Conan and the Songs of the Dead 3

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Conan and the Songs of the Dead 3
By Geoff Hoppe
October 3, 2006 - 22:33

Dark Horse Comics
Writer(s): Joe R. Lansdale
Penciller(s): Timothy Truman
Cover Artist(s): Dave Stewart

Conan's hot double date

Who wouldn’t buy a comic book with a muscular barbarian and a frightening Anubis-man on the cover?

Conan and the Songs of the Dead is a spin-off from the successful Dark Horse series Conan. This storyline traces the Cimmerian’s travels and plunder through that vast repository of Hyborian evil: Stygia. With all the references to the dark enchantments that characterize this Egypt-like kingdom, one wishes Robert E. Howard had set more stories there. Joe Lansdale and Timothy Truman satisfy that fanboy desire.

This issue has something unusual in a Conan tale: a sense of humor. Lansdale and Truman have a fine (albeit dark) sense of comic timing that lightens the mood. Does it help the story? Surprisingly, yes. Conan’s sidekick is drunk when the story begins, and the evil sorcerer Husbas’ comic relief is provided by his cowardly apprentice. While adding humor to Conan’s universe is an intriguing experiment, it does alter the fundamental character of the story. Most Conan stories have nothing humorous about them: the bad guys are straight up monsters who meet their fates in fitting and poetically just fashions. Here, the lead villain gets a few decent one liners. Strange? Sure. But somehow, I don’t mind it, and Joe Lansdale should be commended for taking this unique direction.

When I read a Conan story, I want flash. I want hordes of undead beasties, rogue women warriors, and sorcerers who look like Goths Gone Wild (volume 2). The Hyborian age is a joy to immerse oneself in because it’s filled with awe-inspiring creatures like Yog-Kosha in “The Tower of the Elephant” or the sorcerers in “The People of the Black Circle.” Lansdale understands the Conan story’s need for the truly fantastic, and plays this tune to the key of monstrous transformations, warrior cults, genies and sand monsters.

I wouldn’t have said this when I saw it on the rack, but I’d recommend CSD 3, especially if you’re a sword-and-sorcery fan.