Since Mr. Busiek has joined us here, I think this is a good time to offer my praise for the new Conan series from Dark Horse. I was never into Conan comics or stories before, but Kurt's name was enough to get me interested, and now I'm hooked. I love the writing, and Cary Nord's art is well suited to the story, and the covers by Joe Linsner have been outstanding. I even like the lettering, which seems to be done like an old typewriter would do it. Very nice touch. I just finished reading #7, which wraps up the first story arc, and I'm looking forward to more. I highly recommend it to everyone who likes action and adventure, and don't let not being a Conan fan stop you.

One question: The new lettercol name, "Lockbox 818", what is that in reference to?

Seconded. This version is fantastic, light-years ahead of Marvel's fur loin-cloth wearing version. He's a barbarian not stupid, even barbarians protect themselves from the elements.They even made attempts to make Conan more PC. A PC barbarian? C'mon. Problems happened when they deviated too far from the source material.

An observation or two (or more)

Hopefully we'll see some of Conan's 'gigantic mirth' we see alot of his 'gigantic melancholies' I'd like to see more of his sense of humor.

I hope to see more of 'an age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars'. Civilization in Conan books seems to be mud-huts and western backlot towns for the most part. REH seemed to have been influenced by movies of the day like Douglas Fairbanks' 'The Thief of Bagdad' when describing cities.

REH tended to desribe Conan with 'a square cut tousled black mane'. Frazetta' s cover to 'Conan the Adventurer' captures it perfectly.

Yup - great book hasent been this good since Thomas/Buscema on Savage Sword....excellent work Kurt and shows your range as a writer.

Is a shame Buscema isnt still alive...it would have been great to see you two team up on Conan (or Avengers for that matter!).

Glad you're liking it!

Lockbox 818 was Robert E. Howard's post-office box, I believe...

kdb

Hey, since Mr Busiek is here, it's a good opportunity for me to gush once more with effusive thanks for the JLA/Avengers book.

I bought the oversize slipcase edition last week and it has been consuming my time ever since. All the extras are great, the script notes are very interesting (and an entertaining read in their own right) and I've fallen in love with the book again. Somehow it reads even better in this format.

Most importantly, while it's big stakes and very dangerous times, the book is FUN!!! It's not very often that I get this much pure, innocent, childish joy from comics these days.

Thank you so much for this!!!!

I'm a big fan of the current Conan series as well - fantastic stuff, writing and artwise!

(just to let you know, Mr Busiek, I'm one of the colourists on the 'Chronicles of Conan' tpb's, also being published by Dark Horse - we are all happy to see the latest issue of your book on the stands )

For the newcomer, how far along is the new series?

Jim Lawless

#7 is the latest issue.

In case Kurt checks this thread again, I asked another question in another thread that you may be able to answer:

http://www.imwan.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=505

Glad you're enjoying it -- and I agree, the size makes a big difference!

kdb

And those are some great-looking books!

I saw the French edition of the first volume yesterday, all hardcover and purty ... it showed off the colors very nicely.

kdb

Thanks very much!

damn, now I have to track down the french edition...

Oh yeah, wotta burden!

Hey, maybe Fabrice Renault can help you - send him a PM, because I think he's visiting France sometime soon

Allow me to add that one of my happier moments in comics recently was reading issue 7, and seeing the beginning of a new story arc. Since I don't look at preview boards very often, I swear that's how I found out this is an-going series. I am really thrilled about that. Astro City, JLA, and Conan. 3 different books, 1 great writer...

Jason

For those of you who are interested in Kurt's forthcoming JLA work, he's got a prelude to it in JLA Secret Files 2004...
http://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc_displ ... =September

I am also enjoying this new Conan series, as soon as I saw issue # 0 I knew I had to get it. It is living up to my expectations and more, here's to a long run.

So, who's still reading Conan here?

Gave up when Kurt left.

Still reading Red Sonja....

I'm still reading the main book, the mini's I'll pick up when they collect in TPB's. I'm also reading Red Sonja by Dynamite, they've definitely solved a majority of their late shipping problems.

I had been reading the reprints Dark Horse is doing - planned on getting to the new series afterwards - but I fell behind because the price point on those reprint volumes was a tad bit high for my taste. Now a few early volumes, 4&5, I think, seem to be unavailable from Amazon. Since that's where I left off, well, I left behind the reading, too.

I'll catch up one day when I find a good deal on Amazon, as I did with the Maxx reprints.

Over the years I've been on a quest to find all the original stories by Howard, et. al. that Ace Books printed. I think I have of the volumes, out of maybe 12. I'd have to check at home for sure. Love 'em.