Into the Deadly Coils: Conan’s Perilous Journey into Stygia
Get ready, Cimmerian fans, because a new era of bravery and heroism begins with Conan the Barbarian #21, a highly anticipated comic book from Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures. This issue kicks off a brand new story arc that promises to pull Conan and his allies into deadly coils, setting the stage for a conflict beyond their wildest imagination! Having already won “Best New Comic Series” at the Tripwire 2024 Awards, this series continues to deliver epic Conan fiction. If you’re looking for exciting new comics, this is a must-read for any comic book addict.
This latest installment, Conan the Barbarian #21, continues the saga of the Cimmerian who, though not yet thirty winters old, has lived more than most men—first as a thief, then a pirate, and now a wanderer. Having endured the passions and loss associated with his pirate queen, Belit, Conan continued his travels under the infamous alias, Amra the Lion. His journey led him to the southern Black Kingdoms, where he lent his strength in tribal warfare and earned the loyalty of the Bamula tribe. Most recently, Conan rescued Livia, a princess of Ophir, from certain death in a Vale of Lost Women, and now he and his Bamulas ride northward to return her to her people. However, on the border between Kush and Stygia, the Cimmerian and his allies may soon find that no good deed goes unpunished.
Conan is fearless against beasts and monsters; a physical threat, no matter how nightmarish, can be overcome with brawn and blade. Even after the tumultuous supernatural events of recent months, a wing-borne horror like the one he faces makes sense to the Cimmerian and his sword. After crossing time and questing to Atlantis with Kull the Conqueror and Brule the Spear-Slayer, Conan returned to Shadizar in a dream-like haze. The visions of that distant past faded as he rode far from the trappings of civilization. He soon fell in with a band of mercenaries, but despite their fair treatment, he never felt part of their company. As seen in the legendary Conan the Barbarian #9-12, “The Age Unconquered,” Conan eventually struck out on his own again. It wasn’t long before he was set upon by a band of warriors from the South called the Bamulas. These men pursued wealth and status, but Conan, knowing such fleeting rewards would not satisfy him, was able to befriend them due to the widespread reputation of Amra the Lion, bodyguard of Belit, throughout the Black Kingdoms. In their presence, he found a kinship and camaraderie he’d been missing, using his strength and stratagem to overcome their age-old enemies, the Bakalah.
In an eerie Vale of Lost Women, Conan routed a foul creature and saved Livia, who had been captured and set to be sacrificed by the Bakalah. Conan described the creature as “a devil from the Outer Dark,” but assured Livia that “a man like myself with a sword is match for any amount of fangs and talons”. With Livia safe, Conan and the Bamulas rode northward, heading for a town near the border of Kush and Stygia for resupply and rest. Upon their arrival in the town of Daynt, they were met with unusually broad smiles and gleeful offers of hospitality. Conan, ever cautious, noted the lack of guards and the surprisingly low prices at the inn. Despite the welcoming feast, Conan remained wary, instructing his companions to test their food and avoid the wine. As the hours passed, his Bamula warriors gave in to temptation, but Conan ate only enough to sustain himself, unwilling to relax until he was certain it was safe.
After dark, Conan left Livia, who was exhausted, and stealthily explored Daynt to discover if it was truly the oasis it purported to be. He observed the townspeople, still smiling but subsisting on humble meals of bread and water, their grins more forced than before. He then followed a group carrying large platters of food to the edge of town, where they dumped the contents into a barred pit. His foreboding suspicion was confirmed: the town’s generosity is only a ruse. The pit contained haggard prisoners, weak and decrepit, who barely noticed the meager food. Conan realized this was the foul fate that soon awaited him and his allies.
Returning to the inn, Conan saw that an ambush had already begun, with Livia drugged and a trio of “grinning ghouls” ready to haul her away. He swiftly dispatched them, but one escaped, leading him to the tavern below. There, he found the Bamulas and other guests unconscious, ready to be carried away by a “jubilant crowd of jackals”. Though he fought valiantly, carving through wave after wave of attackers, he was eventually disarmed and overwhelmed.
Conan awoke in the same pit he had discovered, now alongside Livia and the Bamulas. The wine had sapped their strength, leaving them dazed and docile. Conan urged them not to eat the tainted food, but starvation eventually made them submissive, all except him. He tried to climb the walls, but grinning guards lay in wait, giving him no chance to test his strength against the steel. Days passed slowly until a new voice broke the silence: Athyr-Bast, a Stygian woman and their new master. She revealed that the “Curse of Kindness” she placed upon the village six seasons ago would continue, compelling them to capture worthy slaves.
The prisoners were pulled from the pit and marched into cages under the desert sun. Athyr-Bast assessed her new property, her gaze lingering on each prisoner. When it was Conan’s turn, he defied her, declaring, “I am no slave!”. Athyr-Bast, a sorceress, summoned ancient energy and struck him with an icy mystic bolt. Impressed by his spirit and strength, she decided he might be useful in Kheshatta.
After a day of wagon travel, Conan and the others were led into underground cages. Conan cursed his luck and the gnawing hunger, but resolved to change his fate. Another prisoner informed him that they were all sacrificial lambs for the Lords of Kheshatta. Soon, Conan was thrust into a strange arena, where a Stygian crowd roared for blood. A towering champion, Krum-Va, the Carver, Breaker of Bone, and Slayer of Seventy, stepped forth. Finally, Thoth-Amon, the Stygian Grand Sorcerer and Master of the Black Ring, appeared to command the battle to begin.
The creative team behind this thrilling issue includes Jim Zub as the writer, Fernando Dagnino as the artist, Diego Rodriguez as the color artist, and Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith as the letterers. The editor is Chris Butera. The covers for this issue feature stunning artwork by Dan Panosian (Cover A and FOC Virgin), Maria Wolf (Cover B), Brandon Kenny (Cover C), Mindy Lee (Cover D), and Gonzo (Cover E). You can find more details about comic book covers and other releases from the publisher on their website, Titan-Comics.com. For more epic tales of heroism and adventure, check out other releases from Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures, including “Conan: Lord of the Mount” by Stephen Graham Jones and “Conan: Black Starlight” by John C. Hocking. Dive deeper into the world of Conan with their extensive collection of comics and graphic novels. For everything Conan, check out Conan.com.
What do you think of Conan’s new predicament in Stygia? Share your thoughts and theories on the future of the Cimmerian’s journey! Head over to Twitter and let us know by commenting @comicbookaddt!
