Review: Conan the Barbarian #11

“I was a KING! of the greatest kingdom in all the land! Which means I know the responsibilities that come with a crown!” – Conan

Synopsis:

This issue begins with Conan walking up as a little boy at his parent’s feet. But he knows something’s not right, because he retains his current intellect. He flees the scene as war breaks out against a people that he doesn’t even know. He scales the mountain in search of answers but the answers never come as he is caught in an avalanche.

The Creative Team:

Jason Aaron throws everything he can at our Barbarian. Strange warrior races, avalanches, storms, wild animals, everything but the kitchen sink. We’ve seen Conan face all of these dangers in the past, but can he survive an onslaught of all of these dangers at once? I’m enjoying this issue immensely because we’re seeing Conan grow from a child to an adult instantly and seeing him face off against insurmountable odds. Plus the added pleasure of finally meeting Conan’s chief nemesis/friend and savior at the top of the mountain. Great stuff includes Conan’s bravery in the face of his greatest challenge and the arrival of a special guest antagonist.

Mahmud Asrar does a superior job of showing our Cimmerian through all phases of his life. From his childhood in Cimmeria to his older years we get a comprehensive view of this King in one issue. His attention to detail as we go back to the village that brought our anti-hero to life is a treat for the eyes and his older Conan is a sober look at a once strong warrior that has become weak and frail, but his courage never leaves him. Highlights include the modern Conan emerging from the avalanche and the final splash of a warrior enraged.

In Conclusion:

Here is a look into the heart mind and soul of a Barbarian King. We look deep into Conan’s psyche as he tries to deal with the changes going on around him. He faces the ultimate challenge in this tale of a world turned upside down. He questions his faith and may not like the answers he gets as he sees a god that’s not so kind and loving. But his courage never wavers. This issue sets us up for the next issue which should be bigger and better! ***1/2 (8.7 rating)

SCORE: 3.5/5Â

Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Mahmud Asrar
Colors: Matthew Wilson
Letters: VC’s Travis Lanham
Publisher: Marvel

Author Profile

Kevin Given

Kevin Given has studied with â€œ Longridge Writers Group â€ and â€œ Writerâ€™s Boot Camp â€ a speech/communications major from the University of Maine Presque-Isle/Orono sites. He has created the â€œ Karl Vincent Vampire Hunter â€ franchise which includes novels and comic books. They can be found on amazon, Indyplanet and Kindle. For a limited time you can get digital copies of â€œ Karl Vincent: Vampire hunter â€ # 1 and â€œ Files of Karl Vincent â€ # 1 for free on Indyplanet. Kevin is producing the third novel in the series â€œ Dracula Rising â€ (working title) and developing â€œ Foul Blood â€ into comic book form. Don't forget to check out the YouTube show " Comics: Let's Talk " hosted by Kevin Given