Conan Volume 7: Cimmeria

As with most readers of this volume, I was desperately hoping for a rebound from the low-point of the series,  Hand of Nergal . I continued to be skeptical until the 3rd or 4th sub-arc in this volume, when I found myself completely drawn in, loving the art, loving the characters, and loving the story. This is a tale of a disillusioned Conan returning to his roots, not knowing what he seeks, but knowing he is through with the supposedly wondrous lands of the South. Along the way, he meets foes and friends, and through his interactions with these, recounts stories from the past, describing adventures by his grandfather, Connacht(sp?). We learn that Conan has definitely (almost literally) followed in his grandfather's footsteps, and was seemingly purposefully infected with his wanderlust by his ancestor. But where Connacht eventually returned to his home in Cimmeria to settle down and raise a family, we know Conan is destined for bigger things.An effective editorial ploy was pulled off nicely in this volume, with a guest artist (Richard Corben) drawing the flashback stories of Conan's grandfather (essentially every other section) in a very distint style from what we're used to in these books. I'm not sure if this is Corben's usual style, but it is much more blotchy and simple-looking, colored w/o shading and drawn with minimal detail. This at-first-mediocre-seeming art actually began to grow on me after a couple of sections, and did a very effective job of relating Connacht's stories as flashback storytellings, giving them a sense of imagination and ancientness. The contrast between these sections and the current Conan sections gave this book a very nice sense of pacing, and with the size of this volume, it is almost like getting two stories in one!In a way, this is a sort of interlude between the early adventures of Conan and his launch into a much more public and exciting life. The immediate future of this series should be great, and my expectations are primed. Recommended!

An epic tale (told by two artists - for "flashback effect.") This Conan story re-enforces Wolfe when he stated "you can't go home again..." Conan returns to his boyhood, Cimmeria, and find that people and their sense of honor, respect and loyalty have changed. A story of first love, lost, regained...avenged (but I don't want to spoil it for you.) This is the ONE to share with your wife or girlfriend-still not a "chick-flick" tale- "Cimmeria" appeals to the reader on several levels.Romance, revenge reunion and righteous indignation are all encompassing points of drama. Blood and guts (as needed) Conan has not softened (even a little.) Backstory of Connacht (grandfather of Conan) added for the Barbarian archive enthusiast. This remains a classic "exploitation" piece of bad guys who deserve a good "butt whoopin'"

This is the first of the Dark Horse relaunch of the Conan franchise I've read. I was a fan when Savage Sword was in its heyday, but lost interest sometime in the eighties. Browsing some of the earlier Busiek/Nord collections, they never seemed to beckon me to read them like this one did. I enjoyed the art, and was a longtime fan of Tim Truman's. It was worth a shot. And Crom, was I delighted with the results.This is a slow, melancholy tale. It rings true to both Howard's work and the Roy Thomas adaptations. It's beautifully drawn, though looking at the Giorello pencils at the end of the book, I wish it had been published in black and white. The balance between Corben's underground style and Giorello's classical modernism works. The story takes its time, which to my taste pays off beautifully when it's all over, and I think the only misstep is the Skrae which seem more like a nod to the bloodthirsty readers than to the story... but what do I know.I'd heartily recommend Cimmeria to Howard fans, and to old school Conan fans. It's moving, well thought out story that has emotional resonance far beyond your average hack and slash.

Wow, really an excellent collection. The art of the current story of Conan and the Flashback art of Corben to Conans's ancestor are both fantastic. The story is strong and engaging and the art supports and enhances it. Really good.

This series of the Conan graphic novels is incredible. I highly recommend investing in all 20.

Not my favorite Conan story but still decent.

Great book. 📚

Conan #7 has the same writer as #5 & 6, and the story is good, but there is a different artist from the first 5 books, and the art is NOT THAT GREAT! The shipping SUCKS. I ordered this book on the 1st (in stock), and these clowns did not sent it out until the 8th, and I did not get it until the 14th! If this is what Amazon considers "good service" I would hate to see what they consider "bad service"

Volume 7 of Dark Horse's Conan series is one of the strongest so far. Its grim, wintry ambience reflects well Howard's poem 'Cimmeria', which is itself referenced as through an ancestral or archetypal memory in the prologue. As in that poem, this volume gives you a true feel of Conan's vast spirit being revealed through the tumultuous, bleak violence of his dark homeland. More is also revealed of Conan's ancestry through the tales revolving around his grandfather, Connacht, whose own tales clearly foreshadow and inspire Conan's own.Seeing Conan in his Saturnian homeland "of Darkness and deep Night", we understand better how it shaped his own grim character and strength. And thus we can also see more clearly the whole essence of what Howard created, or, as suggested within, "channelled".Cimmeria the poem forged the literary spirit of Conan much in the same way that Cimmeria the land, carved by the cold hand of Crom, forged his literary flesh. Cimmeria the Graphic Novel, with its beautiful artwork and sublime text, does great honour and justice to both spirit and flesh.Unlike volumes 2-6, Volume 7 could easily be read as a standalone episode, being a self-contained story almost entirely separate from the other tales of Conan's years in the southern lands of Hyboria. For any Conan or Howard fan who would only buy one of this great series by Dark Horse, I would recommend it be this one.

it feels like Conan needs a break and so he goes home and has to deal With some tribal stuff you also get more info on Conans dad

A must for every Conan fan. The tale is crafted around Conan’s relationship with his grandfather. I think more than any other of the books in the series it gives insight into the man Conan is and was made by his homeland and family. It also weaves beautifully the thoughts and dreams of RE Howard through his poetry and even a splendid opening page showing Howard’s study.This is a masterful book, showing off Conan in his best medium.

I'm a massive fan of Robert E Howard's Conan stories and they've done a fantastic job with these Graphic Novels. The artwork is spot on really catches the character and the stories are beautifully interpreted from the originals. Can't recommend highly enough if you're a fan or not you won't be disappointed.

Great product great value