Conan, the sword-and-sorcery character created by Robert E. Howard, is the protagonist of seven major comic series published by Dark Horse Comics. The first series, titled simply Conan, ran for 50 issues from 2004 to 2008; the second, titled Conan the Cimmerian, began publication in 2008 and lasted 25 issues until 2010; the third series, titled Conan: Road of Kings, started publishing in December 2010 and ended in January 2012 after 12 issues; a fourth series, titled Conan the Barbarian, continuing from Road of Kings, lasted 25 issues from February 2012 to March 2014; a fifth series, titled Conan the Avenger, started publishing in April 2014 and ended in April 2016 after 25 issues; a sixth and final series, titled Conan the Slayer lasted 12 issues from July 2016 to August 2017.
Another series, titled King Conan, which takes place during Conan's time as king, ran in parallel for 24 issues from February 2011 to March 2016. Dark Horse also published half a dozen one-shots and almost a dozen mini-series.
Dark Horse also published collections of the original Marvel Comics Conan the Barbarian, The Savage Sword of Conan [the Barbarian] and King Conan series in graphic novel format.
The publishing rights for Conan the Barbarian returned to Marvel Comics in 2018.
Overview Dark Horse Comics began their take on Conan in 2003 with a one-shot prologue, Conan #0: Conan the Legend.
The Conan, Conan the Cimmerian, Conan: Road of Kings, Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Avenger and Conan the Slayer series incorporate both new material and adaptations of stories by Robert E. Howard, with no other connection to Marvel Comics series or other post-Howard material. An ongoing dialogue between two characters, the Prince and the Wazir, living in an age centuries in Conan's future, is often used as a framing device for the stories.
Each issue also contains "The Adventures of Two-Gun Bob (True Stories from the Life of Robert E. Howard)" by Jim and Ruth Keegan.
Core appearances Conan #0: The Legend (2003), 1 issue Conan (2004–2008), 50 issues Conan and the Daughters of Midora (2004), 1 issue Conan and the Jewels of Gwahlur (2005), 3 issues Conan and the Demons of Khitai (2005–2006), 4 issues Conan: Book of Thoth (2006), 4 issues Conan: Free Comic Book Day Edition (2006), 1 issue Conan and the Songs of the Dead (2006), 5 issues Hyborian Adventures: SDCC Free Giveaway (2006), 1 issue Conan and the Midnight God (2007), 5 issues Conan: Trophy (2007), 1 online eight-page issue Conan the Cimmerian (2008–2010), 26 issues Conan and the Mad King of Gaul (2009), 2 online eight-page issues Conan: The Weight of the Crown (2010), 1 issue Conan: Kiss of the Undead (2010), 1 online eight-page issue Conan: Road of Kings (2010–2012), 12 issues Robert E. Howard's Savage Sword (2010–2015), 10 issues King Conan (2011–2016), 24 issues Conan: Island of No Return (2011), 2 issues Conan the Barbarian (2012–2014), 25 issues Conan: Children of the Sun (2012), 1 online eight-page issue Conan: The Phantoms of the Black Coast (2012–2013), 5 issues Conan and the People of the Black Circle (2013–2014), 4 issues Conan the Avenger (2014–2016), 25 issues Conan/Red Sonja (2015), 4 issues Red Sonja/Conan (2015), 4 issues Conan the Slayer (2016–2017), 12 issues Wonder Woman/Conan (2017–2018), 6 issues
Conan The six main Dark Horse Conan series, Conan, Conan the Cimmerian, Conan: Road of Kings, Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Avenger and Conan the Slayer make up a larger continuous storyline. This is indicated by numbering on the inner cover of these books with the text, "Number [#] in a series".
Conan Conan was Dark Horse Comics' first series about Conan the Cimmerian. Cary Nord's art consists of only color and pencilwork, with no inkwork, providing a painterly aesthetic. The series follows Dale Rippke's "Darkstorm" chronology. The story "Helm" in Conan #18 addresses one of the major "faults" in that chronology.
Issue Date Title Story Art Color Cover #0 November 12, 2003 Conan the LegendStory is about the Prince and the Wazir reading the stories rather than about Conan, some events in Conan's life may have been altered.Kurt BusiekCary NordDave Stewart Cary Nord #1 February, 2004 Out of the Darksome Hills Original cover by Joseph Michael Linsner, Variant covers by Cary Nord; J. Scott Campbell #2 March 24, 2004 The Frost-Giant's Daughter Kurt Busiek,adapting Robert E. Howard's"The Frost-Giant's Daughter"Joseph Michael Linsner #3 April 28, 2004 At the Back of the North WindKurt Busiek #4 May 26, 2004 The Gates of Paradise #5 June 23, 2004 Ashes and Dust #6 July 28, 2004 Day of Farewell #7 August 25, 2004 Blood for Blood #8 September 22, 2004 Born on the Battlefield(Born on the Battlefield — Part 1)Greg Ruth #9October 20, 2004 Two Nemedians Walk into a BarCary NordThomas YeatesDave StewartLeinil Francis Yu #10November 17, 2004 The Temple of Kallian PublicoKurt Busiek,adapting Robert E. Howard's"The God in the Bowl" #11December 22, 2004 The God in the Bowl #12January 26, 2005 The Hanumar RoadKurt Busiek #13February 23, 2005 The Devil Within #14March 23, 2005 The Ibis and the Serpent Cary NordTom MandrakeThomas Yeates #15 April 20, 2005 Wolves in the Woods(Born on the Battlefield — Part 2)Greg Ruth #16 May 18, 2005 Horror on Uskuth HillCary NordDave StewartCary NordDave Stewart #17 June 22, 2005 The City of Thieves#18July 20, 2005 HelmThis story follows on from Conan's lost helm on the final page of issue 3, and follows its journey. Kurt BusiekFabian Nicieza John SeverinMichelle Madsen Conan's Favorite JokeThis story is out of sequence, showing future events in Conan's life.Kurt Busiek Bruce Timm #19August 24, 2005 The Thing in the TempleCary NordDave Stewart #20September 21, 2005 The Tower of the ElephantKurt Busiek,adapting Robert E. Howard's"The Tower of the Elephant"Ladrönn #21October 19, 2005 The Prince of Thieves #22November 23, 2005 The Heart of Yag-Kosha #23 December 21, 2005 The Battle of Brita's Vale(Born on the Battlefield — Part 3)Kurt BusiekGreg Ruth #24January 18, 2006 The Magistrate's WifeCary NordDave Stewart Cary NordDave Stewart #25February 15, 2006 The Hand of the MightTony Harris #26March 22, 2006 Seeds of Empire(A Tale of Princes – and, perhaps, of Kings!)Timothy Truman #27April 19, 2006 The Blood-Stained Crown(A tale of those who tread The Path of Kings!) #28May 17, 2006 Storyteller Eric Powell #29June 21, 2006 The ToadMike Mignola,adapting Robert E. Howard'ssynopsis "The Hall of the Dead"Cary Nord #30July 19, 2006 The Serpent #31August 16, 2006 The Hall of the Dead #32 September 20, 2006 Wild Cimmerian Bull(Born on the Battlefield — Part 4) Kurt BusiekGreg Ruth #33October 18, 2006 Dogs of the HillsTimothy TrumanCary NordDave StewartTony Harris #34November 22, 2006 The Sons of Bel #35December 20, 2006 They Shall Be Lords AgainTimothy TrumanPaul Lee #36January 17, 2007 Silent to the Sea #37February 21, 2007 Rat's DenPaul LeeCary NordRichard IsanoveRichard IsanoveCary Nord #38March 21, 2007 The Maze #39April 18, 2007 In the Tower of Tara-Teth Kurt BusiekRafael Kayanan Cary Nord #40May 16, 2007 The Tale of the Head Timothy Truman Paul Lee Dave Stewart Paul Lee #41June 20, 2007 Rogues at the DoorTimothy Truman,adapting Robert E. Howard's"Rogues In the House"Cary NordRichard IsanoveCary Nord #42July 18, 2007 Red House, Red Priest #43August 29, 2007 The Pits of Refuge Tomas Giorello #44October 3, 2007 Man vs. Beast Cary Nord #45 October 17, 2007 Venarium(Born on the Battlefield — Part 5)Kurt BusiekGreg Ruth #46 November 21, 2007 Over the Walls(Born on the Battlefield — Part 6) #47December 19, 2007 The Spawn of Nergal(Cover title "The Hand of Nergal")Timothy Truman,adapting Robert E. Howard's"The Hand of Nergal"Tomàs Giorello J.D. MettlerTony ShasteenTomàs Giorello #48January 23, 2008 Darkness Over Yaralet(Cover title "Darkness Rising") J. D. Mettler #49February 20, 2008 Flesh for the Gods of the NightJosé Villarrúbia #50May 7, 2008 The Hand of Nergal
Controversy
Starting at issue #24, Tony Harris became the cover artist. One of the first pieces of art Harris submitted to Conan editor Scott Allie was a fully nude version of the cover of #24. Allie inserted the artwork in a blurb at the back of Conan and the Demons of Khitai #3. This displeased some comic store owners, and Conan and the Demons of Khitai #3 was reprinted with a censored cover in the blurb. Even so, 4,000 copies of Conan #24 were printed with the nude cover, and distributed through the Diamond Dateline retail newsletter shrink-wrapped in black plastic.
Awards 4 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Best Single Issue or One-Shot: Conan #0: "The Legend " 4 Eagle Awards Favourite new comicbook: Conan
Conan the Cimmerian Conan the Cimmerian was Dark Horse Comics' second series about Conan. A 99¢ issue #0 was published June 2008, followed by the first issue of the series in July (with the usual cover price of $2.99). The series ended with issue #25 in November 2010.
Issue Date Title Writer Penciller Color Cover #0 June 25, 2008 CimmeriaInspired by a poem by Robert E. Howard.Timothy Truman Tomás GiorelloJosé Villarrubia Tomás Giorello #1July 16, 2008 Hunter's MoonTomás GiorelloRichard CorbenRichard Corben's part as substories of the adventures of Connacht, grandfather of Conan. Original cover by Frank Cho,Variant cover by Joe Kubert #2August 13, 2008 Mark of the WolfFrank Cho #3September 17, 2008 Path of Mist #4October 15, 2008 The Skrae #5November 19, 2008 The Wolf's Promise #6December 17, 2008 Homecoming #7January 21, 2009 Darkness and the Night #8February 25, 2009 The ScorpionTimothy Truman,adapting Robert E.Howard's"Black Colossus"Tomás GiorelloJoseph Michael Linsner #9March 25, 2009 The Mercenary #10April 29, 2009 The Commander #11June 3, 2009 The Face on the Coin #12July 22, 2009 The Battle of Shamla Pass #13August 19, 2009 Black Altar #14September 23, 2009 Home For the HuntTimothy Truman Joe KubertTimothy Truman #15November 4, 2009 The Sorrow of AkivashaPaul Lee #16November 18, 2009Free CompanionsTomás GiorelloJosé Villarrubia #17January 6, 2010 #18February 3, 2010 #19March 3, 2010Kozaki #20April 28, 2010Cary NordDave Stewart #21June 2, 2010 #22July 7, 2010Iron Shadows in the MoonTimothy Truman,adapting Robert E.Howard's"Shadows in the Moonlight" Tomás GiorelloPaul Lee #23August 25, 2010Tomás GiorelloTomás Giorello #24October 20, 2010 #25November 24, 2010 Original Cover by Tomás Giorello,Variant Cover by Geof Darrow
Conan: Road of Kings Conan: Road of Kings was Dark Horse Comics' third series about Conan. It featured Roy Thomas as the writer and Mike Hawthorne as the primary artist on the series.
Issue Date Title Story Art Color Cover #1 December 15, 2010 UntitledRoy ThomasMike HawthorneDave Stewart Original cover by Doug Wheatley,Variant cover by Dale Keown #2 January 26, 2011 Shadizar the WickedDoug Wheatley #3 March 2, 2011 Untitled #4 April 27, 2011 UntitledDan Jackson #5 May 25, 2011 Untitled #6 June 22, 2011 Untitled #7 August 17, 2011 Of Princes and PlottersAleksi Briclot #8 September 21, 2011 The Horrors Beneath the Stones #9 October 19, 2011 When Death Takes Wing...Dan Panosian #10 November 16, 2011 Is Tarantia Burning? #11 December 21, 2011 A Cimmerian in ArgosMike Hawthorne #12 January 18, 2012 Conan's Day in Court
Conan the Barbarian Conan the Barbarian was Dark Horse Comics' fourth series about Conan. Brian Wood's run on the series was twenty-five issues and expanded on Robert E. Howard's original story "Queen of the Black Coast".