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Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus
Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus, Vol. 4
Roy Thomas' decade-long original run on CONAN THE BARBARIAN ranks as one of the greatest in comic book history, and it was crucial in making Conan an icon known the world over. In this Omnibus edition, Roy and his artistic collaborator John Buscema bring the saga of Bêlit and her quest for the crown of Asgulun to a conclusion. It's a tale that will forever change Conan's life. The adventures that follow feature an even more savage Conan, fiercer than ever and truly unbound. Also included are the Annual sequels to "The Hour of the Dragon", a What If? tale that places Conan in the middle of New York City and a massive trove of original art, essays and behind-the-scenes material. COLLECTING: CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1970) 84-115, ANNUAL (1973) 4-5 & WHAT IF? (1977) 13
DM Variant
DM Variant
880 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1978
3 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,478 books270 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 27, 2022
(Zero spoiler review) 4.75/5
I don't quite know how its possible, yet four omnibus' worth of material, over a hundred issues collected, and somehow this series just keeps getting better and better. The decade plus run (and still ongoing) of Thomas, Buscema and now Ernie Chan is without question, one of the greatest in comics history. Such unbroken, unparalleled brilliance is truly the stuff of legend, and a true testament and legacy to the creative powerhouses these men were/are. I've heard rumblings that some are annoyed that Conan seems to be getting a lot of love in the reprints department at the moment. Whether that is due to a possible licensing issue, or some other such unpleasantness behind the scenes, I couldn't care less, and those who complain about so many Conan omnibus' clearly have not read these stories, or have equally poor taste as their opinion on reprints. This is one of, possibly even the greatest runs in comics history. Each issue bursting with the type of passion, of professionalism of proficiency that makes ALL modern creators either envious, or outright ineffectual or imbecilic. Hyperbole, maybe. Exaggeration, hardly. I really can't praise this series enough. God knows what will become of these collections in the years to come, as getting SSOC omnibus vol. 1 reprint has been difficult to say the least. I believe this one is still available. Get it while you can, or by Crom, Conan (nor myself) won't be best pleased. 4.75/5
OmniBen.
I don't quite know how its possible, yet four omnibus' worth of material, over a hundred issues collected, and somehow this series just keeps getting better and better. The decade plus run (and still ongoing) of Thomas, Buscema and now Ernie Chan is without question, one of the greatest in comics history. Such unbroken, unparalleled brilliance is truly the stuff of legend, and a true testament and legacy to the creative powerhouses these men were/are. I've heard rumblings that some are annoyed that Conan seems to be getting a lot of love in the reprints department at the moment. Whether that is due to a possible licensing issue, or some other such unpleasantness behind the scenes, I couldn't care less, and those who complain about so many Conan omnibus' clearly have not read these stories, or have equally poor taste as their opinion on reprints. This is one of, possibly even the greatest runs in comics history. Each issue bursting with the type of passion, of professionalism of proficiency that makes ALL modern creators either envious, or outright ineffectual or imbecilic. Hyperbole, maybe. Exaggeration, hardly. I really can't praise this series enough. God knows what will become of these collections in the years to come, as getting SSOC omnibus vol. 1 reprint has been difficult to say the least. I believe this one is still available. Get it while you can, or by Crom, Conan (nor myself) won't be best pleased. 4.75/5
OmniBen.
October 9, 2022
After meandering a bit in V3, V4 gets back on track with Conan and Belit both coming center stage once more, to soon be reunited. This is a great run, that really highlights this period of reckless adventure in Conan's life, with the newest animal master story being another highlight, and the finale in #100 is moving and tragic. After that, the travels through Conan's Africa are intriguing as a variation of his normal tales. When it all comes to a close in #115, Thomas manages to go out in style, with a strong story reuniting several past guest-stars.
And that would be it for perhaps the most intriguing Conan comic ever, where 10 years covered 10 years of his life, from callow youth and thief to pirate to a mature young man with tragedy in his past. When Thomas picked up the reins one last time, a decade or so hence, he'd continue that story, relegating the interim to a dreamy period, and in truth nothing could equal Thomas' drive to tell of an entire lifetime.
The King Conan stories that end this volume, from Annuals #4-5, are a nice treat, as they follow-up on "Hour of the Dragon" from the previous omnibus. They're a good pair of stories showing Conan's courtship and marriage of Zenobia, though I certainly wish this had all been collected at the start of the first King Conan volume, rather than piecemeal in this other omnibuses.
There's a What If? here too, by the Conan team. Its story of Conan in the modern-day is amusing but overly long.
And that would be it for perhaps the most intriguing Conan comic ever, where 10 years covered 10 years of his life, from callow youth and thief to pirate to a mature young man with tragedy in his past. When Thomas picked up the reins one last time, a decade or so hence, he'd continue that story, relegating the interim to a dreamy period, and in truth nothing could equal Thomas' drive to tell of an entire lifetime.
The King Conan stories that end this volume, from Annuals #4-5, are a nice treat, as they follow-up on "Hour of the Dragon" from the previous omnibus. They're a good pair of stories showing Conan's courtship and marriage of Zenobia, though I certainly wish this had all been collected at the start of the first King Conan volume, rather than piecemeal in this other omnibuses.
There's a What If? here too, by the Conan team. Its story of Conan in the modern-day is amusing but overly long.
July 23, 2021
Almost the entirety of this book is done by Roy Thomas and John Buscema. Both annuals included were done by both, and the majority of the inking was done by Ernie Chan. So, all around, this is the most consistent team and issue 115 is the last issue that Thomas wrote for several years (for this series at least). I'm curious to know how other writers tackle Conan. Since this is the first time I have read these issues, I feel like it still has a little life left. It seems like Conan has fought giant bears, spiders, and apes on more than a few occasions. Maybe a new writer will bring our protagonist into unfamiliar territory.
December 31, 2020
A great end to Roy Thomas' inital 10-year run on Conan. After REH, Thomas is the best Conan scribe out there.
February 19, 2024
This volume builds up to the death of Belit. Then has 15 issues after, which were less strong - Conan wanders a bit but does show a lot of trauma over the death of his lover.
The issue 100 Death of Belit comic is the best one of the bunch.
I also enjoyed the two annuals. They were sequels to "The Hour of the Dragon" that tell the story of Conan's actually going back and rescuing his future wife Zenobia after the events of the novel. Great placement alongside his adventures with Belit and Red Sonja.
The "What If" Conan goes to the 20th century... it's pretty bad.
The issue 100 Death of Belit comic is the best one of the bunch.
I also enjoyed the two annuals. They were sequels to "The Hour of the Dragon" that tell the story of Conan's actually going back and rescuing his future wife Zenobia after the events of the novel. Great placement alongside his adventures with Belit and Red Sonja.
The "What If" Conan goes to the 20th century... it's pretty bad.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews