Using the comics for ideas?

[Kargush]

My only hands'on experience with Conan stems from the Arnold movies and the comics published here in Norway. I intend to read the REH stories, but that will have to wait till summer.

The question remains though, how good a representation of Howard's work are the comics? I can't give you an exhaustive list of the stuff I've read, but titles include "The God in the Bowl", "Tower of the Elephant", "A Witch is Born", and a host of others.

So then, what say you?

 

[rgrove0172]

Ive seen comic representations of several of Howard's stories and in my opinion they are fine for giving you the gyst of the action but dont capture the flavor of Howard's world - which to me is the key to recreating his style in your game. We cant help but be affected by the artist's conception in one of those comic tales wherein if you read Howard's work, your imagination, with his wonderful descriptions, provides a much more intense experience.

 

[emirikol]

After having played pretty much all the stories out of the REH "books", we've moved on with the comics.

I can tell you, I much prefer the comics for gaming material. They give you a way better Hyborian gaming experience.

Here's my favorite website now:
http://www.marvunapp.com/list/appconan.htm

jh

 

[The King]

Not totally out of topic, but I never liked the depiction of Conan in the comics. Earings and decorative bracelets are not truly what we can expect him wearing once we have read Howard.
I wouldn't mind if he would wear wrist-band and torque because it is quite Celtic and helps one to measure his strength evolution but even Howard never mentioned this either.

 

[rgrove0172]

I guess that was my point. The story may be wonderful, a great respresentation of Hyborian adventure, but as a visual medium the reader cant help but be affected by the art work first. Stick a goofy looking monster in the mix or have someone wear a inappropriate costume and the effect is ruined. Even if the artist's rendition is a fairly good one, if it conflicts with our own interpretation, we are likely to walk away unimpressed. Its for this reason I say I prefer the unillustrated tales.

 

[emirikol]

Can you imagine a comic series with visuals based on the background ideas by REH? You'd just as well use pencil. Howard didn't paint backgrounds or appearances. He painted action. That's not easy to do in comics. Perhaps it was the limiting style of the comics of the past. They were based on solid lines and colors.

The new graphic novels out there have done a better job of not having to put earrings and funny horns on their heroes to get a feel of the action and events..but still..it's a visual medium.

You can see the icon that I have currently is from the comics. It's a perfect example of what you're talking about. It looks like somethign from Mardi Gras!

jh