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Conan the Phenomenon
Since his first appearance in a 1932 pulp magazine, Conan the Barbarian has enjoyed every success available to a fictional character. Robert E. Howard, created the genre of sword and sorcery with his original stories; Frank Frazetta's definitive (and often imitated) Conan book covers set the standard for dynamic fantasy artwork; Roy Thomas, with Barry Smith and later John Buscema, used the character to push the boundaries of comic-book adventure; and Arnold Schwarzenegger launched his amazing film career. Now, with the character's popularity renewed thanks to the award-winning comics series by Kurt Busiek, Timothy Truman, Cary Nord, and Dave Stewart, all of these eras of Conan are examined under one cover in this lavishly illustrated book. Conan historian Paul Sammon looks at all the stages of the character's development, with commentary and archival material from the most integral players in that history, in this must-have book for anyone who's followed the barbarian through any of his incarnations.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2007
2 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Paul M. Sammon
44 books32 followersPaul M. Sammon has written for The Los Angeles Times, The American Cinematographer, Cahiers Du Cinéma, and Cinefantastique. His fiction has appeared in many collections and he is editor of the best selling American Splatterpunks series. As a film maker Paul M. Sammon has produced, edited and directed dozens of documentaries on films such as Platoon, Dune, and Robocop. He is the author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner and his latest book is about the making of the movie Starship Trooper directed by Paul Verhoeven (Robocop).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 25, 2018
A must read for fans of Conan the Barbarian! I imagine most had a similar experience to me when they were exposed to the Cimmerian - you picked up some of the books or watched the movies and then moved on to devour more of the mythos. My interest in the events behind the creation of these stories never really delved past a quick google search or two.
But this book rectifies that and reveals a history through the decades almost as epic as the Hyborian Age. Most of the book is about the legal issues and swapping of publishers that plagued the license after Howard's suicide. Everything Conan related is mentioned and most of it extremely well researched.
But this book rectifies that and reveals a history through the decades almost as epic as the Hyborian Age. Most of the book is about the legal issues and swapping of publishers that plagued the license after Howard's suicide. Everything Conan related is mentioned and most of it extremely well researched.
June 23, 2023
A must for Conan fans or if you’re thinking of getting into Conan. Very informative with fantastic photos and artwork. If you find this book at a good price..snatch it up ⚔️
November 20, 2024
A very nice and informative, if now out of date, book on the history of Conan from his inception by REH through the comics and pastiches and movies.
September 4, 2016
Great book. I loved it. Informative, interesting and an outstanding read. The detailed information is explained with a vigor and tenacity that parallels the energy that fills Robert E. Howard's Conan stories.
This book contains a strong biography of Howard and his publishing history in Weird Tales. The pictures and descriptions of the art work by Frazetta are discussed and on full display. The Marvel books by Roy Thomas and the newer Dark House comics are covered with precision.
This is an outstanding book. It is a must for all Conan fans. If you have ever read a Conan book or short story or enjoy the Conan movies and cartoons then this is a book for you. i recommend this book for all readers of Conan, sword & sorcery, fantasy and adventure. Howard fans will love it.
This book contains a strong biography of Howard and his publishing history in Weird Tales. The pictures and descriptions of the art work by Frazetta are discussed and on full display. The Marvel books by Roy Thomas and the newer Dark House comics are covered with precision.
This is an outstanding book. It is a must for all Conan fans. If you have ever read a Conan book or short story or enjoy the Conan movies and cartoons then this is a book for you. i recommend this book for all readers of Conan, sword & sorcery, fantasy and adventure. Howard fans will love it.
May 27, 2020
I have been a fan of Conan for a very long time, I suspect through comics first (although I don't actually remember buying any of Marvel's original series myself), then the odd paperback and then the films, but I can't be 100% sure of that order.
It turns out, though, that I'm not a "true" fan because, until recently, I had been reading, book-wise, pastiche versions by the likes of L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Andrew J. Offutt and it is only relatively recently that I read the original stories, in the Fantasy Masterworks version. That's the overriding feeling that I get from this book - that if it's not written by Robert E Howard, or the writers/publishers don't feel an affinity with the origjnal author, it's a little bit second-class and a bit looked down on, especially if it's associated with de Camp.
As a history of the character, it's a good read, not scholarly by any means, but as in-depth as I wanted it to be. There are biographies of the major players, some shorter than others, all nowhere near as detailed as Howard's (rightly so) along with details of all the media Conan has appeared in, from the pulp magazines, right through to the Dark Horse comics. A bonus is the lavish collection of art and photos from the character's history, all brilliantly reproduced.
I bought this book when it was first published , back in 2007. In the subsequent thirteen years, Conan's history has, inevitably, moved on still more and so there is no coverage of the latest film, whatever books have since been published and the comics move from Dark Horse to Dynamite and, eventually, back to Marvel. But that's not the author's fault, it's mine for not reading it sooner. I'm not sure if there is s revised, updated version but, given this was published by Dark Horse, who were publishing the comics at the time, I doubt it.
It turns out, though, that I'm not a "true" fan because, until recently, I had been reading, book-wise, pastiche versions by the likes of L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Andrew J. Offutt and it is only relatively recently that I read the original stories, in the Fantasy Masterworks version. That's the overriding feeling that I get from this book - that if it's not written by Robert E Howard, or the writers/publishers don't feel an affinity with the origjnal author, it's a little bit second-class and a bit looked down on, especially if it's associated with de Camp.
As a history of the character, it's a good read, not scholarly by any means, but as in-depth as I wanted it to be. There are biographies of the major players, some shorter than others, all nowhere near as detailed as Howard's (rightly so) along with details of all the media Conan has appeared in, from the pulp magazines, right through to the Dark Horse comics. A bonus is the lavish collection of art and photos from the character's history, all brilliantly reproduced.
I bought this book when it was first published , back in 2007. In the subsequent thirteen years, Conan's history has, inevitably, moved on still more and so there is no coverage of the latest film, whatever books have since been published and the comics move from Dark Horse to Dynamite and, eventually, back to Marvel. But that's not the author's fault, it's mine for not reading it sooner. I'm not sure if there is s revised, updated version but, given this was published by Dark Horse, who were publishing the comics at the time, I doubt it.
January 19, 2018
I have been a Conan fan for a long time. Much of this book was tedious and difficult to wade through, but overall still very interesting. If you are a Conan the Barbarian fan, this book is a must read. A point of interest. I always wondered why the story lines for the two Conan movies were so bad and completely out of character from the Conan stories and comics I have read. Come to find out, the script writers could not use any of the original Robert E. Howard stories as originally published as they did not have the legal right to do so.
February 6, 2024
Not a bad overview, includes some of the behind the scenes intrigue between Glenn Lord and L. Sprague de Camp (who's writing I deplored).
Relatively complete, though he seems to skip right over the Jason Momoa Conan movie, interestingly enough.
Filled with gorgeous art.
Relatively complete, though he seems to skip right over the Jason Momoa Conan movie, interestingly enough.
Filled with gorgeous art.
December 22, 2025
A fantastic retrospective on the impact and origin of various interpretations of Conan. I gotta say, Arnold is still the best rendition that has ever come around
July 31, 2009
This is a good introduction to the whole Conan phenomenon for those of us who think that Robert E. Howard was a bad writer. I tried to read his macho ravings as a teenager and again around the time I turned 50. I can't do it, but I am curious about why he is popular and what Conan fans like about Howard and the character.
Overall, this book served as a good introduction. There are things I wish had been covered better, and others that could have been shortened (especially about the films), but most of my curiosity was satisfied. I did try to read a Conan story after reading this book, and still can't do it. I also saw the first film, the one that is highly regarded, and wondered why it is. OK, so Conan isn't for me, but now I understand what the little deal is all about.
Overall, this book served as a good introduction. There are things I wish had been covered better, and others that could have been shortened (especially about the films), but most of my curiosity was satisfied. I did try to read a Conan story after reading this book, and still can't do it. I also saw the first film, the one that is highly regarded, and wondered why it is. OK, so Conan isn't for me, but now I understand what the little deal is all about.
June 9, 2016
A suitably badass collection of art and visual works inspired by the late great REH's most famous character.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews