the Dark Horse Conan thread!

[CromagnonMan]

havnt seen a Conan thread here yet, thought id start one for general discussion about the Dark Horse Conan comics.

To start off, i would like to pose a question about Kurt Busiek's Conan. This was going great guns (though i wasnt a reader at the time ive caught up via Back issues). The general idea seemed to be to craft a definitive Conan tale linking in between all the Howard Conan stories, but this was left only part complete. Why did he leave the title? My thoughts :

1) Dark Horse decided that this would limit their ability to keep milking the character once this "definitive" Conan life story was finished, which wouldnt have taken more than 150 issues probably, and told Busiek, so he quit (just a guess)

2) Busiek got bored partway through and decided to leave to work on other things.

3) Sales dropped so Dark Horse decided to reboot (though why sales would drop is a mystery as this run was awesome)

4) I had other ideas but theyve gone for the moment.

Can anyone clarify? Also, what are other peoples thoughts on Busieks run, Tim Truman's run and even the latest Roy Thomas run?

[Kurt Busiek]

havnt seen a Conan thread here yet, thought id start one for general discussion about the Dark Horse Conan comics.

To start off, i would like to pose a question about Kurt Busiek's Conan. This was going great guns (though i wasnt a reader at the time ive caught up via Back issues). The general idea seemed to be to craft a definitive Conan tale linking in between all the Howard Conan stories, but this was left only part complete. Why did he leave the title? My thoughts :

1) Dark Horse decided that this would limit their ability to keep milking the character once this "definitive" Conan life story was finished, which wouldnt have taken more than 150 issues probably, and told Busiek, so he quit (just a guess)

2) Busiek got bored partway through and decided to leave to work on other things.

3) Sales dropped so Dark Horse decided to reboot (though why sales would drop is a mystery as this run was awesome)

4) I had other ideas but theyve gone for the moment.

Can anyone clarify? Also, what are other peoples thoughts on Busieks run, Tim Truman's run and even the latest Roy Thomas run?

DC Comics offered Kurt an exclusive contract that was too attractive to turn down, combined with a couple of other business issues.

kdb

[FanboyStranger]

I thought Truman's run was as strong as Busiek's. I haven't read Roy's return yet, but I know that quite a few fans have trouble with Mike Hawthorne's art. Personally, I like his art, which I know from books like The Exterminators and The Un-Men, but I can see how it might not be the best fit for Conan, particularly after Giorello and Nord.

[CromagnonMan]

Man, shame. That idea shouldve been completed, even if just for the enrichment of the Conan canon, not for any monetary or business-related gains

[CromagnonMan]

I thought Truman's run was as strong as Busiek's. I haven't read Roy's return yet, but I know that quite a few fans have trouble with Mike Hawthorne's art. Personally, I like his art, which I know from books like The Exterminators and The Un-Men, but I can see how it might not be the best fit for Conan, particularly after Giorello and Nord.

Truman's was good, just not in the same league as classic Thomas or Busiek.

[Parch]

I'm not up to speed. Is Cimmerian the only ongoing Conan?

[Oskar Von Strange]

I'm not up to speed. Is Cimmerian the only ongoing Conan?

That series came to end with #25.

Anyone reading that Island of No Return mini?? I saw the art and could bring myself to getting this mini, same with Road of Kings.. or I think I might just try that series.

[svp]

the Busiek run and the Truman run are both really good.
You can't go wrong in getting the used trade paper back books.
inexpensive quality art and stories held to the highest REH loving standards.
The Hardcovers were/are printed in limited supply. This will explain the huge differences in cost.

[Mechano]

Now that they have a TON of these on DHD, i think I will try out a bundle or two.

[CromagnonMan]

That series came to end with #25.

Anyone reading that Island of No Return mini?? I saw the art and could bring myself to getting this mini, same with Road of Kings.. or I think I might just try that series.

Yeah, its average. Road of Kings is actually pretty good , though.

[Jack-In-The-Box]

Outside of the awful Linsner covers and a few one shots the whole Dark Horse run has been very well done, imo.

[Arnold Layne]

Loved loved loved the Truman/Giorello stuff. Don't care for any of the minis being pumped out right now. Seems like Dark Horse is trying to mix it up a little bit with series formats and creators, and I don't like it. Tried and true is the right way to go with Conan: visceral and ongoing.

[CromagnonMan]

Loved loved loved the Truman/Giorello stuff. Don't care for any of the minis being pumped out right now. Seems like Dark Horse is trying to mix it up a little bit with series formats and creators, and I don't like it. Tried and true is the right way to go with Conan: visceral and ongoing.

mm, i agree i dont know why theyve opted for the current art style, also they seem to be going for a lighter, more humourous approach. They shouldve stuck with the original Cary Nord art style or at least something similar, i dont mind a little bit of humour in Conan stories but not too much, i think the Busiek run got the balance just about right.

[Parch]

You don't find decapitations humourous?
I've only seen the occassional issue here and there, but Conan must have the record for severed heads.

[CromagnonMan]

well, not the decapitations really, which i find to be quite unnecessary. i always chuckle at the OTT dialogue when im reading Conan, ive no idea if this is intended to be funny, but i suspect it often is.