The Savage Sword of Conan #217

The cover of issue #217 promises high-stakes Hyborian adventure — Conan stands at the center of a chaotic melee, chains binding him as he thrusts a spear upward while armored enemies close in from every side with maces, blades, and grasping hands. Tim Conrad's painted cover work conveys real menace and physicality, the Cimmerian's defiant expression suggesting someone fighting against overwhelming odds. Roy Thomas and Esteban Maroto bring their talents to the opening chapter of "Conan the Mercenary," and the tagline — "Conan the Barbarian in a fight for his soul!" — sets the stakes perfectly for January 1994.