The Savage Sword of Conan #96
In "The Ape-Bat of Marmet Tarn," Conan tracks a monstrous creature through the misty highlands, encountering the mysterious widow Lia and her brother-in-law Zvevo—whose secret transformation into the beast is tied to a stolen book of forbidden magic. Written by Michael Fleisher and brought to life with dynamic art by John Buscema and Rudy Nebres, this tale blends eerie mystery and visceral action, culminating in a shocking twist that sets Conan on a collision course with a vengeful demon. The cover, a striking portrait by Joe Jusko, captures the story’s dark, primal intensity.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
While in pursuit of an "ape-bat", Conan meets the beautiful widow Lia. He also meets Lia's brother-in-law Zvevo, who secretly transforms into the ape-bat by using Akhalla's book of magic, which he stole from the brother he once murdered. After a fierce battle, the ape-bat is killed. But Conan cannot rest for long as a new threat appears in the form of a very familar demon. Wrarrl, the Devourer of Souls, seeks revenge on Conan. The only way for Lia to save Conan's life is to summon dead sailors from the bottom of the sea and offer her own life to them in return.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).