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Conan Chronicles Epic Collection
Conan Chronicles Epic Collection, Vol. 3: Return to Cimmeria
"Rogues in the House" and other tales of Conan! The Barbarian finds himself in the middle of a power struggle in an inspired adaptation of one of Robert E. Howard's most acclaimed short stories! Then, a lingering curse follows Conan on his journey back to his homeland - and great darkness lies ahead in a doomed city! As evil from his past moves ever closer, unfathomable terrors loom into view on the return to Cimmeria! The barbaric land of Conan's birth is a welcome change from the treacherous cities of the East - but when a tentative truce with the Aesir is threatened by the first woman Conan ever loved, he again finds himself at the heart of conflict that will test his formidable strength, cunning mind and passionate heart!
Collecting: Conan (2004) 40-50, Conan the Cimmerian 0-7
Collecting: Conan (2004) 40-50, Conan the Cimmerian 0-7
496 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2019
5 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Truman
542 books57 followersTimothy Truman is an American writer, artist and musician. He is best known for his stories and Wild West-style comic book art, and in particular, for his work on Grimjack (with John Ostrander), Scout, and the reinvention of Jonah Hex, with Joe R. Lansdale. Truman is currently writing Conan and is an instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
Truman's first professional comics work was Grimjack with writer John Ostrander, for the independent comics company First Comics. Grimjack first appeared in Starslayer #10 in November 1983, before moving to his own series after issue #18 in 1984, and continued for 81 issues. Along with being a fan favorite and often imitated character, Grimjack almost single-handedly defined the "grim and gritty" action comic character archetype.
Truman has been continuously creative for more than 20 years, displaying his pulp sensitivities in his writing. In 1985, he created Scout, which was followed by Scout: War Shaman, a futuristic western. A year later, he relaunched the Hillman characters Airboy and The Heap for Eclipse Comics. He also developed The Prowler, a Shadow type character, and adapted The Spider for Eclipse. In 1991, at DC Comics he created Hawkworld, a reinvention of Hawkman. With author Joe R. Lansdale, he reinterpreted Jonah Hex as a horror western. In it, their creation of villain Edgar Autumn elicited a complaint from musician Edgar Winter. With his son, Benjamin Truman, he created A Man Named Hawken.
Truman was chosen by Dark Horse Comics to illustrate a newly completed Tarzan novel and wrote a story arc for the comic book. He also wrote virtually the entire run of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter for Valiant Comics, after David Michelinie launched the book with its first three-issue story arc and subsequently departed the series. For the defunct SF imprint of DC, Helix, he created The Black Lamb. He also worked on a typical pulp adventure Guns of the Dragon, featuring Enemy Ace and Bat Lash; and wrote Star Wars at Dark Horse Comics. While at Dark Horse Comics, he took over the writing of Conan from Kurt Busiek in 2006, and after that series ended he started Conan The Cimmerian.
Truman's startling work, Simon Girty, Renegade was a two-volume black and white graphic novel that translated the horrors and triumphs of the American settler's western frontier in a fresh, interesting light. In bold, black and white use of positive and negative space, Truman appealed to both young and old audiences in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It was especially important for West Virginians that had been struggling against novelist Zane Grey's portrayal of Lewis Wetzel in an overly romanticized, florid light. Truman himself is an avid historian who dislikes nothing more than to see a drawing of a war using the wrong weaponry, and the second volume of his two-volume series on Simon Girty was devoted to the errors caught in his first volume.
Tecumseh! a graphic novel based on the West Virginia Outdoor Theater, is a colored graphic novel that shows the play from beginning to end. It renewed interest in the warrior in Appalachia. When asked why he used "Tecumseh" instead of "Tecumtheh" he explained he didn't want to explain to the mainstream audience the variance in spelling — the movement on pronunciation began with General William Tecumseh Sherman who came from a family that wanted to commemorate the warrior, but felt the lisping "Tecumtheh" would be unmanly.
Truman's first professional comics work was Grimjack with writer John Ostrander, for the independent comics company First Comics. Grimjack first appeared in Starslayer #10 in November 1983, before moving to his own series after issue #18 in 1984, and continued for 81 issues. Along with being a fan favorite and often imitated character, Grimjack almost single-handedly defined the "grim and gritty" action comic character archetype.
Truman has been continuously creative for more than 20 years, displaying his pulp sensitivities in his writing. In 1985, he created Scout, which was followed by Scout: War Shaman, a futuristic western. A year later, he relaunched the Hillman characters Airboy and The Heap for Eclipse Comics. He also developed The Prowler, a Shadow type character, and adapted The Spider for Eclipse. In 1991, at DC Comics he created Hawkworld, a reinvention of Hawkman. With author Joe R. Lansdale, he reinterpreted Jonah Hex as a horror western. In it, their creation of villain Edgar Autumn elicited a complaint from musician Edgar Winter. With his son, Benjamin Truman, he created A Man Named Hawken.
Truman was chosen by Dark Horse Comics to illustrate a newly completed Tarzan novel and wrote a story arc for the comic book. He also wrote virtually the entire run of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter for Valiant Comics, after David Michelinie launched the book with its first three-issue story arc and subsequently departed the series. For the defunct SF imprint of DC, Helix, he created The Black Lamb. He also worked on a typical pulp adventure Guns of the Dragon, featuring Enemy Ace and Bat Lash; and wrote Star Wars at Dark Horse Comics. While at Dark Horse Comics, he took over the writing of Conan from Kurt Busiek in 2006, and after that series ended he started Conan The Cimmerian.
Truman's startling work, Simon Girty, Renegade was a two-volume black and white graphic novel that translated the horrors and triumphs of the American settler's western frontier in a fresh, interesting light. In bold, black and white use of positive and negative space, Truman appealed to both young and old audiences in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It was especially important for West Virginians that had been struggling against novelist Zane Grey's portrayal of Lewis Wetzel in an overly romanticized, florid light. Truman himself is an avid historian who dislikes nothing more than to see a drawing of a war using the wrong weaponry, and the second volume of his two-volume series on Simon Girty was devoted to the errors caught in his first volume.
Tecumseh! a graphic novel based on the West Virginia Outdoor Theater, is a colored graphic novel that shows the play from beginning to end. It renewed interest in the warrior in Appalachia. When asked why he used "Tecumseh" instead of "Tecumtheh" he explained he didn't want to explain to the mainstream audience the variance in spelling — the movement on pronunciation began with General William Tecumseh Sherman who came from a family that wanted to commemorate the warrior, but felt the lisping "Tecumtheh" would be unmanly.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 6, 2020
The excellent Conan Chronicles continues. In "Return to Cimmeria" Conan participates in the famous Howard story: "Rouges in the House". But the tragic story of Nestor the Gunderman comes full circle as the curse fulfills its dark purpose.
Eventually, Conan makes his way back to Cimmeria and runs into an old flame and trouble with the Aesir. These stories are also peppered with stories of Connacht, Conan's grandfather, and his various adventures and how he inspired Conan's wanderlust.
The stories are grand, epic, violent and grim. Yet, throughout, Conan's outlook is essentially still a curious and inquisitive one. It is very much in the vein of Howard intended and this comic series has been spot on in its portrayal of Conan and the Cimmerians.
Eventually, Conan makes his way back to Cimmeria and runs into an old flame and trouble with the Aesir. These stories are also peppered with stories of Connacht, Conan's grandfather, and his various adventures and how he inspired Conan's wanderlust.
The stories are grand, epic, violent and grim. Yet, throughout, Conan's outlook is essentially still a curious and inquisitive one. It is very much in the vein of Howard intended and this comic series has been spot on in its portrayal of Conan and the Cimmerians.
November 18, 2019
The third volume of Conan Chronicles released by Marvel in their Epic Collection series, this covers the end of the Dark Horse Conan the Barbarian series as well as the start of the followup series, Conan The Cimmerian.
As you can imagine there is some change of focus on the transition from one series to the other, but the quality is consistent throughout. While The Barbarian series explores Conan's early travels outside his homeland into civilization, The Cimmerian series sees him return home to learn more about himself and his past as well as the past of his people.
This does divert a bit from Howard's original tales that cover very little about Cimmerians, but is still really interesting stuff well worth diving into. The high standard of quality that has been a constant in the other two volumes is continued here with Timothy Truman taking over the reins in a great way. Also interesting are the tales within the main tale in the Cimmerian series, telling us about Conan's adventurous grandfather and his own contacts with civilization. Another worthy addition to any comics collection.
As you can imagine there is some change of focus on the transition from one series to the other, but the quality is consistent throughout. While The Barbarian series explores Conan's early travels outside his homeland into civilization, The Cimmerian series sees him return home to learn more about himself and his past as well as the past of his people.
This does divert a bit from Howard's original tales that cover very little about Cimmerians, but is still really interesting stuff well worth diving into. The high standard of quality that has been a constant in the other two volumes is continued here with Timothy Truman taking over the reins in a great way. Also interesting are the tales within the main tale in the Cimmerian series, telling us about Conan's adventurous grandfather and his own contacts with civilization. Another worthy addition to any comics collection.
January 7, 2020
I'm not always a fan of reboots (because they often suck something fierce). Since my introduction to Conan was via the Barry Windsor-Smith/Marvel comics, and I've never actually read the original source stories*, I'm having no guilt about enjoying these collections. I'm not that big a fan of Greg Ruth's style, but I have to admit it's damn near perfect for the bleak mood of those tales. And I'm now a fan of Tomás Giorello, whom I'd not heard of before.
*To my eternal shame. One day....
*To my eternal shame. One day....
September 27, 2021
"Remember, Conan, as flame burns the flesh, so betrayal scorches the heart. Both leave scars that are hard to heal, and even harder to hide."
Conan Chronicles Epic Collection, Vol. 3 compiles the conclusion of Dark Horse's flagship Conan title (Conan #40-50) alongside the new launch of Conan the Cimmerian #0-7. Under Dark Horse, story continuity is always carried from one series into the next.
Highlights of this collection include:
Artist Carey Nord exits the series on a high note, illustrating a 4-issue adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "Rogues in the House". Nord's art on the series is always exemplary and this final adaptation is almost cinematic in its visuals.
Issues #45-46 wrap up the young Conan interstitial stories. The arc culminates with the epic Battle of Vanarium, which has long been referenced in books and comics as a seminal event for young Conan. This interpretation of the conflict is inspired by the historical battles between Scotland and the Roman Empire. There is an inherent irony that Conan's career begins with a defeat of Aquilonia and ends with his reigning as its king. The story fleshes out the events that led him to leave his homeland to become a wandering warrior, and it sets up the themes that will define the rest of his life. Greg Ruth's distinctive art hits a high water mark in these issues.
Issue #46 marks Kurt Busiek's final work as writer. Busiek wrote the first 28 issues of Conan, but then only 4 of the next 18. Starting in #47, Timothy Truman begins scripting every issue and Tomas Giorello takes over from Nord as the regular illustrator. Both will hold these positions through the end of Conan the Cimmerian.
Issues #47-50 adapt one of Howard's story fragments. There is not much to go on in this 2-page fragment--strange haunts roam the city at night, a young girl on a battlefield, an ominous sorcerer meets with a prince. Truman weaves these elements into a traditional horror story meshed with the ongoing storylines of Irina and Nestor the Gunderman. (He wisely avoids all the plot elements that Lin Carter added when expanding the fragment into the much-derided novelette "The Hand of Nergal" in 1967.)
The first arc in Conan the Cimmerian tells the story of Conan's return to the mountains of his homeland after three years abroad. It features several callbacks to the events and characters from Born on the Battlefield. Conan learns the negative aspects of modern civilization--betrayal, deceit, weakness of will--can be found anywhere, even at home. This is an engaging story that bridges the tales of Conan the thief and Conan the mercenary.
Bonus features include:
• Several covers from previous reprints of the series.
• Essays on the process of adapting Robert E. Howard and the handover to new writers and artists. All reprinted from earlier collections.
• Unused drafts of artwork from Greg Ruth and Tomas Giorello.
Conan Chronicles Epic Collection, Vol. 3 compiles the conclusion of Dark Horse's flagship Conan title (Conan #40-50) alongside the new launch of Conan the Cimmerian #0-7. Under Dark Horse, story continuity is always carried from one series into the next.
Highlights of this collection include:
Artist Carey Nord exits the series on a high note, illustrating a 4-issue adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "Rogues in the House". Nord's art on the series is always exemplary and this final adaptation is almost cinematic in its visuals.
Issues #45-46 wrap up the young Conan interstitial stories. The arc culminates with the epic Battle of Vanarium, which has long been referenced in books and comics as a seminal event for young Conan. This interpretation of the conflict is inspired by the historical battles between Scotland and the Roman Empire. There is an inherent irony that Conan's career begins with a defeat of Aquilonia and ends with his reigning as its king. The story fleshes out the events that led him to leave his homeland to become a wandering warrior, and it sets up the themes that will define the rest of his life. Greg Ruth's distinctive art hits a high water mark in these issues.
Issue #46 marks Kurt Busiek's final work as writer. Busiek wrote the first 28 issues of Conan, but then only 4 of the next 18. Starting in #47, Timothy Truman begins scripting every issue and Tomas Giorello takes over from Nord as the regular illustrator. Both will hold these positions through the end of Conan the Cimmerian.
Issues #47-50 adapt one of Howard's story fragments. There is not much to go on in this 2-page fragment--strange haunts roam the city at night, a young girl on a battlefield, an ominous sorcerer meets with a prince. Truman weaves these elements into a traditional horror story meshed with the ongoing storylines of Irina and Nestor the Gunderman. (He wisely avoids all the plot elements that Lin Carter added when expanding the fragment into the much-derided novelette "The Hand of Nergal" in 1967.)
The first arc in Conan the Cimmerian tells the story of Conan's return to the mountains of his homeland after three years abroad. It features several callbacks to the events and characters from Born on the Battlefield. Conan learns the negative aspects of modern civilization--betrayal, deceit, weakness of will--can be found anywhere, even at home. This is an engaging story that bridges the tales of Conan the thief and Conan the mercenary.
Bonus features include:
• Several covers from previous reprints of the series.
• Essays on the process of adapting Robert E. Howard and the handover to new writers and artists. All reprinted from earlier collections.
• Unused drafts of artwork from Greg Ruth and Tomas Giorello.
January 1, 2021
The final third of Dark Horse’s original run feels like it lost its way. The writing was mediocre throughout the finale of the series, and the art was inconsistent as more artists were brought in for the last portions of the series.
The beginning of the second Dark Horse series this volume covers picks up where the other series left off, with Conan returning to Cimmerian for a brief spell. These issues are split between Conan’s time in Cimmerian, and flashbacks to his grandfather. The art is gritty and fits well with the stories for the Conan portions, but is pretty awful in my opinion in the stylized flashback sections for the grandfather.
The beginning of the second Dark Horse series this volume covers picks up where the other series left off, with Conan returning to Cimmerian for a brief spell. These issues are split between Conan’s time in Cimmerian, and flashbacks to his grandfather. The art is gritty and fits well with the stories for the Conan portions, but is pretty awful in my opinion in the stylized flashback sections for the grandfather.
June 11, 2023
W tym tomie następują dwie poważne zmiany w zakresie głównego scenarzysty i opiekuna merytorycznego oraz głównego rysownika. Cały tom zaś jest "gęstszy". Nie wiem, czy wpływ na to miała założona fabuła czy też właśnie powyższe zmiany. Czytało się to dobrze, choć przyznam, że musiałem sobie robić dłuższe przerwy. Czekam na dalszy rozwój historii i powrót Conana "na szlak", bowiem jego powrót do Cymmerii z lekka mnie wymęczył.
August 31, 2024
"Born on the Battlefield" by Kurt Busiek and Greg Ruth is perfection. The rest of the issues in this volume are also great. Tim Truman, like Kurt Busiek, is a writer who really understands Conan as a character while still delivering on great Sword and Sorcery action.
April 7, 2023
The Conan the Cimmerian issues were especially great.
January 18, 2023
Fast-paced, full of humour, heroics and action! :D
September 8, 2022
Outstanding, some great stories in here
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews