Conan the Barbarian: Difference between revisions

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{{quote|''"Know, o prince, that between the years when the oceans drank [[Atlantis]] and [[Shining City|the gleaming cities]], and the years of the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars - Nemedia, Ophir, Brythunia, Hyperborea, Zamora with its dark-haired women and towers of spider-haunted mystery, Zingara with its [[Knight in Shining Armor|chivalry]], Koth that bordered the pastoral lands of Shem, Stygia with its shadow-guarded tombs, Hyrkania whose riders wore steel and silk and gold. But the proudest kingdom of the world was Aquilonia, reigning supreme in the dreaming west. Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian; black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet."''|The Nemedian Chronicles, as quoted in ''[[The Phoenix on the Sword]]'', the very first Conan story by [[Robert E. Howard]].}}

The star of a gritty [[Heroic Fantasy]] series of stories set in the Hyborian Age, an age before modern history. Created in the [[The Thirties|1930s]] for ''Weird Tales'' magazine, '''Conan''' of Cimmeria quickly became [[Robert E. Howard]]'s (1906-1936) most famous and popular creation. When people think [[Barbarian Hero|'barbarian']], they often picture Conan.

Not at all influenced by the concept of the '[[Noble Savage]]', Conan represented the ever-present danger posed to civilization by humanity's warlike nature (or vice versa). Howard's stories frequently relied on pulp formulas, much to Howard's chagrin. Howard would try to subvert these formulas wherever possible, especially where they required him to include a perfunctory sex scene. He took great delight in the publication of 'Beyond the Black River', precisely because it left out sex entirely.

Conan is strong, courageous and [[Chivalrous Pervert|oddly respectful]] of women. He is not an [[Dumb Muscle|idiot]], but neither is he of a scholastic disposition -- he is mostly practical and naturally cunning, though he is also knowledgable, able to speak, read and write a dozen languages, and even puzzle out ancient scripts in one story. He is a defining example of the type of barbarian who has the principles of a snake.

It is possible to see him as a [[Marty Stu]] in the sense of being an idealised version of the author. He reflects Howard's [[Author Appeal|preferences]] and [[Values Dissonance|prejudices]]; black people are poorly portrayed most of the time, Conan likes women with "skin as white as alabaster" and "a supple waist". And snakes, Howard must have been [[Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?|scared of snakes]], huge [[Reptiles Are Abhorrent|"loathsome serpents"]] turn up [[Scaled Up|continually]], although this could also have to do with his friendship with [[H.P. Lovecraft]] (the original Conan stories are actually a [[Canon Welding|peripheral part]] of the [[Cthulhu Mythos]].) Yet in ''Beyond the Black River'', Howard included a character that was explicitly stated in one of his letters to be an [[Author Avatar]], and he was shown to be inferior to Conan in many ways.

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[[wikipedia:Conan the Barbarian (2011 film)|A third Conan movie]] was released in August 2011. A [[Continuity Reboot]], it was supposed to be more faithful to Howard. It wasn't.

There has [[Age of Conan|also been an]] [[MMORPG]], notable for being unusually bloody for the genre, and several other adaptations in various media.

Not to be confused with [[Conan O'Brien]]. Also not to be confused with ''[[Detective Conan]]'' or ''[[Future Boy Conan]]''.

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=== The Conan literature ===

== Robert E. Howard ==

From 1932-1936, Robert E. Howard completed one novel and 20 shorter stories about Conan. Some of these were first published posthumously. In order of writing, these are:

* "[[The Phoenix on the Sword]]". First published in December, 1932.

* "[[The Frost-Giant's Daughter|The Frost Giants Daughter]]" Written in 1932, but not published. A version modified by Howard appeared in March, 1934. A version modified by [[L. Sprague de Camp|L Sprague De Camp]] appeared in 1953. The original version was first published in 1976.

* "[[The God in the Bowl]]". Written in 1932 or 1933, but not published. A version edited by L. Sprague de Camp was first published in September, 1952. The original version was first published in 1975.

* "[[The Scarlet Citadel]]". First published in January, 1933.

* "[[The Tower of the Elephant]]". First published in March, 1933.

* "[[Black Colossus]]". First published in June, 1933.

* "[[Xuthal of the Dusk]]" (a.k.a. "The Slithering Shadow"). First published in September, 1933.

* "[[The Pool of the Black One]]". First published in October, 1933.

* "[[The Vale of Lost Women]]". Written in 1933 or 1934, but not published. First published in Spring, 1967.

* "[[Rogues in the House]]". First published in January, 1934.

* "[[Iron Shadows in the Moon]]" (a.k.a. "Shadows in the Moonlight"). First published in April, 1934.

* "[[Queen of the Black Coast]]". First published in May, 1934.

* "[[The Devil in Iron]]". First published in August, 1934.

* "[[The People of the Black Circle]]". Novella. Published in three parts, from September to November, 1934.

* "[[A Witch Shall Be Born]]". First published in December, 1934.

* "[[The Black Stranger]]" (a.k.a. "The Treasure of Tranicos"). There are 3 versions of this story. Two by Howard, and one by L. Sprague de Camp. The original version was written in 1934 or 1935, first published in 1987. The second version by Howard was written c. 1936, and was first published in 1976. The de Camp version was first published in 1953, and further modified in 1967.

* "[[The Servants of Bit Yakin]]" (a.k.a. "Jewels of Gwahlur"). First published in March, 1935.

* "[[Beyond the Black River]]". Published in 2 parts, from May to June, 1935.

* "[[Man Eaters of Zamboula]]" (a.k.a. "Shadows in Zamboula"). First published in November, 1935.

* ''[[The Hour of the Dragon]]''. Novel. Published in 5 parts, from December, 1935 to April, 1936.

* "[[Red Nails]]". Novella. Published in 3 parts, from July to October, 1936.

Howard also left some stories unfinished or in synopsis form. The titled ones, in no particular order, are:

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* "The Hall of the Dead". Left in synopsis form, first published in November 1974. L. Sprague de Camp created a completed version, first published in February, 1967.

* "The Hand of Nergal". Left in fragmentary form, first published in 1976. Lin Carter created a completed version, first published in 1968.

* "The Snout in the Dark". Left in fragmentary form, first published in 1979. L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter co-wrote a completed version of the story, first published in 1969.

He wrote a few other Conan-related pieces, like "[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Hyborian_Age The Hyborian Age]", [[All There in the Manual|an essay about his fictional setting]], and the poem "Cimmeria", evoking Conan's homeland.

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== Other authors ==

Over the decades, many other authors have written official [[Fanfic|fanfics]] - or more formally, [[wikipedia:Pastiche|pastiches]] - of Conan. There are more [[wikipedia:Conan (books)|Conan stories by other writers]] combined than Howard himself ever wrote.

Their ranks include [[The Wheel of Time|Robert Jordan]] and [[Harry Turtledove]], but the most significant of them was the [[Show Runner]]-of-sorts back in the day, [[L. Sprague de Camp|L Sprague De Camp]] (1907-2000). He wrote several pastiches with the frequent collaboration of another author, Lin Carter (1930-1988). Both were prolific fantasy and SF authors in their own right, but they are perhaps most associated with Conan today.

Besides writing pastiches, De Camp edited Howard's stories, which often meant [[Retool|retooling the text altogether.]] De Camp and/or Carter also produced full versions of stories Howard left unfinished, and reworked some of Howard's unrelated fiction [[Dolled-Up Installment|to make them Conan tales.]] The De Camp-supervised books featured pastiche stories together with Howard's edited originals until finally they ran out of the latter, in which case the books became complete pastiches.

The Conan books published by Lancer Books and Ace Books from 1966-1977 are among those supervised by De Camp, and they are perhaps most famous for their cover art by [[Frank Frazetta]].

For years, the pastiches and modified versions of Howard's stories were all considered [[Canon]] while the unedited originals were allowed to fall out of print. Nowadays however, Howard's unedited stories are available on the market again (and provided they're in public domain, the Internet), while the pastiches and modified texts [[Keep Circulating the Tapes|are mostly out of print]].

Though the dozens of pastiches are of varying quality, they are not without merit. If they wish, readers of today may relegate these stories to [[Expanded Universe]] status or just [[Fanon Discontinuity|ignore them altogether.]]

However, the status of Lin Carter and L. Sprague De Camp's works can be considered a [[Loose Canon|secondary]] [[Canon]] of sorts, due to de Camp's decades-long control of the franchise and efforts to "reconcile" the original works. (Not to mention the sheer preponderance of in-universe works written posthumous to Howard's [[Shorter Than They Think]] series.)

== Novels and short stories by other authors ==

* "The Blood-Stained God", also known as "The Curse of the Crimson God". Novella written by [[L. Sprague de Camp|L Sprague De Camp]], first published in 1955. Based on a Kirby O'Donnell tale by Robert E. Howard. The original story was set in 1930s Afghanistan.

* "The Flame Knife", also known as "Three-Bladed Doom". Novella written by L. Sprague de Camp, first published in 1955. Based on an El Borak tale by Robert E. Howard. The original story was set in 1930s Afghanistan.

* "Hawks Over Shem", also known as "Hawks Over Egypt". Novella written by L. Sprague de Camp, first published in October, 1955. Based on an Diego de Guzman tale by Robert E. Howard. The original story was set in 1021 Cairo. The antagonist was the Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, a Fatimid Caliph (reigned 996-1021) who reputedly went insane.

* "The Road of the Eagles", also known as "Conan, Man of Destiny". Novella written by L. Sprague de Camp, first published in December, 1955. Based on an Ivan Sablianka tale by Robert E. Howard. The original story was set in 1595 Caucasus, with Cossacks active in the border areas of the Ottoman Empire.

* "The Return of Conan" (1957). Novel mainly written by Björn Nyberg, edited and slightly revised by L. Sprague de Camp.

* "The City of Skulls" (1967) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

* "The Thing in the Crypt" (1967) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

* "Black Tears" (1968) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Partly inspired from the [[Medusa]] legend of [[Classical Mythology]].

* " Conan of the Isles" (1968) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Novel, chronologically the last Conan tale. Conan is about 65 years old when abdicating the throne of Aquilonia and heading to the Western Ocean for one last adventure.

* "The Curse of the Monolith" (1968) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

* "The Castle of Terror" (1969) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

* "The Lair of the Ice Worm" (1969) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

* "The People of the Summit" (December, 1970) by Björn Nyberg. Revised by L. Sprague de Camp in 1978.

* "Conan the Buccaneer" (1971) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Novel, featuring political intrigues over the throne of Zingara.

* "The Witch of the Mists" (August, 1972) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter.

* "Black Sphinx of Nebthu" (July, 1973) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Sequel to "The Witch of the Mists".

* "Red Moon of Zembabwei" (July, 1974) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Sequel to "The Witch of the Mists, and the "Black Sphinx of Nebthu".

* "Shadows in the Skull" (February, 1975) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Sequel and conclusion to the storyline of "The Witch of the Mists, the "Black Sphinx of Nebthu", and the "Red Moon of Zembabwei".

* "The Gem in the Tower" (August, 1978) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Based on "Black Moonlight" (November, 1976), a Thongor Tale by Lin Carter.

* "The Ivory Goddess" (August, 1978) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Sequel to "Jewels of Gwahlur". There are arguments that Catherine Crook de Camp was an uncredited co-writer in this tale.

* "Legions of the Dead" (August, 1978) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. There are arguments that Catherine Crook de Camp was an uncredited co-writer in this tale.

* "Moon of Blood" (August, 1978) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. A sequel to "Beyond the Black River".

* "Shadows in the Dark" (August, 1978) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. A sequel to the "Black Colossus".

* "The Star of Khorala" (August, 1978) by Björn Nyberg and L. Sprague de Camp. A sequel to the "Shadows in Zamboula". Also serves as an origin tale to a supporting character from the "The Hour of the Dragon".

* "Conan and the Sorcerer" (October, 1978) by Andrew J. Offutt. Novel, features intrigues in Zamora and Zamboula.

* "Conan the Liberator" (February, 1979) by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Novel, features Conan leading the rebellion against the King of Aquilonia. Events which lead him to the throne.

* "The Sword of Skelos" (May, 1979) by Andrew J. Offutt. Novel, sequel to "Conan and the Sorcerer".

* "The Road of Kings" (October, 1979) by Edward Wagner. Novel, features intrigues over the throne of Zingara.

* "Conan the Rebel" (July, 1980) by Poul Anderson. Novel, features Conan and Belit involved in a Stygian provincial rebellion.

* "Conan and the Spider God" (December, 1980) by L. Sprague de Camp. Novel, features Conan facing the priests of Yezud, a city which worships a Spider God.

* "Conan the Mercenary" (January, 1981) by Andrew J. Offutt. Novel, covers a missing period between "Conan and the Sorcerer" and "The Sword of Skelos".

* "Conan the Barbarian" (May, 1982) by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter, and Catherine Crook de Camp. Novelization of the film. First credited collaboration for Catherine, though she is thought likely to have co-written, revised or otherwise contributed to several previous novels.

* "Conan the Invincible" (June, 1982) by Robert Jordan. Novel, features Conan's encounters with a bandit queen.

* "Conan the Defender" (December, 1982) by Robert Jordan. Novel, features unrest and political conspiracies within Nemedia.

* "Conan the Unconquered" (April, 1983) by Robert Jordan. Novel, features the activities of a necromantic cult in Turan and Hyrkania.

* "Conan the Triumphant" (October, 1983) by Robert Jordan. Novel, features Conan leading a group of freelance mercenaries within Ophir, a country about to enter a civil war.

* "Conan the Magnificent" (May, 1984) by Robert Jordan. Novel, features Conan as a thief in Shadizar. Having recently been outperformed by a female thief, Conan decides to track her down and beat her in her own game. But both thieves are unwittingly following a perilous expedition into the wilderness.

* "Conan the Destroyer" (July, 1984) by Robert Jordan. Novelization of the film.

* "Conan the Victorious" (November, 1984) by Robert Jordan. Novel. Conan flees Turan after becoming the main suspect in a high-profile murder investigation. He also suffers from poisoning and enters Vendhya in search for a cure. He instead finds himself involved in complex political intrigues.

* "Conan the Valorous" (September, 1985) by John Maddox Roberts. Novel. Conan is hired by a Stygian Sorceress to transport certain items to the sacred mountain of Crom in Cimmeria. The relatively "simple" mission turns up to be part of a conflict between sorcerers.

* "Conan the Fearless" (February, 1986) by Steve Perry. Novel. A young girl with [[Elemental Powers]] is being targeted by more experienced magic users. Conan becomes her reluctant protector.

* "Conan the Renegade" (April, 1986) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. Features mercenary adventures in the borders of Koth and Khoraja. Serves as a sequel to "Black Colossus" and "Shadows in the Dark".

* "Conan the Raider" (October, 1986) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. Conan joins a tomb-robbing expedition in Stygia. A subplot involving a precious gem has the story serving as a sequel to "Shadows in Zamboula" and a prequel to "The Star of Khorala".

* "Conan the Champion" (April, 1987) by John Maddox Roberts. Novel. Conan's career as a pirate of the Vilayet Sea ends in a shipwreck. His attempt to find mercenary work results in Conan being at the center of a three-way war between city-states.

* "Conan the Defiant" (October, 1987) by Steve Perry. Novel. Conan's seeks vengeance against a [[Necromancer]]. But will have to face an army of [[Animate Dead]] to get to his opponent.

* "Conan the Marauder" (January, 1988) by John Maddox Roberts. Novel. A Hyrkanian warlord attempts to unite all the tribes and create an Empire. A Turanian sorcerer attempts to place this army under his own control. Conan is caught up in the resulting conflicts.

* "Conan the Warlord" (March, 1988) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. Conan finds himself trapped within a Nemedian prison. He is offered freedom in exchange for a job. Becoming the political decoy to a Nemedian noble who resembles him in appearance. But there are multiples threats surround himself and his employers. Who have some secrets of their own.

* "Conan the Valiant" (October, 1988) by Robert Green. Novel. Conan serves as an officer of the Turanian Army. When the secret service arranges for him to join a sorceress in a mission. They are to take out a sorcerer whose plans threaten Turan and its empire.

* "Conan the Hero" (February, 1989). Novel, serves as a sequel to "The City of Skulls". Conan and Juma still serve in the army of Turan. But their emperor is about to be betrayed by his foreign allies and members of his own court.

* "Conan the Bold" (April, 1989) by John Maddox Roberts. Novel. A youthful Conan is contemplating marriage when his would-be-bride is slaughtered with most of her family. Conan swears vengeance. He follows the trail of the one responsible across several countries over a period of years.

* "Conan the Indomitable" (October, 1989) by Steve Perry. Novel, a sequel to "Conan the Defiant". Conan, his lover Elashi, and a number of new companions are trapped [[Beneath the Earth]]. In an underground realm ruled by a sorcerer and a sorceress in constant battle with each other. The various sentient races serving them are on the verge of a rebellion. The humans are soon caught up in a bizarre conflict.

* "Conan the Free Lance" (February, 1990) by Steve Perry. Novel. Having recently parted with his traveling companions, Conan spends some time with the Tree Folk. That is a forest tribe living on top of the trees. His visit coincides by an attack on the tribe by the forces of a sorcerer, who needs the Tree Folk's Sacred Seed to ensure his own survival. Without the Seed the tribe and its forest face extinction. conan volunteers to help retrieve the Seed.

* "Conan the Great" (April, 1990) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. Conan, King of Aquilonia defeats an invasion by the combined troops of Nemedia and Ophir. Among the prisoners of war is a court jester who gladly switches allegiance. What Conan doesn't know is that the jester is the representative of a god, aiming to unite Hyboria under a single ruler. And Conan has unwittingly volunteered for the position. Meanwhile Koth has just entered a new expansion phase.

* "Conan the Formidable" (November, 1990) by Steve Perry. Novel, features a youthful Conan entering Zamora for the first time. But instead of reaching civilization, Conan becomes the unwilling "guest" of a race of giants. And he gets his introduction to the Vargs, a race of Green Dwarves who feast on other humanoids, and to the members of a freak show seeking new recruits.

* "Conan the Guardian" (January, 1991) by Roland Green. Novel. Conan serves as the bodyguard of a young Argosian noblewoman. His role gives him insight into a culture dominated by wealthy merchants. And to the ruthlessness and deadly intrigues underlying the civilized veneer.

* "Conan the Outcast" (April, 1991) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. Takes place within the city-states of eastern Shem, a desert area. The city of Sark is in decline, consequence of a prolonged drought. A priest convinces its monarchs that a sacrifice to his god could reverse the situation. But not just any sacrifice, but that of another city-state and every life within it. Said city is Qjara, a vibrant city which serves as part of a significant trade route. Currently living in Qjara is Conan, stranded there for months while waiting for a caravan to Zamora.

* "Conan the Rogue" (November, 1991) by John Maddox Roberts. Novel, partly based on "[[Red Harvest]]" (1929) and "[[The Maltese Falcon]]" (1930), both by [[Dashiell Hammett]]. Conan has just ended a stint as a mercenary to the army of Nemedia. He has already lost his entire pay and most of his equipment gambling. So he gladly accepts a new job offer, searching for a mysterious and valuable item. Said job leads him to Sicas, an Aquilonian city increasingly dominated by organized crime. A [[Mob War]] between the five main gangs, and several minor factions, is ongoing. Deciding that this city of rogues is his kind of place, Conan soon uses the conflict to his own advantage. Meanwhile several parties in the War are also after the [[MacGuffin]].

* "Conan the Relentless" (April, 1992) by Roland Green. Novel. Conan attempts to cross the Border Kingdoms, heading for other areas as usual. But he soon ends up in a war zone, with the Kingdoms no longer the relatively peaceful area of his experience. When he recognizes Raihna (an old ally from "Conan the Relentless") among the combatants, Conan starts getting interested in his surroundings.

* "Conan the Savage" (November, 1992) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. Conan has recently escaped from the mines of Brythunia, where he spent a period as a convict. He has retreated to the wilderness and joined a fairly isolated tribe. He is [[Going Native]]. But Brythunian armies destroy the tribe and its village. Conan seeks vengeance against the Brythunian ruler. Who is actually a victim of [[Demonic Possession]].

* "Conan of the Red Brotherhood" (February, 1993) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. Sequel to "Shadows in the Moonlight". Covers the period of Conan serving the Red Brotherhood, pirates of Vilayet Sea, and having Turan and its rulers as enemies.

* "Conan and the Gods of the Mountain" (May, 1993) by Roland Green. Sequel to "Red Nails". Conan and Valeria continue wandering the Black Kingdoms (Africa), stumbling on a conflict between the Speakers of Spirits and the God-Men.

* "Conan and the Treasure of Python" (November, 1993) by John Maddox Roberts. Novel, partly based on "[[King Solomon's Mines|King Solomons Mines]]" (1885) by [[H. Rider Haggard]]. Conan is hired to return to [[Darkest Africa]], where he had spend several years of his life, and lead an expedition through the wilderness. They are supposedly looking for the missing brother of his employer. But more accurately searching for the treasure that both brothers had been seeking.

* "Conan the Hunter" (January, 1994) by Sean A. Moore. Novel. Conan buys a bracelet as a gift to a girlfriend. But the bracelet belonged to a recently-murdered princess and was apparently stolen from her corpse. His possession of it makes a suspect him in the high-profile murder case. Someone set him up. Conan seeks to find answers and clear his name, while facing complex conspiracies.

* "Conan, Scourge of the Bloody Coast" (April, 1994) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel, sequel to "Conan of the Red Brotherhood". Conan is still leading the Red Brotherhood in ravaging the coasts of the Vilayet Sea. He is trying to instigate conflict between the two powers of the region, Turan and Hyrkania, to weaken them. But a magic user seeks to undermine all three naval powers.

* "Conan and the Manhunters" (October, 1994) by John Maddox Roberts. Novel. Conan is leading bandits in the deserts between Shem and Turan. He has the idea to steal a valuable treasure from a temple of Ahriman. Consequently he and his group have the Cult of the deity and a group of extraordinary manhunters following their trail.

* "Conan at the Demon's Gate" (November, 1994) by Roland Green. Novel. Set in the period that Conan is the chief of the Bamulas, an African tribe. Serves as a prequel to "The Vale of Lost Women". A [[Cool Gate]] transports Conan and his tribesmen to the Pictish Winderland. And the locals are not welcoming.

* "Conan the Gladiator" (January, 1995) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. Conan has joined a traveling circus as their strongman, crossing various countries. But their idea to perform in Stygia results in their introduction to [[Gladiator Games]]... as unwilling participants.

* "Conan and the Amazon" (April, 1995) by John Maddox Roberts. Novel. Conan and an [[Hot Amazon]] are in search of the lost city of Jangar, which was the battleground between sorcerers and gods. But the current incarnation of the city is a perilous place and there were reasons for its isolation.

* "Conan and the Mists of Doom" (August, 1995) by Roland Green. Novel, follows shortly after "The People Of The Black Circle". Conan has left Afghulistan with a number of tribesmen loyal to him. He intends to lead them to Koth. But in the Kezankian Mountains, the Mist of Doom drains travelers of their lifeforce. Conan's group has to join with other groups to ensure their survival.

* "Conan and the Emerald Lotus" (November, 1995) by John C. Hocking. Novel. A sorcerer has gotten two of his rival magic users addicted to a drug. It amplifies their powers when used, but has nasty withdrawal symptoms. He then cut off their supply, waiting for results. The two afflicted magic users intend to use Conan as a pawn to get them their drug. He has no choice on the matter as their spells threaten his own life.

* "Conan and the Shaman's Curse" (January, 1996) by Sean A. Moore. Novel. The opening scene has Conan on a battlefield, the last survivor of both groups of opponents. A dying shaman uses his last breath to curse him. Soon Conan realizes the effects of the curse. He has become a [[Our Werebeasts Are Different|Werebeast]], subject to periodic transformations.

* "Conan, Lord of the Black River" (April, 1996) by Leonard Carpenter. Novel. To face an undead sorceress, Conan has to experience a journey to the underworld. His chance to return among the living depends on victory over the nightmares of the realm.

* "Conan and the Grim Grey God" (November, 1996) by Sean A. Moore. Novel. Conan is searching for the statue of an ancient deity, reputed to be priceless. But there are others searching for the statue, since another version of its tales speaks of its great power. The power to end the reign of light and begin the rule of darkness.

* "Conan and the Death Lord of Thanza" (January, 1997) by Roland Green. Novel. Conan joins a force of rangers, active in the mountainous borders between Aquilonia and Nemedia. Their mission is to face the groups of bandits active in the area. A seemingly simple mission. Until a local bandit leader seeks a magical artifact which grants power over death.

* "Conan of Venarium" (July, 2003) by [[Harry Turtledove]]. Novel. Depicts events mentioned in passing during "Beyond the Black River", but never depicted in detail. Aquilonia attempts to colonize areas of Cimmeria, building the fortress of Venarium to control the area. The Cimmerians eventually storm the fortress and drive the invaders away. A very young Conan, barely a teenager, participates in his first battle.

* "Conan the Barbarian" (July, 2011) by Michael A. Stackpole. Novelization of the film.

== Age of Conan, Hyborian Adventures novels ==

Novels which take place in the familiar Hyborian Age but do not actually feature Conan himself as a major character. His activities as King of Aquilonia are mentioned however.

* "Legends of Kern" trilogy

** "Blood of Wolves" (May, 2005) by Loren L. Coleman.

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** "Scion of the Serpent" (September, 2005) by J. Steven York.

** "Heretic of Set" (October, 2005) by J. Steven York.

** "Venom of Luxur" (November, 2005) by J. Steven York. Also known "Venom of Luxor". The city of the title is typically spelled "Luxor" in Conan stories, but not in the cover of the first edition.

* "Marauders"trilogy.

** "Ghost of the Wall" (January, 2006) by Jeff Mariotte.

** "Winds of the Wild Sea" (March, 2006) by Jeff Mariotte.

** "Dawn of the Ice Bear" (May, 2006) by Jeff Mariotte.

* "A Soldier's Quest" trilogy

** "The God in the Moon" (July, 2006) by Richard A. Knaak.

** "The Eye of Charon" (September, 2006) by Richard A. Knaak.

** "The Silent Enemy" (November, 2006) by Richard A. Knaak.

=== Adaptations ===

== [[Comic Books]] ==

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* The Marvel franchise includes (not including reprints):

** ''Conan the Barbarian'' vol. 1 (1970-1993). 275 issues.

** ''Savage Tales'' vol. 1 (1971-1974). Anthology title, Conan was the main character for 5 issues.

** ''Conan Annual'' (1973-1987). 12 issues.

** ''The Savage Sword of Conan'' (1974-1995). 235 issues.

** ''Giant-Size Conan'' (1984-1975). 5 issues.

** ''King Conan'' (1980-1983), later renamed ''Conan the King'' (1984-1989). 55 issues.

** ''Conan the Barbarian Movie Special'' (1982). 2 issues.

** Graphic novels (1985-1992). 7 issues.

*** ''The Witch Queen of Acheron'' (1985)

*** ''Conan the Reaver'' (1987)

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*** ''Conan the Rogue'' (1991)

*** ''Conan: The Ravagers out of Time'' (1992). Crossover with [[Red Sonja]] and [[Kull]]. Involves [[Time Travel]].

** ''The Handbook of the Conan Universe'' (1986). One-shot publication.

** ''Conan the Adventurer'' (1994-1995). 14 issues.

** ''Conan'' (1995-1996). 11 issues.

** ''Conan the Savage'' (1995-1996). 10 issues.

** ''Conan vs. Rune'' (1995). One-shot publication. Crossover with [[The Ultraverse]],

** ''Conan the Barbarian'' vol. 2 (1997). 3 issues.

** ''Conan the Barbarian: The Usurper'' (1997-1998). 3 issues.

** ''Conan: The Lord of the Spiders'' (1998). 3 issues.

** ''Conan: River of Blood'' (1998). 3 issues.

** ''Conan Return of Styrm'' (1998). 3 issues.

** ''Conan Scarlet Sword'' (1998-1999). 3 issues.

** ''Conan: Death Covered in Gold'' (1999). 3 issues.

** ''Conan: Flame and the Fiend'' (2000). 3 issues.

* The Dark Horse franchise includes (not including reprints)

** :''Conan #0: The Legend'' (2003). One-shot publication.

** ''Conan'' (2004-2008). 50 issues.

** ''Conan And the Daughters of Midora'' (2004). One-Shot publication.

** ''Conan And the Jewels of Gwahlur'' (2005). 3 issues.

** ''Conan And the Demons of Khitai'' (2005-2006). 4 issues.

** ''Conan: Book of Thoth'' (2006). 4 issues.

** ''Conan: Free Comic Book Day Edition'' (2006). One-shot publication.

** ''Conan And the Songs of the Dead'' (2006). 5 issues.

** ''Hyborian Adventures: SDCC Free Giveaway'' (2006). One-shot publication.

** ''Conan And the Midnight God'' (2007). 5 issues.

** ''Conan the Cimmerian'' (2008-2010). 26 issues.

** ''Conan: The Weight of the Crown'' (2010). One-shot publication.

** ''Conan: Road of Kings'' (2010-2012). 12 issues.

** ''King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel'' (2011). 4 issues.

** ''Conan: Island of No Return'' (2011). 2 issues.

** ''King Conan: The Phoenix on the Sword'' (planned for 2012). 4 issues.

** ''Conan the Barbarian'' vol. 3 (ongoing, planned for 2012).

Just as some of Howard's non-Conan stories were [[Dolled-Up Installment|reworked for inclusion in the Conan books]], the character of [[Red Sonja]] was created for Marvel loosely based on two of Howard's other characters from his historical fiction - Red Sonya of Rogatino and Dark Agnes, both [[Action Girl|Action Girls]] from the 16th century.

== Film and television ==

* The films ''Conan the Barbarian'' (1982) and ''Conan the Destroyer'' (1984). Both had [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] as Conan, and [[Mako Iwamatsu]] as Akiro, his KWONICLER. The first film also had [[James Earl Jones]] as Thulsa Doom, and Sandahl Bergman as Valeria. It was co-written by John Milius and Oliver Stone, directed by Milius alone. The second film had Grace Jones as Zula, Olivia d'Abo as Jehnna, Sarah Douglas as Taramis, Pat Roach as Toth-Amon, and an uncredited [[Andre the Giant]] as the monster Dagoth. It was written by Stanley Mann, and directed by Richard Fleischer.

* ''[[Conan the Adventurer (animation)|Conan the Adventurer]]'' (1992-1993) was an animated cartoon based on elements from the various Conan stories, but it was so very much [[Lighter and Softer]]. It takes only a few elements from the original. Decent on its own terms, despite the "kiddification" (e.g. [[Polly Wants a Microphone|a talking phoenix]] that lived in Conan's shield and was obsessed with pomegranates). Run for 65 episodes.

* ''Conan and the Young Warriors'' (1994). Continuation of the above. This had Conan leading kids around. Having defeated his enemies, Conan was contemplating retirement. Fate, in the form of Epimetrius the Sage, has other plans and the Cimmerian becomes mentor to [[The Chosen One|The Chosen Ones]], three siblings with magical powers who are destined to rule the Hyborian world. All three are blonde, and blue-eyed. Draegen, the eldest boy, summons an [[Instant Armor]] with magical qualities. He has also been trained to [[Whip It Good]] in battle. Brynne, middle child and only girl, is a [[Master of Illusion]]. She has also had training as a thief and [[The Archer|Archer]]. Navah, the youngest boy, is a [[The Beast Master]] of the group. He has had training as a slinger. This show was never particularly successful. A total of 13 episodes were released.

* ''[[Conan the Adventurer (TV series)|Conan the Adventurer]]'' (1997-1998) was a live-action ''Conan'' series starring Ralf Moeller. It was one of many failed attempts to match the success of ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'' and ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]''. It makes superficial use of Conan's name and elements from the movies and animated series, as well as Robert Jordan's Conan novels, but otherwise was Howard's character in name only. A total of 22 episodes were released.

* The film ''Conan the Barbarian'' (2011) was [[Continuity Reboot]], starrs Jason Momoa as Conan. It featured Rachel Nichols as Tamara , Stephen Lang as the villain Khalar Zym, [[Rose McGowan]] as witch Marique, and [[Ron Perlman]] as Corin, Conan's father. The script was written by Thomas Dean Donnelly, Sean Hood, and Joshua Oppenheimer. Directed by Marcus Nispel.

* There's been an animated adaptation of ''Red Nails'' starring [[Ron Perlman]] and [[Mark Hamill]] in the works for some time, but it seems to be stuck in [[Development Hell]].

== [[Video Games]] ==

* ''[http://www.mobygames.com/game/conan-hall-of-volta Conan: Hall of Volta]'' (1984). A platformer with puzzle elements for [[Apple II]], [[Atari 8 Bit Computers|Atari]] and [[Commodore 64]].

* ''[http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/conan-the-cimmerian Conan: The Cimmerian]'' (1991) an RPG with side-scrolling action game elements for MS-DOS.

* The infamous ''Conan: Mysteries of Time'' (1991) for [[NES]] (in reality [[Dolled-Up Installment]] based on ''[http://www.mobygames.com/game/myth-history-in-the-making Myth: History in the Making]'', which was considered a classic on Commodore 64 and [[ZX Spectrum]], although the NES version was [[Porting Disaster|entirely different story]]).

* ''Conan'' (2004), also known as ''Conan: The Dark Axe''. An action-adventure game for the Xbox, [[Game Cube]], [[PlayStation]] 2, and Microsoft Windows that was released only in Europe.

* ''Conan'' (2007), for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]]. More or less a ''[[God of War (series)|God of War]]'' clone, based on elements from Howard's stories.

* ''[[Age of Conan]]'' (2008)

----

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* [[Abdicate the Throne]]: In "The Scarlet Citadel", Conan is [[Buy Them Off|offered freedom and gold]] if he will do this. Conan, in characteristic fashion, tells the villains who captured him to [[Screw the Money, I Have Rules|go to hell]].

* [[Absurdly Sharp Blade]]: Conan's swords can cut through nearly anything. Hardly a fight scene goes by that doesn't have the Cimmerian casually hewing off limbs and heads, plunging a sword through chainmail like wet paper or rotten fruit or some other metaphor for softness, and occasionally bisecting still-helmeted skulls and whole torsos. In "The People Of The Black Circle," he chops through a ''door'' with his sword. And yet it's still always described as "razor-sharp".

** It's worth noting here the awesome physical power that Conan was able to put ''behind'' his sword work.

** [[Justified Trope|Justified]] in the movie, where Conan wields an Atlantean sword that may even have magical properties. Usually in the comics and books, however, he was using whatever sword he'd bought in the market or had come to hand a few moments before.

** Scaled back to a more realistic level in the first movie scene where Conan takes multiple swings to {{spoiler|chop off Thulsa Doom's head.}}

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* [[Actor Allusion]]: in the first movie [[Sorcerous Overlord|Thulsa Doom]] [[James Earl Jones|(as played by James Earl Jones)]] [[The Empire Strikes Back|asks Conan to join him, and that he is pretty much his son now]]. {{spoiler|[[Off with His Head|It doesn't work.]]}}

** He even repeats "My son" in a way that makes any Star Wars fan widen their eyes.

* [[Adaptation Distillation]]: The Dark Horse comic book series and the first Conan film. The quality of their distillations is debated, to say the least.

** To the extent that the first film captured the "Frank Frazetta feel", and had assorted story elements from both Howard and pastiche, it was an Adaptation Distillation; but its plot and themes are [http://theblogthattimeforgot.blogspot.com/2010/03/comparison-of-howard-quotient-in-conan.html incompatible at worst] with Howard's Conan. Of course, one may enjoy it on its own, regardless of the source material.

** The 2011 film manages to feel the most like Howard's original story, right down to the pulpy feel and escapist action. It helps that they made sure to write around established stories and events from the Howard canon instead of just rewriting Conan's life to fit their movie plot like the '82 film.

* [[Adaptation Dye Job]]: Schwarzenegger, Ralf Moeller, and Jason Momoa have dark brown hair instead of plain black.

* [[Advanced Ancient Acropolis]]

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* [[Animated Adaptation]]: Two of them, actually.

* [[Anachronic Order]]: While Howard didn't write the stories in chronological order, [[wikipedia:Conan chronologies|several different outlines]] have been devised if one wishes to read them this way - pastiches included or not.

* [[Ancient Africa]]: Kush, Keshan, Darfar, Punt, Zembabwei, Atlaia, Amazon and the other "Black Kingdoms" to the south of Stygia where Conan managed to lead a tribe for a few months. Possibly also the second movie featuring Grace Jones as a [[Heroic Sociopath|psychotic tribeswoman]] (as one of the ''heroes'').

* [[Ancient Astronauts]]: ''The Tower of the Elephant'' features an only survivor.

* [[Ancient Conspiracy]]: The Sect of the Fire Knife, the Serpent Men.

* [[And the Adventure Continues...]]:

** The closing narration of movie #1. One of the greatest movie tags in existence.

** The end of ''Conan of the Islands'', being more than 60 years old he headed his ship for Mayapan (America).

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* [[An Axe to Grind]]: While Conan generally uses swords as his weapon of choice, he has used the battleaxe from time to time in Howard's stories, such as in the first Conan story, "The Phoenix on the Sword," which has King Conan taking one to the assassins trying to kill him in his bedchamber after breaking his sword. King Kull, another Howard creation, famously used the axe, with his catchphrase being "With This Axe I Rule!"

* [[Back From the Dead]]: In the Savage Sword of Conan comics, Boraq D' Sharaq did this so often that Conan remarked during his later appearances that the former pirate had more lives than a cat. He even returned to life after being turned into [[Taken for Granite|a glass statue]].

* [[Badass Boast]]: In "Shadows of Zamboula", Conan beats a cultist strangler, [[Scary Black Man|a black guy who's even larger than him]], at his own game - ''while being strangled himself'':

{{quote|"Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk, poor weaklings with muscles like rotten string? Hell! Break the neck of a wild Cimmerian bull before you call yourself strong. I did that, before I was a full-grown man — like this!"}}

* [[Badass Creed]]: As summed up in the poem ''The Road of Kings''

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* [[Badass Normal]]: Conan, again. Sorcerers, demons, apemen, demi-goddess witches, he's fought them all and won.

* [[Badass Bookworm]]:

** The archenemy of Conan, Thoth-Amon.

** Pelias, [[Sidekick Ex Machina|a sorcerer who became a friend of Conan]] -- albeit it not in the Howard story where he appeared -- he didn't mind using his magic to directly fight his enemies.

* [[The Bait]]

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** "Queen of the Black Coast" ends with Conan having overcome his enemies, but having lost perhaps his greatest love.

* [[Black and Gray Morality]]: Very much so in the original stories. Lightened somewhat in the movies and later books. In the original stories, Conan was often little more than a thug of some manner (pirate, bandit, hired sword, whichever) who was going up against fiendishly evil sorcerers, mad kings, or occasionally both. On the other hand he gets a much more sympathetic portrayal when he is king of Aquilonia, all of his foes being scheming aristocrats or ambitious rival kings and Conan himself the benevolent ruler defending his throne.

** [[Alternative Character Interpretation]]: Conan repeatedly does the right thing at personal expense, such as {{spoiler|saving the girl rather than the gems of Gwahlur}} or {{spoiler|giving two orphans enough money to lead a comfortable life}}. It gets to the point where Conan is, arguably, a barbarian version of [[The Cape]].

** [[Alternative Character Interpretation]]: Conan repeatedly does the right thing at personal expense, such as {{spoiler|saving the girl rather than the gems of Gwahlur}} or {{spoiler|giving two orphans enough money to lead a comfortable life}}. It gets to the point where Conan is, arguably, a barbarian version of [[The Cape (trope)]].

* [[Blade on a Stick]]: Albeit rarely, he used a spear in some occasions.

* [[Blinded by the Light]]

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* [[Burn, Baby, Burn]]/[[Viking Funeral]]: Belit in "Queen of the Black Coast" and Valeria in the movies.

* [[Burn the Witch]]

* [[But for Me It Was Tuesday]]: In the movie Thulsa Doom does not remember plundering Conan's village and selling him and the other children into slavery.

{{quote|'''Conan:''' You killed my mother... [[You Killed My Father]]! YOU KILLED MY PEOPLE! You took my father's sword!

'''Doom:''' Ah! It must have been when I was younger. }}

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* [[Cold-Blooded Torture]]

* [[Cold Flames]]

* [[Combat Pragmatist]]: While he [[Heroes Prefer Swords|often uses swords]], Conan may also use pretty much whatever else is at hand. This includes other weapons like [[An Axe to Grind|axes,]] [[Blade on a Stick|spears]], daggers, [[The Archer|bows and arrows]] (though he only learns archery after leaving Cimmeria), and [[Improvised Weapon|improvised ones]] - like a stool in "Rogues in the House". He can also fight dirty, as when he gouges someone's eyes out in "The God in the Bowl".

* [[Complaining About Rescues They Don't Like]]

* [[Conservation of Ninjutsu]]

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* [[Damsel in Distress]]: Many. [[Flanderization]], however, has put a scantily-clad buxom maiden at Conan's feet being menaced by someone or something on ''every'' cover, bar none, regardless of story content. She could be an [[Action Girl]] in the story, she might be a background characters who never meets Conan face to face, but on the cover it's always [[Strictly Formula]]: 1.) [[Furry Loincloth|Loincloth]], 2.) monster and/or ravening horde of savages, 3.) hot half-naked chick sprawled between Conan's legs [[Touch of the Monster|looking terrified]] at <nowiki>#2</nowiki>.

** This started in Howard's own lifetime: Margaret Brundage, the resident illustrator of Weird Tales, was particularly fond of depicting barely-clad women (hey, [[All Men Are Perverts|who]] [[Most Writers Are Male|isn't?]]), especially being menaced by monsters or engaging in a little sadomasochism. Howard sought to exploit that predilection by inserting some cheesecake into the stories, in order to get the extra money the cover story includes.

** Note that many of the books' original covers did indeed have somewhat faithful renditions of Conan fighting enemies, to be replaced with the damsel in distress scene in reprints. The chance of a Damsel cover being the original cover is inversely proportional to how much skin she is showing. A prime example is the cover of Conan the Buccaneer, which originally had Conan, in mail pants and a horned helmet, losing his axe in a battle against overwhelming numbers, to be replaced with Conan striking a pose while a woman in a golden thong bikini looks scared, astride a giant snake. Possibly the latter is inspired by a [[Dungeons and Dragons]] supplement based on the book which has a halfway cover, where Conan is actually fighting the snake while a woman in a long blue dress lifts up her skirt to expose one leg. Best not to speculate if they're before and after scenes.

* [[Dude in Distress]]: See [[Badass in Distress]] above.

* [[Divided We Fall]]

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* [[Deus Exit Machina]]: Frequently, but perhaps strongest of all in ''A Witch Shall Be Born''. Also in "The Return of Conan".

* [[Diamonds in the Buff]]

* [[Doomed Hometown]]: In the first film.

* [[Doomy Dooms of Doom]]: Thulsa Doom (film). Contemplate this on the Tree Of Woe.

* [[The Dragon]]: [[Co-Dragons|Rexor and Thorgrim]] to Thulsa Doom in the first movie, Bombaata to Queen Taramis in the second movie.

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* [[Dumb Muscle]]: Some of the side characters, (like, say, anyone dumb enough to [[Attack! Attack! Attack!|keep attacking him]]) but ''not Conan''. See Flanderization. (even in [[The Movie]] he's somewhat articulate, he just doesn't say much).

* [[Dungeon Punk]]: In "Rogues in the House" Nabonidus who, rather than the typical [[Evil Sorcerer]] is more like the evil offspring of Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli uses clockwork tech to defend his abode.

* [[Eldritch Abomination]]: Despite being one of the first to use the trope, the Conan stories [[Subverted Trope|subverts]] this trope by making the Abominations take on a ''very'' [[A Form You Are Comfortable With|non-eldritch aspect when descending to Hyboria]]. Despite numerous encounters Conan repeatedly comes out on top through superior fighting skills or by exploiting an [[Achilles Heel]] -- except when he doesn't and resorts to [[Run or Die]].

* [[Eldritch Abomination]]: Despite being one of the first to use the trope, the Conan stories [[Subverted Trope|subverts]] this trope by making the Abominations take on a ''very'' [[A Form You Are Comfortable With|non-eldritch aspect when descending to Hyboria]]. Despite numerous encounters Conan repeatedly comes out on top through superior fighting skills or by exploiting an [[Achilles' Heel]] -- except when he doesn't and resorts to [[Run or Die]].

* [[Enemy Civil War]]

* [[Enemy Mine]]

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* [[Faux Death]]

* [[Feathered Fiend]]

* [[Finger in the Mail]]: In "Rogues in the House", Murilo is given a recognizable ear as a hint.

* [[Five-Bad Band]]: In the 2011 film we have:

** [[Big Bad]]: Khalar Zym

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* [[Gender Flip]]: [[The Movie]]'s sequel ''Conan The Destroyer'' turned [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/zula_hyborian.htm Zula], a male [[Magic Knight|warrior/wizard]] from the [[Marvel Comics]] line, into the non-magical [[Action Girl]] played by Grace Jones as a [[Amazon Brigade|Zulu Amazon]] of sorts wielding a [[Simple Staff]]. She's somewhat, uh, [[The Ladette|manly]] however.

{{quote|'''Zula:''' What do I do if I want a man? ''Take '' him! Like that!}}

* [[Genius Bruiser]]: In the original stories, he uses both brain and brawn to get through hardships.

* [[Genre Killer]]

* [[Get a Hold of Yourself, Man!]]

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* [[Lightning Bruiser]]: Conan is repeatedly described as very fast and agile despite his size, as in "Xuthal of the Dusk":

{{quote|"He was never motionless or in the same place an instant; springing, side-stepping, whirling, twisting, he offered a constantly shifting target for their swords, while his own curved blade sang death about their ears." }}

* [[Literary Agent Hypothesis]]: Not exactly; though Howard wrote [http://books.google.com/books?id=kQCohrOGHOsC&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=In+writing+these+yarns+I%27ve+always+felt+less+as+creating+them+than+as+if+I+were+simply+chronicling+his+adventures+as+he+told+them+to+me.&source=bl&ots=XN0UqDDYCK&sig=vkUrljTlFyuzQRv7mbE97ihq_1E&hl=en&ei=X9_8TJ6OJYn0ca75_fMO&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=In%20writing%20these%20yarns%20I%27ve%20always%20felt%20less%20as%20creating%20them%20than%20as%20if%20I%20were%20simply%20chronicling%20his%20adventures%20as%20he%20told%20them%20to%20me.&f=false in a 1936 letter to a friend,] "I've always felt less as ''creating'' [the stories] than as if I were simply ''chronicling'' his adventures as he told them to me," he also wrote a disclaimer in "The Hyborian Age", published that same year: "[This article] is simply a fictional background for a series of fiction-stories."

* [[Living Shadow]]: The [[Nightmare Fuel|nightmarish]] monster from ''Xuthal of the Dusk'', Thog.

* [[Loin Cloth]]: In many adaptations and some of the original stories although Howard more often has him dressing as appropriate to the culture and circumstances he finds himself in.

* [[Loose Canon]]: [http://hyboria.xoth.net/history/conan_indestructible.htm According to L. Sprague de Camp], Conan's backstory in ''Conan the Barbarian'' (being a child slave and gladiator, etc.) is an alternative account of his early years, though of uncertain validity Still, it's depicted with [[Broad Strokes]] (no Thulsa Doom or Riddle of Steel).

* [[Lost in Imitation]]: Howard's Conan in the live-action TV series, which was influenced by [[Ink Stain Adaptation|the movies]] in several aspects. Conan is played by a German actor, is outfitted in [[Loin Cloth]] and headband like ''Conan the Destroyer'', and has a similar [[Wheel of Pain]] backstory and Atlantean sword. Still, the series was even further from the original stories than was ''Destroyer'', with Conan becoming Crom's [[The Chosen One|Chosen One]] fighting the [[Evil Empire]].

* [[Lotus Eater Machine]]: All the inhabitants of Xuthal are heavily drugged by Black Lotus.

* [[Lunacy]]

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* [[The Need for Mead]]

* [[Nemean Skinning]]: happened in the Marvel comics, and the original movie.

* [[Ninja]]: The followers of Louhi are Hyperborean wearing form-fitting black suits, blank masks and wielding platinum-tipped sticks. Yeah, that's right, Finnish Ninjas.... Finnjas.

* [[Noble Savage]]: Conan himself certainly fits the bill, although other uncivilized types like the Picts are portrayed as [[Always Chaotic Evil]]. Quite forcefully ''averted'' in the original stories, however. In Howard's own words, "I have no idyllic view of barbarism - as near as I can learn it's a grim, bloody, ferocious and loveless condition. I have no patience with the depiction of the barbarian of any race as a stately, god-like child of Nature, endowed with strange wisdom and speaking in measured and sonorous phrases." Conan is simply far too busy enjoying his life of bloody adventure to bother with such high-minded nonsense.

* [[Noblewoman's Laugh]]: In one case, [[Mind Screw|it came]] [[Nightmare Fuel|from the lips of]] a [[Blob Monster|gelatinous, tentacled, toad headed monstrosity]].

* [[Not Quite Dead]]

* [[Obfuscating Disability]]: In "A Witch Shall Be Born", Salome tossed the head of a murdered man to a deaf beggar — who proves to be Valerius, who heard that the true queen is prisoner there.

* [[Off with His Head]]

* [[Old Master]]: The Asian swordmaster in the first movie was actually played by the movie's swordmaster.

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* [[Physical God]]: In Olivia's dream in "Shadows in the Moonlight."

** Set himself appears briefly as a [[Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever|gigantic serpent]] in ''The Red Moon of Zembabwei''.

* [[Pirate]]: Conan has been a pirate more than once in his career, in many different organizations, including the Red Brotherhood, the Zingaran Freebooters, and the infamous Black Corsairs.

* [[Pirate Girl]]: One of his greatest loves, Belit, the Queen of the Black Coast, was the most feared pirate of the Hyborian Age -- at least, until the legend of Amra. Valeria was also one of these.

* [[Planet of Hats]]: In many istances: almost every Stygian is an evil sorcerer/priest worshipping Set, all Picts are wild, bloodthirsty barbarians and woodsmen, Zamorians are sniveling thieves, Aesir and Vanir are [[Horny Vikings|viking-like]] [[Boisterous Bruiser]] warriors, Khitans and Eastern people are enigmatic fatalists, Zuagirs are noble sand raiders with a strict code of honor and Hyperboreans are skinny, evil people worshipping a sorceress. Furthermore, all those "isolated and decadent" type of people living in remote cities tends to be depraved and decadent psychos.

* [[Plot Armor]]: In "A Witch Shall be Born" he is hung on a cross in the middle of a desert, which the villain of the tale supposed would be enough to kill him -- luckily, he is rescued. When an assassination attempt is made on him in a later story, "The Phoenix on the Sword" the would-be assassins fail only because a wizard finds a ring that he has lost for almost a hundred years by total accident (though since it's a magic ring, one wonders if it was an accident at all). Talk about luck.

* [[Poke the Poodle]]: Conan [[Crowning Moment of Funny|punching camels]] in the film ''[[Conan the Barbarian]]''.

* [[Polly Wants a Microphone]]: The ancient talking parrot in ''Iron Shadows in the Moon''.

* [[Power of Trust]]

* [[Pragmatic Adaptation]]: The first movie wasn't based on any one particular story (and indeed, changed plenty of things) but was sufficiently well constructed to be considered a fine film on its own merits.

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* [[Rape Discretion Shot]]: Queen Taramis' rape by Constantius in "A Witch Shall Be Born."

* [[Rated "M" for Manly]]: But of course.

* [[Real After All]]: In ''The Frost Giant's Daughter'' and ''The Phoenix on the Sword'' there are people who initially disbelieve Conan's stories about clashes with supernatural beings. But then Conan produces physical proof of his encounter, immediately silencing the disbelievers.

* [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]]:

** Conan gives one of these to Constantius in "A Witch Shall Be Born" while the latter is hanging on a cross.

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* [[Rescue Sex]]: When Conan saves Princess Yasmela from an evil wizard at the end of ''Black Colossus'', she immediately insists that he ravish her atop the very alter that she going to be sacrificed on.

* [[Retired Badass]]: Conan's grandfather, who did some [[Walking the Earth]] of his own before settling down with Conan's tribe. His stories of the outside world inspired Conan's wanderlust.

* [[Revenge]]:

** The first film features Conan's quest for vengeance after his family and people are slain by Thulsa Doom. Nothing of the sort happens or is even implied in Howard's texts.

** In "A Witch Shall Be Born", Conan is crucified after he realizes the [[Evil Twin]] of a queen he's serving has taken her place. He survives to lead an invasion against the impostor, while the queen is rescued by a secondary protagonist.

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* [[Scary Black Man]]: The villain in the original movie was called '[[Names to Run Away From Really Fast|Thulsa Doom]]' and was played by [[James Earl Jones]]. He could never be anything ''but'' this.

* [[Scenery Porn]]: Many people have credited the revival of the Conan series to the use of Frank Frazetta's artwork on the covers. The '''[[Conan the Barbarian]]''' movie tried to copy Frazetta's paintings as much as possible for the scenery and art direction.

* [[Science Destroys Magic]]: According to the good sorcerer Pelias, Conan's kingdom brought forth an age of logic and science which is slowly destroying the magic.

* [[Science Marches On]]: The concept of continental drift was new and little-understood at the time Howard was writing, so the idea that the European landmass could have been vastly different merely thousands of years ago wasn't as unlikely as it seems to today's reader. We also know a great deal more today about anthropology and ancestry than what was incorporated into the stories.

* [[Scream Discretion Shot]]: The rape of Queen Taramis in "A Witch Shall Be Born."

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** Asura being ancient demigods of India, Hyborian Asura-followers would seem to be proto-Hindus. They speak of their ancestors as coming from Vendhya (India). This may be an example of [[History Marches On]]. Howard didn't know it, probably just pulled the name "Asura" from an encyclopedia; but it is now known that the historical Asura deities began as good guys who developed a bad reputation, just as the Hyborian ones did.

* [[Spin-Off]]: ''[[Red Sonja]]''.

* [[The Stoic]]: Movie Conan was this. At Valeria's [[Burn, Baby, Burn|funeral pyre]], Subotai poignantly pointed out: "He is Conan, Cimmerian. [[He Will Not Cry, So I Cry for Him]]".

** Howard's Conan, too, to a degree.

* [[A Storm Is Coming]]

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** Conan wasn't religious in the original Howard stories, though. In fact, one can say that's one of his defining characteristics - a distinct lack of faith in anything but himself.

*** Conan never lacks for faith in Crom. It's just that Crom is a god who doesn't give a crap about faith and doesn't give you anything for believing in him. Basically, he's the perfect god for deists.

*** In truth, its not that Crom dislikes faith and much as simply dislikes prayer, as he apparently feels he already answered their prayers when he gave them life and the 'the power to strive and slay'. However, he does occasionally grant Conan some divine aid. In one story he saved Conan from an dishonourable death because he would he would rather him dying a death that involves 'mountains of corpses and rivers of blood'. Normal Cimmerians also tend to swear oaths in Crom's name.

* [[Ungrateful Bastard]]

* [[Unknown Rival]]: In the Howard stories Conan and Thoth-amon never actually meet or even knowingly act against each other. In ''Sword On the Phoenix'' Thoth-amon sends a demon not after King Conan but after his former master who is trying to assassinate Conan, thus inadvertantly saving his life, although since Thoth-amon also told the demon to kill everyone with his master he also inadvertantly puts him in danger again. In ''The God In the Bowl'' Conan just happens to be robbing the museum where a deadly gift intended for a rival of Thoth-amon's is being stored and gets loose. In ''The Black Stranger'' the object of Thoth-amon's wrath is one of several parties including Conan after a pirate's treasure treasure. Once again, Conan just happens to get in the way. In ''Hour of the Dragon'' Thoth-amon is merely mentioned by a group of Stygian priests looking for a weapon to use against him since his return to Stygia that Conan happens to encounter.

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* [[Walking the Earth]]

* [[Weapon of Choice]]: Conan [[Heroes Prefer Swords|most commonly uses swords]] in all media, and is described as "sword in hand" right away in his very first appearance. But in contrast to his film and TV versions (which had the Atlantean and Starmetal swords), the original Conan used nondescript swords - not magical, let alone [[Named Weapons|named]] - and he's not particularly attached to them. He's also just as comfortable with other weapons like spears and axes.

* [[What Could Have Been]]:

** Famous producer Dino De Laurentiis initially insisted on an ''[[Nothing but Hits|Eighties pop soundtrack]]'' for ''Conan The Barbarian'', but director John Milius insisted on hiring his then-unknown school buddy Basil Poledouris instead. Basil proceeded to write one of the most [[Crowning Music of Awesome|famous classical music soundtracks]] ever made.

*** If Oliver Stone had his way, the original ''Conan'' film was also going to be a [[Re Boot]] set in the far future, with Conan battling mutants in lieu of or in addition to ape-men. Milius insisted on setting it in the Hyborian age.

** As mentioned above, the classic [[Frank Frazetta]] covers adorned [[L. Sprague de Camp|L Sprague De Camp]]'s [[Loose Canon|semi-canonical]] Conan stories. De Camp, not known as a [[Broad Strokes|continuity zealot]], objected to the [[Ink Stain Adaptation|clearly inaccurate but thoroughly memetic]] depictions of Conan as a long-haired, loincloth-wearing savage, and wanted Frazetta fired... in which case the famous image of Conan would have never come to light.

** Besides [[Stargate Atlantis|Jason Momoa]], the other two main contenders for the lead in the Conan reboot were [[Twilight (novel)|Kellan Lutz]] and [[Supernatural (TV series)|Jared Padalecki.]]

** Around 2001 and 2002, John Milius (the man who wrote and directed the 1982 film) wrote a script titled ''King Conan: Crown of Iron'' that was intended to be a ''true'' sequel to the original film (as opposed to ''Conan the Destroyer'', which was considered a disappointment to most fans of the original). The film entered the pre-production stages and Schwarzenegger was set to star in it. However, when Schwarzenegger was elected Governer of California in 2003 the project was put on indefinite hiatus and eventually canceled.

* [[What Happened to the Mouse?]]

* [[What Year Is This?]]