King Conan #3 Comic Book Review
A West Coast-IPA-fueled ComicBook.beer deep dive into Dragon Wings Over Zembabwei!
Published September 1980 by Marvel Comics
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: John Buscema
Embellisher: Danny Bulandi
Colorist: G. Roussos
Letters: Joe Rosen
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter
"Red Moon of Zembabwei!"
You know that your comic book franchise has really made it when it has not one, but two series, like G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe Special Missions! Well, in Conan's case, he has THREE series! (at least he did in 1980.)
For readers who just couldn't get enough Conan, Marvel delivered monthly issues of Conan the Barbarian, Savage Sword of Conan, and King Conan! You might think, with that much Conan, won't the quality suffer? Eventually, yes, but not by King Conan #3. This issue is great.
Overview
King Conan seems like the afterthought in the Conan series, for sure. It's basically just like Conan the Barbarian, but in King Conan he's King of Aquilonia, he's older, married, and probably has back pain. Long-gone are his days of wenching and boozing in strip clubs. After fighting monsters, Conan gets an AARP discount at Denny's.
The King Conan series lost steam quickly, but these first issues, written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by John Buscema, are fantastic. They're bigger and denser than the Conan the Barbarian series. King Conan #3 is 46 pages long and rich with text and Buscema's detailed illustrations.
This issue starts off with Conan, his son Conn, and his army marching through dank marshlands on their way south to the Forbidden City to fight Snake Worshippers. On their way, they make camp, and readers enjoy a bit of father-son bonding over boiled steak (yum!)
It doesn't take long for danger to find them, of course, and wouldn't you know it... they're attacked by dragon monsters from the sky! Again! If I had a quarter for every time Conan was attacked by winged dragon monsters, I'd have a bunch of quarters. You think he'd have a routine down to deal with dragon monsters, but he's taken by surprise and captured along with his son. These monsters and their riders fly them through the night to a secret city where the head bad-guy in charge is none other than Thoth Amon!
As it turns out, Thoth Amon isn't really in charge at all. He's there as a magical sub-contractor of sorts working for a major asshat named Lord Damballah. They all seem to want Conan dead, but since he's Marvel's cash cow, they clearly can't kill him on the spot. Instead, they lock him and Conn away for a week or so until the next full moon or whatever. What could possibly go wrong in a week?
A week passes, and just before Conan and Conn are about to be sacrificed, Conan's friends arrive and sneak into the city. They spring Conn and Conan, and without giving away any spoilers, many a sword drinks deep and many heads are severed from their bodies. Conn learns a few valuable lessons, but also proves himself in battle. All in all, it's a good read, with a few minor issues.
The Writing
Compared to the regular Conan series, the King Conan books are pretty "wordy." This issue was written by Roy Thomas, so you know it's good, but what I like most about it is that it starts off slow and builds. The first several pages are downright dull as Thomas lays out a tremendous amount of detail in word boxes and through dialog. However, it's all taking place in a swamp, and none too exciting to look at.
Once the action starts on page 8, though, it doesn't let up. I nearly gasped out loud when Conan, of all people, is captured by a Wyvern rider and flown away as a captive! Seriously!? He must be getting slow in his old age. "Gasp!" What's next, Conan? Assisted living?? One can almost picture him in a robe and slippers, watching old episodes of Night Court.
The ending is outstanding, and readers (I think) should appreciate Conn, who never comes across as an embicile or a wimp, but he doesn't do much either until the ending of issue #3. Kudos to Thomas for writing what could have been a very cliché character.
The Artwork
Big John Buscema illustrated this issue, so you know it's damn good. But, after really getting into his impeccable work on the Conan the Barbarian series, something feels a little bit off here. The artwork isn't as snappy as usual, and one wonders if perhaps Marvel was trying to get him to illustrate literally five or six comic books a month (he did so many back then!)
Maybe it's that, but I think the embellishing from Danny Bulandi just isn't up to the same level as Ernie Chan, who was just incredible at finishing Buscema's work. Perhaps, it's some combination of the two.
King Conan #3 is a great issue, but not the best-looking Conan adventure from Buscema and the creative team. Regardless, the story and the art combine to deliver a pulse-pounding Conan adventure with monsters, evil sorcerers, villains, and plenty of swashbuckling action. Conan even fights a giant snake!
Conclusion
Should you add King Conan #3 to your comic book collection? Hell yeah! King Conan won't set you back more than a few bucks, depending on the condition. I paid $4 for my copy and love it. You won't find lines of people waiting to buy 45-year-old King Conan comics these days. Go and support your local comic book shop by relieving them of their back issues.
King Conan isn't quite as wild as the early Conan the Barbarian series, nor is it as detailed and interesting as Savage Sword of Conan. But it's good. Especially with the Thomas and Buscema team. Don't pass up the early King Conan issues!
Comic Book and Beer Pairing
There are few things better in life than rolling into a great brewery with a stack of Conan comics, ordering a beer, busting out some Costco readers, and enjoying a great brew while watching Conan behead snake monsters.
For this review, I went to one of my favorite haunts called Two Frays Brewery in Pittsburgh, and ordered a Steel Hearted ale, which is a West Coast IPA coming in a 6.5%.
The malty, hoppy, and bitter ale complements Conan's adventure and heightens the experience! While Conn, who is I think 12 years old in this issue, strikes me as more of a White Claw kind of guy, King Conan would no doubt, happily savor a flagon of West Coast IPA before (and after) slaughtering winged devils from the sky. Highly recommended!
Review written by Mark Bussler, October 31, 2025.
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