Reviews
Conan, Vol. 1: The Frost Giant's Daughter and Other Stories by Tom Yeates, Cary Nord, Kurt Busiek
lanzajr26's review against another edition
4.0
As loathe as I am to admit it, this is the first Conan book/comic I've ever read. I'm very glad I took the chance and have been introduced to our Cimmerian through the more than able hands of Busiek and Nord. Both story and art are enthralling and rich, they meld with each other perfectly. I've read many other books from Busiek and I enjoyed this more than any of his other works from recent memory. I'm ready make my way through the rest of this series and then backtrack to where it all started with the original Howard novels. This first trade is highly recommended!
krystofsubr's review against another edition
4.0
This is exactly how I imagined a Conan Comic and it's great. Cary Nord's art goes from mediocre to kinda bad but I got used to it and it fit the story. Also it gets better and better as you progress through the book. The first three issues are good. The 4-6 issues are great and the last one is phenomenal. I will definitely read more Conan.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty well done as befits the author of [b:Astro City, Vol. 1: Life in the Big City|72111|Astro City, Vol. 1 Life in the Big City|Kurt Busiek|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1468008741s/72111.jpg|97133]. But in the end it was still Conan, with the limitations expected from the subject matter. Mayhem and magic and then the girl dies. And the friends. And Conan wanders on. But never boring.
paul_arzooman's review against another edition
5.0
Finally getting around to reading the Dark Horse Comics version of Conan and have to say that it is a spectacular take on the character. No complaints.
rhganci's review against another edition
5.0
Busiek is true-to-form with this visual and linear adaptation of Conan's adventures in Asgard and Hyperborea here, and all the visceral energy that infuses Howard's writing carries through into this comic version of THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER. That tale is nestled in between six other chapters of Conan's adventures, told sequentially into a comic-friendly story arc, but all the tenets and linchpins are here. Highly recommended for anyone looking to get into Conan stories, and even more so who are already familiar with Howard's work. A superb collection.
carroq's review against another edition
5.0
I was a little surprised to see Conan rubbing shoulders with characters out of Norse mythology. It works really well though. This collection has some nice stories and the art is fantastic.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
4.0
This definitely catches the spirit of Robert E. Howard. If you are expecting the Conan of the films, this is not it (although it is said the films do catch a bit of the ambiance, but I digress). The compilation is divided in short chapters, which make it very easy to read, and the art just works well to bring Conan's world to life. The main story is Conan's search for the land of Hyperborea, which his grandfather told him about, describing it as a paradise on Earth. Of course, as often happens, when you get there, paradise is not quite what it seems. Overall, a pretty good fantasy story. I am glad Dark Horse is bringing these new compilations of their updated Conan series. Busiek is adapting and expanding on Howard's work, and it works well. I will definitely be looking for other volumes.
aloyokon's review against another edition
5.0
As a fan of Tolkienisque high fantasy, I never fully understood the appeal of a half naked barbarian rummaging about the earth. After reading this comic, I can only say this: I understand now, and I think Conan ROCKS!
thetarantulalounge's review
4.0
I didn't grow up a fan of fantasy, but I was vaguely aware of Conan the Barbarian. That's because I grew up in Austin, where we have Conan's Pizza. This very Austiny pizza place, which started in the '70s, features a lot of Frank Frazetta-style Conan the Barbarian art in its decor. (Also Tomb Raider art, but that's best saved for another post.) So, I growing up I was aware of the loin-clothed beefy man battling bad guys and holding onto ladies, if I was not exactly a fan.
Conan's creator, Robert E. Howard, lived and wrote out of Cross Plains in West Texas. This little town (which I used to live by for five years) is famous for nothing but an oil boom and Conan. While initially Conan was "pulp", he's come to be seen as a much more important and interesting literary figure worthy of study. When I found out that Kurt Busiek, the comic writer who wrote two of my all-time favorite comics. If Busiek had a Conan run, I figured I should check out the character and the comics. I'm glad I did.
The Frost Giant's Daughter includes material based directly off of Howard's stories and also tells (I believe) new stories set in Conan's early years. Concan is interesting enough, but it's the world-building that I appreciated the most in this book. The fantasy world is lived in and ancient, due to both Busiek's writing and Cary Nord's gorgeous art. While much history is only hinted at, you sense it even if you don't fully understand it. Various peoples have been warring for a very long time. Monsters lurk in the snow and beyond mountains. Towns are inviting respites and drink is necessity to unwind after a good fortnight's raiding and pillaging. Magic and death and 90 percent of people wearing next to nothing all make sense somehow. It's a fun escape.
This seems as good a place as any to get into fantasy comics. Gail Simone's retelling of Red Sonja may be next.
Conan's creator, Robert E. Howard, lived and wrote out of Cross Plains in West Texas. This little town (which I used to live by for five years) is famous for nothing but an oil boom and Conan. While initially Conan was "pulp", he's come to be seen as a much more important and interesting literary figure worthy of study. When I found out that Kurt Busiek, the comic writer who wrote two of my all-time favorite comics. If Busiek had a Conan run, I figured I should check out the character and the comics. I'm glad I did.
The Frost Giant's Daughter includes material based directly off of Howard's stories and also tells (I believe) new stories set in Conan's early years. Concan is interesting enough, but it's the world-building that I appreciated the most in this book. The fantasy world is lived in and ancient, due to both Busiek's writing and Cary Nord's gorgeous art. While much history is only hinted at, you sense it even if you don't fully understand it. Various peoples have been warring for a very long time. Monsters lurk in the snow and beyond mountains. Towns are inviting respites and drink is necessity to unwind after a good fortnight's raiding and pillaging. Magic and death and 90 percent of people wearing next to nothing all make sense somehow. It's a fun escape.
This seems as good a place as any to get into fantasy comics. Gail Simone's retelling of Red Sonja may be next.