This is a review of Conan Omnibus Vol. 1: Birth of the Legend. I’ve read a fair amount of Conan comics in my youth. Back then Marvel Comics had the license, and a typical Conan story went like this. Conan kills the Monster of the Week, summoned by the Warlock of the Week to threaten the Damsel of the Week. Afterwards, he ends up with treasure and probably gets laid, although they don’t show that very last part. Conan is usually drawn looking like a ‘roided-up pro wrestler by John Buscema, one of my favorite comic artists. Most of the issues are one-shots and are enjoyable but forgettable. I recall one story where Conan is hired to escort a baby across a river to its mother or father (I forget which), and the baby turns out to be a baby monster.
This is a different Conan indeed. The opening scene of this graphic novel shows a woman, nine months pregnant, shoving a spear through the back of the warrior about to kill her husband. Conan comes into this world moments afterwards, born on the battlefield. I don’t want to get too specific, for fear of spoiling things for the reader. Suffice it to say that this graphic novel has three storylines – the first depicting Conan’s childhood, the second set in the city of Hyperborea, and the third involving Conan’s first encounter with sorcerer Thoth-Amon. Sorcerers seem to be a recurring theme with Conan, as in he doesn’t like them. And the feeling is mutual.
Unlike the comics of my youth, Conan is not written as an invincible, unstoppable juggernaut. In one scene, he comes face-to-face with a lion pride and runs away. He makes a ton of mistakes, and pays for each and every one of them. His actions – whether intentional or not – hurt other people. He has prominent strengths and weaknesses, although many of the mistakes he makes are from inexperience. But he’s a fast learner.
This is the best Conan I’ve ever read. Highly recommended.
Abandoned Places 