This is a great-value-for-the-money collection, 544 pages of swords and sorcery in black and white. The stories are not told in a linear fashion. One second Conan is King, the next he is on of his first adventures, and then we're somewhere in-between. Rather than be off-putting, this is nice, kind of like watching Lost. It allows for all types of stories in one volume, rather than have it be 500 pages of Conan Year One.

This is classic barbarian fare here, so don't expect too much enlightenment regarding the role of women or minorities. Conan hacks, slashes, and claws his way through the world, stopping only on occasion to spend the night in the bed of the whores and princesses who throw themselves at him.

The art is mostly good, and the writing ranges from acceptable to good. By Crom, pick up a copy and see for yourself! ( )