I didn't see the "between the time of the aryans two events in our own past" part

I'll continue this tomorrow. IT's not dead yet

Issue #2: The Frost Giant's Daughter

Recap: We open up right in the action, with Aesir and Vanir corpses lying dead in the snow. Conan faces down a hulking Vanir, who asks Conan to tell him his name so that his brothers may know who was the last of Wulfhere's band to fall before Heimdul. Conan counters "Vanaheim? Not in Vanaheim but in Valhalla will you tell your brothers that you met Conan of Cimmeria." Heimdul charges, and while he does land a hit against Conan's helm Conan manages to shrug the blow off Conan is able to impale Heimdul, who dies at Conan's feet. Conan meanwhile, takes in the scene and is shocked by the carnage (though the fact that he's the only one alive in a field of corpses is quite daunting. Conan takes a few steps before collapsing in the snow.

He wakes up a few minutes later to the sound of laughter as his vision slowly clears he notices something odd but is quickly distracted by......this


( WOW!!! No wonder their scam's worked for so long).

Conan asks who she is, and she says "What matter?". Conan assumes she's a Vanir and tells her to gather her men. He won't be taken alive. The woman ridicules his assumption that she's a Vanir, and when Conan looks again he finds himself completely entranced by her beauty. Conan admits he doesn't know WHO she belongs to, saying she's more beautiful than any he has ever seen, and begins to swear by Ymir. The woman cuts him off, saying "who are you to swear by Ymir"? She says it's inappropriate for an outsider adventuring among alien lands to swear by the gods that aren't his own. Conan get angry, saying "By the dark gods of my own race then!" and says that he has still been more forwards in swordplay than the Aesir have been. He alone survived when Wulfhere's men fought against Bragi's Vanir Band. He asks her if she's seen the flash of mail or seen armed men moving upon the ice. The woman is rather vague, but says she has not. Conan expresses worry for his friends, and asks the woman to lead him to her village (Reasoning there must be one close by for a naked woman to be walking around). The Woman mocks him and teases him with full frontal nudity. She's ultimately able to get Conan to follow her through a combination of temptation and goading, dodging Conan's clumsy attempt to grab her breasts and running off while calling him a lummox.

Conan runs after her across the plains, telling her that he will kill her kinsmen if she leads him to a trap, as well as follow her into hell. Conan runs, not noticing how strange this is until the woman stops between two ice structures.....which explode outwards, revealing two MASSIVE giants.


(Oh....shit.)

Conan stops, shock overtaking him and the woman declares "BROTHERS! I HAVE BROUGHT YOU A MAN TO SLAY! TAKE HIS HEART, SO THAT WE MAY LAY IT SMOKING ON OUR FATHER'S BOARD!" Conan's reminder to the woman is cut off when he dodges the axe swing of one of the giants. He manages to wound one of their legs but is knocked over when the hilt of the axe belonging to the other hits him. Conan dodges the axe thrust, and while the giant struggles to free his weapon climes up onto a rock outcropping before lunging into the creature, impaling it in the neck. Conan quickly finishes off the wounded one, as the woman stares in stunned horror. She turns and runs, this time in terror. Conan pursues and manages to grab her, and as she struggles he tells her he'll "warm her with the fire in my own blood." She breaks free and calls for Ymir her father to save her as her garment falls off. Light erupts and the woman vanishes, while Conan collapses unconscious in the snow.

Some time, Conan comes to. He sees only shadows at first, as well as hearing the voices of other Aesir. Conan is relieved to see Niord among them, and wonders if he's in Valhalla. Niord explains that they fought their way from an ambush and followed the tracks before finding him. Conan tells them what happen, but most are rather skeptical, which causes Conan to say they are no more real to him than the woman. Maybe he is mad. Old Gorm however, believes him, saying that Conan has seen Atali, the daughter of Ymir. She comes to the dying, and Gorm explains that he had a run in with her when he was just a boy. He couldn't follow her due to the injury, howling like a dog that he couldn't. One of the other men thinks Gorm's deluded, and that Conan's head injury probably caused brain fever. Conan is inclined to agree....then he sees the flowing garment in his hand.

Review: Okay. As a straight up adaptation this story is perfection. Atali looks fucking gorgeous, there's the sense of dread and mystery and the final battle with the frost giant's is phenomenal. On THAT score it's a ten out of ten. However, I have to admit being a little discomforted. I know there are hints that Atali used supernatural magic to make herself desirable to Conan and one could argue that his attempt to grab her was the magic working against her.....but it is rather creepy. Conan came across like an attempted rapist in that scene, which makes it somewhat harder to root for him. If not for the implication of magic it would be impossible.

Overall I'll give it a 10 out of 10, with reservations. A Howard fan will certainly love it.

PS I came across a fan reimagining on deviantart. It's odd but basically the implication is that the warriors were a test. Atali wants to see if Conan's worthy or not so she sicks her brothers on him to see if he is. When he does she takes him to a cave and fucks his brains out. It's weird but it was on the whole somewhat less uncomfortable.

Issue #4: Gates of Paradise

Recap: In the Sledge, Conan stirs and vaguely remembers what happened through the haze before he gets punched out. This knocks him out, but not before he sees a massive city. From there he's in a constant haze; there are moments when he regains lucidity (one time when he's being appraised, another when he's in gladiatorial combat). During the Gladiatorial combat he hears the applause, but can't help but feel that there's something wrong about it (at Venarium there was no applause, so while it feels like Venarium it feels perverse somehow). In another instance he's being fitted for armor (we also learn that he was marked for the Gurnakhi, but that his demonstrated leadership makes them think he's officer material.) Conan angrily fights them off before a mage incapacitates him with a blinding light. The darkness comes again killing hope.....when suddenly it fades again and clarity returns. Conan sees a middle eastern looking woman reaching out to him and whispering to him. Conan grabs her asking questions, but she's able to pacify him by pointing out that he'll probably get himself killed alongside her. She tells Conan that the others lie in drugged sleep but the guards will hear. Conan is told to follow after her and he does, arriving in a hallway.

The woman introduces hereself as Iasmini of Turan, and explains that she is the chief house slave of Lord Aishti'ana. She also explains that Conan's been kept in a dazed state by the Yellow Lotus, and offers some leaves to help him clear his mind. Conan asks where they are. Is it Turan? Iasmini says that he's a fool and that they're in Hyperborea. Conan remembers what Niord said but is shocked. Hyperborea's supposed to be a land of eternal summer, music and peace. Iasmini says that those things are there, but not for the slaves. Conan hears a noise, which Iasmini says is probably the army returning home with slaves at this point in the night. This confuses Conan, who wonders why an isolated country needs an army and slaves. Iasmini tells him it's better he doesn't know and asks his name. Conan gives his, and Iasmini explains that she was taken from a Turanian caravan and is absolutely determined to return to her people and escape this nightmare. She chose Conan because he managed to break the lotus by force of will three times and asks him to help her. When Conan agrees, Iasmini tells him to return to the barracks and take the leaves three times a day; more importantly DO NOT reveal that he's no longer under the spell. Iasmini tells him that she'll be back.

Over the coming days, Conan's able to hide the return due to the fact that no one expects it (and by doing a GREAT job acting). Conan manages to assess what the hell happens; some slaves are chosen for the army; the old and the infirm are dragged off to an unknown fate and the strong but stupid are chosen to be "Gurnakhi"....which Conan comes to realize means being warped into one of the uruk-hai like creatures that captured Conan and his pals. One day they get called to a "Day of Farewell." Everyone assembles at the edge of the City (Iasmini is with the household slaves but makes no sign of noticing Conan.) After a short time a Hyperborean, the lady Kiliar'ki approaches with her slaves and soldiers (noticeably Conan notices that while they are pale rather than purple they ARE as tall as his Grandfather said.) She takes a breath as she strives forwards across an unfinished bridge, takes ANOTHER breath.....and then hurls herself off into the abyss followed by all her slaves. Conan remembers what his grandfather said about how when the Hyperboreans tire of life they hurl themselves into the abyss so that the winds can carry them to their gods. Iasmini's master Lord Aishti'ana closes the ceremony with some pretentious eulogy, all the while expressing his wish to join Lady Kiliar'ki. But not today.

Later on, Conan meets with Iasmini in what is presumably her rather nice quarters. Conan is horrified by the spectacle, and Iasmini explains that the Hyperboreans believe that their spirits will be taken from them by the gods in the form of the wind, whisking them to heaven while their bodies fall into the abyss. The slaves are taken for the ride because the Hyperboreans consider the slaves part of their houses, and thus part of themselves. Conan asks is the are mad, and Iasmini responds that she thinks they are simply bored and points out that if you had every bit of luxury and indulgence for centuries you'd get sick of it eventually. Conan disagrees, and flirts with Iasmini thinking that he can think of something they can do for the next few hours. Iasmini seems receptive (revealing that it's been a long time since she's had a real man; she also reveals that apparently Aishti'ana used to rape her. Charming.) They begin to kiss but Conan interrupts to ask for more of the leaf. Iasmini is reluctant; there won't be enough leaf to work for so many but Conan is adamant. He will NOT abandon them. Iasmini gets angry, saying that Conan is in no position to dictate terms but Conan grabs her arm and says this is a bargain not a love match. If she abandons his friends he will leave without her. Iasmini is scared but relents. They proceed to get down where they left off. Iasmini says that her family has a villa on the Vilayet sea that he'll like, and Conan realizes that despite his words he IS falling in love with her.

More days pass, and Conan slowly distributes the leaf into the Aesir's food. By day he trains, by night he does some scouting, slowly repressing more and more rage. One night he comes across a party and realizes that in a perverse way the tales are true; it IS a paradise...but only for the Hyperboreans. It's "a heaven built on the backs of it's victims." He heads downward. While other ways have revealed nothing he realizes the sewers may be the way. He goes down past the cauldrons where the mash is formed into the catacombs. He discovers some shriveled corpses and follows the increasing stench....and is greeted by a horrific sight.


(yeah it's EXACTLY what it looks like).

Old Gorm is on the altar, and weakly recognizes Conan. The panicked overseer Bartak orders the men to kill Conan, which they assume is easy since Conan isn't even armed. Big mistake. Conan taps into his rage, pushes one guard into the other's sword and than kills the last one with his fellow's sword. Conan takes the sword, and notices that Gorm is dead. He demands an explanation. Bartak explains that the machines extract the souls from the old and infirm...which is the source of the eternal summer and the immortality. Yeah. The paradise? All built on the souls of the sacrificed. Conan is furious and snaps Bartak's neck despite his begging. High above Iasmini is serving Aishti'ana some fruit, which he can't enjoy since he finds it tedious. A guard bursts in with news of an intruder killing two guards and an extractor lord. Aishti'ana is surprised and decides he has to do something about it. Iasmini instantly realizes that Conan is the intruder and tries to dissuade Aishti'ana from pursuing the manner. Sadly Aishti'ana despite his boredom, still feels the need to take action and with a wave of his hand opens a gate below. 4 lions come out, and Aishti'ana muses that he can't even seem to care.

Iasmini tries to talk, but Aishti'ana silences her. He's realized that his house is in disorder. Since it's in disorder it means he hasn't attended to it, and if he hasn't attended to it it's because he doesn't care. However they will deal with the disorder, so as not to leave an untidy house. "Leave?" Iasmini asks. Aishti'ana tells her to make the arrangements. He has decided to enact his Day of Farewell.

Review: This issue mostly covers Conan's time in Hyperborea, and it's......a pretty dark story. Oh sure there's eternal paradise and beauty, but as we learn it comes at a horrific cost. Conan and Iasmini's budding relationship is also a treat to read; she's an obviously older and more worldly woman but she still cares for Conan even if she doesn't want to admit it, and Conan comes to care for her himself. Conan's desire to save his friends is also admirable and easy to route for, and you truly want Conan to succeed. The weight of doom is around them in an oppressive way, making it truly feel like a race against time. However, there is a MASSIVE elephant in the room, and that is that the story doesn't fully jibe with Howard's vision. Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing; Howard was a great writer but he had his faults (the man could be kind of a racist and not all his stories were hits), and overall the Wizard Lords city perfectly captures the dark side of civilization. However it raises the issue of where Conan would recognize the rack marks on Yogah. It DOES explain why he hates sorcery (since the beauty and immortality came at the cost of the sick and infirm). Also, there's one bit where Iasmini is lying on the bed with one eye closed....it looks weird.

Nevertheless, we have another hit. 8.5 out of 10.

Issue #5 (Ashes and Dust)

Recap: Down below Conan is confronted by the lions, which he vaguely recognizes from the tales. Fortunately the tales gave him knowledge of their speed, which gives Conan the idea to dodge forwards. Anyway Conan pivots and manages to dodge the first blow but the lead lion sends him flying on the second try. This results in him getting scratched and dropping his sword and shield. Conan realizes that he can't win and so makes a strategic withdrawal, hurling himself out a window, praying to Ymir that there's a rooftop below. High above Aishti'ana asks for news, and is told that since the lions are active no one can go down to get information. Aishti'ana is understanding, realizing that there's no point in sending men down if they don't return. He realizes he'll be at this all night, and dismisses Iasmini. After she leaves he wonders what the point is; surely the intruder can't go anywhere without getting caught. He picks up a skull from a shelf, wondering how things came to this. He uses magic to see through the skull's eye. We see primitive cavemen throwing rocks at large white ape things from behind stone walls. The memories indicate a fearful desire for the stone to protect them and it actually does. The walls lead to castles and settlements and so is Hyperborea born. For a long time the walls protect them, and the natives are sure that they will be invincible.....until some new tribes from Hyboria rediscover magic and overrun them, leading to a NEW era of Hyperborea (we see one invader removing his helm, revealing blond locks.)

In the present Iasmini returns to her room to find Conan there. Fortunately he got lucky and there was a roof that is now in need of fixing. Iasmini gets some slave to heal Conan's wounds quickly and help him avoid detection, relieved that he's alive. Conan is reluctant at first. He thinks that rest will help and the tunic will hide the scars. At this point Iasmini drops the bombshell.....Lord Aishti'ana has decided that TOMORROW will be his day of farewell. And when that happens......"He takes all of his slaves to their doom along with him." Conan says sadly. He realizes that they've run out of time and asks for more of the leaf. The men aren't waking up fast enough. Iasmini says no it's not a fast process but doesn't feel safe. She suggests that they just run and leave the Aesir behind, but Conan angrily refuses. He cannot abandon his battle brothers. Iasmini tries to explain that she didn't mean it that way. Conan realizes that she's scared and comforts her. They'll get out of here and then ride to the Vilayet telling lies the whole way. He just needs the leaf.

Later on, Aishti'ana is approached by his captain. Conan has not been found, and the lions have been returned to their cells. Aishti'ana (holding another skull) calls off the search and rudely dismisses the man, though he does feel bad about it. He goes back to the skull, addressing it as "grandfather". He muses that things weren't as tedious back in his day. In the distant memory Aishti'ana experiences sensations of joy and triumph. Aishti'ana's grandfather is seen addressing the crowd. Hyperborea will be a place of learning, where they will unlock the universe's secrets. No more shall they serve the whims of petty leaders and other countries. They shall be their own men. As the memories progress we see the first wizards discover more and more secrets; Foreign invaders are repelled and we see that they concluded "it is only natural" for the conquered to be subjugated and sacrificed for the cause. We also see a wizard discovering the soul extraction technique and extolling the virtues; we see the spells that result from it. As the Hyperboreans warp from blond men to pale gaunt giants, we see that things truly seem to have become a paradise. The summer is eternal, their armies are feared and even the wizards of the black ring study north to learn at their feet. Besides....is it not noble for the slaves to contribute to the cause?

In the present Iasmini muses about the possibility of escaping alone and begins gathering clothes only to realize that she'll never make it past the gate. She sits on the bed, repeating Conan's words to her. She desperately tries to convince herself that they'll succeed. In the day, Conan trains with the men, on edge. Normally he'd enjoy it but not like this. Not enslaved and CERTAINLY not with the Day of Farewell looming. He waits for the leaf, which he slipped into the mash, thinking about how the slave armies are human cattle, ensured to never hesitate and feel fear. He thinks about old Gorm and his death, which makes him angry. However, at that moment Conan's sparring partner Tialfi manages to reawaken, allowing Conan to knock the sword out of his hand. Conan explains the situation quickly and tells him to move through the band and tell everyone quickly. They have to be careful. He begins to feel joy; surely there will be a reckoning for Old Gorm.

In the past, we see the first suicide. A scribe named Smia'dah puts his scroll and parchment down and hurls himself from the ramparts. Though the Hyperboreans dismiss it as an anomaly, there is no surprise and they seem to envy it. Despite their assurances three more soon join Smia'dah. This leads to the idea eventually taking root about the gods carrying them up to heaven, and the whole damn thing becomes ritualized. We see the bridge being built, we see the celebrations.....Aishti'ana muses that it's "been a mere 500 years since Smia'dah." It feels like an eternity.....

In the Arena things go badly. Despite Conan's efforts it's impossible to coordinate things perfectly and a few of them reawaken in a way that the overseer (who is watching) gets wise. Conan manages to stop the guy before he can activate his spell to incapacitate them (via a sword to the throat) but the other guards hear, and as the horns blow the rest of the warriors run, with Conan musing that the gods of chance are fickle mistresses. Aishti'ana is informed about the uprising, and he orders two platoons dispatched as well as the senior under wizards. The guard rushes off to carry out his orders, Aishti'ana wonders where the passion and joy went. When did things become so tedious? In the streets Conan roars challenges to the Hyperboreans, saying that they fight free men now and these free men will kill them. High in his balcony Aishti'ana wonders where it all went.

Review: This is somewhat a departure from the usual issues in that we don't just see Conan's POV. We also see Lord Aishti'ana's......and he proves a surprisingly sympathetic character. Don't get me wrong, he's an evil bastard but he seems to regret what things have become. Deep down he kinda seems to know that the Hyperboreans have become a pale shadow of their former glory trapped in tedium and functionality. The contrast between the Hyperborea of the past and the Hyperborea of now is striking, and we truly see the process of civilization becoming stagnant over time. Meanwhile, Conan and Iasmini's situation becomes more desperate, as they desperately try to save the Aesir and get the fuck out of there. The sense of desperation and dread is rather palpable and though you want things to be ok you aren't sure they will be. While there is the problem of how Conan got to Iasmini's quarters (maybe they were just there) overall it was a damn good issue

8.5 out 10.

Issue # 7: Blood for Blood

Part 1 Recap: Conan forces his way through the snow, his red cape billowing behind him. He stumbles but picks himself up, forcing himself onwards. He bitterly remembers reassuring Iasmini that they'll be able to escape and will tell lies all the way down to the Vilayet, as well as her corpse in the ravine. He's able to find water and wood to survive the night even though he can't find food. When he sleeps he dreams of death and the horrible things he saw while awake he remembers Niord and Iasmini (we also see the full conversation with Niord). As he progresses on he remembers Sjarl's betrayal and what must come next. Eventually he arrives in Brythunia and enters an inn (cutting off a louts attempt to paw the innkeeper's daughter) asking for food and ale. Despite their suspicion (Conan is speaking the Aesir tongue but is clearly not one. Conan manages to get service by presenting one of the trinkets he stole from the pile, and after shaving and getting replenished resumes his hunt. Given that they're two Aesir they aren't hard to find word of and with gold he's able to bribe people who wouldn't otherwise talk. In the fifth town, Conan gets the sense that he's arrived.

Striving into town sword drawn, Conan meets Sjarl. Sjarl plays dumb, saying how glad he is Conan escaped (all while brandishing a dagger behind his back) but Conan isn't having any of it and impales him before telling him "your brothers are dead. Betrayed by two who turned tale and fled when they were needed. Dead like you." As the crowd watches in shock, Conan sees Einar in the crowd and pursues him. Einar trips and Conan quickly disarms him. Einar begs for his life, saying that Sjarl was the one who arranged it. The words hit Conan like a thunderbolt, and he asks if Sjarl really arranged it. Einar confirms it. The plan was that they would turn Conan over at the border, but they came early. Einar begs some more but once more Conan ain't having it and...well.....




The magistrate protests but Conan denounces them and subtly threatens the guy. The guy changes his tune and says that Brythunian law is only for Brythunians. He offers to buy Conan a drink.

Later on Conan realizes that while he has achieved revenge Iasmini Niord and the others are still dead and he's still shellshocked. A prostitute offers service, but for once Conan's not in the mood and refuses. She says that he's travelled far and has the look of a man who has seen much. "Farther than you know, woman, and more." He offers her a gold coin and tells her to leave him alone. At night his dreams are still haunted by what he saw, and he wakes up with bile in his mouth. Despite wondering for a brief time if he should return home he decides not to. He swore to Niord that he'd see the rest of what the world has. Besides he's seen good along with the bad. The next morning he buys some supplies with what little gold he has left, and the prostitute asks him where he's going next. Conan asks him what lies west beyond the hills. She says Nemedia, so Conan says that's where he'll go. She also mentions that the innkeeper was keeping gold from Sjarl and Einar and that he was hoping Conan didn't ask about it. Conan says he can keep it. He doesn't want their blood money. After mockingly calling him rich for having such scruples she asks about the bodies.

"Bury them. Bury them deep. DEEP in the cold earth." With that Conan walks away into the morning light.

Review: Despite being short, this was a good end to the arc. Conan manages to achieve his revenge but in the end it didn't accomplish much. His friends are dead, he's still shellshocked. Fortunately it hasn't completely sapped him of his will to explore. In a final touch, he asks for Sjarl and Einar to be buried deep in the cold earth, ensuring their souls will never go to Valhalla.......honestly a fitting end. Those two men died as they lived....Cowardly begging for their lives and trying to weasel their way out of it. Even if their deaths don't accomplish much it was VERY satisfying to see them go down.

10 out of 10

Part 2

Recap: Night in Poitan. The villa of Dion Pirenus is guarded....but an assassin is on the prowl, dispatching the guard who heard them. The shadow of a woman traverses a roof and sneaks past another man before climbing in a window and making her way through the main courtyard. Suddenly lights blare, and the assassin drops to her knees. Pirenus emerges, announcing her as Janissa the Widowmaker, assassin for the Bone Woman. He says he isn't the incompetent she must think he is. He asks her to explain that he DID try to sway the Duke's advisors but that they were too loyal to him. More importantly he also says he repaid the money she gave him WITH interest....but realizes this is getting nowhere. He orders his men to kill her but Janissa uses three throwing knives to kill the attacking guards. She then jumps into action, unleashing a whirlwind of destruction upon them. Pirenus flees down the hallway and locks a door assuming he's safe.....when Janissa calls out to him asking if he truly thinks he could escape the bone woman even if he did kill her. He turns to see Janissa in the window and as she taunts him saying there's no escape Dion tries to open the door before a throwing knife to the throat kills him.

As Janissa moves to take trophies a voice calls out to her saying that she felt Dion die. Still Janissa has other places to go. Janissa asks where, and is told Nemedia. As the issue ends, Janissa leaps the wall and runs into the night.

Review: This was....not as bad as I thought. Yes Janissa's outfit is absurd, and yes so is the fact that she's able to beat Pirenus to his saferoom but honestly the combat was cool and Janissa really does do a good job as a stealthy assassin. As an introduction it worked and had Busiek come up with a better backstory it would have been perfect. 7 out of 10.