Step into the shadows of the Hyborian Age, where legends are forged in blood and ink. Robert E. Howard’s creations have captivated readers for nearly a century, but how does this world of sword and sorcery continue to thrive in the modern era? Join us as we pull back the curtain on our stewardship of Howard’s legacy, and discover the secrets behind keeping these timeless tales as sharp as Conan’s blade.
The Smashing Success of Conan
Conan’s conquest of the comic book world began in 1970 with Marvel’s “Conan the Barbarian” series. This groundbreaking title, initially helmed by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Smith, quickly became one of Marvel’s most popular offerings of the 1970s. Running for an impressive 275 issues, it featured extended runs by comics legends like John Buscema and introduced iconic characters such as Red Sonja to the four-color world.
Building on this success, Marvel launched “The Savage Sword of Conan” in 1974. This black-and-white magazine format allowed for more mature themes and graphic depictions, pushing boundaries at a time when the Comics Code Authority heavily regulated standard comic book content.
Both publications offered readers complex narrative experiences that delved deep into the Hyborian Age. The storytelling was notably more nuanced and adult-oriented than many contemporaries, attracting a dedicated readership seeking sophisticated fantasy tales.
Visually, these Conan comics were a tour de force. Acclaimed artists like Barry Smith, John Buscema, and Alfredo Alcala brought Conan’s world to life with stunning detail and mastery of their craft. The black-and-white format of Savage Sword, in particular, allowed artists to create artwork with an intensity and depth rarely seen in color comics of the era.
While many similar publications faded into obscurity, Conan’s popularity in comics endured for decades. The longevity of both the color comic and the black-and-white magazine speaks to the quality of their content and ability to continually engage and excite readers. They became staples for fans of sword and sorcery, maintaining their appeal even as the comics industry evolved.
For those interested in experiencing these pivotal series, collections like “Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus” and “Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Marvel Years” offer comprehensive looks at these classic stories and artwork. These volumes provide an excellent opportunity to explore the rich storytelling and visual artistry that defined this era of Conan comics.
The legacy of Conan in comics reflects a broader fascination with the character and his world. This popularity stems from the original stories crafted by Conan’s creator, Robert E. Howard, whose unique blend of historical adventure and supernatural elements laid the foundation for an entire genre.
Straight from the Source
Sword and sorcery, Howard’s brainchild, emerged as a potent fusion of historical adventure and supernatural horror. This unique blend set the stage for a new kind of fantasy, one that would captivate readers for generations to come.
Unlike the pastoral, often sentimental landscapes of high fantasy, Howard’s world pulsed with gritty realism and lurking terrors. His tales transported readers to a realm where steel clashed against ancient mystique, where heroes faced human foes and eldritch horrors that defied comprehension.
Howard’s original Conan stories serve as the cornerstone of this revolutionary genre. These tales offer readers a thrilling gateway into a world where danger lurks around every corner, and where only the strongest and most cunning survive.
But Howard’s genius extended beyond Conan. His creation of a vast, interconnected universe – the “Howardverse” – laid the groundwork for modern fantasy world-building. Characters like Kull, Solomon Kane, and Bran Mak Morn inhabit this literary collage, their stories interwoven with subtle clues and connections that reward attentive readers.
Today, writers like Jim Zub and scholars like Jeff Shanks continue to explore and expand upon Howard’s legacy. They delve deep into the Howardverse, unearthing hidden connections and crafting narratives that honor the spirit of the original while offering fresh thrills for modern audiences. Their work ensures that Howard’s creation remains vibrant and relevant, offering longtime fans tantalizing “deep cuts” while welcoming newcomers to this expansive world.
The lasting popularity of Howard’s creations speaks to the timeless appeal of his vision. From the pages of pulp magazines to modern comics and beyond, Conan and his ilk continue to capture imaginations. This lasting impact raises an intriguing question: In a world of ever-changing tastes and trends, how has Conan maintained his iron grip on popular culture?
The Lasting Allure of Legendary Storytelling
Our success at translating Conan’s stories into comics hinges on one fundamental principle: an unwavering commitment to Robert E. Howard’s creative vision.
As custodians of Howard’s legacy, we bring unparalleled passion to their work. Marcos Cronander, our Head of Marketing, puts it succinctly: “We’re the actual IP holders. Our care for these properties runs deep.” This ownership translates into a nuanced understanding of Howard’s ethos, influencing every aspect of their creative process.
Fans have responded enthusiastically to this authentic approach. By channeling Howard’s unadulterated style, we have rekindled the visceral thrills and complex narratives that originally captivated readers while deftly navigating modern sensibilities.
Our respect for Howard’s work doesn’t mean being bound by the past, though. Instead, we find innovative ways to expand the Howardverse. As Cronander explains, “When creating cool narrative hooks, the team looks to not just Howard’s original Conan stories but Kull, Kane, and all the Howardverse clues he left for readers. Thanks to partners like Robert E. Howard historian Jeff Shanks, Heroic Signatures is able to connect the dots, fill things in, play around with his world.”
This balanced strategy sets us apart from licensees who might take greater liberties with the source material. Our commitment to their artists’ visions, coupled with thoughtful modernization, has produced comics that resonate across generations of readers.
The key to this success? Passionate creators like Jim Zub, who genuinely appreciate Howard’s work. Fredrik Malmberg, owner of Heroic Signatures, notes, “We seek creators that understand his tone, his writing, his world, and think that it’s cool. If they do, they most likely will put some extra energy into the job.”
The result is a revitalized Howardverse that feels both authentic and relevant. Characters like Conan, while perhaps the most well-known, are just one part of this rich, overarching story. Each story, regardless of the featured hero, carries the unmistakable stamp of Howard’s original vision, filtered through the respectful lens of creators who truly understand and value his work.
The Future of Comics at Heroic Signatures
We aren’t content to rest on Conan’s muscular laurels. Our success with the Cimmerian has ignited a bold vision to expand Robert E. Howard’s literary universe, bringing more of his iconic characters to the forefront of modern comics.
Solomon Kane, Howard’s grim Puritan adventurer, stands at the vanguard of this expansion. The character’s recent appearance in Savage Sword of Conan sparked an enthusiastic fan response, prompting us to greenlight a solo mini-series. Chris Butera, our editor, explains the decision: “It’s just a damn good story! Patch Zircher’s passion for Kane shines through on every page. When fans sense that level of love and respect for a character, we’d be foolish not to give them more.”
But Kane is just the beginning. We’ve set out sights on introducing readers to a broader cast of Howard’s creations. The upcoming “Black Stone” event promises to be a watershed moment, serving as both a thrilling narrative and a showcase for characters like El Borak and Dark Agnes.
This ambitious expansion isn’t without its challenges. While Conan enjoys widespread recognition, many of Howard’s other heroes remain relatively unknown to modern audiences. Fredrik Malmberg, owner of Heroic Signatures, acknowledges this hurdle: “We know these characters are awesome, but we have to convince people who might not be familiar with them. That’s one of the main goals of the Black Stone event – to introduce these characters and demonstrate why they’re so cool.”
Our approach to this challenge mirrors our successful strategy with Conan: pairing passionate creators with compelling source material. By selecting artists and writers who genuinely connect with Howard’s lesser-known characters, we aim to capture the same magic that has made our Conan comics resonate so strongly with fans.
As we chat this ambitious course, fans can look forward to a richer, more diverse Howard universe in comics. From the dark adventures of Solomon Kane to the daring exploits of El Borak, each new project promises to honor Howard’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of his created worlds.
The success of this expansion could redefine Howard’s place in modern pop culture, elevating him from “the creator of Conan” to a recognized master of multiple genres and characters. For us, and for Howard’s legion of fans, the future of storytelling in comic books has never looked brighter, bolder, and more thrilling.
But this is just the beginning of the adventure. Ready to dive deeper into the world Robert E. Howard created? Explore our comprehensive guide to the Howardverse and uncover the connections between characters, stories, and worlds that span decades of imaginative storytelling. The journey awaits – are you bold enough to take the first step?
