Customer Rating:      Summary: Great! Comment: The "Born on the Battlefield" series is a triumph of comics art both in writing and illustration. Surreal pictures in rich, swirling earth tones accompany epic prose to create an experience that is satisfying and consuming.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Volume 0 of the Dark Horse Series Comment: If "The Frost Giant's Daughter" is the 1st volume of DHC's series Conana, then this one is its volume 0. Same quality level writing, different but still awesome art, and great characterization of Conan and the people of Cimmeria (of which we see very little of). All in all, if you like Conan in any shape or form, get this book.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Great! Comment: If you enjoy reading fantasy, enjoying a great tale, or just a good read, then you really should read this Graphic Novel. Yes, a graphic novel is nothing but a collection of 'comic' books into one volume and yes, I know how many people look down on comics. However, this is a very good read.
It is the story of Conan's youth in Cimmeria, from his birth until just after the sack of Vennarium. It is written by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by Greg Ruth. Busiek as usual shows his depth of understanding not only of the medium, but of his character. Conan was not created by Busiek, of course, but he almost seems to have inherited the same spirit that Howard often mentioned when he talked about the genesis of his Conan stories.
Ruth, the books illustrater is just, how should I put it? If you remember the old Frazetta covers to the Conan books published in the 70's then you should be awed by how much Ruth's art seems to channel that same feeling.
These two do not recreate the feely-touchy-smiley happy go lucky Conan of the live action TV series. They ignore the animated saturday morning shows almost as if they never existed (Thankfully!). They also studiously ignore the almost feminine Conan from Conan the Destroyer (can anyone say Polittically Correct? I knew you could ) and the "Im so stupid I cant stop drooling" Conan from Conan the Barbarian.
These books most resemble the stories by Howard and the very best of the old Savage Sword of Conan series. I remember buying those oversized SSoC comics as a kid. I was as much in awe of them as I am awed by the current crop of Busiek stories.
These books are a great read. Lots of fun.
I would recommend almost anything by Dark Horse in general, but the adaptation of Conan really stands out in my mind. It once again proves that Busiek is one of our greatest living authors in this field, equaled only by Frank Miller (perhaps! ) as well that Dark Horse is, perhaps, the best of the major comic publishers.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Great Storytelling Comment: Having read all of the Conan comics and stories, I like the Dark Horse series very much. This book has a dark, grim tone like we expect from a Robert E. Howard character. The story goes back to the birth and youth of Conan. Great action, good writing and artwork.
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