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Kull: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus
Kull the Conqueror: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus
The last of three volumes collecting the complete original Marvel KULL comics kicks off with an early ’80s Spider-Man/King Kull team-up against the threat of Ju-Lak and the Serpent Cult! Then, a new solo Kull series begins with a run of double-sized color comics by some of the best artists of the decade! KULL THE CONQUEROR boasted a bruising dose of art from Big John Buscema — but it also featured takes on the warrior-monarch of Valusia from luminaries John Bolton, Charles Vess, Butch Guice and Bill Sienkiewicz. And the ’80s era of Kull concludes with the stunning graphic novel KULL: THE VALE OF SHADOW by Alan Zelenetz and Tony DeZuniga!
Collects Kull the Conqueror (1982) 1-2; Kull the Conqueror (1983) 1-10; Kull: The Vale of Shadow (1989); Marvel Team-Up (1972) 111-112
Collects Kull the Conqueror (1982) 1-2; Kull the Conqueror (1983) 1-10; Kull: The Vale of Shadow (1989); Marvel Team-Up (1972) 111-112
632 pages, Hardcover
Published November 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 21, 2023
I ended up enjoying this more than the Conan the Destroyer omnibus. This one collects color comics from the early 80s. It feels more mature, like a color Savage Sword. The first couple stories feature Spider-man... and I just skimmed those, very out-of-place and just for completionists in my opinion.
The next two comics (Kull the Conqueror Vol 2) are one and done stories that are two of the best Kull stories. The John Bolton drawn issue is spectacular.
The rest of the stories are drawn mostly by John Buscema with some different inkers. Its super cool to see how different inkers interpret his pencils. The best was probably Klaus Janson! I know him mostly from his Frank Miller collabs, but he's done a ton of work elsewhere. Marie Severin also does a fantastic job inking Buscema.
The next two comics (Kull the Conqueror Vol 2) are one and done stories that are two of the best Kull stories. The John Bolton drawn issue is spectacular.
The rest of the stories are drawn mostly by John Buscema with some different inkers. Its super cool to see how different inkers interpret his pencils. The best was probably Klaus Janson! I know him mostly from his Frank Miller collabs, but he's done a ton of work elsewhere. Marie Severin also does a fantastic job inking Buscema.
September 29, 2024
(Zero spoiler review)
Worth the price of admission alone for the Moench/Bolton story Blood of Kings, Kull the Conqueror omnibus is yet another slice of quality sword and sorcery from Marvel comics. But then again, it was pretty much the law that comics had to absolutely crush in the 80's, so no real surprises there. Forgetting the first two What If / team up stories, Zelenetz takes over the majority of the writing duties and does a rock solid job, with the art being a quality affair, with the only wavering coming from whoever was inking John Buscema on each issue. Word to the wise, its at its lowest when he's inking himself. Strange but true. If you dig Conan yet haven't experienced Robert E. Howard's same same but different' variation on the character, you could do much worse than this collection. 4/5
OmniBen.
Worth the price of admission alone for the Moench/Bolton story Blood of Kings, Kull the Conqueror omnibus is yet another slice of quality sword and sorcery from Marvel comics. But then again, it was pretty much the law that comics had to absolutely crush in the 80's, so no real surprises there. Forgetting the first two What If / team up stories, Zelenetz takes over the majority of the writing duties and does a rock solid job, with the art being a quality affair, with the only wavering coming from whoever was inking John Buscema on each issue. Word to the wise, its at its lowest when he's inking himself. Strange but true. If you dig Conan yet haven't experienced Robert E. Howard's same same but different' variation on the character, you could do much worse than this collection. 4/5
OmniBen.
October 18, 2024
Set in 18000BC
This one delivers a solid collection of Kull's stories, highlighting both the action and philosophical depth of Howard's warrior-king. It brings together some iconic runs from Marvel’s early 1980s series, with standout contributions from legendary artists like John Buscema, Bill Sienkiewicz (a really nice surprise), and Charles Vess (that Vess story was amazing, with some beautiful artwork).
Their distinctive styles complement the gritty, sword-and-sorcery vibe of Kull’s world. From battling Thulsa Doom to the unexpected Spider-Man team-up against the Serpent Cult (which chronologically is set in modern times so we leave it for later on), so overall the collection is diverse and engaging for sure with lots of action.
What really sets this omnibus apart is how it balances Kull’s brutal physicality with his more introspective moments about ruling and power. The stories range from epic battles to thought-provoking moments about kingship.
The inclusion of Kull: The Vale of Shadow as the final story brings a fittingly reflective close to this and in Kull's life and times over the years in general, beautifully illustrated throughout.
Recommended and don't forget to say Ka Nama Kaa Lajerama to everyone you meet.
This one delivers a solid collection of Kull's stories, highlighting both the action and philosophical depth of Howard's warrior-king. It brings together some iconic runs from Marvel’s early 1980s series, with standout contributions from legendary artists like John Buscema, Bill Sienkiewicz (a really nice surprise), and Charles Vess (that Vess story was amazing, with some beautiful artwork).
Their distinctive styles complement the gritty, sword-and-sorcery vibe of Kull’s world. From battling Thulsa Doom to the unexpected Spider-Man team-up against the Serpent Cult (which chronologically is set in modern times so we leave it for later on), so overall the collection is diverse and engaging for sure with lots of action.
What really sets this omnibus apart is how it balances Kull’s brutal physicality with his more introspective moments about ruling and power. The stories range from epic battles to thought-provoking moments about kingship.
The inclusion of Kull: The Vale of Shadow as the final story brings a fittingly reflective close to this and in Kull's life and times over the years in general, beautifully illustrated throughout.
Recommended and don't forget to say Ka Nama Kaa Lajerama to everyone you meet.
May 15, 2022
Definitely a book for fellow art nerds. The stories are what you expect, but the art is wonderful. The John Bolton chapter is rightly heralded for its Hal Foster feel, but I was personally stunned by the issues where John Buscema was inked by Klaus Janson. Great stuff.
February 12, 2023
A fine addition to any Sword and Sorcery collection. These stories are longer in length as they were either bi-monthly books or a graphic novel. Kull, Tu, Brule the Spear-Slayer, and Ridondo adventure in ancient Valusia before the oceans drank Atlantis.
May 14, 2025
Here it is: the last omni collection of Kull comics. Despite what other reviewers say, the Marvel Team-Up issues at the start are actually pretty good if you like early 80s Spider-Man. As a Kull story, the tone is all wrong.
The 1982 series only lasted two issues before being cancelled and I can see why. They were deluxe edition, with wraparound covers, no ads, and they were long. In fact, they were too long. Despite the beautiful art, the pacing was all off because they put three issues worth of stories into one issue.
The 1983 series was better, since it had shorter issues, and some continuing stories and new characters between issues. Most art here is from John Buscema. My favorite inkers were Marie Severin and Klaus Janson. Too bad the series was cancelled before all the stories wrapped up. Now we’ll never know what happened to Brule in the Pictish Isles or if if Daphna Bora Ballin ever woke from her love coma.
The collection wraps up with a graphic novel the involves Kull on his death bed and some stories about his past. The story is very mystical and has a 70s vibe and light nudity.
The 1982 series only lasted two issues before being cancelled and I can see why. They were deluxe edition, with wraparound covers, no ads, and they were long. In fact, they were too long. Despite the beautiful art, the pacing was all off because they put three issues worth of stories into one issue.
The 1983 series was better, since it had shorter issues, and some continuing stories and new characters between issues. Most art here is from John Buscema. My favorite inkers were Marie Severin and Klaus Janson. Too bad the series was cancelled before all the stories wrapped up. Now we’ll never know what happened to Brule in the Pictish Isles or if if Daphna Bora Ballin ever woke from her love coma.
The collection wraps up with a graphic novel the involves Kull on his death bed and some stories about his past. The story is very mystical and has a 70s vibe and light nudity.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews