CONAN the BARBARIAN #4 (April1971) 8.0 VF • 'Tower of the Elephant' Classic!

Item Specifics

Series Name

CONAN THE BARBARIAN

Issue Number

#4

Publisher

Marvel

Main Character

Conan

Genre

Fantasy

Grade

8.0 VF

Certification

Uncertified

Signed

No

Item Description

50 years ago this Spring, Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith crafted a comic that is still discussed and praised by CONAN fans everywhere -- 'THE TOWER OF THE ELEPHANT' in CONAN THE BARBARIAN #4. Acclaim and enthusiasm for this title had already been building over the first three issues, but when #4 hit the newsstands, the dam of fervor broke and CONAN became the hottest comic of its day!

"THE TOWER OF THE ELEPHANT" is among the earliest of pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard's sword-and-sorcery tales of the wandering Cimmerian, CONAN. It is set in the pseudo-historical Hyborian Age and concerns Conan infiltrating a perilous tower in order to steal a fabled gem. Due to its unique insights into the Hyborian world and atypical science fiction elements, the story is considered a classic of CONAN lore and is often cited by Howard scholars as one of his best tales.

Marvel's Roy Thomas and British illustrator Barry Windsor-Smith adapted Howard's story into a tour-de-force of otherworldly eeriness that hit an early highpoint in Windsor-Smith's lush artistry. It starts when a slaver, boasting of his recent acquisition, catches the attention of Conan when he mentions a jewel secreted in the Tower of the Elephant. Conan kills the slaver for mocking him and approaches the gated tower and scales the wall. Conan warily enters a darkened room after dispensing another thief in the tower, and comes face-to-face with a giant poisonous spider.

Conan defeats the monster and descends into a lower chamber, where he encounters a green humanoid creature with an elephantine head. The lonely, blind creature introduces itself as YAG-KOSHA nd explains to a terrified CONAN his alien nature and his current imprisonment. The fabled gem, the 'Heart of the Elephant', is what keeps YAG-KOSHA a prisoner on Earth and his captor extremely powerful. He begs Conan to kill him, which Conan does. With its occupant's death, the Tower of the Elephant begins to crumble, and Conan flees just in time to see it collapse into a pile of shards.

Creepy, but wonderful!

This 50 year-old copy of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #4 is in exceptionally nice condition - no stress lines, bent corners or toning - the cover still has its gloss and the pages are near-white with bright colors. Overstreet values an 8.0 VF copy at $50 -- however, we think you'll enjoy saving a bit of coin and we're parting with it for just $38, coupled with our customary L•O•W shipping! •• And any additional purchases are added to your order FREE of shipping costs!

A true CONAN classic, still admired and esteemed!

Seller Information

Seller

bennettoons (899)

Registered Since

05/07/2005

Feedback

99.6%

Store

Benny's Comics Corner

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

United States

Shipping Instructions

We can only ship to US addresses . . but our shipping and handling costs are low, LOW, L•O•W!!

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

We will happily send you a refund if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase -- just let us know the reason why, send it back to us in the same condition it was sold, and we'll refund your purchase price.

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