Drawing the SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #1

This week’s primary overview is The Savage Sword of Conan #1. Plus, the Wednesday Comics Team has its typical rundown of the new #1s, finales and different notable points from non-Big 2 publishers, all of which you could find beneath … take pleasure in!

The Savage Sword of Conan #1

Writers: John Arcudi, Patrick Zircher, Jim Zub
Artists: Max von Fafner, Patrick Zircher
Pin-up Artists: Roberto De La Torre, Rebecca Puebla, Joe Jusko, Gerado Zaffino, Howard Chaykin
Letterer: Richard Starking’s Comic Craft’s Jimmey Betancourt
Publisher: Titan Comics

Review by Jordan Jennings

The Savage Sword of Conan #1 is the newest Conan collection from Titan Comics and seeks a grand return the Cimmerian to the realm of the black and white journal format that the Barbarian turned synonymous with the throughout his heyday at Marvel Comics. The problem, although, is that considered one of the defining traits of the traditional Savage Sword magazines was that they had been freed from the constraints of the comedian code and had been much more violent than Conan’s mainline comedian that Marvel was publishing at the time. That isn’t the case right here with Titan. How do you evoke the really feel of the pulp journal when you think about that the present Conan collection wears its pulpy influences on its sleeves? You’re as prone to see a person get cleaved in half as you’re to see the cleavage of a voluptuous lady, in spite of everything. Simple. You lean into the journal format wholesale.

The Savage Sword of Conan #1 comes full with black and white artwork, newsprint paper, and a number of options. This is a comic book that encompasses a hefty 47-page Conan epic, a pulpy 2-page Conan prose story, a supernatural 17-page Solomon Kane backup story, an informative essay on Solomon Kane, AND a number of items of pin-up artwork. Savage Sword is a comic book stuffed with worth and mirth, and does so with 70+ pages of content material when all stated and carried out. Now with any anthology, the focus comes right down to the components themselves. Are the tales value your time?

Conan and the Dragon Horde

John Acrudi and Mark von Fafner serve up a narrative stuffed with lies, deceit, dragons, and extra on this Conan double-length function. The story focuses on Conan as he works for a prince who seeks to overthrow his brother and inherit the gold mines below the city. While main the prince’s military of promote swords, Conan befriends the engineer and solely lady in the military, Ineah. This goes in addition to you would possibly anticipate as the duo hit it off spectacularly properly. Conan at all times works properly with a lady with a robust persona. This is not any totally different as Ineah is a bit totally different than the typical love curiosity as she is extra concentrate on killing with machines and wit than with only a blade.

Conan’s characterization typically is in keeping with the remainder of the different Conan tales. He is multifaceted in his expertise and wit. The 48-pages offers Acrudi loads of area to showcase these facets and preserve the plot transferring to a satisfying conclusion with twists and turns all through. It is a satisfying one-shot Conan story that was pleasant.

The artwork from Von Fafner is equally pleasant. He performs round with the black and white nature of the story and creates a comic book that’s visually fascinating. The number of web page layouts and use of two-page spreads creates a narrative that is filled with power and retains to the tone of the motion script. Von Fafner’s Conan is expressive and never some stone-faced stoic brute. Von Fafner’s command of physique language is prime notch and is not only restricted to Conan. Von Fafner performs round with a wide range of textures to assist differentiate between the varied components of the web page to compensate for the like of coloration. The textures are paying homage to what Mitch Gerads workers for his black and white artwork. One factor I want I had for this overview is a bodily copy of the comedian. I want to see how the artwork seems to be on the newsprint paper inventory. I think about it seems to be fairly darn nice however with out it in my arms in time for this overview the greatest I may do is to take a look at the digital copies supplied. That stated, the artwork is incredible.

Master of the Hunt, Part One

To additional evoke the traditional Savage Sword of Conan collection, the e book encompasses a Solomon Kane backup by author/artist Patrick Zircher. Solomon Kane is admittedly a B-tier Robert E. Howard character, however is a stable character to function in a backup slot for a comic book like this one. Zircher’s writing isn’t the strongest a part of this, as the narration may very well be a bit clearer, however he crafts a stable supernatural thriller that pulls in Welsh folklore. There is focus of introducing the mysterious Solmon Kane however doesn’t attempt to clarify away the character’s mystique.

The story follows Kane as he helps a spouse and her son discover the husband that went lacking searching down the supernatural beast that slaughtered the sheep herd. It is an easy story that offers us the fundamentals of Kane and is a pleasant change of tempo following the Sword and Sorcery story of Conan.

Zircher’s artwork contrasts with the extra impact heavy artwork of Von Fafner. Zircher opts for a extra rendered look with loads of particulars in the type of line work in the backgrounds and character designs. Nothing is simply too busy, thoughts you, however it does additional present the 1-2 punch to the Conan story. Zircher has a superb use of physique motion and makes frequent use of shadows to assist set the tone. Master of the Hunt is a distinct taste of pulp and I discovered it to be pleasant regardless of by no means studying a Solomon Kane story earlier than.

The Other Goodies

The introductory essay by comedian legend and very long time Conan scribe, Roy Thomas, is a wonderful learn and does a masterful job of setting the reader’s expectations for the e book. The two-page prose story by Jim Zub is easy and pulpy as marketed. I like the conceit that it was impressed by Joe Jusko’s Conan piece (which serves as the primary cowl). There is that this Conan poem by Robert E Howard that’s accompanied by this incredible pin-up from Gerado Zaffino that’s phenomenal. I need that piece on a poster, it’s so metallic.

Overall, The Savage Sword of Conan #1 is a wonderful begin to this new collection and follows the proud custom of Savage Sword’s of the previous. I extremely suggest checking this out, particularly if you’re a fan of the present Conan the Barbarian collection. It captures the vibe of the collection after which relishes the journal format.

Wednesday Comics Reviews

Ribbon Queen #8 (AWA Studios): This week marks the finale of considered one of my favourite books of late — The Ribbon Queen, from author Garth Ennis, artist Jacen Burrows, inker Guillermo Ortega, colorist Dan Brown, and letterer Rob Steen. I’ve been heaping reward on this comedian all through the course of its run. It’s been a white-knuckle experience to learn month-to-month, a horror-laden police procedural story that spans time. It goes to some actually grotesque locations with its visuals, in addition to with the tough selections it places in entrance of its lead characters. This week’s finale completely sticks the touchdown. This was a narrative about the graphic unraveling of human our bodies…it was by no means going to have a contented uplifting ending. But what we get right here is an ending that feels form of fittingly tragic. All in all, it is a e book I’m going to purchase in commerce to maintain on my shelf for a re-read quickly — I appreciated it that a lot. (Zack Quaintance)

The Prog Report

2000AD Prog 2371 (Rebellion Publishing): First, I’ll repeat what I’ve been writing on this area for weeks — when you’re a fan of sensible comics, and also you’re not studying Judge Dredd: A Better World, you’re doing your self a disservice. Second, I’ll observe that this week’s eighth chapter is the most gorgeous but, with a stunning flip that feels audacious and shocking, however nonetheless tragically inevitable. This is a narrative that on its floor explores police reform by means of a Judge Dredd lens, but because it has progressed, it’s change into one thing a lot deeper about the value of wanting to enhance society, somewhat than simply doing all your greatest inside the established order. It speaks to not solely how exhausting it’s to logistically information significant change, however how expensive it may be to dare to push even frequent sense options to long-held societal ills. Of course, these themes want top-tier storytelling to actually resonate, and that’s actually what we’re getting right here. Artist Henry Flint is doing completely unimaginable work at each flip right here, from the huge splashy moments to the high-pressure claustrophobic packed pages. Anyway, please excuse me whereas I decide my jaw up after that one. That story is by writers Rob Williams and Arthur Wyatt, with artwork by Flint, and letters by Annie Parkhouse. As at all times, you may nab a digital copy of this week’s Prog right here. —Zack Quaintance