Conan the Barbarian #8
Recap
Conan the Barbarian #8 flips our hero's lust for companionship on it's ear by having everyone he knows (including his dear old grandmother) in his village in Cimmeria get possessed by Thoth Amon. Luckily the power of friendship makes a fool out of this ancient sorcerer and he is quickly and easily foiled.
Review
Turns out my assertion last issue about Conan craving companionship, against most things I know about the character, continues to hold true. Granted Conan has ventured back to Cimmeria before (in 2013’s Conan the Cimmerian series for one) but it’s so odd for him to head home hat in hand bearing gifts. Moreover the story’s resolution with love conquering all feels so forced and weak. Meh. Meh I say!
All in all this issue was all right I don’t think I am too excited by it. The possessed townsfolk angle seems very familiar not unlike an Eclipso story what have you I’m just not impressed it’s such insanely basic storytelling and the “I can’t hurt ______ he/she isn’t in control of themself!” angle is done to death. Throwing Conan’s dear old Gran into the mix just serves to ensure he can’t just throw caution to the winds and murder all of them, again contributing to a forced feeling.
The art by Gerardo Zaffino isn’t the greatest either, with some of the townsfolk looking downright terrible and Conan himself not looking his best in all but a panel or two. It does feel somewhat reminiscent of Sean Gordon Murphy’s Batman White Knight which people love so maybe others will like it? I thought the dogs/ wolves looked pretty good and Thoth Amon looked decent. The Cimmerian winter setting does look pretty good as well.
I get the feeling all this friendship is gonna come back around in the blood magic, we’ll see. Who knows maybe by the end of this story this issue will be amazing and pivotal but I seriously doubt it.
Final Thoughts
An issue that matters in the grand scheme of things as much as any other in this series. Which is to say it doesn't. As a standalone this issue is pretty toothless but as an arc I feel it just serves the purpose I've predicted.
Conan the Barbarian #8: Coming Home
- Writing - 6/106/10
- Storyline - 7/107/10
- Art - 6/106/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10