Random books my son picks - Number 2
Trying to get my nine-year old to pay attention sometimes can be very trying. I am competing as I write this with the Minions movie for his attention. But he finally stopped watching long enough to pick a book. The book he has picked is Marvel Comics Conan the Barbarian #162 (Sept 1984).
Writer: Michael Fleisher Artist: John Buscema Colourist: George Roussos Lettering: Janice Chiang Editor: Larry Hama The story is called "Destroyer in the Flame."
The book begins with Conan and his ally Fafnir entering a village after a fight with an evil witch-woman from the issue before. After the obligatory "women try to pick up Conan scene" (in which we learn how personal Fafnir takes it to having only one arm), they move on to find celebratory drink.
Cut to an unknown stone sanctuary where an obligatory religious rite is being performed by the Brotherhood of the Falcon (first seen in the same month's issue of the magazine The Savage Sword of Conan #104.) The ritual involves killing their former commander as a sacrifice to their falcons. While in the middle of the rite, a flaming falcon appears. The Brotherhood finds themselves teleported to a netherworld run by Jergl Zadh (First appearance in Conan the Barbarian #152.) Jergl has his own reasons for wanting Conan dead and has decided to use the Falconmen as his proxies.
After being returned to the village, the Falcomen attack Conan and Fafnir as they leave a drinking establishment (this has to be one of the biggest Conan tropes in the series.) There is a battle where our two friends kill a few of the attackers, but eventually they have to steal a horse and run away from their adversaries. The Falconmen give chase and Conan and Fafnir get stuck up against a dead end by a cliff. Conan decides to jump the gorge on the horse, which does not succeed. BY magic, as the two fall towards the river at the bottom, the river suddenly bursts into flame, killing the horse. Conan manages to grab a branch and haul himself and his friend up the side of the cliff, despite the complaints of Fafnir.
When they reach the top, they discover that they are in a grass covered patch where they decide they can hide. But magic strikes again and the grass is turned into serpents. With a bit of a fight, they manage to escape only to be faced with another cliff towering ahead of them. Conan has always been an expert in climbing so they begin, at which point the Falconmen release their falcons. Conan manages to start a fire on the ledge (from the very conveniently located branch where they happen to be hanging at the time) chasing the falcons away.
They reach the top of the cliff where an oddly familiar structure stands. Conan and Fafnir run inside, as they are still being chased by the feathered enemy. Once they get inside, the structures closes and Conan realizes that this as the intention of the Falconmen all along, to guide him here.
Inside, the two discover a strange looking statue and skeletal remains of monstrous creatures. The idol begins to speak, and through it Jergl reveals his plan to take over Conan's body. Fafnir jumps in front of a magical blast meant for Conan and is knocked out. Conan then douses his torch and awaits the next attack. Jergl shoots his soul towards the barbarian, only to realize after the attack he had attacked Conan's reflection in a mirror (which was foreshadowed in a great panel by Buscema) and has become stuck in it. Before Jergl can ready another attack on Conan, Conan breaks the mirror. As he is rousing Fafnir to leave, the structure begins to fall down upon itself. The destruction of the shrine (conveniently) kills the remaining Falconmen as Conan and Fafnir escape. The book ends with Fafnir remarking that he hears mocking laughter.
Writing - Although I find this to be an interesting story, it still seems like a typical Conan story, where current foes and former foes get together to try to kill the man for revenge. There was also the feeling that Conan as never really in danger as everything seemed to have a deus ex machina ready at every turn. (I mean, a branch just as he needed one to light a fire?) Heroic fantasy does have to have a suspension of disbelief to it, but sometimes it can be a little over the top (like watching the TV show Scorpion, how over the top do you need to be?) Still, I am a Conan fan and I did like it over all 3.5 out of 5.
Art - Love me some John Buscema, especially when he does his own inking. He does a perfect balance of large and small lining and his shading is only as necessary. He also can draw realistically proportionate women, as seen on page 2. His backgrounds are not overly detailed, but believable. The cover shows the scene where he is fighting snakes, and I like it. 4 out of 5.
Overall - This book does have a little bit of "filler feel" especially after the events of the issue before. The basic story arc has been done so many times that the only differences are who's doing the chasing. Still, the art makes the book, and the story does have enough interesting points (Jergl's background as an example) that makes it an interesting read. I'll spilt the difference and give it a 3.75 out of 5 overall.
Ottawa news and notes - I just found out as I am typing this (April 14, 2018) that D'arcy McGee High School (965, rue Plateau) in Aylmer is hosting a Geek event today named Galageek, involving Cosplay tutorials, Drawing workshops, Board games etc...Admission at the door is 3 dollars. I know it's short notice, but if you can, check it out. After all, this is the next generation we are trying to encourage.
Next time, we shall begin to delve into the world of one of IGN's top five sexiest comic characters...Starfire of the New Teen Titans.
Writer: Michael Fleisher Artist: John Buscema Colourist: George Roussos Lettering: Janice Chiang Editor: Larry Hama The story is called "Destroyer in the Flame."
The book begins with Conan and his ally Fafnir entering a village after a fight with an evil witch-woman from the issue before. After the obligatory "women try to pick up Conan scene" (in which we learn how personal Fafnir takes it to having only one arm), they move on to find celebratory drink.
Cut to an unknown stone sanctuary where an obligatory religious rite is being performed by the Brotherhood of the Falcon (first seen in the same month's issue of the magazine The Savage Sword of Conan #104.) The ritual involves killing their former commander as a sacrifice to their falcons. While in the middle of the rite, a flaming falcon appears. The Brotherhood finds themselves teleported to a netherworld run by Jergl Zadh (First appearance in Conan the Barbarian #152.) Jergl has his own reasons for wanting Conan dead and has decided to use the Falconmen as his proxies.
After being returned to the village, the Falcomen attack Conan and Fafnir as they leave a drinking establishment (this has to be one of the biggest Conan tropes in the series.) There is a battle where our two friends kill a few of the attackers, but eventually they have to steal a horse and run away from their adversaries. The Falconmen give chase and Conan and Fafnir get stuck up against a dead end by a cliff. Conan decides to jump the gorge on the horse, which does not succeed. BY magic, as the two fall towards the river at the bottom, the river suddenly bursts into flame, killing the horse. Conan manages to grab a branch and haul himself and his friend up the side of the cliff, despite the complaints of Fafnir.
When they reach the top, they discover that they are in a grass covered patch where they decide they can hide. But magic strikes again and the grass is turned into serpents. With a bit of a fight, they manage to escape only to be faced with another cliff towering ahead of them. Conan has always been an expert in climbing so they begin, at which point the Falconmen release their falcons. Conan manages to start a fire on the ledge (from the very conveniently located branch where they happen to be hanging at the time) chasing the falcons away.
They reach the top of the cliff where an oddly familiar structure stands. Conan and Fafnir run inside, as they are still being chased by the feathered enemy. Once they get inside, the structures closes and Conan realizes that this as the intention of the Falconmen all along, to guide him here.
Inside, the two discover a strange looking statue and skeletal remains of monstrous creatures. The idol begins to speak, and through it Jergl reveals his plan to take over Conan's body. Fafnir jumps in front of a magical blast meant for Conan and is knocked out. Conan then douses his torch and awaits the next attack. Jergl shoots his soul towards the barbarian, only to realize after the attack he had attacked Conan's reflection in a mirror (which was foreshadowed in a great panel by Buscema) and has become stuck in it. Before Jergl can ready another attack on Conan, Conan breaks the mirror. As he is rousing Fafnir to leave, the structure begins to fall down upon itself. The destruction of the shrine (conveniently) kills the remaining Falconmen as Conan and Fafnir escape. The book ends with Fafnir remarking that he hears mocking laughter.
Writing - Although I find this to be an interesting story, it still seems like a typical Conan story, where current foes and former foes get together to try to kill the man for revenge. There was also the feeling that Conan as never really in danger as everything seemed to have a deus ex machina ready at every turn. (I mean, a branch just as he needed one to light a fire?) Heroic fantasy does have to have a suspension of disbelief to it, but sometimes it can be a little over the top (like watching the TV show Scorpion, how over the top do you need to be?) Still, I am a Conan fan and I did like it over all 3.5 out of 5.
Art - Love me some John Buscema, especially when he does his own inking. He does a perfect balance of large and small lining and his shading is only as necessary. He also can draw realistically proportionate women, as seen on page 2. His backgrounds are not overly detailed, but believable. The cover shows the scene where he is fighting snakes, and I like it. 4 out of 5.
Overall - This book does have a little bit of "filler feel" especially after the events of the issue before. The basic story arc has been done so many times that the only differences are who's doing the chasing. Still, the art makes the book, and the story does have enough interesting points (Jergl's background as an example) that makes it an interesting read. I'll spilt the difference and give it a 3.75 out of 5 overall.
Ottawa news and notes - I just found out as I am typing this (April 14, 2018) that D'arcy McGee High School (965, rue Plateau) in Aylmer is hosting a Geek event today named Galageek, involving Cosplay tutorials, Drawing workshops, Board games etc...Admission at the door is 3 dollars. I know it's short notice, but if you can, check it out. After all, this is the next generation we are trying to encourage.
Next time, we shall begin to delve into the world of one of IGN's top five sexiest comic characters...Starfire of the New Teen Titans.
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