Conan the Barbarian is a classic fantasy hero a cut above all others. Created by Robert E. Howard in a pulp magazine in the 1930s. This Cimmerian brute dominated the fantasy genre of the 1970s with none other than Frank Frazetta cover on small paperbacks. Marvel obtained the rights to the comics and published Savage Sword of Conan, Conan the Barbarian and even King Conan to name a few. But for many years now there has been no Conan the Barbarian. Recently in a fit of undeniable genius, Marvel actually started a new Conan the Barbarian series. Even more flabergasting they actually chose a writer who gets what Conan is and more importantly gives the fans what they want; some darn good writing.

Conan the Barbarian #1

This comic is written by Jason Aaron. His writing is fresh, draws you into the story, it feels like you are watching a movie. The action is great and the thesis of each story makes you want the next story. Aaron is a top slayer in the world of fantasy writers to be sure. Assisting him in this endeavor is Mahmud A. Asrar (Uncanny X-men, and All-Different Avengers) his art is worth checking out, it has kind of a Buscema/Frazetta mix to it that makes you stop and verify you aren't reading a Savage Sword magazine from the 1970s. This team will single-handedly revive interest in a Conan movie, and or Conan series. Now in my humble opinion, Marvel could really have a great series on their hands and take up the slack from a certain show that is about to go into the history books as a top fantasy epic. From the speculator perspective, this will make all things Conan hot.

Conan the Barbarian # 1I (Sienkiewicz Variant Limited)

This is a 1 for 200 retailer incentive variant the cover does rock and is done by Bill Sienkiewicz. It is currently selling on one comic book website for $227 grade 9.2 near mint minus. Just as Conan carves his way through adventure we must cut away the excess and get down to the purely profitable play.

Short-Term Return:

  • Grade 9.8 $110 FMV with five total sales with a return of negative -38%

The retailer variant has is skewed; due to limited sales. But does illustrate how difficult the Recent Age of comics is to invest in.

 

 

 

Conan the Barbarian #1 (1970)

This is the first comic book appearance of Conan the Barbarian and also his origin story. This book was created in 1970 by Roy Thomas (writer) and Barry Windsor-Smith (pencils). The current CGC Inventory is reasonable with room to breath at 3454 issues outstanding. Also, from the numbers below you can clearly see that a near mint minus can still return +50% for an investor. That is a really good return on a relatively small investment of $625. This is one of those books from the Bronze Age that just gets better with age. It will continue to increase in value. I believe there is a huge appetite for fantasy genre in comics and the wider world at large.

 

 

 

Long-Term Returns (10,000 sales max)

  • Grade 9.8 $4900 FMV returns positive +1%
  • Grade 9.2 $625 FMV returns positive +50%
  • Grade 8.0 $325 FMV returns positive +36.4%
  • Grade 6.5 $230 FMV returns positive +84.1%