Why does 'Conan the Barbarian' appeal to me so much?As a reader of fiction, I have come across many types of characters over the many genres of stories and tales. Each character holds his/her own in their respective worlds and spheres of existence, but none dominates with such savage ferocity and indomitable conviction as the Cimmerian King of Aquilona.
I read a lot. The works of Asimov, Howard, Sagan, Michener, Crichton, Clarke, Gemmell, etc. make up the bulk of my collected Library but first and foremost, I collect comic books. And read them all, of course.
Dominating my collection is ‘Conan’ from Marvel and Dark Horse.
Conan appeals to me because of the magnitude of aggression and confidence that emanates from the characterization at all times in the story. He has no super-powers, he is just a normal human being who makes the most of his surroundings and tries to get on with life every day. Along the way he’s happy to have some wine, women and gold. Who doesn't anyway?
Conan’s not a hero, neither does he aspire to be one. He’s just out there to have a life and then there are things that happen that make him a hero. Conan will steal, he will plunder, break a few heads, even kill (naturally, he’s a barbarian), but Conan will never deprive an honest man, commit rape or leave anyone in danger if he’s able. That’s what makes a hero, not someone who decides to wear tights and say, ‘Gee, now let’s go patrol the city for some bad guys to pummel.”
I love super-hero comics too. Superman’s the best. But humans doing extra ordinary things in fantasy fiction appeal to me more. Characters such as Tarzan, the Phantom, the Batman (Robin, Night Wing, Batgirl, Catwoman, Azrael), the Lone Ranger, Flash Gordon, Jonah Hex, Sheena, Shanna, Red Sonya/Sonja, Kazar, Green Arrow, etc. who need to rely on their frail human talents and reflexes, their wit and abilities to over come great odds and obstacles make greater heroes than 'powers in tights'.
The early nineties saw a decline in the regular Conan comics published from Marvel and reprints were hard to find. The one shots and mini-series that Marvel published through the nineties were not that up to the Hyborian mark and recorded a significant down time in Conan’s history in illustrated publication. It was a frustrating time to be a collector worldwide, as I found out from various online communities dedicated to Conan.
In 2003, Dark Horse Comics brought about a new dawn to the adventures of the Cimmerian by publishing a fresh line of Conan comics featuring the remarkable talents of Kurt Busiek, Cary Nord and Dave Johnson. At the time my drive as a comic collector needed this shot in the arm, as the decline in printed Conan also put a slump in my quest for collecting. Unfortunately none of the Dark Horse Conans made it to India and it wasn't until two years later, (two years of torturing myself by visiting online forums where everyone from the Manhattan Island to Sao Paolo to Manila to Perth and even Reijavik went on about how cool and mind blowing the new Conan was) that I managed to place an online order and get them all. Someday, when my bank account recovers, I’ll re-order the whole lot again as well as the Collected Trade Paper Backs.
Conan the Barbarian, from the works of Howard, Thomas and even Busiek reflects the indomitable spirit of human nature, the iron will to survive no matter the odds, to defeat evil in any of its forms and stand triumphant and tall, get drunk and go bed the girl. Tomorrow will be another adventure.
Now who wouldn't relate to that, who wouldn't find that appealing? Not I.
I read a lot. The works of Asimov, Howard, Sagan, Michener, Crichton, Clarke, Gemmell, etc. make up the bulk of my collected Library but first and foremost, I collect comic books. And read them all, of course.
Dominating my collection is ‘Conan’ from Marvel and Dark Horse.
Conan appeals to me because of the magnitude of aggression and confidence that emanates from the characterization at all times in the story. He has no super-powers, he is just a normal human being who makes the most of his surroundings and tries to get on with life every day. Along the way he’s happy to have some wine, women and gold. Who doesn't anyway?
Conan’s not a hero, neither does he aspire to be one. He’s just out there to have a life and then there are things that happen that make him a hero. Conan will steal, he will plunder, break a few heads, even kill (naturally, he’s a barbarian), but Conan will never deprive an honest man, commit rape or leave anyone in danger if he’s able. That’s what makes a hero, not someone who decides to wear tights and say, ‘Gee, now let’s go patrol the city for some bad guys to pummel.”
I love super-hero comics too. Superman’s the best. But humans doing extra ordinary things in fantasy fiction appeal to me more. Characters such as Tarzan, the Phantom, the Batman (Robin, Night Wing, Batgirl, Catwoman, Azrael), the Lone Ranger, Flash Gordon, Jonah Hex, Sheena, Shanna, Red Sonya/Sonja, Kazar, Green Arrow, etc. who need to rely on their frail human talents and reflexes, their wit and abilities to over come great odds and obstacles make greater heroes than 'powers in tights'.
The early nineties saw a decline in the regular Conan comics published from Marvel and reprints were hard to find. The one shots and mini-series that Marvel published through the nineties were not that up to the Hyborian mark and recorded a significant down time in Conan’s history in illustrated publication. It was a frustrating time to be a collector worldwide, as I found out from various online communities dedicated to Conan.
In 2003, Dark Horse Comics brought about a new dawn to the adventures of the Cimmerian by publishing a fresh line of Conan comics featuring the remarkable talents of Kurt Busiek, Cary Nord and Dave Johnson. At the time my drive as a comic collector needed this shot in the arm, as the decline in printed Conan also put a slump in my quest for collecting. Unfortunately none of the Dark Horse Conans made it to India and it wasn't until two years later, (two years of torturing myself by visiting online forums where everyone from the Manhattan Island to Sao Paolo to Manila to Perth and even Reijavik went on about how cool and mind blowing the new Conan was) that I managed to place an online order and get them all. Someday, when my bank account recovers, I’ll re-order the whole lot again as well as the Collected Trade Paper Backs.
Conan the Barbarian, from the works of Howard, Thomas and even Busiek reflects the indomitable spirit of human nature, the iron will to survive no matter the odds, to defeat evil in any of its forms and stand triumphant and tall, get drunk and go bed the girl. Tomorrow will be another adventure.
Now who wouldn't relate to that, who wouldn't find that appealing? Not I.
