When we last left young Conan (Conan the Barbarian #13), he was alone in the icy north on a warrior’s retreat, testing his courage while searching for meaning. Conan the Barbaranian #14 We see him threatened by two Aesir warriors who seek to kill the Cimmerian and steal his bear-flesh dinner, and Conan destroys his opponents with his bare hands. The leader of the would-be bandits intervenes before the conflict escalates to a deadly conclusion. He offers safe passage through the land of the Aesir in exchange for a week’s service and meat from Conan’s prey, an offer the barbarian readily accepts. Conan’s martial skills and confident demeanor quickly earn him a place among the rugged warriors. He rewards their acceptance by fighting back against invading Vanir attackers with the same intensity as if he were avenging his own countrymen. As the drama unfolds, a strange, nearly naked woman watches from the shadows, seemingly unaffected by the cold.
Part II of the Frozen Faith story arc, “The Gaze of the Daughter,” is narrated by this mysterious woman and not by the usual omniscient Conan the Barbarian Narrator. Her ongoing commentary is full of contempt for mortals, dispassionately observing their struggle and death, but she also reveals her own ambivalent fascination with these inferior creatures. She is particularly taken with the “black-haired” Conan, as she senses a unique spark in him that sets him apart from his companions.
The identity of this nymph-like woman is, of course, immediately clear to anyone familiar with Robert E. Howard’s stories or their previous comic book adaptations. While I will not reveal her identity so as not to spoil the surprise for newcomers, I will say that her inclusion is an intriguing development in the Titan Comics incarnation of Conan the Barbarian. When asked by interviewers if he plans to adapt the original Howard stories, comic book writer Jim Zub has repeatedly stated that he doesn’t want to become a “cover band” playing the old hits and wants to focus on new adventures. While the events of this story arc – so far – are original, the plot of this prequel is so closely tied to that of the second Conan short story ever written that it’s hard to imagine how Zub can deliver a satisfying conclusion without retelling the Howard story.
This issue includes a brief interview with colorist Diego Rodriguez, and it seems appropriate since the colors in this issue are particularly notable. The panels alternate between icy blizzards and warm firelight, and Rodriguez’s hues subtly and effectively convey the temperature of a particular scene.
With Conan the Barbarian #14 The plot thickens. Conan has gained allies and become embroiled in conflict with the Vanir, and it seems his bewitching guardian will soon reveal herself. I look forward to seeing how Zub weaves his story into the classic Howard tale that served as inspiration.
Read “Conan the Barbarian No. 14” by Jim Zub (W) and Doug Braithwaite (A)
