Conan the Barbarian #189

Against a blazing red sky, Conan swings a massive battle-axe while grappling with the reins of a rearing black warhorse — a raw, kinetic composition that captures the Cimmerian at his most ferociously determined. John Buscema both pencils and inks the cover, delivering the muscular confidence that made his take on Conan so compelling throughout this era. Arriving in December 1986 as part of Marvel's 25th Anniversary line, this issue — "Rites of Inquisition" — pairs Buscema's cover work with interior art and the storytelling team of writer James C. Owsley, inker Ernie Chan, colorist George Roussos, and letterer Janice Chiang.