Conan the Barbarian #99 (Marvel Comics, 1979)
- Conan the Barbarian #99 - Daily Comic Book Mission Episode
- Explore the Conan the Barbarian Collection
- Story Summary
- Creative Team
- Find this Issue on eBay
Conan the Barbarian #99 (June 1979), published by Marvel Comics, titled "Devil-Crabs of the Dark Cliffs!" The Tigress discovers an abandoned Argossean vessel moored beside towering, dark cliffs filled with dismembered bodies and missing treasure. What kind of terrible creatures could do such a thing? Driven by their lust for gold and jewels, Conan and Bêlit plan to find out.
Conan the Barbarian #99 Story Summary
Bêlit, Conan, and the crew of The Tigress sail south, but the shorthanded crew, depleted from months of raids, grows weary. Mysterious dark cliffs are spotted in the distance, and though Conan recommends avoiding them, Bêlit spots a ship moored in an inlet nearby.
They lower two longboats to investigate the strange Argossean ship, which Bêlit thinks could be filled with treasure (because of course she does.)
When Conan and a small group board the ship, they discover a grisly scene of men torn to pieces. A treasure from the Khitai, at the far Eastern side of the world, remains in the hold. The greedy Bêlit suspects that there could have been even more treasure on board, and that maybe the crew transported it into the nearby cliffs.
Conan and Bêlit scale the cliffs and discover a hideous scene of crab-people scuttling about with the remainder of the vessel's treasure. Then, Conan discovers the remainder of the Argossean crew held prisoner by the crabs. The crabs have a strange telepathic power, and take the prisoners, one by one, for bizarre experiments. Bêlit doesn't care about them at all, but Conan refuses to leave without freeing the men, even if they are his enemies.
Despite her selfishness, Bêlit works with Conan to break the men out of their cells, as long as she still gets her treasure. They discover chests of loot and try to haul it away, but the telepathic crab-things attack and use their special telepathic skills to always be one step ahead of Conan in battle.
Conan resorts to barbarism and tears the crab-people to pieces, while instructing his team to crush them with boulders amid the geothermal terrain in the dark cliffs. Ultimately, they win by steaming the awful crab-things alive! (It's a shame they didn't eat them with a side of butter and some hush puppies.)
After splitting the treasure with the remaining Argossean crew, who then sail away, Conan suffers a strange headache. Is this something that we should be concerned about...?
Readers might enjoy Bêlit's last full-issue appearance before tragedy strikes in Conan the Barbarian #100.
Conan the Barbarian #99 Creative Team
-
Writer/Editor: Roy Thomas
-
Artists: John Buscema and Ernie Chan
-
Letterer: Joe Rosen
-
Colorist: Bob Sharen
- Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter
More Comics You Might Like
Conan the Barbarian #99 FAQ
What happens in Conan the Barbarian #99?
In Conan the Barbarian #99, titled “Devil-Crabs of the Dark Cliffs,” Conan and Bêlit encounter an abandoned ship near the mysterious Dark Cliffs. Investigating further, they discover a hidden cavern inhabited by strange crab-like creatures that have been capturing sailors and hoarding treasure. Conan frees the prisoners, but Bêlit’s obsession with treasure leads to a dangerous confrontation. The heroes ultimately defeat the creatures by triggering a collapse that unleashes scalding steam, destroying the crab-men and allowing their escape.
Who are the main characters in Conan the Barbarian #99?
The main characters include Conan, Bêlit (the pirate queen), and members of her Black Corsair crew. The issue also introduces Argossean sailors led by Florannus, along with the bizarre crab-like creatures that inhabit the Dark Cliffs.
Who created Conan the Barbarian #99?
This issue was written by Roy Thomas, with artwork by John Buscema and inks by Ernie Chan. The creative team is one of the most iconic in the history of Marvel’s Conan series.
When was Conan the Barbarian #99 released?
Conan the Barbarian #99 was published by Marvel Comics with a cover date of June 1979.
Is Conan the Barbarian #99 based on a Robert E. Howard story?
Yes. The issue is loosely adapted from Robert E. Howard’s story “The People of the Black Coast,” reworked into a Conan adventure featuring Bêlit and the Black Corsairs.
Where does Conan the Barbarian #99 take place?
The story takes place off the Black Coast, primarily around the eerie Dark Cliffs and the cavern system hidden within them.
Why is Bêlit important in this issue?
Bêlit plays a central role as her relentless pursuit of treasure drives the story’s conflict. Her obsession foreshadows future events in the Conan saga and highlights her bold, often reckless leadership.
Is Conan the Barbarian #99 a key issue?
While not a major “key” issue in terms of first appearances, it is notable as part of the late Bêlit-era storyline and serves as a lead-in to the milestone issue #100. It’s also remembered for its unusual “crab-men” concept and classic Buscema artwork.
What makes Conan the Barbarian #99 unique?
The issue stands out for its blend of horror and adventure, featuring telepathic crab-like creatures, underground caverns, and a treasure-driven plot. It combines classic Conan action with a strange, sci-fi twist, unusual for the series.
Conan the Barbarian comic, Conan the Barbarian comics, Conan the Barbarian Marvel, Marvel Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Barbarian comic books, classic Conan the Barbarian art, Conan the Barbarian comic book, Conan the Barbarian issue 99, Conan the Barbarian 99, Conan the Barbarian comic Marvel, Marvel Comics Conan the Barbarian, is Conan the Barbarian Marvel, Conan fights crab monsters, crab people, the crab things, telepathic crab monsters, telepathic crabs
