Hither Came Conan

Revisit the epic beginnings of the Marvel Comics Conan the Barbarian saga in this special episode of Hither Came Conan! Steeven dives into Conan the Barbarian #22, a reprint of the legendary first issue, and explores why this story remains a cornerstone of Conan lore.

Set amidst the icy clashes between the Vanir and the Aesir, a young Conan proves his mettle as a mercenary warrior with unmatched strength and cunning. But the battlefield is just the beginning. Lured into the mystical cave of Sharkosh the Shaman, Conan finds himself at the mercy of the Star Stone—a relic of untold power capable of summoning winged demons and revealing visions of humanity's distant past and uncertain future.

Will Conan survive betrayal, ancient magic, and the schemes of gods and mortals alike? Or will the Star Stone’s dark prophecy seal his fate? Packed with larger-than-life battles, awe-inspiring art by Barry Windsor-Smith, and the first glimpse of Conan’s rise to kinghood, this episode celebrates the enduring power of sword-and-sorcery storytelling.

Tune in for a journey back to where it all began—complete with fiery commentary, fascinating behind-the-scenes lore, and Steeven’s unfiltered take on this foundational comic. By Crom, this is one you don’t want to miss!

Conan the Barbarian #22, a reprint of Conan the Barbarian #1: The Coming of Conan by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor Smith, Dan Adkins, and Sam Rosen was published by Marvel Comics in October, 1972.

Enjoy!

Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

Dark gods and deadly schemes abound in this week’s Hither Came Conan! Steeven dives sword-first into Conan the Barbarian #21, The Monster of the Monoliths, a tale of treachery, sacrifice, and cosmic horrors straight from the Hyborian Age.

Fleeing the wrath of Turanian forces, Conan finds himself battered, bloodied, and imprisoned in Makkalet. But his troubles only deepen when he’s sent on a mission that takes him to the eerie Blackstone monoliths—towers steeped in Lovecraftian dread. Betrayed by his allies, Conan must fight for survival against a monstrous toad-like creature summoned from the abyss. Bound by ancient runes and with no time for drawn-out battles, the Cimmerian uses his wits, his sword, and the mysterious armlet given to him by the queen to turn the tide in a climactic showdown of muscle versus monstrosity.

Steeven explores the issue’s chaotic production, its eerie ties to Robert E. Howard’s The Black Stone, and how Barry Windsor-Smith’s art struggles to balance beauty and rush job deadlines. From bloody sacrifices to cosmic terror, this episode delves deep into the horror-tinged corners of Conan’s world, blending critique, lore, and humor.

Tune in for action, intrigue, and a tale that will leave you wary of ominous monoliths!

Conan the Barbarian #21: The Monster of the Monoliths by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor Smith, Dan Adkins, Craig Russel, Val Mayerik, Sal Buscema, and Artie Simek was published by Marvel Comics in September of 1972.

Enjoy!

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Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

Vengeance runs wild in this action-packed episode of Hither Came Conan! Steeven takes you deep into Conan the Barbarian #20, The Black Hound of Vengeance, where blood flows, tempers flare, and the mighty Cimmerian faces one of his most vicious challenges yet.

Following the siege of Makkalet, Conan grapples with the loss of his comrade Fafnir, the treachery of his allies, and a labyrinth of dark sorcery within the enemy's temple. When a trap springs beneath his feet, Conan must contend with the titular Black Hound of Vengeance—a monstrous beast as relentless as the barbarian himself. Fangs clash with steel in a brutal, blood-soaked battle that will leave Conan battered, bruised, and seeking justice.

Steeven breaks down this high-stakes issue, from the heart-wrenching reveal of Fafnir’s fate to Barry Windsor-Smith’s masterful art that brings every brutal moment to life. Along the way, learn the fascinating origins of the Hound and the lore behind the enchanted mirrors that haunt Conan’s path. And don’t miss the explosive finale, as Conan’s fury ignites in a storm of betrayal and blades aboard the Turanian ship!

This is Conan at his most feral, and Hither Came Conan at its most thrilling. Tune in—or face the bite of the Black Hound yourself!

Conan the Barbarian #20: The Black Hound of Vengeance by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor Smith, Dan Adkins, and John Costanza was published by Marvel Comics in August of 1972.

Enjoy!

Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

Prepare for war on the high seas as Steeven dives into Conan the Barbarian #19, the thrilling 1972 classic, Hawks from the Sea!

This issue sees Conan caught in the middle of a holy war, sailing with Turanian forces under the shadow of the mysterious Living Tarim. When the barbarian’s temper ignites on deck, chaos erupts, setting the stage for a brutal siege on the city of Makkalet. As the battle rages, nine identical undead giants emerge, turning the tide of the fight with sorcery and steel. Can Conan’s wits and raw power uncover the secret to their destruction and save the day—or will his blood spill on foreign soil?

Steeven breaks down the explosive action, Barry Windsor-Smith’s stunning return to the series, and the industry-defying “daring experiment” of publishing uninked pages. He also shares behind-the-scenes insights, including how the Comics Code Authority’s loosening grip allowed for new levels of grit and gore in Conan’s adventures.

Join us for an episode packed with epic battles, historical tidbits, and Steeven’s favorite moments, as we unravel one of Conan’s most dynamic tales! Tune in—before the undead giants come knocking on your door!

Conan the Barbarian #19: Hawks from the Sea by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor Smith, Dan Adkins, and John Costanza was published by Marvel Comics in July of 1972.

Enjoy!

Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

Strap on your swords and ready your wits—Conan the Barbarian returns in a heist of epic proportions! In this episode, Steeven takes us into Conan the Barbarian #5, the explosive first chapter of the new Titan Comics arc, Thrice Marked for Death.

Still haunted by the tragic death of Bêlit, the Queen of the Black Coast, Conan drowns his sorrows in Shadizar’s shadowy taverns. But when the Glory Hounds, a band of misfit thieves, offer him a lucrative job, the Cimmerian sets aside his grief to join the most daring heist in Hyborian history. Their target? The heavily guarded Temple of Bel and a mysterious artifact tied to ancient powers—the dark stone called Tarim’s Touch.

Steeven breaks down the art, the intrigue, and the razor-sharp storytelling of Jim Zub and Doug Braithwaite, while exploring Conan’s inner turmoil and his role as a reluctant thief with a talent for chaos. Will the Glory Hounds succeed, or will this heist unravel into bloodshed and betrayal? And just what secrets does the stone hold?

Join us as we uncover the shadows of Conan’s past and the dangers of his present in a tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat!

Conan the Barbarian #5: Thrice Marked for Death Part One: The Heist by Jim Zub, Doug Braithwaite, Diego Rodrigues, and Richard Starkings was published by Titan Comics on November 22, 2023.

Enjoy!

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Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

The conclusion to the epic Gods of Bal-Sagoth saga brings us betrayal, sorcery, and monsters in Marvel’s Conan the Barbarian #18! Conan and Fafnir, our Barbarian Bros, return to defend Aala, the self-proclaimed sea goddess, only to be thrust into a whirlwind of chaos, deception, and fiery destruction.

Steeven takes you through every thrilling moment: Conan battling a sneaky, sleep-spell monster, Fafnir squaring off against a lavender-trunked man-bat, and the two cutting a bloody swath through collapsing temples and a city descending into madness. Aala’s thirst for power leads to her downfall, but not before she orders Conan and Fafnir executed. With Gothan dead, the volcano erupting, and the island sinking into ruin, our barbarian duo barely escape to a new adventure aboard a Turanian warship.

Steeven dissects Gil Kane’s dynamic art, Roy Thomas’ adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s original story, and the narrative’s complex mix of loyalty, vengeance, and survival. Whether you’re here for the monster battles, Conan’s unyielding bromance, or the sheer joy of seeing a man-bat in tiny purple shorts, this episode delivers all the sword-and-sorcery mayhem you could ask for.

Don’t miss this explosive finale!

Crom demands your ears—or face the Thing in the Temple yourself!

Conan the Barbarian #18: The Thing in the Temple by Roy Thomas, Gil Kane, Dan Adkins, and Artie Simek was published by Marvel Comics in June of 1972.

Enjoy!

The Gods of Bal-Sagoth

Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

Set sail for adventure in Conan the Barbarian #17, where the titular Cimmerian finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes saga of pirates, prophecy, and peril!

Steeven takes you deep into the heart of Robert E. Howard’s epic adaptation as Conan survives a pirate ambush, battles a shark (yes, a shark!), and washes ashore on a mysterious island cloaked in danger and intrigue.

Joined by the fiery Fafnir, a fan-favorite Vanirman revived from earlier issues, Conan encounters ancient gods, treacherous priests, and a half-naked warrior queen fighting to reclaim her throne. From slashing through dinosaur-like lizards to dismantling an enchanted suit of armor controlled by the sinister Gothan, this issue delivers everything you crave in a Conan tale—monsters, dark sorcery, and blood-soaked battles galore.

Listen as Steeven unravels the twists of this swashbuckling adventure, marvels at Gil Kane’s dynamic art (action figures or armor—why not both?), and digs into the Hyborian Age geography rabbit hole to ask the eternal question: why does Conan keep heading east? With a heaping dose of humor and insight, this episode is a treasure trove for sword-and-sorcery fans.

Crom demands you tune in—or risk the wrath of the Gods of Bal-Sagoth!

Conan the Barbarian #17: The Gods of Bal-Sagoth by Roy Thomas, Gil Kane, Ralph Reese, and John Costanza was published by Marvel Comics in May of 1972.

Enjoy!

The Gods of Bal-Sagoth

Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

The epic conclusion is here! In this pulse-pounding episode, Steeven dives into Conan the Barbarian #4, the thrilling finale of Bound in Black Stone, the first arc from Titan Comics’ new Conan series.

Conan, battered but unyielding, faces eldritch horrors beneath the cursed Blackstone Tower. As inky black tentacles claw at him from an abyss of evil, the Cimmerian must wield an ancient blade and channel the spirit of Brule the Spear-Slayer to destroy a power older than time itself. But even as the tower crumbles and Conan fights his way through reptilian cultists, the malevolent force of the Black Stone refuses to die quietly.

Steeven takes you on a visceral journey through this instant classic, breaking down stunning art, masterful storytelling, and the bone-rattling action that solidifies this tale alongside legends like The Tower of the Elephant and Red Nails. Along the way, he shares insights into the Marvel Method behind this arc, its ties to Conan’s Pictish past, and the ominous cliffhanger that will haunt your dreams.

Will Conan’s victory endure, or has a darker force been unleashed? Tune in to find out, and prepare yourself for a tale so gripping, it will echo through the Hyborian Age!

Conan the Barbarian #4: Bound in Black Stone Part IV - Vengeance of the Lost by Jim Zub, Rob De La Torre, Dean White, Richard Starkings, and Matt. Murray was published by Titan Comics on October 25, 2023.

Enjoy!

Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

Hold tight to your cloaks, adventurers—this week on Hither Came Conan, we dive into Conan the Barbarian #16, featuring Roy Thomas’s adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s icy classic, The Frost Giant’s Daughter! This chilling tale, first seen in Savage Tales #1, has been reimagined, colorized, and made just family-friendly enough to get past the Comics Code Authority—barely.

Conan, fresh from a bloody battle in the snowy wastes of Nordheim, encounters Atali, the ethereal and temptress daughter of Ymir. What follows is a harrowing chase across the tundra as Conan battles not only his own desires but also Atali’s massive, murderous Frost Giant brothers. Will Conan’s steely thews be enough to overcome the ambush, claim his prize, and survive this glacial gauntlet?

Steeven brings his trademark humor, deep dives, and unfiltered opinions to this polarizing story, including the controversy surrounding Conan’s moral compass and the Comics Code’s meticulous censorship notes (yes, the word “boobies” makes an appearance). Plus, a glimpse at Barry Windsor-Smith’s stunning art and why this tale has divided fans for decades.

Prepare for an avalanche of laughs, deep insights, and biting critique as we dissect Conan’s most infamous snow day. Tune in—before the Frost Giants come for you!

Oh, before I get a bunch of emails, I know that it's called The Twilight Zone. I'm not sure why I called it Twilight Show in the episode.

Enjoy!

See some of the changes made to Conan the Barbarian #16 compared to what was published in Savage Tales #1 HERE

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Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press

Prepare to be swept into a swirling maelstrom of sorcery, swordplay, and staggering stakes as Hither Came Conan plunges headlong into Conan the Barbarian #15: The Green Empress of Melniboné (1970), where Conan meets none other than Elric of Melniboné! This crossover of epic proportions, crafted by Michael Moorcock, James Cawthorn, and Roy Thomas, with mesmerizing art by Barry Windsor-Smith, transports listeners to a perilous realm teeming with ancient magic, malevolent wizards, and titanic battles.

Conan and Elric join forces against the ruthless wizard Kulan-Gath as he attempts to summon the deadly Green Empress of Melniboné, Terhali, to seize ultimate power. As demons pour from the Sighing Lake and monsters crawl from the shadows, Conan’s broadsword and Elric’s soul-stealing blade, Stormbringer, clash with chaotic forces. But when Terhali rises from the dead, her unearthly power threatens to obliterate them all. The fate of the realms may rest on the shoulders of Zephra, who must make the ultimate sacrifice to halt Terhali's reign of terror.

Steeven brings his trademark humor and razor-sharp insights to this densely packed, gloriously chaotic issue. Does Conan stand tall, or is the barbarian little more than a pawn in this fantastical chess game? What dark truths lie at the heart of Elric’s sorcery? And most importantly, how does Kulan-Gath meet his appropriately gruesome demise?

With biting commentary, laugh-out-loud anecdotes, and a celebration of Windsor-Smith’s breathtaking art, this is an episode no fan of Hyborian or Melnibonéan lore should miss. Tune in for Conan, stay for the chaos, and journey home in style on a mammoth ribcage boat!

Enjoy!

Hither Came Conan is a production of Steeven Orr Else Media. For more nerdy goodness from me, visit somanypodcasts.com.

Got questions or comments? Drop us a line at [email protected].

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps us reach more fans! And don’t forget: if you’d like early, ad‑free access to all our podcasts, join our exclusive subscription program, Steeven Orr Else Beyond. Start your free trial today at beyond.steevenorrelse.com.

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Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Cimmerian Press