Conan, Vol. 2: The God in the Bowl and Other Stories

Conan: Dark Horse Collection

by Kurt Busiek, Cary Nord (Illustrator), Thomas Yeates (Illustrator)

The critically acclaimed and award-winning creative team behind the runaway-hit revival are back with a brand new adaptation of one of Conan creator Robert E. Howard's best-known tales. Award-winning writer Kurt Busiek and artists Cary Nord and Dave Stewart render the glorious suspense of Howard's beloved "The God in the Bowl" in all its terrifying detail, as well as introducing not only Conan's most famed adversary, Thoth-amon, but a new female foil to Conan's exploits - Janissa, the Widowmaker, bound by a pact to a witch who has sinister plans for Conan.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Sword and Sorcery, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2005

About the author

Kurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.

Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.

During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).

Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.

In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.

In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.

In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.

Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.

Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You have NO hope - none at ALL!" -- Thoth-Amon the serpent

"Hope?! Only fools depend on hope, serpent! But strength - strength and a good sword - are all that a man has EVER needed!" -- Conan the Barbarian, kicking ass and taking names

Not quite as much fun as the initial volume, this follow-up features a few tales that are a little more lackluster in nature - especially with some of the particularly verbose supporting characters spouting their portentous dialogue, getting in the way of action scenes (which unfortunately don't arrive until the concluding passages) - although the intriguingly hostile 'Janissa the Widowmaker' arriving on the scene does liven up the proceedings. However, once readers learn of her darkly depicted backstory - in young adulthood she unwisely made a deal with a duplicitous witch, which resulted in facing years of sexual assaults by demonic creatures - they may want to drop the book and flee to the hills.

[Edward Gwynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection was great especially after reading the Robert E. Howard short story so recently.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conan tries his hand at being a thief which leads into a locked room murder mystery. The he gets in between rival wizards running afoul of Thoth Amon for the first time. Thoth Amon once fought the X-Men and turned Manhattan into a Hyborian version of itself. Busiek mixes it up this time giving us more than just a bunch of bloody battles. The art still emulates Frazetta which seems fitting.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

A weak 3 stars:

The artwork was good, though not as good as I found in Volume 3. The titular "god in the bowl" was particularly lackluster and disappointing.

Howard's story, "The God in the Bowl" is good, and the artists do a fine job of visualizing it. I wasn't as fond of the filler that preceded and followed it, however.

I did find it amusing that the thieves whom Conan frames in the first chapter bear a strong resemblance to Fahfrd and the Grey Mouser.

* Random thoughts:

(1) Why is the Ibis priest's name Caranthes in my paperback edition but it's Kalanthes in the comic?

(2) Why does Conan's life have to be shoehorned into a unitary epic? He's only 19 or so. There's no reason to get Thoth-Amon involved at this point in his life (in the Howard story, it's an anonymous group of Stygian priests of Set who send Caranthes the "gift"). Even as late as The Hour of the Dragon: Conan, Conan hasn't crossed paths with Thoth-Amon, even when he ventures into Stygia.

(3) Is Thoth-Amon even Howard's creation? I'm not immersed enough in REH memorabilia to know.

(4) Another point, Conan seems far too comfortable with the sorcery of Caranthes/Kalanthes. It seems out of character.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have an almost Sherlock Holmes type mystery story in this volume, as well as the introduction of the evil Thoth Amon into the Dark Horse Conan universe.

The art remains exceptional, and the story is moving along well as it weaves a larger tale throughout the smaller storylines. Dark Horse is more than doing Conan justice with its interpretation so far.

[Andrew Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing and artwork in this second volume are superb. Here’s an example when we are introduced to the Bone Woman for the first time ...



Conan is young and very naive. He Talks too loudly in bars and thinks he’s invincible and untouchable because he’s a barbarian and not a soft city dweller. This is a great theme of REH's writing; Barbarianism vs civilization.
For me the strength of this book are the characters. They are drawn and written with real style. The Bone Woman, Janissa, Demetro and Kalenthes are well fleshed out and brilliant, they remain long in the memory. And the scarab/bug monster thing is truly a horrific masterpiece of fiction.
Conan stands firm under pressure and faces down each of the trials sent his way. In doing so he proves that the schemes of civilization and the terror of magic have nothing on his panther like wits and sharp sword. Evil magic and bureaucratic corruption cannot win when Conan faces them down!
A must read! 5/5

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A locked-door murder mystery centered on a loin-cloth clad barbarian? A titanic showdown between good and evil priests featuring Hyboria's biggest female badass this side of Red Sonja? Yes, and yes, please! Busiek's writing remains enthralling, and the as for the art...well, here's a taste!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conan done did it again, dog nabbity. I like how he meets someone who can go toe to toe with him. And I like all the dark, crazy magic. Can't wait for the next adventure. Thanks, Dark Horse.

[OmniBen · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review) 4.25/5
Now this is a little more more like it. This is more the type of stories I think of when I think Conan the Barbarian. More thieving. More felonious and ferocious foes, and a female foil thrown into the mix. It would have been difficult for these two to make a ball's of adapting such outstanding stories, (well, Busiek anyway). Carey Nord's art has to stand on its own two feet regardless. It's just lucky that Carey Nord's art is friggin fantastic. Busiek does a commendable job of putting a slightly different spin on this classic tale, with Nord imbuing it with a delicate beauty one wouldn't normally associate with the adventure seeking Cimmerian. What more could anyone ask for? 4.25/5


OmniBen.

[Dom Silla · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'd begun to think civilization was not for me. But now--I was trapped between two mighty forces and proved that whatever the threat--if it bleeds I can kill it. I've proven myself civilizations master and made a fine profit doing it!
"Mitra, Ibis, Set, and more! Bring me your worst, world! Ill take it on--and I'll triumph!" - Conan, the Cimmerian

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conan works so well as a comic because his stories always seemingly transition into more and more, he just keeps plodding along- fighting, stealing and sleeping with women across the lands.

This story goes into the more magical side of Conan, showing god powers and their ability to control normal men. Conan is such a great character, the worlds around him feel so full and rich. I read this by a fire on a cold November day and just felt like if I adventures outside maybe I’d come across Conan too.

[Rayco Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toda una sorpresa este tomo, que llevaba años cogiendo polvo en mis estanterías sin que le llegara el momento. Tanto en lo narrativo como en lo gráfico, una auténtica maravilla. Altamente recomendable.

[Omni Theus · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

[Ripley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story arc with some horror elements.

[Koen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like it as much as the previous volume, but still a nice piece of Conan history told in this one.
The barbarian still clings hard to his sword and his beliefs.

[Vämpiriüs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kniha má ucelený děj tvářící se jako povídky a scénář je velmi povedený. Děj má logiku, nepřeskakuje události a žene nás krutě vpřed. Zastihuje mladého Conana v jeho zlodějské éře. Na začátku příběhu je drzý, nespoutaný, bezstarostný, divoký ale samozřejmě i všemi mastmi mazaný. Ve své bezstarostnosti a sebevědomé drzosti přijímá zlodějskou zakázku a dostává se tak nechtěně do první linie děje první části příběhu. Kresby jsou velmi povedené, temné a i postavy jsou lehce rozeznatelné.

[Abhinav · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read the full review over at my blog:

https://shadowhawksshade.wordpress.co...

With Conan Vol.1: The Frost Giant’s Daughter and Other Stories, Dark Horse embarked on a bold strategy where the classic Conan stories were shaped anew, with writer Kurt Busiek putting together a continuous narrative that charted the rise of Conan from a simple Cimmerian warrior to the King of Aquilonia. With the addition of fantastic artists like Cary Nord and Dave Stewart, the series began well with the first volume, establishing a clear frame of reference for the characters and his adventures in a way that would always leave you wanting more.

In Conan Vol.2: The God In The Bowl and Other Stories we see more of the same as Conan now sets out for the Nemedian city-state to learn more of the world, to hone his skills as a thief and see more of what the world at large could offer someone like him. Kurt’s writing is very much on point in this volume, as it was in the previous one, and now that the Cimmerian is in more familiar circumstances, the story becomes all the more enjoyable. And along the way, artists Tom Mandrake, Cary Nord, Thomas Yeates and Dave Stewart add a particular vividness to the visual aspect, enhancing the story in every way possible.

This time the story begins in Nemedia where Conan has now lived for several days and has already established himself as an able thief, though he is not quite infamous as yet and is still very much a novice. After all, there is much more to thieving than the simple act itself. There is much more going on and I have to say that unlike the previous volume, in The God In The Bowl and Other Stories we see some real growth in Conan as a character, which was rather pleasing. We already know that he is not just a simple northern barbarian and this collection proves that.

The first half of the story deals with the metaphysical dangers of the lands of Hyborea, where old magic and old gods still hold sway. It is a straightforward enough tale, involving daring thefts, city watch, magistrates, murder investigations and more. Irresistible stuff, truly. Conan as not just an accomplished swordsman and brawler, but also a cunning warrior and thief, which is always a dangerous combination in the best of times. And that’s the true attraction of a character like Conan because he is all of this and though he can be incredibly arrogant at times, it all just fits him whereas with anyone else you’d be crying foul.

[Heath Lowrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Busiek and Nord lose very little of the momentum they gained in the first volume with this second collection from Dark Horse. This one is built around the REH tale "The God in the Bowl", and once again Busiek does an admirable job of weaving the circumstances around the Howard vision into a fully realized story. Still learning the ways of so-called civilization, brash young Conan gets caught up in a sort of locked room mystery, accused of murder, only to discover the actual killer is something truly horrible and inhuman. Agatha Christie this ain't. After that, Conan accompanies the wizard Kalanthes on a dangerous journey and encounters for the first time the villain who will eventually become his arch-rival, Thoth-Amon. This encounter is maybe a little gratuitous-- the creators attempt to enforce some comic book continuity-- but it's still a solid story.

There's a character in this volume called Janissa the Widow-Maker, created by Busiek and Nord, who sparked some debate because of her horrific origin-- the points are valid, I think, especially considering that she's never given any sort of real depth beyond being a major-league ass-kicker. But who knows? Maybe we'll see her in future volumes and she'll get more fleshed out. It's a small problem in an otherwise terrific collection.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy this revival series from Black Horse. In this second volume, we still see a young Conan. Sure, he is quite the thief and very cunning, but he is still fairly inexperienced and learning fast. So, I find it interesting to find how Conan evolves over time. In this volume, he meets Janissa the Widowmaker, an assassin who works for the Bone Woman, and he makes a new enemy in Thoth Amon, the sorcerer. Conan enjoys life to the fullest, but he also has to rely on his cunning and smarts to overcome obstacles. From possibly being framed for a murder he did not commit to facing the dark sorcerer, Conan stands strong. If you like this character and his stories, you will enjoy this volume. It is clear the publisher takes good care of Howard's creation, and the art works very well with the series as well, capturing the environment nicely. Overall, very good work. I will continue reading this series.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues the excellent Dark Horse series that adapts the original Conan stories to the comic book artform. In this book we see more of the Hyperborean world that Conan inhabited and the nefarious people that populated it. Here we see the historical truths that influence R.E. Howard with evil Egyptian mages and Greco/Roman society that Conan stumbles into and immediately finds fault with. These influences - often lost in the adventure of the original tales - are brilliantly visualized by the artists in the buildings and city life that the titular hero so despises. There is a definite clash of cultures in this book as Conan moves through the walled cities and political games that trap his sense of freedom. He is, unquestionably, a brute in these tales but he is also effective and courageous and, in his own way, able to outplay the civilized people he encounters.

There are many licensed adaptations out there but this series is certainly one of the best.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I complained how in the previous volume of Kurt Busiek's Conan that the Frost Giant's Daughter story felt like an unrelated episode within a much more interesting tale. I suppose that it doesn't help that said episode was an original tale by Robert E. Howard, and a much weaker one compared to other early Conan shorts. Thankfully, The God in the Bowl works better since it serves as a setup for this volume's particular tale.

This second volume cements in my mind that, more than any other writer, Kurt Busiek is most capable of replicating the style of Howard's stories and translate that into the comic book format. Like the nearly century old short fictions, Busiek's Conan is full of forward moving energy and excitement.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conan keeps on keepin on in this reimagining of Howard's God in the Bowl story. This story is very interesting for a number of reasons (read the terrific piece at the end) but I got the feeling at the beginning of the tale that civilization sort of degrades our mighty hero's fierce purpose. We find the Cimmerian imbibing in a tavern full of questionable characters with three sheets to the wind, a bit directionless, aching for adventure. Well, it arrives, and thus begins our dark tale of dark gods. This amazing iteration of Conan just keeps me wanting more, so I am looking forward to the next campaign. After I read Kane!

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second collection from Dark Horse, Conan leaves behind the mystical horrors of the northlands and descends into the treacherous web of human civilization. Along the way he pairs up with a female warrior, Janissa the Widowmaker, and encounters a terrible wizard, Thoth-Amon, who will prove to be his worst enemy.
Again the writing and art are perfect for the character of Conan and is barbaric adventures.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conan is awesome. Graphic novel Conan is arguably more awesome. It's hard to separate one's picturing of Conan the Cimmerian from the original artwork by Frank Frazetta. So to have an entire graphic novel filled with similarly styled art and using Howard's own words? GOLD.

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The God in the Bowl is all very well, given that it was an adaptation of a Robert E. Howard story, but the Dark Horse originals are not among their best.

[Nuno Ferreira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuo então a participar no ciclo de leituras em volta de Robert E. Howard, um dos meus autores de eleição, que dura até meados de dezembro. “O Deus no Sarcófago” é mais um belo exemplo daquilo que o autor americano conseguiu fazer com o seu protagonista. Mais uma vez, Howard deixa claro que foi muito mais que o pai de um herói fanfarrão, dançando entre o policial e o horror com carisma e um talento irrevogável.

A proficiência de Howard salta à vista neste conto, onde não só testemunhamos a ginástica narrativa de Howard com um certo encanto não deliberado, como compreendemos como este herói pulp se consegue transmutar nas mais diversas contingências. Leio e releio a obra de Howard e só consigo dizer que Conan é muito mais do que os media fizeram chegar até nós.

Uma noite no município de Numalia, a segunda maior cidade de Nemedia, Conan entra num lugar incrível: um edifício antiquíssimo que os leigos chamavam Templo de Kallian Publico. Ele planeia roubar o museu do templo, mas vê-se arrastado para uma investigação de assassinato quando o cadáver estrangulado do dono e curador do templo é encontrado por um vigia noturno.

Embora Conan seja o principal suspeito, tanto o magistrado investigador, Demetrio, como o prefeito da polícia, Dionus, oferecem-lhe o benefício da dúvida, permitindo-lhe não só permanecer livre, como também manter a espada enquanto os seus homens procuram provas que o condenem ou absolvam no interior daquelas instalações sombrias. Muita dessa tolerância deveu-se, porém, à imponência e brutalidade que a figura de Conan lhes inspirava.

À medida que a investigação se desenrola, o magistrado é informado por Promero, funcionário do Kallian Publico, que o templo recebeu da Stygia um estranho sarcófago, semelhante a uma tigela, que encontram aberto e vazio. Diz-se tratar-se de uma relíquia inestimável, encontrada entre os túmulos escuros muito abaixo das pirâmides estigias e enviada para Caranthes de Hanumar, sacerdote de Ibis, “por causa do amor que o remetente prestava ao sacerdote de Ibis”.

Apoderando-se desse artefacto raro, os funcionários do Templo acreditavam que o sarcófago continha o lendário diadema dos reis gigantes, cujos parentes primordiais moravam naquela terra do sul escuro antes que os ancestrais dos stygianos lá chegassem. No entanto, claramente, o objeto no interior não era qualquer diadema, mas algo muito mais terrível.

Enquanto o magistrado e os seus homens se preocupavam em investigar sobre tal informação, a hipótese de que o conservador do Templo tenha sido atacado por algo inumano ganha forma, ainda que as suspeitas sobre Conan não sejam afastadas de todo. Com vários dedos apontados para si, Conan revela o seu propósito naquela noite e prepara-se para enfrentar o mal ali encerrado com a sua espada.

Já tinha lido este conto há tantos anos, que não me lembrava sequer da história. Por isso, foi com a surpresa de quem lê algo pela primeira vez que me senti enredado neste conto, suspeitando de tudo e de todos, até mesmo do protagonista. A história começa como um policial envolvente, com vários detalhes e pormenores a serem considerados, fazendo-me lembrar dos romances de investigação criminal do século passado.

De uma aura Agatha Christie, o conto toca o exótico, o suspense, a aventura e o horror lovecraftiano, de forma consistente e, para lá de bem escrita, credível. Sem adjetivos para além do muito satisfatório, considero este um dos contos de Robert E. Howard que mais me surpreendeu, embora não seja das melhores histórias curtas do autor norte-americano.

http://noticiasdezallar.wordpress.com

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable enough because of Busiek's sharp script and Nord's nice artwork, but the story itself was not all that interesting to me. Conan is hired to be a thief and ends up caught up in a fantastical plot involving the Stygian sorcerer, Thoth-Amon. Issue #9, "Two Nemedians Walk Into A Bar", was the easy highlight issue for me. It features Conan at his best, fierce and intimidating, but also immensely cunning. The issue title is an obvious set up for a joke, and I like how Busiek is able to frame the whole issue like he is waiting to deliver a punchline. It's so well done.

Conan is subsequently recruited to steal something on behalf of a wealthy noble, but ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time when the person he steals from is found dead. He's roped into a mission to take down Thoth-Amon, and this entire arc was not all that interesting to me. I've never read the original Robert E. Howard story, so I can't compare, but to me the arc felt a little too rushed through the beats since each issue jumps forward a bit too suddenly.

Nord's artwork is still enjoyable. He draws faces in a less than appealing way, but locations, scenery and the action all look remarkable. Good stuff overall.

[Your_Average_Magical_Girls_Fan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Janissa is an interesting character, but her origin (guess what, a demonic rape...NAFF OFF FEMALE RAPE IN COMICS!) is pretty stupid, all considered. The CSI-wannabe investigation was abysmal, and Conan was too violent and dumb for my tastes. I know he is supposed to be violent, but there is still some kind of reason behind it, a hand that handles the sword and not the opposite. Here he just kills kills kills and...oh, again, kills. Also, no humour at all to be found, the same humor present in both Howard tales and Marvel Comics. Me thinks I'll stick to Roy Thomas better.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The God in the Bowl and Other Stories. Centering his second book on a two-part "God in the Bowl", Busiek doesn't go with the obvious theme of Conan's thieving days, but instead focuses on Thoth Amon, and his foe, the Ibis priest Kalanthes. The adaptation is nice, but the rest of the story is a bit decompressed, with too much time spent fighting huge scarab monsters. There's a nice look at magic in an Age Undreamed of, and the Bone Woman is an interesting addition to the cast, but this is the first arc of Conan that's not absolutely great [4/5].

[Bill Coffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kurt Busiek and Cary Nord team up for an exceptionally good take on Conan, retelling his tales in chronological order, based on hints dropped by Robert E. Howard and his correspondents, and filling in the gaps between with new tales that feel very much at home in type and tone. Busiek's writing is pitch-perfect, and Nord's artwork, helped in no small fashion by color artist Dave Stewart, is transcendant. Know, O Prince...there was an age undreamed of...but here, we truly see it come to life.