The Conan Chronicles, Vol. 4 [Paperback]

The fourth book in a series reprinting Marvel Comics' 1970s version of Robert E. Howard's 1930s pulp-magazine hero, Conan the Barbarian, includes the final and best stories illustrated by the fans' favorite artist, Barry Windsor-Smith. The book's high point--arguably Conan's finest moment in comics--is "Red Nails," based on a Howard novella in which Conan is trapped with she-pirate Valeria in a walled city inhabited by two tribes engaged in protracted warfare. Compared with other slam-bang sword-and-sorcery tales, this one unfolds leisurely--but Windsor-Smith's ornate, detailed artwork is at its most polished. The volume also introduces Red Sonia, a sort of female Conan, provocatively clad in improbably skin-tight chain mail; she subsequently starred in her own popular comics. Rounding out the book are the first Conan stories drawn by John Buscema, whose more conventional dynamism better suited the look of Marvel's superhero line. Buscema drew Conan for another two decades, and his issues far outsold those of his predecessor. Yet Windsor-Smith's depiction of the character is the one longtime fans most fondly recall. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Lincolnshire Echo, 21 September 2004: " ...the action is first rate...the art is amazing" Comics International Issue 173: " It's Barry Windsor-Smith's finest artistic hour...pure magic."

Conan: blood-drenched barbarian, adventurer, mercenary, pirate and king by his own hand - the greatest sword and sorcery hero of them all who has thrilled fans for seven decades! This fourth fantastic collection continues Conan's adventures, adapted from Robert E. Howard's legendary stories, and featuring brilliant artwork from two classic comic artists: Barry Windsor-Smith and John Buscema. Originally published 30 years ago and now available for a whole new generation of fans to enjoy, these previously uncollected strips have been digitally re-coloured, once more bringing to life the epic saga of this greatest of warriors!

Roy Thomas wrote classic runs of The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, Doctor Strange, Avengers, Captain Britain and, of course, various Conan titles. Barry Windsor-Smith's beautiful artwork has graced the pages of such titles as The Avengers, Weapon X, Uncanny X-Men and various Conan titles. John Buscema is one of the great names in comics art who has drawn, amongst others, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Tarzan and Wolverine.