The Comics
Conan the Barbarian #76 from MARVEL comics featuring the artwork of the late John Buscema and Ernie Chan(Chua) in the tale titled ‘Swordless in Stygia’ by Roy Thomas left a burning impression of the Cimmerian in my mind that can never be erased. This is further cemented by the Black & White classic renditions in the Savage Sword of Conan magazines and leaves no room for doubt that Buscema and Chan are the best Conan illustrators ever. This, I have found is the opinion of most Conan readers (of the comics) as well as the professionals. Every one of the comics featuring the Art of Buscema is a treasured must for every collector. For me, Conan the Barbarian #27 is of much more worth than CTB#1 featuring BWS’ talents. Sorry, Barry!
The look and feel of the thief, reaver and future king come rippling to life in the pages like no other comic ever can. Buscema’s pencils embellished by Alfredo Alcala, Pablos Marcos and Joe Sinnott come in close. Ernie Chan’s solo runs on the Savage Swords also leave an impression but without Buscema’s layouts, his art lacks the edge somewhat yet is of impressive quality. Ernie Chan’s inks over Walt Simonsen’s pencils for the THOR comic impresses no less.
At DarkHorse, Cary Nord’s stuff is awe inspiring, but he somewhat lacks the savage grandeur of his predecessors. Half of the credit for the exhilarating look on the series goes to the digital painter, Dave Stewart.
The Paintings
Apart from the comics, the works of Frazetta, Vallejo, Jusko and Ross on Conan stand miles above any other. Joe Jusko and Alex Ross’s renditions of the Cimmerian betray strong influences from Buscema; especially the intense look in Conan’s eyes that only Buscema’s art brings out.
Conan the Barbarian #76 from MARVEL comics featuring the artwork of the late John Buscema and Ernie Chan(Chua) in the tale titled ‘Swordless in Stygia’ by Roy Thomas left a burning impression of the Cimmerian in my mind that can never be erased. This is further cemented by the Black & White classic renditions in the Savage Sword of Conan magazines and leaves no room for doubt that Buscema and Chan are the best Conan illustrators ever. This, I have found is the opinion of most Conan readers (of the comics) as well as the professionals. Every one of the comics featuring the Art of Buscema is a treasured must for every collector. For me, Conan the Barbarian #27 is of much more worth than CTB#1 featuring BWS’ talents. Sorry, Barry!
The look and feel of the thief, reaver and future king come rippling to life in the pages like no other comic ever can. Buscema’s pencils embellished by Alfredo Alcala, Pablos Marcos and Joe Sinnott come in close. Ernie Chan’s solo runs on the Savage Swords also leave an impression but without Buscema’s layouts, his art lacks the edge somewhat yet is of impressive quality. Ernie Chan’s inks over Walt Simonsen’s pencils for the THOR comic impresses no less.
At DarkHorse, Cary Nord’s stuff is awe inspiring, but he somewhat lacks the savage grandeur of his predecessors. Half of the credit for the exhilarating look on the series goes to the digital painter, Dave Stewart.
The Paintings
Apart from the comics, the works of Frazetta, Vallejo, Jusko and Ross on Conan stand miles above any other. Joe Jusko and Alex Ross’s renditions of the Cimmerian betray strong influences from Buscema; especially the intense look in Conan’s eyes that only Buscema’s art brings out.
