Excellent collection of short stories

books:


	• Conan: The Blood-Stained Crown and Other Stories (Conan (Graphic Novels)) Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza, ... Dark Horse, 2008 - 128 pages average customer review:based on 4 reviews view larger image
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Not Bad...

I've been an avid follower of Dark Horse's Conan series (written, until recently, by the great Kurt Busiek and illustrated by the dynamic duo of Cary Nord and Dave Stewart) and so felt honor-bound to pick this volume up. What Conan: The Blood-Stained Crown offers is a series of stories, all penned by Busiek, and illustrated by various artists, that are little fill-ins that, while not integral to the story, are still entertaining.

Some of the stories are quite good, notably two: "Storyteller," Busiek's tribute to Robert E. Howard that puts a Howard-esque character in the Conan universe and sees how he fares (this is handled with much more sympathy and pathos than it sounds), and "Conan's Favorite Joke," a darkly comic tale illustrated by Batman the Animated Series' designer Burce Timm, which shows just what kind of things Conan would find funny. Most of the additional tales are fair, but not earth-shattering; most notable of these is the titular story, "The Blood-Stained Crown," illustrated by Timothy Truman, which goes more into the relationship between the vizier and the prince who's travels serve as the framing mechanism for the series itself.

As a whole, this is a nice volume, but not great. The stories were written as supporting features, and this shows - they simply don't shine as brightly as the stories in the series proper. Additionally, faithful fans will sorely feel the absence of Cary Nord and Dave Stewart's artistry. I recommend this only for die-hard Conan comics fans.

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Excellent collection of short stories

The Blood-Stained Crown is a collection of side-comics written by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by other artists because Cary Nord couldn't draw fast enough (and maintain the same quality) for a 12-month comic.

Understanding that, I really enjoyed this book - both the writing and the art work. I've started collecting all of the Dark Horse (Busiek/Nord) Conan trades, and this is an excellent addition to my collection.

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Conan the Terrific

Many years ago, Conan was comic book with a lesser reputation. Today, the re-introduction of Conan by Dark Horse and writer Kurt Busiek has been a remarkable success, culminating in a new series with Conan the Cimmerian premiering soon.

The early beginnings of Conan have been re-presented in "Blood Stained Crown" and "Frost Giants Daughter". As an intelligent reader (I hope), I have to deeply appreciate the fantastic and yet sword wielding adventures of our Barbarian. Both books represent well crafted tales illustrated by Cary Nord, Eric Powell, John Severin, Tim Truman, Bruce Timm, and Rafael Kayanan. Kurt Busiek took Conan from the Thomas age, and created a different barbarian for our time. Recently, Tim Truman has taken over the creative reins and has already tinted the barbarian with his style.
The "Blood Stained Crown" contains remarkable stories. I loved "Storyteller", the stunning centenary tribute to Robert E Howard. Bruce Timm's delightful short story. John Severin, the EC Comic veteran and legendary artist, illustrates Helm. The surprising `Helm` is the story of a helmet, not Conan, or any particular battle. Just a plain, wrought helmet and the journey through time and the victims who wore it. Most `readers` have dismissed Conan as simple sword and scorcery, yet the genre would not be the same without Conan. Violent storylines do not necessarily mean low brow literature. That I think is the ultimate lesson behind books like this.

Another case in point is the `Frost Giant`s Daughter`. The volume includes seven stories, leading off with an incredible introduction to Conan. The `Frost Giant`s Daughter` follows, with incredible imagery courtesy of Cary Nord and his ghost-like rendition of the scantily clad nymph. Conan follows the Vamire into Asgardian territory in `At the Back of the North Wind` and arrives at the `Gates of Paradise`(huh...some kind of paradise) and endures being hunted by lions in Àshes and Dust`only to head towards Nemedia.

Conan and Darkhorse are no one series wonder. May Crom grant them success beyond human ken.

[...]
Tim Lasiuta

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Eisner Award-winning writer Kurt Busiek (Astro City, Superman, Marvels) teams up with some of the best artists and writers in this collection of stand-alone stories from Conan. In "Helm," Busiek and Fabian Nicieza (X-Men, Buffy The Vampire Slayer) write and EC Comics legend John Severin draws the story of a certain very famous horned helm. Renowned comics and animation artist Bruce Timm (Batman The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited) lends his styling to the darkly comic "Conan's Favorite Joke." Current Conan writer and Conan and the Songs of the Dead artist Timothy Truman takes pencil in hand as the Cimmerian's influence crosses generations in "Seeds of Empire" and "The Blood-Stained Crown." Eisner Award-winning Goon creator Eric Powell draws the poignant story of a young and unsung hero in "Storyteller," Dark Horse's centennial tribute to Conan creator Robert E. Howard. And classic Savage Sword of Conan artist Rafael Kayanan returns to the world of Hyboria with "In the Tower of Tara-Teth," a gritty adventure set during the Cimmerian's years as a mercenary and pirate.

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