Customer Reviews

Conan: Born on the Battlefield (Conan (Dark Horse Unnumbered))

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If "The Frost Giant's Daughter" is the 1st volume of DHC's series Conana, then this one is its volume 0. Same quality level writing, different but still awesome art, and great characterization of Conan and the people of Cimmeria (of which we see very little of). All in all, if you like Conan in any shape or form, get this book.

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.

This addition to the Conan series has become one of my favorites. In adding to the Howard corpus, one of the dangers is in trying to out-Howard Howard. Kurt Busiek's story wisely refrains, showing a restraint in developing the character from childhood in ways that look forward to Conan's later adventures but do not attempt to "continue" where Howard "left off." We see a young Conan struggling to establish himself among the other children as well as the elders of his clan, sporadic encounters with wolves and mountain lions, introduction to love, supernatural encounters, all leading up to the grand battle that eventually set him on the path that would take him away from his homeland. Ruth's artwork complements the story very well, with pencilling which is kept deliberately loose, heavy inking, and muted tones of brown, red, and green. It's as if we're looking at sepia-tinged photographs of an art rendering which is already half-impressionistic.

It's worth noting that some readers may not be happy with this art direction. One reviewer on this site goes so far as to claim that Ruth is attempting an imitation of Howard that looks inexpert and childish. In fact, there is very little of Howard in Ruth's work (the final image included in the sketchbook at the end of the book is a kind of loving parody of Howard). Those readers who are insistent on the pristine lines and dramatic contrasts of classic comic art may be similarly disappointed. But those who can open their minds to different approaches may find this quite wonderful.

As you may have guessed, CONAN Born on the Battlefield is a graphic novel that chronicles the early life of Conan the Barbarian.

Story
The story is composed of six parts that chronicle the main events of Conan's Life. It begins from his birth and ends as he becomes a young adult. The narration and dialogue are well written and there are some good characters. What sets this apart from the other Conan books is that it tells a story in chronological order, where most Conan stories are just short tales of adventure.

Art
Fans of the Savage Sword of Conan (Black and White Comic Series) may have trouble adjusting to the art (in color) but this style fits Conan. The colors are dark and the line art is gritty. This book has more than a handful of epic, memorable images. I felt that the art in The Savage Sword of Conan did a better job at pushing the boundaries of epic visual storytelling, but the art is this book is still very good.

Characters
Conan is a young boy growing up in a highland village. He is portrayed as a tough loner and a skilled hunter who is trying to find his place in the world. Also featured in the book are Conan's parents, grandfather, and young friends. They are all well done, but play minor roles.

Action
This book is loaded with it and it's drawn well. Heads roll, limbs roll, intestines spill, and bodies pile high. Action fans will not be disappointed.

Maturity
Well, there are loads of gore, and a bit of nudity, so this book, like all Conan stories, is better suited for young adults or older teens.

Overall
This is a very good origin story for Conan that depicts his early years, but I felt that it could have been better. The fantasy element is scaled back and it feels like a very good story about a highland barbarian faced with an expanding Roman Legion. But the epic fantasy seems a bit lacking. In the Savage Sword of Conan and the Robert E. Howard Stories, a large part of the series deals with the unknown. Prehistoric Jungles, Wizards, Demons, Undead... Although there is a bit of the supernatural and a dash of magic in this book, it just feels like there should have been much more.

Buy this if you want to read a very good origin story for Conan.
Buy this if you like violent and gritty art.
Understand that it's not as supernatural as the other stories.
Avoid it if you don't like gore.
Avoid it if you really want the fantasy element pushed to the extreme.

If you enjoyed this book, get the Savage Sword of Conan compendiums!!!
If you want to read a great novel that is similar to this, read "Sword in the Storm" by David Gemmell. You'll love it!

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.

Short and sweet: I love this book. The art is utterly amazing. I am amazed at Cary Nord's stuff, but if I could pick, I'd have Greg Ruth do the Conan line. Ruth brings a real grit to his work that is appropriate--almost necessary--for Conan's tales.

But, a five start book isn't made up of art alone. No. The story has to be there, too, and this book does provide an engrossing, addictive Conan tale. Each chapter builds upon the last, subtling showing us the different layers that make up Conan's complex personality.

I think the story told in this book is a marvel. It's a masterpiece. It's the best Conan origin tale I've read or seen (and I've read or seen them all). I like Turtledove's novel, Conan of Venarium. This book is better. I enjoyed the Arny movie and the new 2011 pseudo-remake. This book is better. I thought Marvel's introduction of the mighty barbarian was weak, back in the 70's (from The Chronicles of Conan), and this book blows that other line away.

Graphic novels, for me, are a type of medium between films and books: Still pictures and light dialogue but also a look at what characters are thinking, as in a novel.

For this type of medium, Conan - Born on the Battlefield delivers. It delivers in grit and blood and damn fine storytelling.

I highly recommend it.

, and the story-telling is some of the best I've seen in a graphic novel. I highly recommend this book as it is the best origin story I've read or seen for Conan (and I've read or seen them all, including the original Arny film and the new 2011 film, the Marvel origin, Turtledove's Conan of Venarium

Excellent. A collection and elaboration on the various tales of Conan's youth mentioned in other stories. Includes the breaking the neck of a wild Cimerian bull & the assault on Venarium.

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.

I was completely blown away by this book and could spend hours talking about how fantastic it is. But I will try to be as concise as I can with my review. I will not go into the plot since others here have done so, and therefore there's really no need to discuss that aspect any further(or spoil anything for new readers). I am going to just focus on the things that make this such an astonishing work of of fantasy/action/adventure.

Kurt Busiek is a legend. That's a given. He's written some amazing stuff, and this graphic novel stands(in my opinion) as his best and most groundbreaking work to date. The guy just knows how to draw you in. And having just finished "Conan v.1: The Frost Giant's Daughter and Other Stories", he has shown to have a deep understanding of REH's Conan and the Hyborian Age in which he dwells. This book clearly and unequivically demonstrates that fact. I have always really enjoyed his writing, and his skill shines more brightly here than in any other book of his I've ever read!

What can I say about Greg Ruth? Simply put, he's one of my new favorite artists. I had never seen any of his artwork before, and boy was I like a kid on Christmas when I opened "Born on the Battlefield" and saw some of the most delicious pencils, inks and colors I'd ever seen! One reviewer on here stated that the art was awful and that it looked like a 5 year old kid trying to emulate Frank Frazetta. I don't see that at all. I don't think Ruth was trying to immitate anyone. I do see a little of Frazetta in his stuff. I also see a little Ben Templesmith and Ashley Wood(only more solid/detailed and refined than either of these two). But his work stands all by itself to me. I think his style is unique to him. And the same reviewer also complained about the inking job, saying whoever inked it did a really poor job. Well, to my knowledge, Ruth inked his own work here. And I believe he did a wonderful job. He also colored it himself. It has a sort of dreamlike quality to it. And I feel that aspect greatly added to the overall feeling of enticement that I felt from beginning to end.

Overall, the visceral, breathtaking artwork combined with the lush, powerful and masculine prose creates a sweeping epic that is as impactful as just about any graphic novel I've ever read- and that's a hell of a lot of graphic novels! This book is, in my mind, an instant classic in the graphic novel medium. I feel it is on par with such legendary works as Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns"(which spawned my passion for graphic novels in the first place) and Darwyn Cooke's "DC: The New Frontier". *JUST FOR THE RECORD, I'D ALSO COUNT "THE MICE TEMPLAR" SERIES AS AN ONGOING TITLE THAT IS WORTHY OF BEING MENTIONED IN THE SAME BREATH AS THE AFOREMENTIONED BOOKS. IN FACT, IT'S MY FAVORITE SERIES OF ALL TIME! JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT IN.* The art comes across as kind of rough and untamed. It's harsh and it's brutal. But at the same time, it is smooth, elegant, and just flatout gorgeous! It's earthy yet colorful tone/palette perfectly suits the mood of the story. It's atmospheric art at its very best. This story needed to be told, and Busiek & Ruth deftly weave this tale with beauty and passion. A brilliant example of what a graphic novel can be. Sorry I wasn't as concise as I said I'd be. I just love this book so much I can't contain my desire to enthusiastically give it the praise it deserves. But I will stifle myself and just end by strongly urging you(even if graphic novels aren't really your 'thing'- but let's be honest, if you're reading this, you probly are a fan of graphic novels) to buy this book! You won't regret it. It truly is as good as it gets.

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!