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Age of Conan: Valeria #1-5
Age of Conan: Valeria
An all-new quest for Robert E. Howard's Valeria, as she seeks truth -and revenge! Journey into the Hyborian Age with the hero from the classic Conan story "Red Nails," in a story set before that fan-favorite tale! Before she became a pirate and mercenary -before she crossed paths with Conan and the Red Brotherhood -Valeria was a young woman from Aquilonia seeking justice for a crime gone unpunished. But as she makes her way in the cruel Hyborian world, proving herself against those who doubt her abilities, she will find more than she bargained for in her thirst for vengeance! Valeria's deadly fighting skills will be put to the test and her trust will be shaken as she hunts her brother's killer and comes into her own as a force to be reckoned with!
COLLECTING: AGE OF CONAN: VALERIA 1-5
COLLECTING: AGE OF CONAN: VALERIA 1-5
112 pages, Paperback
Published February 25, 2020
3 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Finch
101 books60 followersMarried to international, best-selling comic artist David Finch and mother to three boys, Meredith has been steeped in the world of comics since meeting Finch in November 2005.
Having written for both Zenescope and DC Comics, Meredith begins her first foray into creator-owned comics in 2017. Titled ROSE, this fantasy series combines her love of mythology with modern issues, and is sure to be a hit with her many fans.
Having written for both Zenescope and DC Comics, Meredith begins her first foray into creator-owned comics in 2017. Titled ROSE, this fantasy series combines her love of mythology with modern issues, and is sure to be a hit with her many fans.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 30, 2022
This is a nicely self-contained fantasy adventure featuring a young Valeria, one of Howard's minor characters. It is very well written, and the art is good, but not outstanding. Any fantasy fan can enjoy this quick read without needing any background knowledge of other stories; recommended! Excelsior!
March 24, 2020
Not my cup of tea ☕️
December 7, 2020
Comprei este encadernado como um desavisado de que o roteiro seria de Meredith Finch, a roteirista que conseguiu estragar a Mulher-Maraviha que Brian Azzarello havia construído em os Novos 52. Ela é esposa do desenhista David Finch com quem costuma dividir os trabalhos. Neste trabalho, contudo, ela traz uma história de Valéria, uma das amigas amantes de Conan, ao lado da desenhista Aneke. O resultado do trabalho de Finch e Aneke é melhor do que o do encadernado da Era de Conan anterior, de Bêlit, mas que também não impressiona muito. Contudo, vale dizer que Meredith Finch escreveu uma ótima história em A Espada Selvagem de Conan, ou seja, ela é capaz de erguer alguma sobrancelha dos leitores. Não é o caso deste A Era de Conan: Valeria, infelizmente.
December 28, 2019
This was a bit better than Age of Conan: Belit, but it feels like a story that didn't need to be told.
March 22, 2020
Solid, straight forward Fantasy!! This Age of Conan spin off mini-series is great. No Conan knowledge needed to enjoy this self contained tale I'd recommend to any fantasy fan.
June 28, 2020
I liked the art and the story but, to me, it didn't quite have the Howardian magic.
February 11, 2021
Age of Conan: Valeria charts the origins of the characer of Valeria that Conan runs into in later adventures and how she became the sword woman that she is! This gices us an insight into the character and why she started off on being a swordperson! The plot twists and truns in unexpectcted ways that you will not see coming! Age of Conan: Valeria is a prequel but at the same time is filled with a cast of other people who have helped raise Valeria and have other motivations! Merdith Finch really puts Valeria through it but giving at the same time giving us a clear epic look at Valeria origins!
You will be kept on your toes trying to work out who is on who's side as Valeria deals with all the goings on! The twists with the people she has come to trust are cleverly handled! Valeria herself comes across as sharp as a whistle and perfectly willing to adapt her strateges and loyalties basedon the changing circumstances! This really shows the ruthless attitude that she uses in later adventures as well really shwoing haw visceral but still human the character can be! More than capabale of taking on Conan!
Age of Conan: Valeria art throughout is excellent with all the characters expressions clearly visible but at the same time showing them clearly and sharply! The landscapes that are characters are in a spectacularly rendered really giving them a feel for the loaction they are in! We go across the gambit of landscapes from desert, forest etc and combined with the clever use of cinematic camera angles put everything on epic level! Age of Conan: Valeria will keep you on your edge of your seat seeing what happens! It provides great insight in Valeria and the people around her in an adevnute filled action fest that punches on an epic level! Excellent Crisp High Five! Get it When You Can! :D
You will be kept on your toes trying to work out who is on who's side as Valeria deals with all the goings on! The twists with the people she has come to trust are cleverly handled! Valeria herself comes across as sharp as a whistle and perfectly willing to adapt her strateges and loyalties basedon the changing circumstances! This really shows the ruthless attitude that she uses in later adventures as well really shwoing haw visceral but still human the character can be! More than capabale of taking on Conan!
Age of Conan: Valeria art throughout is excellent with all the characters expressions clearly visible but at the same time showing them clearly and sharply! The landscapes that are characters are in a spectacularly rendered really giving them a feel for the loaction they are in! We go across the gambit of landscapes from desert, forest etc and combined with the clever use of cinematic camera angles put everything on epic level! Age of Conan: Valeria will keep you on your edge of your seat seeing what happens! It provides great insight in Valeria and the people around her in an adevnute filled action fest that punches on an epic level! Excellent Crisp High Five! Get it When You Can! :D
May 14, 2020
The Marvel Comics miniseries Age Of Conan: Valeria collects the five issue miniseries by Meredith Finch into one trade paperback.
The series is set before the classic Robert E. Howard tale "Red Nails" that introduced Valeria. As the series opens, readers meet the young swordswoman as she is crossing the Hyborian lands in search of the man she holds responsible for killing her brother.
The story splits the narrative into two parts. The present sees Valeria tracking down the murderer while the second part of the story is told in flashback showing us Valeria's life as a child and how she grew into the vengeance seeking person we see in present day.
The first three parts of the story are pretty good. There's plenty of adventure to be had and the storytelling is pretty darn sharp. However, I grew a little disenchanted with the last couple of chapters in the story, culminating in a feeling that the ending came out of nowhere and seemed rushed. It felt as if the creative team suddenly remembered they had to finish the story and cut short everything by just chucking in a resolution in the last couple of panels.
That ending did affect my overall enjoyment of the story but it does have a pretty strong start so I would cautiously recommend it as a whole.
By the way, the single issues of this story came with a five part prose story called "The Fall of Thoth-Amon". Unlike some of the other prose stories being told in other Age of Conan books, this one was a refreshingly fast paced story that kept my interest throughout each chapter. It is NOT included in the trade paperback collection however.
The series is set before the classic Robert E. Howard tale "Red Nails" that introduced Valeria. As the series opens, readers meet the young swordswoman as she is crossing the Hyborian lands in search of the man she holds responsible for killing her brother.
The story splits the narrative into two parts. The present sees Valeria tracking down the murderer while the second part of the story is told in flashback showing us Valeria's life as a child and how she grew into the vengeance seeking person we see in present day.
The first three parts of the story are pretty good. There's plenty of adventure to be had and the storytelling is pretty darn sharp. However, I grew a little disenchanted with the last couple of chapters in the story, culminating in a feeling that the ending came out of nowhere and seemed rushed. It felt as if the creative team suddenly remembered they had to finish the story and cut short everything by just chucking in a resolution in the last couple of panels.
That ending did affect my overall enjoyment of the story but it does have a pretty strong start so I would cautiously recommend it as a whole.
By the way, the single issues of this story came with a five part prose story called "The Fall of Thoth-Amon". Unlike some of the other prose stories being told in other Age of Conan books, this one was a refreshingly fast paced story that kept my interest throughout each chapter. It is NOT included in the trade paperback collection however.
May 16, 2020
Mediocre art, generally simple and unexciting writing, and worthless plot combine for a super disappointing spinoff miniseries starring one of Howard’s most promising female characters. Additionally, there isn’t an attempt to embed the story even shallowly in the Hyborean age world. It’s too bad Marvel couldn’t have done a better job with this one.
March 9, 2025
Age of Conan: Valeria
Marvel, collects issues 1-5
Valeria recounts her past - her parents are murdered by Zingaran pirates, she survived the attack, and ends up living with her brother Cassian. There she learns the art of sword-fighting by Cassian’s mentor Antonious. Both Cassian and Antonius are members of the King’s Guards.
Valeria sees Cassian murdered by a cloaked figure.
In the present, Valeria is looking for a certain Blacksmith that she hope can provide background on a sword in her possession. She is attacked by a cloaked figure. It’s the Blacksmith she was hunting for. He points her in the direction of a monastery dedicated to Mitra.
“Each sword bears a mark unique to the knight who carried it.”
The monastery kept records of each mark and the sword’s owner.
En route, Valeria is attacked by a trio of mercenaries. Wounded, she survives. The mercenaries do not.
She’s recovering from her injuries at the monastery when it’s attacked by Blasius and his forces. She recognizes Blasius as a frequent visitor at her brother’s home. Blasius is not the only familiar face she recognizes – her former mentor Antonious is a resident at the monastery.
Valeria blames Antonius for her brother’s death. The two chat for hours. She now has doubts and needs answers. She pays Blasius a visit to get those answers. Blasius says the traitor he seeks is Antonius. Antonius and his fellow knights of Mitra conspired against the throne. Blasius tells Valeria why her brother was murdered.
Valeria goes to kill Antonius but can’t. Antonius tells her the real cause of Cassian’s death – Greed.
Greed got the better of her brother. He accepted payment to assassinate a Zamoran ambassador. Poison.
Valeria doubts his words. The cloaked figure was Antonius. He confronted Cassian, demanding an explanation for his murderous actions. Overwhelmed by guilt, Cassian killed himself.
Story alternates between flashbacks and the present.
A twist I did not see coming.
Great covers and nice interior art.
Marvel, collects issues 1-5
Valeria recounts her past - her parents are murdered by Zingaran pirates, she survived the attack, and ends up living with her brother Cassian. There she learns the art of sword-fighting by Cassian’s mentor Antonious. Both Cassian and Antonius are members of the King’s Guards.
Valeria sees Cassian murdered by a cloaked figure.
In the present, Valeria is looking for a certain Blacksmith that she hope can provide background on a sword in her possession. She is attacked by a cloaked figure. It’s the Blacksmith she was hunting for. He points her in the direction of a monastery dedicated to Mitra.
“Each sword bears a mark unique to the knight who carried it.”
The monastery kept records of each mark and the sword’s owner.
En route, Valeria is attacked by a trio of mercenaries. Wounded, she survives. The mercenaries do not.
She’s recovering from her injuries at the monastery when it’s attacked by Blasius and his forces. She recognizes Blasius as a frequent visitor at her brother’s home. Blasius is not the only familiar face she recognizes – her former mentor Antonious is a resident at the monastery.
Valeria blames Antonius for her brother’s death. The two chat for hours. She now has doubts and needs answers. She pays Blasius a visit to get those answers. Blasius says the traitor he seeks is Antonius. Antonius and his fellow knights of Mitra conspired against the throne. Blasius tells Valeria why her brother was murdered.
Valeria goes to kill Antonius but can’t. Antonius tells her the real cause of Cassian’s death – Greed.
Greed got the better of her brother. He accepted payment to assassinate a Zamoran ambassador. Poison.
Valeria doubts his words. The cloaked figure was Antonius. He confronted Cassian, demanding an explanation for his murderous actions. Overwhelmed by guilt, Cassian killed himself.
Story alternates between flashbacks and the present.
A twist I did not see coming.
Great covers and nice interior art.
June 10, 2023
Although nicely drawn and coloured, this is unfortunately a slight adventure without many genuine highlights. Valeria’s origin story is certainly serviceable, but the drama is lacking the intensity that I seek from the world of Conan, resulting in a plot that could’ve been easily summarised within a few pages. Some of the cover and interior art is fantastic, however, there’s too much uneventful content in each of the five issues, which ultimately reduced my hopeful interest.
December 21, 2023
As a Conan fan, but not someone who was at all familiar with Valeria, I was only moderately entertained by this volume. This doesn't feel like it expands the world very much, so it would only feel rewarding as an introduction to the character if she is paid off in a future book. Since the rights have gone to another publisher, it seems any chance of a pay off has also disappeared. Meanwhile, the story itself is pretty straightforward fare.
July 20, 2023
Meredith Finch tells the origin story of Valeria from Conan and its uninspired to say the least. She writes a paint by numbers book that was without heart, intrigue, or surprise. This origin doesn't really bring much to the character. The art by Aneke was good and deserves to be checked out but wasn't enough to recommend this. Overall, a lackluster origin that doesn't add anything.
December 17, 2024
Missed opportunity to show us Valeria of the Red Brotherhood with you know the Red Brotherhood. Instead we get a generic origin revenge plot with a pretty alright twist reveal near the end. I liked the cover art for each issue.
March 15, 2020
A easy reading adventure story that goes where you expect.
May 25, 2020
Nothing special about this one, just plain.
July 12, 2020
Decent light read with pretty good art.
November 2, 2020
A decent background story for Valeria, Conan's one true love. Good art work worth a read.
January 8, 2021
Ihan kiva Valerian origin story, joka tempasi mukaansa. Juuri sitä mitä odotinkin ja hyvä niin.
March 23, 2021
4/5 because it's simple and a good adventure.
May 16, 2021
It's not Conan, but it was decent
August 13, 2022
Mejor que la historia de Belit en lineas generales.
September 1, 2024
It wasn't as good as the Age of Conan - Belit but its a decent story though i expected a little more supernatural presence
October 22, 2025
Entretenido y ya
July 18, 2022
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews