So I guess musicals can be good...

I'm not sure what impresses me most about this -- the lyrics and melody that seemlessly match the movie theme music, the singer's perfect Arnold impersonation, or the fantastic amount of free time that allows one to produce something like this.

"...a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth..."

For those who are fans of Robert E. Howard and his grim, northern barbarian, a recent surge of interest in Conan has been welcome treat. Over the last few years, a number of new books have been published that collect Howard’s fantastic tales. Among them are a series of trade paperbacks by Dark Horse Comics that collect the wildly popular Savage Sword of Conan magazine. Originally published by Marvel Comics, the series got its start in 1974 during the peak years of Conan’s popularity and is now a cult classic.

The magazine was more adult in nature than the Conan comic book and featured some stunning black and white artwork by the likes of Barry Windsor-Smith, John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala. The Hyborian age never looked so good. The stories were written by Roy Thomas and included adaptations of Howard’s classic yarns as well as original Conan stories. Savage Sword was also famous for its amazing cover art which usually included Conan fighting some hideous creature while a very nearly nude woman cowered below. This appeal to young men and teenage boys undoubtedly propelled its success.

This magazine became a staple of mine right after high school when a couple of buddies and I rented a house together. Several issues of the Savage Sword could be seen strewn about the house at any one time, or as reading material in the bathroom. Since copies of the magazine are scarce these days, I am grateful that I may enjoy all of Conan’s mighty exploits in these new trade paperbacks. Each one is about 500 pages and collects around fifteen issues. So for those, like me, who occasionally need a Conan fix, look no further. The pages spark with energy and are just plain fun to read.