Titan comics, who currently hold the publishing rights to Conan, have released another new Conan book to add to their monthly colour "Conan the Barbarian" title and their black and white "Savage Sword of Conan magazine" that may be of interest to bronze age comic fans. "Savage Sword of Conan - Reforged" is a new magazine sized monthly that reprints coloured versions of the classic black and white tales from the legendary “Savage Sword of Conan" monthly from the 1970's, and the first issue is a decent package wrapped up in an actioned packed cover by Roberto De La Torre.
The main story in the first issue of "Reforged" is "Tower of the Elephant" by Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala from Marvels "Savage Sword of Conan” #24 . I had missed this tale first time around in the US (and UK reprint) and had only previously read the Thomas / Smith version in "Conan the Barbarian" #4 - so I was more than happy to shell out £8.99 to read this. Below are a few pages from what I think is excellent magazine.
"Reforged" also features a newly coloured version of one of my favourite Conan stories, "The Frost Giants Daughter" by Thomas / Smith (originally published in black and white in " Savage tales" #1 and a coloured version reprinted in "Conan the Barbarian" #16).
This issue also sees a new coloured verion of the Robert E Howard poem "Cimmeria" by Barry Smith & Tim Conrad.
This new book is going to appeal to those bronze age Conan fans who don't have the original comics/magazines or those looking for a decent comic to read (like myself). Of course there will be those Conan/Marvel fans that don't approve or like the colouring and although I do not think the black and white versions will be surpassed, I did enjoy these coloured versions. Issue 2 features "The Devil in Iron" (from SSOC #15) which I will be picking up.
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That looks like a good 'un to me so I think I'll track one down on eBay. The colouring isn't over-the-top and suits the artwork quite nicely.
ReplyDeleteBought one not long after leaving my initial comment, so looking forward to its arrival.
DeleteHope you enjoy it Kid. I really liked it as it's a story I haven't read before so it was like an instant trip back in time for me. Let me know what you think when you get your copy .
DeleteI have no problem with offering these tales in color. The black and white versions are still available and have been reprinted more than a few times. "Tower of the Elephant" is one of REH's most elegant Conan stories, one in which a very young Conan still has not been too hardened by civilization.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice magazine Rip. I think this was the only Marvel Conan tale to be completed by 2 different artists. I recall the BWS version and love that one, but I think I may ( just) prefer this version .
ReplyDeleteI took a look at this in my LCS a couple of Sundays ago, but as I already have the stories reprinted within the pages of the Dark Horse published "Chronicles of Conan" graphic novels, I thought I'd give it a pass. Any thoughts on the comparison with the Dark Horse coloured reprints? I'm willing to be persuaded to go back and pick up the new Titan issues, even for the nostalgia kick of picking up something akin in format to the Marvel B&W mags.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the Dark Horse reprints Ian so I can't comment. I hadn't read the Buscema Tower of the Elephant so that's why I bought it, like yourself I will pass on issues where I have read the main strip before . LI totally agree with your last comment as a big part of this book for me is based in nostalgia for the original tales.
ReplyDeleteThe story "Iron Shadows In The Moon" (US Savage Sword #4 and UK Savage Sword #1) by Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala has already been reprinted in colour in the Conan Treasury Edition published in the autumn of 1978.
ReplyDeleteAnd "Black Colossus" was reprinted in colour in the 1977 Conan Treasury Edition.
ReplyDeleteI have the originals of those excellent tales Colin but I missed "The Devil in Iron" tale . I would probably pick up " Black Colossus" if it's reprinted in Reforged in colour as it would be cheaper to buy than the colour Treasury edition
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