Conan The Avenger #8
Written by Fred Van Lente
Art by Brian Ching
Colors by Michael Atiyeh
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover art by John Picacio
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: November 26, 2014
Cover Price: $3.50

Conan The Avenger #8 is the second part in “The Damned Horde” storyline that was started last issue. Conan and a VERY mixed up army set out to rescue the sister of one of their own, who’s being held prisoner by a weirdly SOUTHERN villain. I wasn’t aware that Cimmeria had a Mason-Dixon line.

Writer Fred Van Lente delivers another solid issue of Conan. There’s a lot going on this issue, and if you haven’t read part one of this story, I suggest you do so before picking up this issue. First, because it’s awesome; and second, just so you’re up to speed on Conan and his mission, allies, enemies, and victims. This… is the fun part of the story. Where all the action is, where the plan is set into motion. Also, we get to find out a little bit more about the “bad guy” behind all this, as well as the “damsel in distress” that was introduced last issue. There’s some great classic Conan characterization in this issue. Van Lente proves that Conan is many things besides a barbarian. In fact, he’s a LOT more: strategist, leader, motivator, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Again, artist Brian Ching gives us some of the best fantasy art that I’ve seen in a long time. And what better book for it to be featured in? Literally everything in this issue looks amazing. Ching is quickly becoming someone whose work I look forward to taking in. Everything he does is consistent; his characters all look great, as does the world that he creates, and he has a fantastic ability to make every single person in the book look unique. There are a couple of crowd shots, and no two people look the same. He serves up some great attention to detail this issue.

OK, I’m not sure what else to say except grab this one! Again, I HIGHLY recommend that if you’re not a regular Conan reader, make sure and pick up issue #7, just so that you’re up to speed. Yes, there’s a recap at the beginning of the book, but it doesn’t cover everything and you’re missing out on a great first chapter. All in all, this issue gets a BIG thumbs up from me.