Every week, I’ll be bringing you a comic book cover that I feel eclipses others out there—to the point I might just have to own it!
The BadAss Comic Book Cover for this week is for King Conan: The Phoenix on the Sword #1. Who doesn’t love the original Robert E. Howard stories found in The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian? Conan is one of the principle characters in fantasy literature, spanning decades and decades of readers, and immortalized in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, Conan the Barbarian. He’s also been featured in the comic book medium too over the last century, and more recently Dark Horse comics has done a great job of bringing more Conan stories to the world. Like King Conan.
Why do I love this cover though? It positively reeks of Conan. Dark. Gritty. An awful warrior’s visage to look upon. Conan is wielding two different weapons and they run with blood. His clothing is tattered. Conan undoubtedly has been on the road and seeking his fortune. The crows in the background are flying up toward Conan, as if he is above everything in the world. I also love the color scheme of the piece—creating a mood that is entirely the Cimmerian’s own.
Here is a bit more about King Conan: The Phoenix on the Sword #1:
Writer: Tim Truman
Artist: Tomás Giorello
Colorist: José Villarrubia
Cover Artist: Andrew Robinson
Publication Date: January 25, 2012
Format: FC, 32 pages
Price: $3.50The Story: First hailing Conan as a liberator after he annihilated Aquilonia’s foes on the battlefield, common folk and politicians alike now rally to unseat the Cimmerian from his stolen throne. Conspirators plot to kill King Conan and take the crown for themselves, but their schemes pale in comparison to a terror waiting quietly in the wings–Thoth-Amon, an enemy who has haunted Conan his whole adult life and whose wicked aspirations dwarf those of maneuvering politicians!
- Conan’s greatest foe returns!
- Based on Robert E. Howard’s first Conan story.
King Conan: The Phoenix on the Sword #1 is in fine comic book stores now! Here is a seven-page excerpt!
More next Saturday! In the meantime, go visit your local comic book store…
