This October marks the twelfth month of Dark HorseÂ’s remarkably successful Conan program. Dark Horse is pulling out all the stops to mark the first year of ConanÂ’s triumphant return to comics, with both a special issue, Conan and the Daughters of Midora, and the launch of the second arc of the continuing series. Jimmy Palmiotti and Mark Texiera are teaming up for Conan and the Daughters of Midora a special 48-page Conan one-shot, the first spin-off issue to complement the wildly popular monthly series. Texeira delivers stunning art in this high-adventure issue, which is written and inked by Jimmy Palmiotti, one of the creative forces behind the original Marvel Knights, and co-creator of Beautiful Killer and The Pro. This is the hard-drinking, bare-knuckled, older Conan in a story set years later than the events in the current ongoing series.
Palmiotti was “insanely happy” when offered the chance to write a Conan one-shot. “Conan and I got history,” Palmiotti said. “I grew up with this guy. I understand his motivations and his need to fight for what he wants.” When Mark Texeira agreed to draw the project, Palmiotti explains, “I made some notes as to what Mark’s particular storytelling strengths were and outlined what I thought was a fun and very traditional tale.
“What I wanted to achieve with this tale was something that a die-hard Conan fan could sink their teeth into and at the same time a new reader could appreciate in just the same way. I wanted to work on a classic tale of kings, beautiful women, wizards and monsters, and at the same time bring some out-of-control barbarian action and adventure to the story. I figured this was my one shot at taking on a character so dear to me and I wanted to include every element that appealed to me and try to create a classic.”
Meanwhile, in the continuing series, the second story arc begins in October, with new cover artist Leinil Francis Yu. Conan #9 features the return of the original creative line-up, Kurt Busiek, Cary Nord, Tom Yeates, and Dave Stewart, that brought readers the Eisner Award-winning Zero Issue and the first seven issues of the spectacularly received Conan revamp. In the first arc, Conan discovered the horrible secrets of Hyperborea, a land he imagined to be wondrous and beautiful. Now the same creative team that brought you those adventures follows Conan as he ventures into an even more treacherous setting — civilization.
Conan #9 is available October 20 for a retail price of $2.99.
Conan and the Daughters of Midora is available October 6 for a retail price of $4.99.