dub@pur-phy.UUCP (Dwight) (01/20/85)
There are a number of reasons why a particular comic catches
my eye. It may have a good story or fascinating characters or some
interesting insight on life. The latter is why I liked the latest
Conan the King (#28, Call of the wild).
One recurrent theme in the series is Conan's bordem. Here is
this barbarian who has an incredible physique and a vast thirst for
adventure and he's couped up within his kingdom doing all sorts of
boring kingly duties. In every issue Conan grumbles about it and
often goes off on irresponsible (for a king) adventures almost like
a little kid who doesn't want to do his homework.
In this latest issue, (I think) we see a subtle turning point
in Conan's outlook about himself. Once again Conan hears the call of
adventure when Red Sonya meets him. Off he romps leaving all of his
duties behind him, but this time at the end of the adventure Red Sonya
humiliates him and the look in Conan's eyes isn't one of anger. It is
a look of sadness as if it really isn't Red Sonya riding off into the
sunset, but rather his adventurous soul.
Everyone is so used to thinking of Conan as forever the
adventurous barbarian right to the grave, but in this issue I really
felt that Conan has finally resigned himself that his barbarous
days have ended. Now that's what I call character development.
Oh yes, the covers on recent Conan the King's look pretty nice as well.
Dwight Bartholomew
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