Description

Marvel Treasury Edition Volume 1 #4 featuring Conan the Barbarian
Treasury Edition Sized Magazine
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Barry Smith
Inker: Silvio Buscema
Colorist: Barry Smith
Letterer: Sam Rosen
Editors: Roy Thomas & Stan Lee
Cover by: Barry Smith

Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) #4 features Conan the Barbarian. Stories by Robert E. Howard. Adapted by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor Smith. Features the epic tales “Rogues in the House” (Reprints Conan the Barbarian #11) and “Red Nails” (Savage Tales #2-3). Also includes a map of Hyboria and an In Memory of Robert E. Howard pin-up.

Features:

• An adaptation of the story, “Rogues in the House” by Robert E. Howard… the creator of Conan.
• The Hyborian Age of Conan — From a map prepared by Robert E. Howard … awesome!!!
• An adaptation of the story, “Red Nails” by Robert E. Howard… the creator of Conan.
• Conan Unconquered (pin-up)

Story (Spoilers!)
“Rogues in the House” is one of the original short stories starring the fictional sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian, written by American author Robert E. Howard and first published in Weird Tales magazine circa January 1934.

The story takes place in an unnamed city-state between Zamora and Corinthia during an apparent power struggle between two powerful leaders: Murilo, an aristocrat, and Nabonidus, the “Red Priest,” a clergyman with a strong power base.After he is delivered a subtle threat by Nabonidus, Murilo learns of Conan’s reputation as a mercenary and turns to him for help. Prior to the story’s beginning, Conan killed a corrupt priest of Anu who was both a fence and a police informer, but was caught after he became intoxicated and a prostitute turned him in. Languishing in a jail and awaiting execution, Conan receives Murilo’s visit and is proposed a bargain: in exchange for setting him free and getting him out of Corinthia with a bag of gold, Conan will kill Nabonidus. Conan is brought food but while he’s consuming it, the jailer who should set him free when Murilo is at home (thus with an alibi) is arrested on unrelated corruption charges (corruption seems to run rampant in the city). The new jailer is flabbergasted to see a prisoner awaiting execution whilst chomping on a haunch of beef; but when he enters the cell to confiscate it, Conan splits his skull with the very bone he was gnawing on and makes his escape. For a while, he considers leaving Murilo on his own, but then decides to follow the original plan and keep his word.

After taking revenge on the prostitute who turned him in (he slays her new lover and drops her into a foul cesspit), Conan sneaks into the Red Priest’s booby-trapped mansion, only to find that Murilo and Nabonidus himself are being held captive by a mysterious third party that took Nabonidus’ place and impersonated him. This turns out to be Thak, a primitive (pre-human) ape-like creature whom Nabonidus had captured as a cub and trained as a bodyguard and servant. The three observe Thak via a series of hidden periscopes and see that the creature has learned to imitate Nabonidus well enough to activate a toxic pollen trap which eliminates yet another party of assassins (nationalistic agitators) penetrating the villa. Finally, Conan and the other two men manage to get back into the house from the basement and Conan defeats Thak in combat. The Red Priest then turns on his temporary compatriots; but, while Nabonidus gloats over his plans in a monologue, Conan slays him with an expertly hurled stool. The surviving pair leave and go their separate ways.

Story (Spoilers!)
“Red Nails” is the last of the stories about Conan the Cimmerian written by American author Robert E. Howard. A novella, it was originally serialized in Weird Tales magazine from July to October 1936. “Red Nails” has been considered one of Robert E. Howard’s best tales.

“Red Nails” begins in the jungles far to the south of any known civilized or barbarian lands. Valeria of the Red Brotherhood enters this wilderness, fleeing persecution after killing a would-be rapist. She is followed into the wilderness by Conan, a fellow adventurer who hopes to make her his woman. They meet and quarrel, but their stand-off is interrupted by a “dragon” (actually a dinosaur, though described with the characteristics of a stegosaurus and an allosaur) that mauls their horses. They retreat to a crag the monster cannot scale, but are trapped without food or water. Conan recognizes some poisonous fruit growing nearby. The pair fashion a spear, coat the tip with poison from the fruit, and thrust it into the jaws of the monster. Although blinded, the raging monster pursues them by their scent. Overtaken, Conan whirls to face the beast and lures it to its death. Conan and Valeria emerge from the forest and make their way to a strange walled city they spotted from the crag. There are no grazing herds or cultivated fields; they assume the city is deserted. When they arrive at the city, Conan forces open the door, long since rusted shut. The couple enter a bizarre twilight world. The city, which they come to know as Xuchotl, is a single massive structure completely enclosed and roofed over. A single great hallway runs the length of the city, but there are no other streets or open courtyards. It consists entirely of four tiers of rooms, chambers and passageways. Xuchotl is constructed of jade with traces of other exotic materials. The pair separate to search the city’s seemingly empty halls. Valeria encounters a man named Techotl whom she joins in a fray between two factions that dwell in the once populous city. Aided by Conan, they defeat their enemies. Techotl invites Conan and Valeria into the stronghold of his people, the Tecuhltli. They are welcomed by the rulers, Olmec and Tascela. As Conan and Valeria rest, Olmec recounts the history of his people. The city of Xuchotil was built long before its current inhabitants arrived. In those earlier times, a slave — Tolkemec — betrayed his masters and guided the newly arrived invaders into the city where they put to death the original builders. The conquerors were led by two brothers, Tecuhltli and Xotalanc, who afterward ruled peacefully over the city until a feud developed when Tecuhltli stole the bride of his brother Xotalanc. The slave Tolkemec betrayed both sides for his own purposes and was exiled to the catacombs. As Olmec tells his tale, Tascela becomes enraptured with Valeria. Later she has a slave attempt to drug Valeria with the black lotus, a powerful narcotic plant. Valeria manages to overpower the slave and attempts to force her to reveal the motive behind such treachery. However, the slave feigns submission and escapes. Valeria’s pursuit of the slave is interrupted when the Xotalancas breach the Tecuhltli defenses. In the end the Xotalancas are exterminated and only Conan, Valeria, Olmec, Tascela, and fifteen Tecuhltli defenders remain alive. When Conan and two warriors leave to scout the Xotalanc stronghold, Valeria is left behind while her wounds are tended. Olmec attempts to force himself on Valeria, but he is thwarted by Tascela. She is revealed to be a sorceress and the stolen bride who originally started the feud. She plans to use Valeria’s vitality to restore her youth. Erstwhile, Olmec secretly ordered his two warriors to slay Conan. Conan kills them and hurries back for Valeria. Returning to Tecuhltli, Conan finds Olmec bound and tortured. Conan releases him, but Olmec attempts another betrayal and Conan slays him. Conan comes upon Tascela who has Valeria pinned to an altar. Conan, caught in a steel trap, watches powerlessly as Tascela proceeds with the sacrifice of Valeria. The scene is interrupted by Tolkemec who has returned from the catacombs, wielding a wand of terrible destructive power. Desperate for assistance against Tolkemec, Tascela frees Conan. Conan is able to defeat Tolkemec. Valeria, freed, avenges herself upon Tascela with a dagger thrust to the heart. With the last inhabitants of Xuchotl slain, Conan and Valeria depart the dead city.

Treasury Edition Sized Magazine is bagged & boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

First Printing
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Publication Date: 1975
Format: FC, 100 pages, Treasury Edition, 13.4″ x 10.15″
UPC: None Stated

Collectible Entertainment note: Marvel Treasury Edition is in Fine condition.  Very Nice!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Conan collector and/or enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Very Highly Recommended.

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