The Chronicles of Conan #1
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis volume collects the earliest Marvel Comics adaptations of Robert E. Howard's iconic barbarian, reprinting Conan the Barbarian #1–8 and the story 'The Frost-Giant's Daughter' from Savage Tales #1. It opens with the classic tale 'Tower of the Elephant,' showcasing Conan's youthful adventures in the Hyborian Age, and also includes a rare early appearance of King Kull in a backup feature. The collection presents the foundational work of writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, who defined Conan's comic book look and tone.
In "The Coming of Conan!", the legendary warrior's journey begins with a betrayal by Lady Aztrias, a theft gone wrong, and a deadly clash with a serpent-man. As Conan survives the chaos, he saves Demetrios and crosses paths with the mysterious Thoth-Amon—setting the stage for a tale of vengeance and destiny. Written by Roy Thomas and brought to life with masterful art by Barry Windsor-Smith, inks by Dan Adkins, and rich coloring by Peter Dawes and others, this issue marks a pivotal moment in Conan’s early legend. The cover, penciled by Windsor-Smith and inked by Adkins, captures the raw intensity of the barbarian’s arrival.
In "The Coming of Conan!", a young warrior from the frozen north is thrust into a brutal clash between rival tribes, where loyalty is fleeting and death comes swiftly. As he fights alongside raiders of Aesir against the savage Vanirs, Conan’s fate takes a dark turn when he is captured by winged demons led by a sinister shaman wielding a mysterious gem.
In the grim shadows of a Hyperborean battlefield, Conan faces the enigmatic God Borri Borri in a moment of eerie stillness before the storm. As blood paints the frozen earth and ancient sorcery stirs in the wind, the Cimmerian must confront both divine will and mortal fury—especially when the fate of a fallen king rests in his blade.
In the shadowed streets of Shadizar, Conan encounters the enigmatic waitress Jenna, whose beauty masks a perilous fate. When she’s seized by fanatical priests and bound for a sacrifice to a nameless night god, Conan must battle through cultists and darkness to reach her—only to face a monstrous, bat-winged deity. As the temple trembles and secrets unfold, Jenna’s courage proves as fierce as her cunning, and in the chaos, she vanishes with his gold, leaving only the echo of her daring escape.
In "The Lurker Within!", Conan finds himself ensnared in a web of deceit when Lady Aztrias turns against him, forcing him to flee after being falsely accused of murder during a botched burglary. With danger closing in, he battles a serpent-man, rescues the merchant Demetrios, and catches a chilling glimpse of the sinister Thoth-Amon—setting the stage for a dark adventure that tests his wits and steel.
In "The Keepers of the Crypt," Conan ventures into the ruined city of Lanjau, where he battles a monstrous lizard and encounters a nameless mercenary. Together, they push deeper into the ancient ruins, facing undead guardians who fall to sunlight, only to be buried when an earthquake seals the city and its treasure beneath the earth. After escaping the collapse, Conan finds himself back in a nearby village, reuniting with Jenna—just as soldiers arrive to arrest him. With the past closing in, the two flee on horseback into the unknown.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints Conan the Barbarian #1 (1970), Conan the Barbarian #2 (1970), Conan the Barbarian #3 (1971), Conan the Barbarian #4 (1971), Conan the Barbarian #5 (1971), Conan the Barbarian #6 (1971), Conan the Barbarian #7 (1971), Conan the Barbarian #8 (1971)
Reprinted in Conan L'Intégrale #1 (2004), Conan #1/2005 (2005), Die Abenteuer von Conan #1 (2005), Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus #1 (2018), Conan The Barbarian: The Original Comics Omnibus #1 (2024)
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