Conan the Barbarian #236

Mike Mignola's cover for issue #236 sets a grim, atmospheric tone: a long-haired, chained figure — Conan himself — strains against wooden beams in a darkened prison, rats lurking in the shadows around him, while a small inset at the top hints at the barbarian's warrior prowess. The cover copy promises he's been "left to die in a prison filled with ravenous rats," making the desperate stakes immediately clear. Part five of the nine-part "Young Conan" arc, this 1990 Marvel issue showcases Mignola's talent for moody, shadow-heavy imagery that suits the Hyborian world perfectly.