Posted by sheridan on 6/1/2006, 6:07 pm First the summary, then the review. SUMMARY The story opens w/ the tale of a young man named Rovann who tells tales at the local tavern after a hard day's work. He dreams of a life beyond his daily toil, but family duties require him to work at home. The patrons suffer the lad his stories, and even pay the lad in ale from time to time. Rovann, however, pays travelers for their knowledge, so he can tell more fantastic tales from time to time. Conan and crew find themselves on the run from demon bat like creatures, and the ride inside the town walls where the priest casts a spell to keep the demons out. Of course, the demons find cracks in the spell, and begin to pour in. Conan has convinced the towspeople to follow him, and a battle ensues. Only Rovann knows that the demons can come through the mine, and tries to warn the people. None listen to him, and he goes to the mine to face the demons alone. There he battles, and there he dies. Sometime later, two lovers go to the cave and find his body. The townspeople assumed he committed suicide rather than fight. Review 1. writing. this issue has some of the best writing to date. the story is told from a narrator's point of view, which is slightly more personalized than the typcial caption writing in most comics. this is set up from the open page, where the narrator invites you to relax, and hear the tale. 2. art. the inking really ties the art together. the pencils look "shrek like," but it suit the characters well. i would prefer a less angular looking conan face, and more drawings with his eyes visible. most of his portrayals have him with a dark visage that obscures the eyes. 3. overall drama. this is a great story. it's the "nobody knows but us" heroic tragedy. i wonder if this story was influenced by some of the lines in "age of conan" books, where statements like: "only conan survives his tales" are found. 4 Rating. i give it a 4 out of 5. the issue is more compelling than your standard one shot conan book, perhaps b/c it focuses on an unheralded hero. it also gives us another shot to see janessa, one of my favorite conan characters (recent or otherwise). YOUR THOUGHTS....... sheridan
12.1.52.82
STORYTELLER
This is a story which, to the best of my understanding, pulls is back a few issues to the adventures of Conan, Kalanthes (priest of Ibis), and Janessa.
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