Conan the Phenomenon TPPublisher: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: November 2013
Price: $19.99
Creators: Paul M. Sammon; foreword by Michael Moorcock
Format: 176 pgs., 12" x 9.5", Trade paperback,
ISBN: 978-1-6165-5188-9
Age Rating: N/A
ICv2 Rating: 4 Stars out of 5
This is the first paperback edition of a hardcover which came out in 2007, so the reader should be aware that a few small mentions are dated. Otherwise, this is an insightful [if sometimes opinionated] view of the impact of Robert E. Howard and his Conan stories on fantasy literature and modern culture, ranging from films to comics.
Any Conan fan will enjoy the illustrations, which include the covers of some of the most rare Howard books, as well as stills from the films, excerpts from the various versions of the comics, and personal photos from Howard's life.
Its strength is the broad overview of Howard and Conan. Its weakness is that this leaves many of the subject areas limited in depth. Each chapter could almost be fleshed out into a separate book. Sammon seems to take sides on two controversial issues: the reasons for Howard's suicide, and whether de Camp and others should have written and published material based on Howard's work. His reasoning is good and quite interesting, especially over the issue of the suicide.
Much less than half of the book is text, another reason for the lack of depth, but there are listings that will guide the reader to other material about Howard, and to other scholars on the subjects covered.
The book is written for adults, and belongs in any library or home where Conan finds a home.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.
