Steel clashes, muscles ripple, and shadows fall across the pages of a colossal relic. Adventurer, this week we crack open Conan the Barbarian: Colossal Edition - an oversized 12 x 17 hardcover brimming with 190+ pages of raw, unfiltered comic art.
From John Buscema’s thunderous muscles to Barry Windsor-Smith’s elegant detail and Gil Kane’s dynamic action, this book delivers Conan in his most primal, most glorious form. No glossy reprints here - these are full-size scans of original pages, pencils, pens & pastes, giving us a chance to witness every bead of sweat, every glint of steel, every strike of the artist’s hand. Come take a closer look at this towering tribute to our favorite Cimmerian!
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This Week’s Rediscovered Realms Theme Song:
Throne of the Axe hammers forward with savage energy — a colossal blend of heavy metal and epic orchestration. A song of power, conquest, and the eternal law of steel.
Since these are original scans, for many pages there are creator notes & edits which is pretty cool!
Whether you first met Conan on the spinner rack, through well-worn Savage Sword magazines, in dog-eared paperbacks, or in book or movie form, this Colossal Edition reignites the barbarian’s legend in breathtaking scale. May its pages remind you of the untamed strength of fantasy art . . . and inspire you to keep seeking out the treasures of unbridled imagination. Until next time, Bold Adventurer, keep your sword sharp and your adventures COLOSSAL!
Which Conan artist: Buscema, Windsor-Smith, Kane, Conrad, Alcala, or another, left the deepest mark on your imagination? (I have to say that I am really drawn to Alcala’s style!)
Do you prefer Conan’s adventures told in words (Howard’s pulps), pictures (comics), or on screen (Schwarzenegger, Momoa, or otherwise)?
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Throne of the Axe Verse 1 Born of battle, forged in flame, No gilded crown, no noble name. The world was carved with blood and steel, By the savage hand, by the iron will. Pre-Chorus Hear the warhorn, hear it call, The axe decides the fate of all! Chorus Throne of the Axe — let the strong ascend, Rivers of blood to the bitter end. Throne of the Axe — where the bold command, Rule of the steel, by the warrior's hand. Verse 2 Kings may falter, walls may fall, But strength alone will conquer all. The law of fire, the law of might, Barbarian dawn, enemy flight. Bridge (slow, ominous) Stone will crumble, gods will weep, The axe alone its vigil keeps. Chorus (bigger, layered vocals) Throne of the Axe — let the strong ascend, Rivers of blood to the bitter end. Throne of the Axe — where the bold command, Rule of the steel, by the warrior's hand.
Thanks for all the great pics... that book is now on my short list. How cool to have all that art and story in one place. ⚔️💀
One of my favorite Conan artists is Joe Jusko. There is a cool art book of his coming out on Kickstarter right now.