Customer Reviews

Conan Vol. 2: The God in the Bowl and Other Stories (v. 2)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having never having read comic books as a youngster, the new Conan series was the hook that set my newfound enjoyment of a weekly trip to the local comic shop.

The writing and the artwork led me to purchase some of the other compilations of the writings of Robert E. Howard. Truly, Howard as an author was ahead of his time, both in the prose and the scope of creating a fictional world where men of "...gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth..." roamed the land. Having now read many of the new comics, as well as the older Howard writings, I can attest that they comics are faithful adaptations to the original works. I would think that Howard would approve of them. Truly, these comics look to me to have a dirty, grimy, and realistic feel to them, compared to other current comics, where clean lines and ink move from one panel to the next.

I would like to think that you will enjoy these compilations as much as I have. I now return to the Hyborian age...

This second volume in Darkhorse's new Conan line finds our hero in the lands of 'civilization' for the first time. In Nemedia, he find that speed and strength alone won't get him too far, as he becomes entangled in an intricate plot to steal an artifact (or be framed for doing so). After discovering how treacherous city life can be, Conan helps in solving a murder case and then finds himself playing the guard for a priest of Ibis on a desperate mission. The whole story is full of action, humor, and drama, as Kurt Busiek and Cary Nord continue to expand their own [Robert E Howard]-faithful setting. This volume also introduces Conan's arch nemesis, Thoth Amon, as well as a new (and intriguing) creation by the authors, Janissa. The story here didn't live up the sheer awesomeness of The Frost Giant's Daughter in action, suspense, or artwork (thus the 4-star, instead of 5-star rating), but is still highly recommended.

The story line in this book is not a good as the first of course but if you are a Conan fan then it is definately worth checking out. The art in the book alone is worth your time. They do a wonderful job of bringing the Cimmerian back to life for this series. But, if you are looking for another "The Frost Giant's Dautgher", you may be disapointed. The story is a bit slower and more drawn out, could have used more action. It did make me want to check out the third volume of the series, but then again, I'm a Conan fan.

Just when you think things couldn't possibly get any better, and by that I mean Dark Horse re-releasing the Conan comics into easily digestible, and fanatstically re-colored, volumes, they go and re-work all the stories with brand new artwork. This sounds sacrilegious until you actually see the artwork and read the stories. Brilliant! The partnership of Busiek and Nord is a match made in heaven, or perhaps, Hyborea. The artwork is savage and dynamic, real and yet mystical. The writing fresh and exciting, bringing these tales back to life. Howard himself would be impressed. What could be more joyous than seeing a large muscled barbarian carve his way, sword in hand, through a myriad of dark cities, hostile enemies, and evil sorcerers, while semi-naked women throw themselves at his feet. Nothing perhaps than to imagine yourself walking those jewelled thrones under your sandalled feet. There's not much more to say. Buy it and be thankful you've bought a piece of true art, by Crom!

Dark Horse follows up the excellent "Frost Giant's Daughter" with another outstanding adaptation of a Robert Howard Original. Kurt Busiek takes a minor Conan story and builds another epic around it.
Although many fans consider Bowl to be a little slow and one of Howard's lesser works, Busiek and Nord manage a very competent adaptation which is faithful and entertaining even if you have read it before in prose form. The follow up story ties into it quite well; showing us Conan's first encounter with Thoth Amon, Conan's future arch adversary from the "Pheonix on the Sword", without tarnishing or impacting that story.
Cary Nord's artwork is wonderful. Thomas Yeates steps in to help with the layouts and actually improves the already excellent artwork considerably from the first volume; Dave Stewart's coloring gets better too.
Two minor faults with this story would be the introduction of Janissa, the Widow Maker, who is a little out of place, seeming too much a Busiek creation, and not quite fitting into REH's world. Also, a small dream sequence style fill-in piece from artist Tom Mandrake is not up to the standard of the rest of the art; Otherwise, almost perfect.

Great art and a thrilling story. I admit I still hold a candle for the original Roy Thomas story that was my first introduction to the amazing world of Conan, but this version ROCKS, too!

What can I say? This volume and the previous volume are, other than Arnold Schwarzenegger, my first introductions to Conan and his world. I must say that I love it. Action. Adventure. Intrigue. Magic. It's got it all. He is so simple and yet not. He is powerful, yet cunning and even, at times, wise in his native actions. Bottom line for me: it's just plain fun, exciting, and awesome. The art is really good, and so is the story-telling. Pick it up if you love sword and scorcery!

If you've got alittle barbarian in you, then this is perfect. Action, suspence, and the sword and sorcery we love. I couldnt put it down, and cant wait to read the rest of the series.

The God in the bowl is a great story. This reads like a nice whodunnit. However, methinks that Conan doth protests too much his innocence and the Inquisitor is just a bit too Holmy-like and solicitious of Conan's innocence to wrap up his investigation. It did drag on a bit until everyone runs away and Conan is left alone to lop off the monster's head. Again, if comparisons are made to Roy Thomas/Barry Smith's adaptation of the same story, the latter was superior in terms of pacing and artwork.

The follow-on story with Janissa's character is unbelievable. A privileged kid who subjects herself to unimaginable depravations just to be able to wield a sword is difficult to fathom. At the end of her ordeal, she fights like a ninja? This part I don't like. In the days of old fashioned sword and sorcery, fight sequences are not balletic - they should be portrayed as brutal slug-fest scenes. Her costume was also too superhero-like. It should be matted, furry, slightly unkempt. Neither Conan nor his contemporaries should ever be protrayed as gentlemen sparring with rapiers. They should be duelling with broadswords.

I'd love to give this collection a glowing review but some parts of these stories really leave a sour taste in my mouth. While the adaptations are fairly loyal, actually pretty well done, it's the deviations that bother me. I know full well that to adapt strictly the creator's work would have meant the end of this series by now. So, it's not that new stories are being written, it's the way those stories play out. I'm very bothered by the origin story of Janissa. It's contemptable to say the least. Robert Howard wrote about some strong women. Red Agnes, Valeria, Belit, Sonya, Robert Howard loved the idea of women who stood toe to toe with his men and swung a sword and got drunk and had adventures as the sword mates of warriors. None of these woman had magical powers or supernatural aid. They fought hard and drank deep. Janissa is an interesting character too. Unfortunately, part of her story is that she developed her strength and fighting skill because of being repeatedly raped by demons. Howard was a bigot, and he was sexist too, but he never sank to having his women sexually assaulted to give them strength. He didn't do it to his male characters either. So, why was this route taken?
Kurt Busiek should be taken to task for this. Being a good and popular writer is no excuse for such a terrible plot point. Worse, this was done before. It happened in a magazine featuring Marvel's Red Sonja when she was raped by some men who killed her family, and then some "angel" came and gave her "powers". The angel then had her vow not to lay with any man who did not defeat her in battle. That was garbage back then and it's just plain disgusting and old now. Janissa could have come into her skills the same way men do- a lot of practice. It certainly would have shown more respect for women who get treated pretty badly as a rule in mainstream comics. Ironically, it even sounds more original.
The series has taken some turns for the better. This volume really highlights the story pacing and Cary Nord's comfort with the material. He appears to be drawing more details and has a nice flow with the narrative. The coloring by Dave Stewart is also improved. It's a shame that Thomas Yeates has moved on. When I found out why I was not surprised. The title story is drawn out a little longer than it has to be but overall it's still true enough to the original to be worth the read. The follow-up tale featuring more of Janissa is also pretty good. Parts of it are very well done. The story revolves around the high priest of Ibis needing an escort and Conan and Janissa become his bodyguards to get him safely to his destination. Needless to say, nothing is as easy as it should be and Thoth Amon is girding up for a confrontation with his nemesis, the priest of Ibis (and his bodyguards). Conan is starting to show maturity after his misadventures. He now knows that the treacherous southlands are no place for just a strong arm. Money and guile will get him farther and he's trying to attain more of both.
Using his sword, his strength and his wits he discovers there is a demand for those attributes and puts them to work. It's a simple story but it suits the framework that Robert Howard established.
Now, if only Janissa can awaken from a bad dream....