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The Chronicles of Conan
The Chronicles of Conan, Volume 2: Rogues in the House and Other Stories
In the early 1970s, Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian exploded on to the comics scene. Writer Roy Thomas teamed with a young artist named Barry Smith, and together the two mapped out some of the most stirring and memorable Conan adventures to come along since those written by Howard himself. Over the course of their 24 issue run together, Thomas and Smith defined Conan for a generation of comics readers, and now those stories are collected here in a series of trade paperbacks. Featuring completely remastered color and text corrections, and containing material not available for nearly thirty years, these books are the perfect companions to the upcoming all-new Conan series from Dark Horse.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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99 people want to read
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,540 books277 followersRoy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 26, 2019
Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith truly hit their stride in this volume. The art is more polished and the stories and dialogue are as well. Some have complained about the computer coloring in the volume but I find it gorgeous myself. Overall we have some very memorable stories including more giant spiders! A sword and sorcery comic just can't go wrong if it has giant spiders. Very well done and innovative. The setting of the Conan stories give them a timeless feel rather than most other bronze age comics, which sometimes feel a little dated. These are surely some of the best, if not the best, sword and sorcery comics published.
January 20, 2020
The 2nd volume in this trade collects issues 9 - 13 & 16 of the original Conan the Barbarian comic series and Smith's overall artwork is much improved. The nefarious female Jenna who was introduced in the last trade is still present in some stories as is the Gunderman soldier who has since turned into a rogue. Howard's tale "Rogues in the House" is adapted by Thomas as a twoparter of sorts and the gem of the book has to be the Howard adaptation of "The Frost Giant's Daughter" though this English major spotted at least three typos in the story which was off putting. Still, the story is a good one though like Thomas says in the back it could have been placed earlier in the series and perhaps could have been issue #1 itself with appearances by the Aesir leader Niord and some of the other Aesir of the band.
As an aside, the way Smith drew Conan at times he reminded me of both Jim Morrison and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.
As an aside, the way Smith drew Conan at times he reminded me of both Jim Morrison and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.
April 24, 2016
This is the second Dark Horse volume collecting Marvel's Conan series from 1970s and it includes issues #9–13 and 16. As in the first volume, the creative team here is Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith, and it is evident that they have found their stride in this volume.
The stories collected are "Garden of Fear", "Beware the Wrath of Anu", "Rogues in the House", "Dweller in the Dark", "Web of the Spider-God" and "The Frost Giant's Daughter".
Warmly recommended to fans of the sword and sorcery genre, and the fiction of Robert E. Howard.
The stories collected are "Garden of Fear", "Beware the Wrath of Anu", "Rogues in the House", "Dweller in the Dark", "Web of the Spider-God" and "The Frost Giant's Daughter".
Warmly recommended to fans of the sword and sorcery genre, and the fiction of Robert E. Howard.
June 4, 2007
The master of Sword and Sorcery. Great stories that scare and delight; a hero, who's strength and cunning go unrivaled, and a good dollop of other-world building that make all Conan's novels great reads.
September 4, 2022
Conan continues to thrive under Thomas’ obvious passion for Howard’s creation and Smith’s ever evolving talent with a pencil. These stories are just as gripping and entertaining half a century after publication!
August 7, 2023
“The man who does not tremble at the thought of death…has never truly thought about it at all.”
Once again, hell yeah. We’ve got one of the most famous single issues in Marvel Comics history, the Thomas/Smith adaptation of “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” capping off another stellar collection of Conan adventures.
The vibe are right. The dialogue is tremendous. The artwork is always killer. It’s like, what more could you possibly want, right?
I will say, I’m dinging this a bit for not including the Elric two-parter that apparently happened during this stretch, but it’s still just some wonderful comics here. I’m always struck by how somewhat serialized these are and how deeply Thomas is pulling from the REH archives to find stuff to bring to the comic.
You can just tell this means a lot to him to get right and that care radiates through the pages, which are always just so goddamn fun. I think eventually I’m gonna run out of ways to say this era of Conan comics are good and important but I don’t think that day is today.
Once again, hell yeah. We’ve got one of the most famous single issues in Marvel Comics history, the Thomas/Smith adaptation of “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” capping off another stellar collection of Conan adventures.
The vibe are right. The dialogue is tremendous. The artwork is always killer. It’s like, what more could you possibly want, right?
I will say, I’m dinging this a bit for not including the Elric two-parter that apparently happened during this stretch, but it’s still just some wonderful comics here. I’m always struck by how somewhat serialized these are and how deeply Thomas is pulling from the REH archives to find stuff to bring to the comic.
You can just tell this means a lot to him to get right and that care radiates through the pages, which are always just so goddamn fun. I think eventually I’m gonna run out of ways to say this era of Conan comics are good and important but I don’t think that day is today.
May 16, 2019
Excellent continuation of Conan's adventures, though I could easily do without the two short tales in which Conan is absent. I appreciate the attempt to change things up and get a bit meta, but that doesn't save these inclusions from feeling like filler.
The rest of the stories are great, presenting the world of Conan exactly the way Robert E. Howard envisioned. Toned down for a younger audience, sure, but still far from tame. This volume also marks the first time a noted fantasy novelist got in on the fun, with author John Jakes contributing the plot for issue #13. The series perfectly combines all-new adventures with adaptations of Robert E. Howard's classic work, and it's all done so seamlessly, only hardcore fans would notice any difference.
The rest of the stories are great, presenting the world of Conan exactly the way Robert E. Howard envisioned. Toned down for a younger audience, sure, but still far from tame. This volume also marks the first time a noted fantasy novelist got in on the fun, with author John Jakes contributing the plot for issue #13. The series perfectly combines all-new adventures with adaptations of Robert E. Howard's classic work, and it's all done so seamlessly, only hardcore fans would notice any difference.
February 22, 2025
I loved volume 2 of this collection, but I think this is even a step up from that.
First of all, the recolorings, still love them. It makes his "old" artwork look modern and sleek.
Speaking of art, I think Barry Winsor-Smith really finds his footing in this one. Most of his art here I love. And he is given two issues herein where he is allowed to ink himself and I think his artwork never looks better then when he inks himself.
We have two original Conan stories adapted here, Rogues in the House and The Frost-Giant's Daughter. FGT is fine, but RitH is really the adaption that shines in my opinion.
And I really liked their adaption of what was really just an introductory paragraph to RitH with Conan and the Gunderman. Great issues about here.
First of all, the recolorings, still love them. It makes his "old" artwork look modern and sleek.
Speaking of art, I think Barry Winsor-Smith really finds his footing in this one. Most of his art here I love. And he is given two issues herein where he is allowed to ink himself and I think his artwork never looks better then when he inks himself.
We have two original Conan stories adapted here, Rogues in the House and The Frost-Giant's Daughter. FGT is fine, but RitH is really the adaption that shines in my opinion.
And I really liked their adaption of what was really just an introductory paragraph to RitH with Conan and the Gunderman. Great issues about here.
March 8, 2018
A fine collection of stories, with some orginal Robert Howard stories mixed in. The art is very good throughout, and I enjoy the story paces that the comics set, as opposed to loosely linked stories, which is what Robert Howard provided (although I greatly enjoy those as well). I also really enjoyed the essay in the back by Roy Thomas, explaining some of the challenges and behind the scenes creation of the books.
May 13, 2020
Thomas seems to be moving away from the Stan Lee school of over-explaining every panel by this point. This is good, because Barry Windsor-Smith crams a lot into every panel and there are a lot of panels on the page. I still have the same general problems with this that I do with Marvel's Conan comics. Conan wears the fur loincloth and nothing else at all times, in all weather. He does speechify less than in the first volume.
February 18, 2019
As a kid, I was a huge fan of Conan the Barbarian comics. I got into the Marvel series in the late 80s, when it was closer to the end than the beginning. I always wanted to someday go back and collect all the earlier issues. Now, with these Dark Horse releases, I can do that pretty easily.
Enjoying these very much.
Enjoying these very much.
August 28, 2025
Tady se nový coloring jeví ještě horší než u prvního svazku. Až do té míry, že podstatně mění linky původní kresby. Vydání v edici Marvel Epic Collection s jiným, povedenějším coloringem je tím pádem jednoznačně lepší volba. Obsahuje navíc i původní obálky jednotlivých sešitů. Jediné, co v něm chybí, je doslov, ve kterém scenárista Roy Thomas do hloubky popisuje zákulisí výroby jednotlivých dílů.
March 19, 2019
Comics code authority neutered it. Try the Dark Horse version instead.
November 12, 2020
Not my cup of Conan.
October 24, 2023
Re-colouring is still awful but there are some of the most popular Conan stories in here.
April 9, 2021
The stpries are fast-paced, but the drawing is quite horrendeous.
Read
June 13, 2016The Chronicles of Conan, Volume 2: Rogues in the House and Other Stories kicks off where the previous Volume left off with Conan getting intro trouble and betrayed by his erstwhile companion Jenna who gets up just desserts in a very famous scene that really at the same time as being a will-or-won't he scene really illustrates Conan's Code as Jenna goes flying over the walls of Corinth with her plotting creative revenges from the cess pit beneath! :D
As ever the characters are spot on with all of them having various shades of grey/white/black and we get to see some returning one such as the Gunderman returning, as well as Jenna and there are a host of new characters from a corrupt queen, to slave girl, and former human is now has now been turned into an Octopus type creature and a host of Corrupt Palace guards and a Gorilla Chief the list goes on it is really astonishing and clever how much is really packed into one book! :D At the same time none of the characters are one dimensional with Conan showing that he doesn't kill for killings sake, with Jenna being a betrayer, and the Gundermann being a former enemy who has become a friend which all aids in building a vibrant feel to everything with nothing feeling like a cardboard cutouts! :D This combines with the environments, landscapes and shenanigans going on to create a real flavour to epic events going on! :D
In this Volume we get to see Conan at about 19 where upon he has learnt few lessons and certainly is more in strategic planning and not rushing in entirely always without getting the brain into gear first but as ever the fights, rescues and thieving etc are on an epic scale literally on a knife edge or spider fang all the time but at the same time they and the everything else are always accompanied by the humour the imbues all the events so that in even the most dire situations there is a are quips witty observations and Conan's comments on Queens will have you laughing hard! :D
The are artwork and scripting is brilliant as ever with the recoloured editions coming through really well and the artwork really helping to sell the script as well with clever fast paced dialogue really matching up with the expressions you can see clearly on their faces and in the characters gestures and the way the panes are framed really sells the events and depicts the incredibly varied environments brilliantly! :D
The Chronicles of Conan, Volume 2: Rogues in the House and Other Stories is fast paced a tremendous roller-coaster ride full of humour and adventure and really unexpected clever twists and sets a relentless energetic pace throughout! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D
As ever the characters are spot on with all of them having various shades of grey/white/black and we get to see some returning one such as the Gunderman returning, as well as Jenna and there are a host of new characters from a corrupt queen, to slave girl, and former human is now has now been turned into an Octopus type creature and a host of Corrupt Palace guards and a Gorilla Chief the list goes on it is really astonishing and clever how much is really packed into one book! :D At the same time none of the characters are one dimensional with Conan showing that he doesn't kill for killings sake, with Jenna being a betrayer, and the Gundermann being a former enemy who has become a friend which all aids in building a vibrant feel to everything with nothing feeling like a cardboard cutouts! :D This combines with the environments, landscapes and shenanigans going on to create a real flavour to epic events going on! :D
In this Volume we get to see Conan at about 19 where upon he has learnt few lessons and certainly is more in strategic planning and not rushing in entirely always without getting the brain into gear first but as ever the fights, rescues and thieving etc are on an epic scale literally on a knife edge or spider fang all the time but at the same time they and the everything else are always accompanied by the humour the imbues all the events so that in even the most dire situations there is a are quips witty observations and Conan's comments on Queens will have you laughing hard! :D
The are artwork and scripting is brilliant as ever with the recoloured editions coming through really well and the artwork really helping to sell the script as well with clever fast paced dialogue really matching up with the expressions you can see clearly on their faces and in the characters gestures and the way the panes are framed really sells the events and depicts the incredibly varied environments brilliantly! :D
The Chronicles of Conan, Volume 2: Rogues in the House and Other Stories is fast paced a tremendous roller-coaster ride full of humour and adventure and really unexpected clever twists and sets a relentless energetic pace throughout! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2013
Art Nouveau in Hyboria
Die Anatomie ist bei Windsor-Smith manchmal etwas wunderlich - auch werden die für ihn typischen Michael-Jackson-Nasen in extrem hochwangigen Gesichtern wahrscheinlich nicht jedem gefallen. Doch immer wieder tauchen hier Panels auf, die Conans wundersame Welt in fantastischen, stark vom Jugendstil beeinflussten Bildern zeigen. Der Stil Windsor-Smiths ist sehr detailliert, und das steigert sich sogar im Laufe der Reihe.
Sind die Geschichten zu Beginn des Bandes noch in der Art des Sammelbands 1, also etwas bemüht und hauptsächlich vom Zeichnerischen her etwas krumm, so findet ab "The Dweller in the Dark", der vierten Geschichte dieses Bandes, das Duo Thomas/Smith ihren Lauf und wird besser und besser.
Leider muss ich meinem Vorrezensenten widersprechen - dieser Band sammelt nur die Ausgaben bis #13, und enthält zusätzlich den Höhepunkt des Bandes - "The Frost Giant's Daughter", in der Windsor-Smith zur Höchstform aufläuft.
Dark Horse bietet alles, was sich ein Comicfreund wünschen kann - tolle Aufbereitung mit einer atemberaubenden Neukolorierung, die nur stellenweise etwas zu üppig gelungen ist und die Linien übertüncht; eine stabile Bindung, dickes Papier und ein fester Kartoneinband; und schließlich noch ein gelungenes Nachwort von Roy Thomas, dessen Einsichten vor allem in die Welt der Comics-Code-Zeit sehr unterhaltsam sind.
Ein deutlicher Schritt nach vorn in Bezug auf den ersten Band der "Chronicles of Conan", und, ich weiß es, es wird noch viel besser werden in den Folgebänden.
Die Anatomie ist bei Windsor-Smith manchmal etwas wunderlich - auch werden die für ihn typischen Michael-Jackson-Nasen in extrem hochwangigen Gesichtern wahrscheinlich nicht jedem gefallen. Doch immer wieder tauchen hier Panels auf, die Conans wundersame Welt in fantastischen, stark vom Jugendstil beeinflussten Bildern zeigen. Der Stil Windsor-Smiths ist sehr detailliert, und das steigert sich sogar im Laufe der Reihe.
Sind die Geschichten zu Beginn des Bandes noch in der Art des Sammelbands 1, also etwas bemüht und hauptsächlich vom Zeichnerischen her etwas krumm, so findet ab "The Dweller in the Dark", der vierten Geschichte dieses Bandes, das Duo Thomas/Smith ihren Lauf und wird besser und besser.
Leider muss ich meinem Vorrezensenten widersprechen - dieser Band sammelt nur die Ausgaben bis #13, und enthält zusätzlich den Höhepunkt des Bandes - "The Frost Giant's Daughter", in der Windsor-Smith zur Höchstform aufläuft.
Dark Horse bietet alles, was sich ein Comicfreund wünschen kann - tolle Aufbereitung mit einer atemberaubenden Neukolorierung, die nur stellenweise etwas zu üppig gelungen ist und die Linien übertüncht; eine stabile Bindung, dickes Papier und ein fester Kartoneinband; und schließlich noch ein gelungenes Nachwort von Roy Thomas, dessen Einsichten vor allem in die Welt der Comics-Code-Zeit sehr unterhaltsam sind.
Ein deutlicher Schritt nach vorn in Bezug auf den ersten Band der "Chronicles of Conan", und, ich weiß es, es wird noch viel besser werden in den Folgebänden.
December 3, 2012
One of my favorite comics of the early 1970s, was Marvel's Conan series, so I was very pleased to find this volume of reprinted stories from the series. The stories are fast-paced and full of Roy Thomas's over-ripe verbiage, and the art by Barry Windsor-Smith is amazing. The re-coloring and shading of these stories, however, I'm not so sure about. Although I don't have any of the original comics to compare this with, I think the coloring is probably nicer than when first published, but the shading seems unneeded. The shading often obscures some of Smith's fine line work in my opinion. This slight mis-step keeps this from being a 5-star book.
October 2, 2018
I'm upgrading my stars this time around. For whatever reason, the pure entertainment of reading Conan again is just a blast. No deep thinking needed, by Crom!
I'm still, in all honesty, while enjoying the Barry Windsor Smith art (even though early on it seems everyone was punched in the lips as they are FULL) I'm looking forward to seeing John Buscema and others. (Gil Kane!!!)
I'm still, in all honesty, while enjoying the Barry Windsor Smith art (even though early on it seems everyone was punched in the lips as they are FULL) I'm looking forward to seeing John Buscema and others. (Gil Kane!!!)
October 25, 2011
Más relatos de vagabundeos donde destaca "La Hija del Gigante de Hielo"
December 30, 2013
Great collection showing the partnership of Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor Smith continue to grow.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews