Conan Volume 0: Born on the Battlefield

I am very skeptical about non-Howard Conan stories. The main reason is because Howard's stories are rich, full of fear and with an amazingly written text. Usually non-Howard ones are not even comparable to Howard's, being just a poor "sword and sorcery" style with no horror in it, more like an adventure style. Well, this is not the case here. I was surprised when I read it. Also, contrary to one review, I really enjoyed the art style. It resembles an old tale painting, one of those long forgotten. Summary - I recommend!

If you like Conan, then you may have been familiar with the original Marvel comics version and the larger B/W grittier version done from the 70s onwards. Mostly helmed by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, Ernie Chan and others, those books were the mainstay of the then sword and sorcery genre. Although entertaining, you knew that the stuff was sanitised somewhat. This new original Conan series written by Kurt Busiek brings an entirely different approach to Conan. A series so close in nature to my expectations that there is simply no comparison. This is perhaps the finest series on the market right now.

always loved graphic novels,Savage sword,Red Sonja.the new Age of Conan MMO has rejuvenated me,I bought the game but haven't played it yet,first going back & learning about Conan & ofcorse R.E.Howard,when I was young it was more about just the superficial content?. just received my copy of Born on the Battlefield & WOW!,so happy to have re-discovered such amazing work.

The "Born on the Battlefield" series is a triumph of comics art both in writing and illustration. Surreal pictures in rich, swirling earth tones accompany epic prose to create an experience that is satisfying and consuming.

If you enjoy reading fantasy, enjoying a great tale, or just a good read, then you really should read this Graphic Novel. Yes, a graphic novel is nothing but a collection of 'comic' books into one volume and yes, I know how many people look down on comics. However, this is a very good read. It is the story of Conan's youth in Cimmeria, from his birth until just after the sack of Vennarium. It is written by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by Greg Ruth. Busiek as usual shows his depth of understanding not only of the medium, but of his character. Conan was not created by Busiek, of course, but he almost seems to have inherited the same spirit that Howard often mentioned when he talked about the genesis of his Conan stories. Ruth, the books illustrater is just, how should I put it? If you remember the old Frazetta covers to the Conan books published in the 70's then you should be awed by how much Ruth's art seems to channel that same feeling. These two do not recreate the feely-touchy-smiley happy go lucky Conan of the live action TV series. They ignore the animated saturday morning shows almost as if they never existed (Thankfully!). They also studiously ignore the almost feminine Conan from Conan the Destroyer (can anyone say Polittically Correct? I knew you could ) and the "Im so stupid I cant stop drooling" Conan from Conan the Barbarian. These books most resemble the stories by Howard and the very best of the old Savage Sword of Conan series. I remember buying those oversized SSoC comics as a kid. I was as much in awe of them as I am awed by the current crop of Busiek stories. These books are a great read. Lots of fun. I would recommend almost anything by Dark Horse in general, but the adaptation of Conan really stands out in my mind. It once again proves that Busiek is one of our greatest living authors in this field, equaled only by Frank Miller (perhaps! ) as well that Dark Horse is, perhaps, the best of the major comic publishers.