Review - King Conan: Hour of the Dragon #1.Review by Paul Fiander
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Writer; Timothy Truman
Penciller; Tomas Giorello Colours by; Jose Villarrubia Cover by; Sanjulian Published by; Dark Horse Comics Inc |
King Conan: Hour of the Dragon is part one of a two part adaptation of Robert E. Howard's Hour of the Dragon Novel. It will be appear in six parts. With a second series to be released at a later date. This episode was released on the 29th of May 2013
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Conan has been with us in one form or another for around three quarters of a century, in books, movies and graphic novels. Now two of these mediums have come together to create this new 6 part series. The Hour of the Dragon novel by Robert E. Howard has been recreated by the creative team (see the top right panel for more info) with their own mark stamped all over it.
The plot of the first issue is in keeping with the source material. We start out by finding ourselves in the presence of an older king as he his exploring a crypt. The crypt belongs to one of his former wives Zenobia, and she is the main plot device for the series to come. The story has Conan telling us how Zenobia became his queen and is told from the old king's point of view as he recounts events of the past to a chronicler. This initial part shows the kings enemies using a wizard to resurrect an ancient Sorcerer named Xaltotun who they charge to destroy the King and his allies, and their initial forays into conflict. The narrative is quite strict to the novel and so it is mostly concerned with exposition into the wider world of the story. This does make this episode feel rather slow. I do think it is needed to allow entry into the series, but I hope it does not put people off. There are some moments of action interspersed into the pages and these are quick and brutal, making the early slow pace well worth moving through. |
The Font Cover of the Comic
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The artwork by Giorello and colouring by Villarubia are based in realism. You can see every muscle on the Kings body but its the facial expressions where the art team have really outdone themselves. The close up panels of the Sorcerer and the King show detailed emotions giving you an insight into their characters. This kind of attention to detail allows the writers to leave some things unsaid and that is one of the beauties of the Graphic novel medium.
Although the plot is rather pedestrian to begin with (its probably needed to allow new readers in and for later plot devices), the creative team have nonetheless created a very strong first issue to the series. Its easily accessible to readers old and new and I will be continuing through the series in the hope this episode is the launch pad to greater things.
Although the plot is rather pedestrian to begin with (its probably needed to allow new readers in and for later plot devices), the creative team have nonetheless created a very strong first issue to the series. Its easily accessible to readers old and new and I will be continuing through the series in the hope this episode is the launch pad to greater things.
The Comic is available in both print and digital from Dark Horse comics. Follow this link for more details.
Wrap Up
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The Good - Emotive visuals
The Bad - Slightly pedestrian plot and early pacing. |
Score - 4/5 |
Images courtesy of Dark Horse Comics and SCEE
Comic - Reviewers own copy
Comic - Reviewers own copy
