How good are the "older" Conan's and Kull's comics

[tarkhan bey]

I know that there was a mention of a Solomon Kane run in the future. There was also talk that some other Howard characters were also in the pipeline but I didn't get any more information.

 

[Strom]

Although there has been no news of Dark Horse reprinting the early Kull comics in trade form, there will be a new Kull comic coming from DH later this year. Solomon Kane will also have his own DH comic after Kull. Also there will be a anthology comic featuring other Howard stories like Pigeons from Hell. Checkout the news:

THE DARK HORSE
His name may be a mystery to some fans, but it’s Arvid Nelson’s mystery series Rex Mundi that’s cementing his name as a writer to watch.
Nelson’s writing is thoroughly researched, painstakingly detailed and always riveting; it’s no wonder Dark Horse picked up this one-time Image series late in 2006. But it steamrolls on full-speed ahead as Dr. Julien Sauniere’s search for the Holy Grail continues in an alternate-history Europe where magic exists, the Catholic Church rules a vast empire and conspiracies abound.

Nelson also begins flexing his muscles at his new publisher by tackling literary badasses like Kull the Conqueror as DH mines more of Robert E. Howard’s rich vein of material. “Arvid has a real personality to his work,” expressed DH editor Scott Allie. “It’s distinguished, distinctive work that has a literary quality to it. Arvid’s a good world builder, too, which is why he’s essential to our Robert E. Howard plans.”

The artist for the new Kull series will be Will Conrad from the current Conan mini-series Conan and the Midnight God.

 

[The King]

So, I had the good idea to buy the first five volumes of the Chronicles of Conan (the reprint from Roy Thomas and Barry Smith) and I admit I am very pleased with the stories, excepted 2 or 3 (I didn't like the fusion between Elric of Melniboné and Conan; it seems both settings don't go well along), but the "Makkalet Saga" is a true masterpiece rife with many adventures/campaign ideas.

I recommend this comics to everyone.

 

[Seeker]

I would definitely recommend the early issues (1-25) of SSOC to you.

These issues were either adaptions of good REH stories (Black Colossus, People of the Dark, Slithering Shadow) or excellent stories written by Roy Thomas.

Later issues (26 - 62 ?) were either adaptions of pastishes or RT stories. Not quite as good but still worth reading.

Issues after this were generally pretty bad.

As for Conan the Barb, the best issues (REH and RT stories) are 1 - 100.

Remember these stories took REHs tales and turned them into an excellent entertaining comic series that introduced Conan to millions of people (including me). These series ran for years !!!!!

They refined the raw Conan material and presented him in the form we know today. We wouldn't have a Conan rPG today if not for these.

 

[High Lord Dee]

Really depends on your budget and what you are interested in. If you are merely looking for some great background information for Conan RPG, check out the eBay auctions. You can acquire large lots of old Conan (and sometimes Kull) books relatively cheap. They usually are not in the best condition so if you are looking to be a collector, you are better off with some of the more reputable on-line sellers (i.e. http://www.grahamcrackers.com/ or comic shows.

The new Dark Horse series is awesome but it is pricey. And more likely that any players in a campaign may have also read the material. I prefer the old stuff for campaign material.

I believe that I actually own all of the published comics from Marvel. My favorite comic since I was a kid. If anyone needs any info on any specific old mag, let me know.

Good luck and enjoy!

HLD

 

[The King]

Until now I bought the 11 volume reprints of Conan the Barbarian from Dark Horse (with 6-8 stories in each books). Hard for the money but definitively worth the purchase and the reading.
Of course the drawings may not appear as "adult-like" as now but the scenarios and stories adaptations from Roy Thomas are true jewels.

Guys like Barry-Smith and Buscema didn't possess all the modern technics to work with but this is heavily compensated with their skills.

 

[conan75]

There were so many Conan comics that it is a true maze to sort out what is good and what should better be forgotten (that which shall not be named), a bit like the pastiche works.

So which is/are the best series? Conan the barbarian (which is being reprinted by dark horse) or Savage Sword of Conan for example?

Are also Kull comics worth the purchase?

I own all the series (Conan the barbarian, The savage sword of Conan,King conan and Kull),and i find they are fantastic,IMHO. I discovered Conan through them.

Moreover, many issues of "The savage sword of Conan" contain very interesting essays about Hyboria (About its nations, etc...). A lot of material for any serious Howard scholar-