Barbarians in comics before Conan.

As of October 14, 2015, we only have a few copies of the first printing left (cover in the gallery) and they will go out on a first-come first-served basis. If you specifically want a second printing (cover above) let us know in your order notes.

Viking Warrior — Previously unpublished, from the collection of the editor. This undated scratch board piece is signed by Richard Hook to fellow artist Roberto Pettinato. It may date from the mid to late-1950s. Hook is probably best known for his 1964 illustration, Head of Christ.

Newsstand Days: Memories of growing up with comic books by Matthew H. Gore.

La reina de la Costa Negra (The Queen of the Black Coast) — A gallery of Mexico’s Robert E. Howard title, Conan’s first appearance in comic books, from the 1950s and 1960s.

The Barbarian (Konar the Barbarian) — Feature Funnies #15-18 (December 1938-March 1939), Quality Comics. Story by Robert M. Hyatt, art by Edward Cronin. The first documented use of a barbarian character in American comic books is in an illustrated text serial running in these four issues.

Doc Strong and the Isle of Right (Doc Strong)— Blue Ribbon Comics #8-11 (December 1940-April 1941), M. L. J. Magazines, Inc. Art by Sam Cooper (#8), Mort Meskin (#9), and George Mandel (#10-11) . Story by Joe Blair. Doc Strong and his companions are captured first by Martians and later (#10) by Teena and her barbarian hoard.

Crom the Barbarian — Out of This World #1 (June 1950), Avon Comics. Art by John Giunta. Story by Gardner Fox. The Spider God of Akka (Crom the Barbarian) — Strange Worlds #1 (November 1950), Avon Comics. Art by John Giunta. Story by Gardner Fox.

The Giant From Beyond (Crom the Barbarian) — Strange Worlds #2 (April 1951), Avon Comics. Art by John Giunta. Story by Gardner Fox.

Dara of the Vikings — Strange Worlds #2 (April 1951), Avon Comics. Both writer and artist are, as of yet, unknown.

Newsstand Days: My Own Personal Golden Age of Comics Collecting by Greg Walker.