Roy Thomas returns to Conan the Barbarian to bring the Cimmerian series to a close in the tenth omnibus that collects Panini Comics in a deluxe edition.
Everything that has a beginning has an end, and the most famous Cimmerian classic series in history, although long, is no exception. Panini Comics publishes the tenth and final volume of the legendary series under the title Marvel Omnibus. Conan the Savage: The Original Marvel Level 10.
Roy Thomas returned to say goodbye
There is no doubt that the name of the screenwriter most associated with the character of Conan has to be Roy Thomas. Since the early 1970s, the screenwriter, along with artist Barry Windsor-Smith, has created one of the most popular series among comic book readers and the creator of the characters, Robert E. Howard, they started what would become more popular. Hence the proliferation of fictional productions set in the Hyborian period.
As the 1980s began, Thomas distanced himself completely from his character, leaving the door open for other creators to contribute their visions. While it’s true that many writers have excelled and even surpassed Thomas in quality with the character in various productions, none of the series that saw his birth live up to the greatness of his successor at the time. Stan Lee’s achieved.
After a few years of the series’ apparent decline in public favor, Thomas returned to his imagination after a hiatus and, understandably, not long after being invited back to reprise his much-loved character. . The series already had an expiration date, but the idea was to say goodbye in style, relying on the work of cartoonists like Gary Hartle and Michael Docherty (whose work here is nothing short of accurate)…
Old friends and enemies
Thomas’ aim is to return to the roots of the character, to return to the glory of two decades ago, in an attempt to place Conan in a place of legend, surrounded by legendary secondary characters who are and will be part of the story. A share of sand to strengthen the future as a king.
Reconnecting with Howard’s stories was part of the way, but it’s true that the toothpaste was already out of the tube and there was no way to put it back in: it was the nineties and the way comics were made had changed. The result was a curious mix of styles that was unmistakable.
We were going to get shows like Samurai but we were also going to get some really popular characters. In the first edition already included here, we met the priest Karanthes, he does not come alone but is accompanied by a much less wild red Sonja than usual. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long for her to ditch her sword and drop her immortal ladylike forms on the soundtrack and deliver some great action moments with Conan.
With Red Sonja around, it’s no surprise that we’ve got Zula, the royal blood warrior we saw immortalized in the skin of Grace Jones (including a sex change) in Conan the Destroyer. And let’s not forget Isparana, the sword-wielding thief who has the dubious honor of appearing as a cliffhanger on the final page.
As for enemies, we’re going to have a good group of familiar characters like the vampire Varna. But it’s Worrall who shines the most here, a soul-sucking, incredibly charming character with a timeless charm, and thanks to that, we’re treated to one of the most exciting and emotional moments of the entire series when he has his final showdown with Conan. .
Savage Tom
We come to the end of the series with issue #275 in this volume. Directed by Jason Aaron and Mahmoud Asrar, we have to wait 26 years to see this mask again. It’s a shame the original series didn’t end here with a plot twist, since we put a cliffhanger and a chat box on the last page of Conan’s Savage Sword, issue #218.
As for the Marvelous Edition, the Deluxe Size Marvel Omnibus. Conan the Barbarian: Marvel’s Original Level 10 Published by Panini Comics in hardcover with dust jacket, 928 color pages, 18.3 x 27.7 cm wide. and includes translations of issues #241 through #275 of the American Standard Series Conan the Barbarian.
Additionally, this deluxe edition includes an introduction by Roy Thomas, as well as the final chapter with additional material that will delight even the most die-hard fans of The Cimmerian Warrior. The translation was done by Joan Josep Musara, the recommended retail price for this size is €80 and it goes on sale in April 2024.
Fantastic Omnibus. Conan the Barbarian: The First Marvel Level 10
Roy Thomas is back! The writer who turned Robert E. Howard’s creation into one of the most popular and influential comics in Marvel history returns to wrap up his original series.
Thomas, in collaboration with cartoonists Michael Docherty and Gary Hartle, laid out Conan’s path for the killer from the West Coast to the top of Mount Crom, the wastelands bordering the Vilayet Sea. The forests of the Pictish Lands, reunited with Howard’s classic heritage, but featuring contemporary additions to Conan legends such as Soul Eater, the Thief Esparana and Varne, Lord of the Vampires, and reader favorites like Red Sonja and Zula!
Autores: Roy Thomas, Gary Hartl and Michael Docherty