Conan Volume 4: The Hall of the Dead HC

Rating All Ages Genre graphic novel Author Kurt Busiek, Mike Mignola, Tim Truman Publisher Dark Horse Comics

In this latest installment of Dark Horse's Conan comics, everyone's favorite Cimmerian is still in the City of Thieves, Zamora, and gaining quite a reputation as a master thief himself.  That is, until his most recent adventure gets him into a world of trouble with a jealous local thief, his latest love conquest, and a powerful magistrate who wants his head.  Ran out of town by a veritable army and cutting his way out through sheer brawn, cunning, and a little bit of luck, Conan finds himself in a ruined, forgotten city ruled by unspeakable creatures - and its former inhabitants.

I'd have to say that this is all together a pretty solid work.  The coloring affects created by Dave Stewart really seems to capture the feel of the moment, even though Cary Nord’s artwork itself can seem a bit sketchy at times, thus not conveying the action needed for such a comic. 

The character dialog and speech mannerisms really do their part in making the stories come to life while you are reading, doing credit to all three writers (Kurt Busiek, Mike Mignola, and Tim Truman).  Despite the fact that these three separate writers all worked on one project, these stories come together seamlessly to portray Conan as the life-loving scoundrel that he is.  I’d have to say this is a very good tribute to Robert E. Howard’s original novels and I would recommend it’s purchase to anyone looking for a good solid adventure title.