Creepy #5 – Review

By: Timothy Truman, Benjamin Truman, David Lapham, Dan Braun & Doug Moench (writers), T. Truman, Lapham, Lucas Marangon & Mike Vosburg (artists), Nate Piekos (letters), Shawna Gore & Dave Land (editors)

The Story: Uncle Creepy is back with 4 new black and white tales of horror.

What’s Good: There is just something about B&W horror comics.  Because Creepy is an anthology that comes out quarterly, it never has rushed looking art and there is almost never a need for separate inkers.  That means that the art for each story is nothing but the vision of the artist creating the story.  Further, B&W allows the linework to shine through in a pure manner that is not possible with colored comics.  If these artists want a shadow, they damn well better get out the fine nibs and some ink rather than just letting the colorist render a dark spot on the characters.  Creepy is a complete throwback and really makes me wish we had more B&W comics on the shelf.

All the stories in this issue are somewhere between “solid” and “quite good.”  First, Benjamin and Timothy Truman team-up on a story of a tribal shaman who must venture to the underworld to fight a demon and save her child.  This story is probably the artistic star of the issue as the linework is just wonderfully nuanced and Buscema-like.  Next up is the best story of the issue: a tale by David Lapham of how some farmers will go to any length to have a prize winning crop.  Third is a very short interlude-type story about cults in the United States.  And, we wrap up with a Doug Moench & Mike Vosburg story about a man who gets what was coming to him.  All in all, this is a pretty solid batch of stories for a horror anthology.

Conan the Cimmerian #5 – Review

By Timothy Truman (writer) Tomas Giorello and Rochard Corben (art), Jose Villarrubia (colorist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I was actually quite hesitant to pick this one up. While I have enjoyed the series for the most part, my interest is definitely beginning to fade. Conan’s “trip back home” arc has gone on long enough in my opinion, but seeing as though it is going to run through issue seven, I figured I might as well just stick it with it a bit longer.

The Story: Conan and Caollan find themselves on the defensive, as Horsa’s group moves in for the woman. Luckily, a recent acquaintance shows up just in time to provide some support so Conan can continue on the path back home. As for Connacht, he finds himself on board a slaver’s ship in a situation ripe for a revolt.

What’s Good: While I have little doubt that this story arc will read much better as a collection, each installment is still entertaining and visually pleasing enough. Conan’s journey has a weight and urgency to it that allows for some nice character work among all the action. Connacht’s tale also proves worthwhile, as events and decisions made in his time continue to be subtly reflected in the present. Also good is the fact that the ending of the issue means that the next will bring a very welcome change to the somewhat stale proceedings.

What’s Not So Good: Some of the action in the book is marred by awkward or confusing direction. While the artwork is strong as a whole, I found myself a bit confused on the flow of events on more than one occasion. Also, it is worth mentioning that Timothy Truman’s storytelling structure is probably better suited for a collected format. I consider this “not so good” because, while the bigger picture improves every month, the chapters ultimately feel as though they are lacking the instant gratification that most people read monthly comics for. Conan The Cimmerian #5 is no exception.

Conclusion: The latest chapter in the Conan the Cimmerian series is entertaining, but I can’t say that it is necessarily worth the cash. If you have been enjoying watching the bigger picture come together, then by all means pick it up. But if you, like me, have been a bit frustrated by the arc’s pacing, you may want to skip it.

Grade: C

-Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

I agree with Kyle that this story will probably read better as a collection. I get the sense that once the second half of the story starts, all the previous issues will feel like filler. Everything is entertaining, beautifully written and drawn, but it feels like these five issues could have been cut down to two or three. Nevertheless, I respect the meticulous setup of Cimmeria and the reintroduction of Conan. Mission accomplished. Now I’m ready for things to get started and to move away from all the walking and little battles.

After seeing these little glimpses of his life, anyone else really want a Connacht series?

Grade: B

-Ben Berger

Conan The Cimmerian #4 – Review

By Timothy Truman (writer) Tomas Giorello and Rochard Corben (art), Jose Villarrubia (colorist)

The Story: Conan and his childhood crush, Caollan, must battle through Horsa’s horde of undead soldiers. If they live through the battle Caollan wishes to return to her village in hopes that she can be accepted back into the fold. Conan has his doubts but nonetheless shows willingness to accompany her. Meanwhile, Connacht deals with some awful priests that sacrifice innocent civilians as offerings to their god.

What’s Good? The art is strong with both stories. Connacht’s story is once again the superior and more engaging story. The art and coloring also do a good job of bringing out the forboding atmosphere that Conan’s grandfather dwells in. Great visual storytelling.

What’s Not So Good? Is there a reason why all these Cimmerians have names that start with “C”?

Also, I’m still not sure why we need to see stories about Connacht. As much as I enjoy them, it’s completely upstaging and disrupting the flow of Conan’s story. Four issues into this series and Conan’s story hasn’t gone anywhere. You might as well just rename this book Connacht The Cimmerian, because Conan’s story has been a yawn fest!

Conclusion: House of Mystery has suffers from the same problem – there’s just not enough pages to tell two stories without one being crippled. Conan’s story is going nowhere while at the same time we’re already on Connact’s second tale.

That’s just not right.

Tim Truman needs to make up his mind and give this book an identity. At this point I’m just going to wait for the trade or stop reading all together.

Grade: C-

Conan the Cimmerian #3 – Review

By Timothy Truman (Writer), Tomas Giorello & Richard Corben (Art), and Jose’ Villarubia (Colors)

Now this is more like it! While I enjoyed the first two issues of this series, I was a bit let down by the way in which Conan was sort of pushed by the wayside in favor of the extremely compelling, horror-tinged tale of Conacht. While (somewhat surprisingly) Conacht returns this month to star in another tale, Conan is featured much more prominently and does, well, what I always figured Conan was supposed to do.

While traveling through icy, dangerous terrain on the way back to Cimmeria, Conan has a chance-encounter with a childhood friend, Caollan. The reunion doesn’t exactly go as Conan had hoped and the two quickly find themselves fighting off an angry band of Aesir that was hunting down Caollan for abandoning a wedding arrangement. Some action and a daring escape later, the two find themselves taking refuge in a cave where Conan tells a tale about Conacht while the Aesir prepare to escalate the hunt.

I really can’t say enough about the creative team working on this series, as they provide us a compelling issue that manages to find a nice balance between the main Conan story and the adventures of Connacht. Timothy Truman’s writing is spot on for this type of book and it delivers just what I had hoped for when I decided to start reading about Conan. The storytelling has a classic feel to it, the darkly humorous dialogue is entertaining, and the introduction of Conacht helps to keep things from getting stale. As for the art, both distinct styles (one for Conan and one for Conacht) do a fantastic job elevating the stories being told. Tomas Giorella really brings Conan’s gritty environment to life, while Richard Corben gives Conacht’s story a surreal, unnerving tone that makes me think that his tale may once again dabble in the horror genre. Both artists are complimented by some fantastic color work by Jose’ Villarubia.

What else can I say? I really enjoyed the latest issue of Conan the Cimmerian, and I think you will too. While I wish there was a bit more substance to the overall plot at this point, I can’t act as though I have not been thoroughly entertained. Another strong issue from what looks to be a strong series. (Grade: B+)

– Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

This book is definitely worth checking out simply because it stands out from other comics. It’s one of the few good sword and sorcery books, and it somehow manages to carry a horror tone as well– thus making it a distinguishable book of its genre. From swords and barbarians to blood rituals, you might want to consider peeking through this book.

My only complaint is that it’s still tough to see where things are going. Conan’s returning home to Cimmeria, but why? Conan’s fought raiders, saved a childhood friend and presses on deeper into his homeland. But so far there’s no villain, no Thulsa Doom, or the like with an evil plot to foil. Conan the drifter is fine, and definitely works in the context of this story. But sooner or later I think I’ll want to see him pushing towards a goal rather than killing raider after raider. And for the record, Conan, Conacht, and Caollan– just because you’re a god-dang Cimmerian, it doesn’t mean your name has to start with the letter “C.” (Grade: B+)

-Ben Berger

Conan The Cimmerian #0 – Review

Timothy Truman (writer), Tomas Giorello (artist), Jose Villarrubia (colors), Richard Starkings & Comicraft (letters)

I love Conan. I think he’s a great character with a very interesting world. Most of my exposure to him was through the movies, so reading this comic was a little different for me. Not bad, just different. This issue sets up Conan’s return to Cimmeria which will be the plot of the new ongoing Conan story.

Truman’s writing of Conan is pretty solid. It’s less dumb barbarian, and more warrior king. He’s a man of few words – more content to let his actions and his sword speak for him. It’s a difficult book to critique from a writing perspective because there isn’t much dialogue. Conan says very little, and the raiders he kills are dead before they can say too much.

Truman does use the poem “Cimmeria” by Robert E. Howard throughout to great effect. The poem reads like a tall-tale, fable, or campfire story. It serves a number of purposes. First, it reintroduces us to Conan’s world and the comic. Second, it sets the tone of the book and its future issues by being both somber and badass. Third, the poem describes both Conan and Cimmeria as if the two are synonymous. Conan and his country have come to your town like a force of nature and you either get swept up in it, or get out of their way.

Giorello does an excellent job of conveying the story here. His style looks like an incredibly detailed painting. Unlike someone like Alex Ross who favors the epic look, Giorello takes a much more gritty approach. This is complemented really well by Villarrubia’s coloring, which is dark to fit the tone. There are several really awesome panels of Conan’s battle. My favorite of which being when Conan kills The Axe-Man. It’s both bloody and brutal.

The worst part about this book is that it ends. It does feel short, but it definitely wets your appetite for more. This is a great read for anyone who likes Conan, swordplay, or blood. The pencils, inks, and writing is all on point here, let’s hope they can keep up the good work. (Grade: B)

– Ben Berger

A Second Opinion

As a fan of the last Conan series that finished just a month or two ago, I’m pretty excited to see how Timothy Truman interprets the next stage of Conan’s life. To be honest, the work he did after Kurt Busiek left the series was pale by comparison; most of the stories seemed to suffer from pacing problems or from being drawn out too long.

With this issue #0, Truman immediately sets the tone for the series. This is not the gallivanting troublemaker who we saw meer months ago. This is a hardened man who’s grown mature from the countless battles and adventures of his past. I’m keen to see where things go from here – and for 99 cents, this issue’s hard to pass up.

I’m still not a fan of the Conan books not having traditional inkers. While Cary Nord was able to get away with a lot thanks to his brilliant colorist, Tomas Giorello’s work feels unfinished and messy at times. The coloring goes a long way in bringing the world to life, however. And in this dull, barren land, the stark color of the blood does a good job of highlighting the brutal violence being depicted.

Consider me on board, at least for the first few issues. (Grade: B)

– J. Montes

Conan #49 – Review

By Timothy Truman (writer), Tomas Guirello (art), Jose Villarrubia (color)

Argh! This issue ends so abruptly that it’s frustrating! I was somewhat disappointed with last issue’s story. Thankfully, Conan #49 gives us more progress. After defeating Conan and the princess’ entourage, the undead army mistakenly takes the queen’s servant, Iniri to the city-state of Yaralet. She is to be sacrificed to the dark god, Nergal – more specifically, Nergal’s Scion – a nasty creature that looks like something out of a Lovecraft novel.

This whole kidnapping and sacrificing thing has become a moral dilemma for the King, but he’s so heavily influenced that he goes on ahead with it anyway. Meanwhile, Conan recovers from his wounds and finds the princess near the water’s edge – thrown clear from the battle. Feeling somewhat in debt to the sacrifice of her servant, the princess is determined to save Iniri from Nergal’s scion and Conan, being the nice guy that he is, reluctantly decides to help.

I’m beginning to get into this story now, but like I said, it’s just over too quickly. Those who wait for the trades on this series will have a much better time with it than the monthly readers. Timothy Truman, like Kurt Busiek before him, is quite a wordsmith. His narration of the story is excellent. Tomas Giorello’s art is growing on me as well. Next month will conclude this story line and the series. We know Conan’s going to slay that monster, but how he does it should be the fun part. (Grade: C+)

– J. Montes

Conan #48 – Review

By Timothy Truman (writer), Tomas Giorello (art), JD Mettler (colors)

Conan #48 begins the “Darkness Rising” storyline. It follows a servant girl to the queen named, Iniri,who’s en route to the Capital under armed guard. But when they’re ambushed by horde of undead soldiers, it’s up to Conan to save the day. This is my first issue of Conan since Kurt Busiek’s run. The style and feel of the story almost seem out of place. Perhaps it’s because this story follows the girl more than Conan or perhaps it’s because Cary Nord is no longer around. Whatever it is, I didn’t get the charge I usually do from reading an issue of this series.

There’s a lot of violence in this book and it makes for a quick read – only the narration seems to slow things down. There’s also a subplot that’s briefly touched upon regarding an undead warrior who has Conan’s number. But his appearance doesn’t surprise or invoke any emotion at all. It’s all just a little subdued. There is, however, a ghastly creature (The Scion of Nergal), that’s pretty nightmarish. I’m interested to see how Conan eventually confronts it.

Despite the dark themes, the book is colored with a lot of bright colors and that’s kind of what threw me off. It’s just lacking in atmosphere right now. With two issues left, I’m hopeful that Tim Truman and company can turn things around. (Grade: C-)

– J.Montes