The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian (Conan of Cimmeria, Book 1) 
asked by ctj on November 20, 2006 2:12 PM
“Between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities . . . there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars. . . . Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand . . . to tread
the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandalled feet.”
Conan is one of the greatest fictional heroes ever created–a swordsman who cuts a swath across the lands of the Hyborian Age, facing powerful sorcerers, deadly creatures, and ruthless armies of thieves and reavers.
In a meteoric career that spanned a mere twelve years before his tragic suicide, Robert E. Howard single-handedly invented the genre that came to be called sword and sorcery. Collected in this volume, profusely illustrated by artist Mark Schultz, are Howard’s first thirteen Conan stories, appearing in their original versions–in some cases for the first time in more than seventy years–and in the order Howard wrote them. Along with classics of dark fantasy like “The Tower of the Elephant” and swashbuckling adventure like “Queen of the Black Coast,” The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian contains a wealth of material never before published in the United States, including the first submitted draft of Conan’s debut, “Phoenix on the Sword,” Howard’s synopses for “The Scarlet Citadel” and “Black Colossus,” and a map of Conan’s world drawn by the author himself.
Here are timeless tales featuring Conan the raw and dangerous youth, Conan the daring thief, Conan the swashbuckling pirate, and Conan the commander of armies. Here, too, is an unparalleled glimpse into the mind of a genius whose bold storytelling style has been imitated by many, yet equaled by none.
the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandalled feet.”
Conan is one of the greatest fictional heroes ever created–a swordsman who cuts a swath across the lands of the Hyborian Age, facing powerful sorcerers, deadly creatures, and ruthless armies of thieves and reavers.
In a meteoric career that spanned a mere twelve years before his tragic suicide, Robert E. Howard single-handedly invented the genre that came to be called sword and sorcery. Collected in this volume, profusely illustrated by artist Mark Schultz, are Howard’s first thirteen Conan stories, appearing in their original versions–in some cases for the first time in more than seventy years–and in the order Howard wrote them. Along with classics of dark fantasy like “The Tower of the Elephant” and swashbuckling adventure like “Queen of the Black Coast,” The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian contains a wealth of material never before published in the United States, including the first submitted draft of Conan’s debut, “Phoenix on the Sword,” Howard’s synopses for “The Scarlet Citadel” and “Black Colossus,” and a map of Conan’s world drawn by the author himself.
Here are timeless tales featuring Conan the raw and dangerous youth, Conan the daring thief, Conan the swashbuckling pirate, and Conan the commander of armies. Here, too, is an unparalleled glimpse into the mind of a genius whose bold storytelling style has been imitated by many, yet equaled by none.
Reviews
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This is a great collection of Conan stories appearing in the order that they were written. Throughout the book you get a true feeling for the character and the way Robert E. Howard envisioned his life. The stories are well written and entertaining. Ruthless and barbaric - just the way he was meant to be.
reviewed by jerseymike on November 20, 2006 8:31 PM
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The first volume of Ballantine's Conan reprints the first 13 tales written by Robert E. Howard. In addition, there are more than 150 pages of extra material such as story fragments, maps, alternate versions of stories, etc.
This edition is basically a mass market version of the very limited edition of the same collection published by Wandering Star press without the added art prints, slip case and cover art. However, you pay about $20 rather than $200 price tag for the limited edition.
The only drawback of the collection is the cover design. It is a shame the publishers went for the black and gold marble pattern on the front and back of the dust jacket, rather than a more contemporary look, which addresses to the pulpy roots of the character. We are also deprived of the Mark Shultz cover painting, which is replaced with an interior art plate.
The publishers would have done well to look to the hardcover collections of the Dark Horse's outstanding comic book series, which is the most faithful adaptation of Howard's work in any medium.
A worthwhile purchase nonetheless. If only Ballantine would hurry up and publish the next two volumes as hardcovers.
This edition is basically a mass market version of the very limited edition of the same collection published by Wandering Star press without the added art prints, slip case and cover art. However, you pay about $20 rather than $200 price tag for the limited edition.
The only drawback of the collection is the cover design. It is a shame the publishers went for the black and gold marble pattern on the front and back of the dust jacket, rather than a more contemporary look, which addresses to the pulpy roots of the character. We are also deprived of the Mark Shultz cover painting, which is replaced with an interior art plate.
The publishers would have done well to look to the hardcover collections of the Dark Horse's outstanding comic book series, which is the most faithful adaptation of Howard's work in any medium.
A worthwhile purchase nonetheless. If only Ballantine would hurry up and publish the next two volumes as hardcovers.
reviewed by sandi on November 22, 2006 7:02 AM