One of the best-selling comics writers of all time, Kurt Busiek, who revitalized the superhero world with Marvels and Astro City, turns his attention to one of the greatest heroes of all time. Teaming with Cary Nord, whose stunning art redefines sword and sorcery with every panel, Busiek presents ConanÂ’s story from day one, in the manner it was meant to be told. Drawing only on the original Robert E. Howard stories, the legend of Conan is brought to vivid life for the modern audience. Decades ahead of their time, HowardÂ’s stories can finally get the graphic treatment they deserve in this ongoing series.

In this first issue young Conan comes to the aid of an Aesir village under brutal attack from Vanirman warriors. His aid unwelcome at first, Conan quickly proves his worth and the Aesir people begin to welcome his presence. He agrees to continue to help the Aesir and seek out the Vanirman attackers with the condition he is guided to Hyperborea, a land he imagines to be a heaven on Earth. ConanÂ’s presence isnÂ’t quite welcomed by all the folks in the Aesir village however, and his journey may be fraught with peril from sources closer to him than he expects.

“With Conan we know we have a huge legacy to live up to, with the work of Roy Thomas, Barry Smith, and John Buscema, not to mention Howard and Frazetta,” commented Conan editor Scott Allie. “We’re gonna deliver something that lives up to it, takes it in a new direction that’s appropriate for the current readership. It’s sophisticated, intense, mature, and tough fantasy. Howard and Frazetta provide a perfect foundation that I think our boys are building on admirably.”

Fan-favorite painter Joseph Michael Linsner, famous for his fantasy epic Cry for Dawn, makes his Dark Horse debut covering our biggest launch of 2004.

Conan #1 arrives in stores February 4 with a retail price of $2.99.