Conan the Barbarian #1

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The table includes 9 guide observations and 1 catalog references. These are reference values, not guaranteed sale proceeds.

Graded population

CGC records 7,440 graded copies for Conan the Barbarian #1 (1970). Population is the number recorded by this grading source, not the total print run or all surviving copies.

The Coming of Conan!

A twenty-year old barbarian from Cimmeria named Conan joins with an Aesir raiding party and their invasion of Vanaheim. Conan kills a soldier named Gondur then saves the life of an Aesir named Olav. From a high vantage point, the Vanir leader Volff the Wily watches the battle. He realizes that his men will fail to safeguard the gorge, so he instead decides to flee with his lieutenant Hothar. They tell the other Vanir that they go to call upon the favor of the Gods. They travel north across the mountains until they find a cave for shelter. The inside of the cave appears as if it is a massive temple. Inside is an aged shaman named Sharkosh, and his young maiden Tara. Sharkosh tells them that he safeguards the power of Star-Stone - a device that can project images of the past and the future. Sharkosh requires the sacrifice of a powerful fighter. Volff tells him of the dark maned barbarian he had seen assisting the Aesir. They both strike a deal and Sharkosh begins a conjuration. The Aesir find the Vanir and the battle begins. A trio of winged demon fighters appears and attacks both the Vanir and the Aesir. One of them kills Olav then attacks Conan. It flies Conan high into the air then drops him to the ground where he falls unconscious. When he awakens, he is inside Sharkosh's cavern temple. He sees fantastic images projected by the Star-Stone, including a vision of himself being crowned as a king. Conan knows that the Star-Stone is responsible for spawning the winged monsters that killed Olav. He breaks free of his cage and runs for the stone. Picking it up, he heaves it against a wall until it shatters. An explosion of supernatural energy kills Sharkosh, Volff and Hothar, but Conan manages to grab Tara and dive for safety. Tara changes her shape into that of a winged demon and explains that she is actually from the same dimension as the winged monsters, but in order for her to remain in this world, another must take her place in her own reality. Sharkosh intended on creating a spell of transference on Conan so that he would unwillingly take Tara's place. With the Star-Stone destroyed, Tara fades away and returns to her home dimension.

Creative credits

Writers: Roy Thomas

Interior art: Barry Windsor-Smith

Color: Mimi Gold

Cover art: Barry Windsor-Smith, John Verpoorten, Sam Rosen

Source records & attribution

Panel Profits keeps each source identity attached to its edition record.

COMICBASE: comicbase:283147

GCD: 23775

PANEL PROFITS: 2397351