My Rating
“Dwellers Of The Oasis”
Conan, Hetman of the Zuagir Tribe, had tracked the merchant caravan through the scorching desert only to find a host of unattended pack animals. Then the sands gave way under his men’s feet. Something underneath triggered the sinking. Conan and the others drew one last breath as the dunes swallowed them whole. Then blackness.
After what seemed ages, dim light exploded all around the Zingarians. The Cimmerian was next to feel the sensation of free-falling. All who survived the suffocating trap now plummeted down towards an underground river. In mere seconds, the men plunged into the cold waters.
It would take some willpower to reach the surface as the current pulled them towards a vast series of structures. A palace like none Conan had ever witnessed. But how? And who did it belong to?
“Faces Of Doom”
Two thieves spent the day traversing the Zamorian sewer system. It once served as a pathway for fresh water. Now, after a century of decay, the tunnels flow with the city’s waste. The smell was wretched, the sight was even worse. None of this mattered as Nestor and his partner, Conan, searched for an entrance to unguarded treasures.
Near the center of the maze, a ladder leading upward into the temple of the Spider-God was found. Nestor had assured Conan the room above contained no significant watch. That was confirmed by his inside source. Conan fought not to laugh outwardly. No informant in his experience had his full confidence. The two thieves agreed to roll a single dice and let fate decide who climbs the ladder first.
“Becoming A Goddess”
N’Yaga had warned Bêlit not to venture onto the island. It was cursed; there was no doubt. Her crew grieved and groaned around her like old women at a funeral. Even N’Gora, the bravest Kushite to sail with the Pirate Queen, seemed perturbed. A superstitious lot, all of them. No amount of ghost stories would change their captain’s mind. Treasure may await them on that uncharted island.
It would be hours later, when the remnants of a scouting party returned with tales of a black temple, and a jewel of unimaginable size, that Bêlit would finally listen to reason. Her reason, not the crew’s. The Queen of the Black Coast shall procure that artifact! No matter how many of the men die recovering it.
Review
There are a few lessons to be learned inside this issue of Savage Sword of Conan. When Conan tells you to run, for the love of Crom, just RUN! The overall theme across all three stories seems to be greed.
A famous corporate raider once said, “Greed is good.”
Does that philosophy work in the Hyborian Age? Nope! Sometimes, greed can be your downfall. Just ask Nestor and Bêlit’s Crew.
In any case, Issue 14 is an entertaining read with well-defined artwork. I give this comic four out of five stars. Until next time.
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