Conan The Slayer #1
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Sergio Davila
Colors by Michael Atiyeh
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Covers by Lee Bermejo, Mark Schultz with Dave Stewart (30th Anniversary Variant)
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: July 13, 2016
Cover Price: $3.99

Cullen Bunn is writing Conan! Okay, now that I got that out of the way, allow me to introduce you to Conan The Slayer #1. Being a life-long fan of everyone’s favorite Cimmerian, I always try to keep my eyes open for anything Conan. To be fair, I’ll read anything involving this character. But when it reads and feels just like something Robert E. Howard himself would have appreciated, then it’s really time to celebrate!

Keep on reading for more fanboy gushing and witty remarks!

What I’ve always appreciated most in Conan is his indomitable will to live. Nothing has ever made this barbarian despair; except maybe a little magic, he really loathes wizardry. Whether he is armed with a sword or enters a fray barehanded, he never quits. In this particular tale, that willpower serves him well. For after his forces were butchered in a cunning trap, he finds himself the sole survivor and on the run. Wounded and pursued, he springs a trap of his own! Devastating the scouts that sought him out, Conan focuses his remaining energy on survival.

Marching ever forward, Conan stumbles (quite literally) into the camp of a neighboring people. Through blackouts and negotiations, he is able to establish a rapport with the chieftain who is taken with his bravery and strength. By the end of the first chapter, we see Conan on the mend and willing to help his new acquaintances. The last panel teaches the reader that Kozaks are touchy about manners and are not to be disrespected. It is perhaps the last few pages that prove to me that Bunn knows how to compose a true Conan story.

The artwork that Sergio Davila delivers is reminiscent of the original The Savage Sword Of Conan that I loved as a kid. The larger panels are fit to be framed; the depth of the visuals are multilevel and not just a primary figure with background. If I had a complaint it would be with the colors. I see that Michael Atiyeh is well versed in digital coloring, but I’m a purist and prefer more saturation. But maybe I’m just being picky.

I truly hope this will be an ongoing series. I’ve long been a fan of Cullen Bunn, as you probably guessed. His darker take on life yields some spectacular tales, be they Conan or not. If you have any interest at all in the character, then grab this before they sell out. I foresee this as being on par with the original source material, folks. That’s right, worthy of Howard himself. For less than four bucks it can be yours, too. Enjoy it, I know I did!