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Conan Chronicles Epic Collection
Conan Chronicles Epic Collection, Vol. 4: The Battle of Shamla Pass
Conan leaves his trials behind for a new life - as a mercenary! Presenting all-action adaptations of classic Robert E. Howard tales, plus original adventures of everyone's favorite barbarian! Howard's "Black Colossus" sees Conan face his bloodiest battle yet when the mercenaries of Amalric clash with the demonic hordes of Natohk! Then, Conan becomes the leader of Princess Yasmela's Khorajan army! But another princess wants Conan for herself - the immortal and vampiric Akivasha! The Cimmerian spends a tumultuous time fighting and looting with the Kozaki, a wild group of fellow mercenaries also known as the Free Companions! Plus, Conan faces pirate politics and a centuries-old mystery in an adaptation of Howard's "Iron Shadows in the Moon"! COLLECTING: VOL. 4: CONAN THE CIMMERIAN (2008) 8-25
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
About the author
Timothy Truman
535 books61 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 8, 2020
The fourth volume of the Epic Collection continues in the fine tradition of excellent story telling and great artwork of the previous volumes. This is Conan as Conan was meant to shine on the comic stage.
Vol Four traces the tale of Conan's mercenary days. First he and Amalric's mercenary army clash against the forces of Nhatok, the demonic Rebel lord, essentially Howard's "Black Colossus" story. Then he becomes the General of the Army for Princess Yasmela and eventually becomes the Lord of Amalric's mercenary company. This is the company that is ambushed and destroyed in the infamous Battle of Shamla Pass.
While that's the main part of the volume, there are some great short stories. The tale of Akivasha, the Vampire Queen, is one that stands out in terms of writing quality and art.
Once more this is a must read for any Conan fan. Those newer to Conan would be best served starting at volume one.
Vol Four traces the tale of Conan's mercenary days. First he and Amalric's mercenary army clash against the forces of Nhatok, the demonic Rebel lord, essentially Howard's "Black Colossus" story. Then he becomes the General of the Army for Princess Yasmela and eventually becomes the Lord of Amalric's mercenary company. This is the company that is ambushed and destroyed in the infamous Battle of Shamla Pass.
While that's the main part of the volume, there are some great short stories. The tale of Akivasha, the Vampire Queen, is one that stands out in terms of writing quality and art.
Once more this is a must read for any Conan fan. Those newer to Conan would be best served starting at volume one.
December 28, 2020
These are some of my favourite comics right now. Anyone who is interested in Conan should give these Epic Collections a go. I have not been disappointed yet!
March 2, 2023
Full of excellent humour, great art, plot twist, edge of the seat and daring do! :D
September 10, 2024
Black Colossus and the entire Mercenary arc of Conan's life is excellent. Kozaki in particular is also great. Awesome art by Tomás Giorello.
November 3, 2021
"Death or gold! Hell or plunder!"
Conan Chronicles Epic Collection, Vol. 4 concludes Dark Horse's sophomore Conan title (Conan the Cimmerian #8-25) written by Timothy Truman and illustrated by Tomas Giorello. These issues focus on Conan's life as a mercenary for hire. They are bookended by adaptations of two Robert E. Howard short stories, with the issues in the middle filling in the continuity between the two.
Many Conan fans seem to really like Giorello's art, but I was consistently annoyed that all his female characters share the same identical, exaggerated body type. I understand a certain amount of fantasy/wish-fulfillment is inherent in this genre, dating all the way back to the original Red Sonya, but at least artists like Barry Windsor-Smith and Cary Nord added variety to Conan's serial love interests.
Highlights of this collection include:
A six-issue adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "Black Colossus" (#8-13). This adaptation is faithful to the original prose story, which shows Conan's ascendancy as a military leader. This story more than any other epitomizes Conan's intelligence and strategic abilities in direct contrast to his various movie and television incarnations. The geography of Shamla Pass plays an important role in understanding Conan's decisions, and Giorello illustrates this perfectly in issues #12-13. However, I did not care for the fact Princess Yasmela is drawn as a walking advertisement for silicone implants.
Issue #15 "The Sorrow of Akivasha" is an interstitial story that jumps ahead in the timeline and expands upon a key scene from Robert E. Howard's The Hour of the Dragon. It is the confrontation between Conan and a beautiful 3,000 year old vampire from the vampire's point of view. The art from guest illustrator Paul Lee is luscious and stylized, reminiscent of Cary Nord's early work in the series. Presumably, this issue will mesh seamlessly with Dark Horse's full adaptation of the novel in 2013's King Conan: Hour of the Dragon.
Issues #22-25 adapt Howard's "Iron Shadows in the Moon", a fun atmospheric tale that is equal parts horror and fantasy. The final scene paves the way for a new chapter in Conan's life--a corsair on the Sea of Vilayet.
Bonus features include:
• Several covers from previous reprints of the series.
• Essays on the process of adapting Robert E. Howard. All reprinted from earlier collections.
• Unused drafts of artwork and pinups by guest artists
Conan Chronicles Epic Collection, Vol. 4 concludes Dark Horse's sophomore Conan title (Conan the Cimmerian #8-25) written by Timothy Truman and illustrated by Tomas Giorello. These issues focus on Conan's life as a mercenary for hire. They are bookended by adaptations of two Robert E. Howard short stories, with the issues in the middle filling in the continuity between the two.
Many Conan fans seem to really like Giorello's art, but I was consistently annoyed that all his female characters share the same identical, exaggerated body type. I understand a certain amount of fantasy/wish-fulfillment is inherent in this genre, dating all the way back to the original Red Sonya, but at least artists like Barry Windsor-Smith and Cary Nord added variety to Conan's serial love interests.
Highlights of this collection include:
A six-issue adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "Black Colossus" (#8-13). This adaptation is faithful to the original prose story, which shows Conan's ascendancy as a military leader. This story more than any other epitomizes Conan's intelligence and strategic abilities in direct contrast to his various movie and television incarnations. The geography of Shamla Pass plays an important role in understanding Conan's decisions, and Giorello illustrates this perfectly in issues #12-13. However, I did not care for the fact Princess Yasmela is drawn as a walking advertisement for silicone implants.
Issue #15 "The Sorrow of Akivasha" is an interstitial story that jumps ahead in the timeline and expands upon a key scene from Robert E. Howard's The Hour of the Dragon. It is the confrontation between Conan and a beautiful 3,000 year old vampire from the vampire's point of view. The art from guest illustrator Paul Lee is luscious and stylized, reminiscent of Cary Nord's early work in the series. Presumably, this issue will mesh seamlessly with Dark Horse's full adaptation of the novel in 2013's King Conan: Hour of the Dragon.
Issues #22-25 adapt Howard's "Iron Shadows in the Moon", a fun atmospheric tale that is equal parts horror and fantasy. The final scene paves the way for a new chapter in Conan's life--a corsair on the Sea of Vilayet.
Bonus features include:
• Several covers from previous reprints of the series.
• Essays on the process of adapting Robert E. Howard. All reprinted from earlier collections.
• Unused drafts of artwork and pinups by guest artists
March 4, 2020
The fourth volume in the Marvel Epic collection paperbacks collecting the Conan issues from his Dark Horse days, continues with some really good art and some great story telling.
Tim Truman, who wrote these issues, concerns himself with covering the gaps between the original Howard stories of Conan even more than Roy Thomas' Conan run did, back in the 70s. This volume is a pretty good example of that. The bridging between the stories we already know is pretty well achieved, so much so that we even get a great 14 issue arc towards the end of this collection integrating a couple of Howard stories into a wider context that helps them make more sense and also to have more emotional resonance with the reader.
These epic collections are really worth having, even if they aren't as spectacularly curated as the Marvel Omnibus which collect the Marvel runs of the character, they are a handy and comparatively inexpensive way to get those Dark Horse editions, which really hold their own against the Marvel classics. It's curious how Conan has always inspired great comics, no matter who is doing them.
Tim Truman, who wrote these issues, concerns himself with covering the gaps between the original Howard stories of Conan even more than Roy Thomas' Conan run did, back in the 70s. This volume is a pretty good example of that. The bridging between the stories we already know is pretty well achieved, so much so that we even get a great 14 issue arc towards the end of this collection integrating a couple of Howard stories into a wider context that helps them make more sense and also to have more emotional resonance with the reader.
These epic collections are really worth having, even if they aren't as spectacularly curated as the Marvel Omnibus which collect the Marvel runs of the character, they are a handy and comparatively inexpensive way to get those Dark Horse editions, which really hold their own against the Marvel classics. It's curious how Conan has always inspired great comics, no matter who is doing them.
April 12, 2021
Another terrific edition
April 26, 2023
Just good old Conan shit. To hell or plunder.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews