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Published by: Dark Horse Comics
Released on: Apr. 23, 2014
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Brian Ching
Cover artist: Iain McCaig
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Conan's latest mini-series finds him holed up in Shumballa, drunk and depressed, after losing the love of his life (up to that point in time, anyway): Belit the Pirate Queen. Callimaco of Argos, a merchant of some exotic items, and a shifty character (well a thief anyway), seems to have some interest in the passed out Conan, but as to what that is has yet to surface. While wasted to the point of total unconsciousness, some assholes steal his stuff and throw him into a shit pit, literally. The ghost of Belit is haunting him, which is tearing him up inside, but her ghost is also the thing that snaps him up out of his woe-is-me and his alcohol-fueled bender.
Meanwhile, a child is born to Amboola, but it's not a normal baby, or even a human one. The lizard/child dies immediately, but also kills its mother. Amboola is grief stricken and also wicked pissed, as he suspect magic has spoiled things. Someone seems to be out for the now family-less commander. Agara, a witch hunter, takes the case, and will find the one responsible for such a heinous deed. He thinks Conan is the witch, but he obviously doesn't know the barbarian or his hatred for magic.
Van Lente's script reads easy, and the number of characters being set up for the story seems thankfully few, as it's only a four issue series and too much clutter clogs up the works. The story has the necessary battle/monster requirements met in the first issue, so that puts the book off to a great start. Readers of his work with the character should know what to expect, and it's usually quality stuff. This falls into that category, so far as the script goes.
Art wise, the skilled hand of Brian Ching illustrates some good battle action, and his background work is subtle but impressive. His people look good too, but man…it just isn't the Conan look this reader needs. Conan is supposed to be huge and imposing, and he isn't in this series. It's happened before with a Van Lente Conan story, so maybe it's his thing. At any rate, for some it affects the overall satisfaction of the book. And what's up with the eyes? Ching draws everyone with their eyes closed. Couldn't help but notice. Don't get the wrong impression, this is a good solid Conan read, and if you can look past a wimpier looking Conan, closed eyes, and Conan running around in a diaper for the second half of the book, things will seem pretty swell.
