery by Jim Neal.

2nd story:
By Don Glut & Gary Brodsky

APPEARANCES:
King Raka, his harem (inc Soosha) & his subjects, Shorg (harem guard)

SYNOPSIS:
King Raka tells his harem that a new wife, Soosha, will arrive tomorrow. After the king goes to sleep, the harem guard start raping the women. The next day Soosha arrives, and she’s to be wed to the king the next day. That night Shorg tries to rape Soosha. After the wedding, it’s revealed Soosha trapped Shorg in a magic gem.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #50 (March 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Prospero, Count Trocero, Publius, Dexitheus, Baron Groder, Pallantides, Melias, Gromel, King Milo (of Argos) & his army (inc Capt. Arcadio), Prince Cassio (of Argos), King Numedides & his army (inc Gen. Amulius Procas, Lapinus, Count Ascalante), Thulandra Thuu, Quesado, Fadius, Alcina, Hsiao

SYNOPSIS:
Conan’s forces continue to regroup and grow. Meanwhile, Numedides’ ambassador meets with King Milo to try and get him to stop giving aid to Conan. Later, Alcina poisons Conan and reports (magically) to Thulandra Thuu. Numedides orders his army to attack Argos, no longer fearing a rebellion with Conan dead. Meanwhile, of course, Conan didn't die; she didn’t give him enough poison and he fell into a coma. As Conan slowly recovers, King Milo hears of the incoming invasion and sends his army to help the rebels. Trocero arrives with even more troops and the Aquilonian army retreats. Thulandra Thuu sends Alcina on another mission. Conan sends his archers after the fleeing Aquilonians, whittling down their numbers. Thulandra Thuu does some political maneuvering in preparation to take Aquilonia for himself. After learning Conan still lives, Alcina murders Gen. Procas. Rebellion breaks out in Poitan, and the rebels forces attack the Aquilonian army from the other side, trapping them between two armies. The next day, several of the surviving Aquilonian soldiers defect and join Conan’s rebel force.

NOTE:
Continuing the adaptation of the novel Conan the Liberator by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

Followed by an anniversary retrospective article by Roy Thomas.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #51 (April 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan (also in fb), Pallantides (also in fb), Count Trocero (also in fb), Prospero (also in fb), Publius, King Milo (bts), Quesado (bts), Capt. Gromel, Tumaro, Baron Roaldo (of Imirus), Baron Ammian (of Ronda), Baron Justin (of Armavir), Baron Festor (of Telanor), Baron Vismar (of Brondi), Hagir, Saginor, Vopisco, Gremio, Morenus, Prince Numitor, Thulandra Thuu, Alcina, Hsiao, Black Dragons, satyrs (inc Gola, Zudik)

FLASHBACK:
Conan continues to defeat Aquilonian regiments and accept defectors into his ranks. He finds Alcina’s necklace on a soldier and figures out she killed Procas (yesterday).
SYNOPSIS:
Conan’s army continues toward Tarantia. Alcina tells Thulandra Thuu that Conan is alive. Conan is hailed as a liberator when he arrives in Poitan. Thulandra decides he needs to slow Conan down so he makes it rain. Conan is discouraged. Thulandra leaves to reinforce the Aquilonian army with his magic. Conan meets with various Aquilonian Barons who support Conan’s rebellion and plans an attack on Tarantia. Thulandra meets with Prince Numitor and prepares a plan to attack the rebels. Later, Conan’s scouts encounter loyalists herding satyrs. The soldiers run off and one of the satyrs is brought back to Conan. The satyr tells Conan about a planned ambush and Thulandra creating magic. That night, Thulandra slaughters satyrs to perform his spell. The next day Conan’s army comes acrossa pile of satyr corpses and Conan calls his men back; Thulandra causes an avalanche but only a handful of Conan’s men are killed. However, Conan now has to march around the pass, which will take him longer. That night he picks up Alcina’s necklace and overhears she and Thulandra plotting. Conan learns a shortcut from the satyrs and with the goat-people’s reinforcements quickly defeats Numitor’s soldiers. Now, on to Tarantia!

NOTE:
Adapted from the novel Conan the Liberator by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #52 (May 1980)
By Roy Thomas & John Buscema

APPEARANCES:
Conan, Count Trocero, Publius, Prospero, Dexitheus, Pallantides (bts), Capt. Gyrto, Lady Alcina, Black Dragons (inc Capt. Sylvanus, Elatus, Cadmus), King Numedides (also in fb), Thulandra Thuu, Aquilonians (inc Vibius Latro (in fb))

FLASHBACK:
King Numedides grants his spymaster Vibius Latro a leave of absence (before main story).
SYNOPSIS:
The Black Dragons defect from Numedides and joins Conan’s rebel forces. They sneak into Tarantia. Numedides thinks he’s a god now and begins to chase Lady Alcina around for fun. Thulandra Thuu arrives to warn the king about Conan but it’s too late. Conan arrives, Thulandra Thuu decides that he’s not interested in Aquilonia anymore and vanishes. Conan kills Numedides and becomes king of Aquilonia. He exiles Lady Alcina and makes Dexitheus his chancellor until Publius arrives. Days later after dealing with matters of state, Conan wonders why he ever thought being a king was a good idea.

NOTE:
Concluding the adaptation of the novel Conan the Liberator by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

When chatting with the captain of the Black Dragons, Conan mentions a girl he knew in his youth before changing the subject. There’s no flashback or footnote, but I’m positive he’s talking about SAVT 4.

Chronologies!

ALCEMIDES
KCO 14-FB
*{SAVSCO 48-FB}
KCO 11
KCO 12
KCO 14

AMULIUS PROCAS, GEN.
SAVSCO 50

ALCINA
SAVSCO 49
SAVSCO 50
SAVSCO 51
SAVSCO 52 (1 - 32)
GSCO 1 (16:2)-FB-OP
SAVSCO 52 (33:1 - 33:3)-OP
GSCO 1 (16:3 - 16:4)-FB-OP
SAVSCO 52 (33:4 - 34:3)-OP
COK 20 (34:5 - 34:7)-FB-OP
SAVSCO 52 (34:4 - 35:3)-OP
COK 20 (35:1)-FB-OP
SAVSCO 52 (35:4)-OP
COK 20 (35:2)-FB-OP
SAVSCO 52 (35:5)-OP
COK 20 (35:3)-FB-OP
SAVSCO 52 (35:6 - 37:3)-OP
GSCO 1 (16:5)-FB-OP
SAVSCO 52 (37:4)-OP
GSCO 1 (16:6)-FB-OP
SAVSCO 52 (37:5 - 43)

ATOLA
SAVSCO 46/2

BELESA, LADY
SAVSCO 47
SAVSCO 48
SAVSCO 49

CONAN
……
[SAVSCO 211]
*[SAVSCO 27]
*SAVSCO 46
*COK 20 (27:5 - 28:3)-FB
*SAVSCO 48 (46:5 - 47:1)-FB
*COK 20 (28:4 - 29:2)-FB
*SAVSCO 48 (47:5)-FB
*SAVSCO 48 (47:2)-FB
COK 23-FB
COK 20 (29:5 - 33:4)-FB
*SAVSCO 48 (47:6 - 48:2)-FB
*SAVSCO 47-FB
*SAVSCO 47
*SAVSCO 48
[SAVSCO 59/2]
[SAVSCO 76/2]
*SAVSCO 49
*SAVSCO 50
*SAVSCO 51-FB
*SAVSCO 51
*SAVSCO 52 (1 - 32)
GSCO 1 (16:2)-FB
*SAVSCO 52 (33:1 - 33:3)
GSCO 1 (16:3 - 16:4)-FB
*SAVSCO 52 (33:4 - 34:3)
COK 20 (34:5 - 34:7)-FB
*SAVSCO 52 (34:4 - 35:3)
COK 20 (35:1)-FB
*SAVSCO 52 (35:4)
COK 20 (35:2)-FB
*SAVSCO 52 (35:5)
COK 20 (35:3)-FB
*SAVSCO 52 (35:6 - 37:3)
GSCO 1 (16:5)-FB
*SAVSCO 52 (37:4)]
GSCO 1 (16:6)-FB
*SAVSCO 52 (37:5 - 43)
[SAVSCO 214]
……

DEXITHEUS
*SAVSCO 48
*SAVSCO 49
*SAVSCO 50
*SAVSCO 52 (1 - 32)
*GSCO 1 (16:2)-FB-OP
*SAVSCO 52 (33:1 - 33:3)
*GSCO 1 (16:3 - 16:4)-FB-OP
*SAVSCO 52 (33:4 - 34:3)
*COK 20 (34:5 - 34:7)-FB-OP
*SAVSCO 52 (34:4 - 35:3)
*COK 20 (35:1)-FB-OP
*SAVSCO 52 (35:4)-OP
*COK 20 (35:2)-FB-OP
*SAVSCO 52 (35:5)-OP
*COK 20 (35:3)-FB-OP
*SAVSCO 52 (35:6 - 37:3)-OP
*GSCO 1 (16:5)-FB-OP
*SAVSCO 52 (37:4)-OP
*GSCO 1 (16:6)-FB-OP
*SAVSCO 52 (37:5 - 43)
COK 24-FB
……

HSIAO
SAVSCO 49
SAVSCO 50
SAVSCO 51

KING FEDRUGO
*SAVSCO 48-FB
{SAVSCO 43}

KING MILO
SAVSCO 49-BTS
{SAVSCO 50}
SAVSCO 51-BTS

KING NUMEDIDES
*SAVSCO 49-FB
*SAVSCO 46-BTS
*COK 20 (27:5 - 28:3)-FB
*SAVSCO 48-FB
*COK 20 (28:4 - 29:2)-FB
*SAVSCO 49
*SAVSCO 50
*SAVSCO 52-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)

KING RAKA
SAVSCO 49/2

PALLANTIDES, GEN.
*SAVSCO 50
*SAVSCO 51-FB
*SAVSCO 51
*SAVSCO 52-BTS
{CO@ 2}
……

PRINCE CASSIO
SAVSCO 50

PRINCE NUMITOR
SAVSCO 51

PROSPERO
COK 20-FB
*SAVSCO 48
*SAVSCO 49
*SAVSCO 50
*SAVSCO 51-FB
*SAVSCO 51
*SAVSCO 52
CO@ 2
……

PUBLIUS
*SAVSCO 48
*SAVSCO 49
*SAVSCO 50
*SAVSCO 51
*SAVSCO 52
[SAVSCO 214]
{CO@ 2}
……

QUESADO
SAVSCO 49
SAVSCO 50
SAVSCO 51-BTS

SAGAYETHA
SAVSCO 46-FB
SAVSCO 46

STROMBANNI
SAVSCO 47-FB
SAVSCO 47
SAVSCO 48

THOTH-AMON
COB 7
COB 68
*SAVSCO 48 (7:1 - 7:4)-FB
SAVSCO 41
SAVSCO 42
SAVSCO 43
*SAVSCO 48 (7:5 - 8:3)-FB
*SAVSCO 47-FB
*SAVSCO 47
*SAVSCO 48
CO@ 2
……

THULANDRA THUU
SAVSCO 49-FB
SAVSCO 49
SAVSCO 50
SAVSCO 51
SAVSCO 52

TRANICOS
SAVSCO 47-FB
SAVSCO 47
SAVSCO 48

TROCERO, COUNT
COK 26 (11:9 - 12)-FB
COK 26 (17:4 - 18:4)-FB
COK 20-FB
*SAVSCO 48
*SAVSCO 49
*SAVSCO 50
*SAVSCO 51-FB
*SAVSCO 51
*SAVSCO 52
CO@ 2
……

VALENSO, COUNT
SAVSCO 48-FB
{SAVSCO 47}
SAVSCO 48

VIBIUS LATRO
SAVSCO 49
SAVSCO 52-FB

ZARONO, CAPT.
*SAVSCO 47-FB
{SAVSCO 40}
SAVSCO 41
SAVSCO 43-FB
SAVSCO 43
*SAVSCO 47
*SAVSCO 48