Step into the thrilling world of Conan the Barbarian, where sword-clashing battles and untamed lands await! Created by Robert E. Howard, this iconic sword and sorcery series follows Conan, a fierce Cimmerian warrior, as he carves his legend across the mythical Hyborian Age. With raw strength, cunning, and an unbreakable spirit, Conan’s adventures have enthralled readers for nearly a century.
From pulp magazines to novels, comics, and blockbuster films, Conan’s saga blends gritty action, mythical lore, and a larger-than-life hero. Whether you’re a fantasy fan or new to the genre, Conan the Barbarian offers a wild ride through a world of danger and destiny.
How Conan the Barbarian Began
In the early 1930s, Robert E. Howard, a Texan writer with a knack for vivid storytelling, introduced Conan in the pages of Weird Tales magazine. Inspired by historical cultures, mythology, and his own fascination with primal strength, Howard crafted the Hyborian Age—a prehistoric world blending Bronze Age aesthetics with fantastical elements. Conan debuted in the 1932 short story 'The Phoenix on the Sword,' launching a series that would define sword and sorcery.
Howard’s vision was groundbreaking, blending visceral action with a rugged, morally complex hero. Though he wrote only 21 Conan stories before his death in 1936, later authors like L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter expanded the series, cementing its place in fantasy literature.
The Heart of Conan the Barbarian
The Conan series spans short stories, novellas, and novels, with key works showcasing its thrilling scope. 'The Tower of the Elephant' (1933) sees a young Conan infiltrating a sorcerer’s lair, blending stealth and supernatural horror. 'Queen of the Black Coast' (1934) pairs Conan with the fierce pirate queen Bêlit, exploring love and loyalty amidst high-seas adventure. 'The Hour of the Dragon' (1935), Howard’s only Conan novel, follows Conan as a king defending his throne against dark forces. Later, 'Conan the Conqueror' (1950, edited by de Camp) reimagined this tale for a broader audience.
The series’ themes—freedom, survival, and the clash of civilization versus barbarism—resonate deeply. Conan, born in the harsh Cimmerian wilds, embodies primal instincts yet navigates complex societies with sharp wit. The Hyborian Age, with its crumbling kingdoms and dark sorcery, feels alive, grounded by Howard’s evocative prose. Unlike high fantasy’s epic quests, Conan’s tales are gritty, personal, and unapologetically raw, making them a cornerstone of the sword and sorcery genre.
Howard’s style is fast-paced and vivid, with battles that leap off the page and settings that blend historical grit with mythic grandeur. Fans love the series for its unfiltered energy and Conan’s indomitable will, which carries him from thief to mercenary to king.
Why Conan the Barbarian Resonates
Conan’s legacy stretches far beyond Howard’s original tales. The series birthed the sword and sorcery genre, influencing writers like Fritz Leiber and Michael Moorcock. Conan’s larger-than-life persona inspired Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic 1982 film role, comics by Marvel and Dark Horse, and video games. Fans cherish the series for its blend of visceral action and philosophical undertones, exploring what it means to live free in a chaotic world.
Today, Conan remains a cultural touchstone, appealing to readers who crave adventure and authenticity. Its timeless themes and relentless hero ensure it endures, even as fantasy evolves.
- First Published: 1932 in Weird Tales
- Original Stories by Howard: 21
- Key Authors: Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter
- Setting: Hyborian Age, a mythical prehistoric era
Ready for an epic adventure? Grab 'The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian' and dive into the wild, untamed world of Conan the Barbarian!