tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post1707131729528372476..comments2024-02-20T10:12:20.623+00:00Comments on The Blog That Time Forgot: On Adaptations and Illustrations of LiteratureTaranaichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-10886223292079241772014-02-05T02:03:26.368+00:002014-02-05T02:03:26.368+00:00I'm reminded of justice league. Vandal savage ...I'm reminded of justice league. Vandal savage successfully conquers the world at long last….but reduces it to a lifeless husk in the process. During his centuries of isolation he realizes just how meaningless absolute power is. I saw Akivasha as experiencing something similar. She got eternal beauty, but because it resulted in isolation she realized that it was actually pretty hollow. Vandal conquered the world….but was king of a desolute ruined husk. Akivasha got eternal beauty…..and had no one but mindless chittering creatures to play with. Either way they got what they wanted, and found it hollow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-48359894843001818712013-05-10T21:30:40.079+01:002013-05-10T21:30:40.079+01:00Book of Thoth is similar in that some of the ideas...Book of Thoth is similar in that some of the ideas were actually good.<br /><br />Kalanthes being a good person despite being born in the position to oppress others, while Thoth turned out to be a bastard even though he knew what it was like to be oppressed was sound.<br /><br /><br /> Kal failing to act because his sheltered upbringing has made him someone who was unable to contemplate what true evil was, vs Thoth becoming evil because his shitty upbringing led him to be unable to percieve true love and compassion for your fellow man, <br /><br />and even Kalanthes as the guy who is determined to continue fighting the good fight even through all the losses that he's suffered over the centuries and the realization that a.) those losses were inflicted by one he trusted and cared for, and b.) those losses could have been stopped if he had acted before it was too late) are pretty solid ideas in concept and could have worked beautifully in another setting. However, they are also at odds with a lot of what is accepted canon in the howardverse. I can get some changes (I understand that howard was a man of his day but certain things won't fly for modern audiences and can be excised without sacrificing the core element of Howard.) Much as I like the idea of what Wood did in his comic, and what Busiek did in book of thoth, I'm not blind to the fact that they clash with a lot of established canon fit. and don't fully<br />DarthYamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12405178880649608439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-2206946580251660722013-04-28T20:10:28.523+01:002013-04-28T20:10:28.523+01:00I agree that Wood had some good ideas and certainl...I agree that Wood had some good ideas and certainly good intentions, but I think a lot of it is lost by the subversion or ignorance of Howard's main threads. Putting Belit out of her comfort zone in a story is a great idea, but I really don't think Cimmeria was the way to do it, and certainly not this early in the series. Likewise, the "actions have consequences" part of the Cimmeria arc is solid (and has precedence in Howard with "Iron Shadows in the Moon"), but not necessarily the execution.<br /><br />It's frustrating, because it feels difficult for me to truly articulate my problems, since so many seem (to me) self-evident, but I guess they aren't. Weird business.Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-86500200713203924632013-04-28T20:06:40.693+01:002013-04-28T20:06:40.693+01:00I would've liked "The Sorrow of Akivasha&...I would've liked "The Sorrow of Akivasha" a lot more if it didn't feel like it had to tweak "The Hour of the Dragon" in order to suggest pathos, especially the emphasis on Conan calling her "monster," which wasn't present in the book. I also think the implied union of Thothmekri should've been depicted as rather terrifying for the implications in addition to the bittersweet ending.Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-14577572014474904762013-04-28T20:02:27.327+01:002013-04-28T20:02:27.327+01:00I'm not entirely convinced, darthyan, though I...I'm not entirely convinced, darthyan, though I respect your take on it. Commending Wood for making Cimmeria into a harsh, hard landscape seems like damning with faint praise, but I guess I forget how easily we could return to the time of blind potters, dill pickle dragons and Cimmerian olympics!<br /><br />The Death arc intrigued me in concept, though by this time I had long abandoned the comic. Howard's Conan is at his most compelling when he's facing foes he cannot hew with a sword: politics, social convention, captivity, existential depression. Disease is definitely a good angle to go with.Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-29947317914642923992013-04-22T19:58:50.159+01:002013-04-22T19:58:50.159+01:00I'm hardly a "minion" of wood. His w...I'm hardly a "minion" of wood. His work is okay at best. However, the ideas he had weren't some inherent abomination. Belit is used to being top dog, so when she's in a position she isn't she doesn't know what to do. She's used to people fearing her or respecting her, not mocking her. She's outside her comfort zone as it were. Ultimately she doesn't let the harsh winter break her, and in the end she does what few civilized people can claim (it's made very clear in the comic that Cimmeria is a brutal place to live, where only the strong survive). Not only survive the harshness of cimmeria, but endure without being broken. As such, Conan's respect grows (since the point that she isn't just some civilized girl is reinforced.)<br /><br /> The imposter story shows how our actions have consequences, and that many of the things we thought were funny as teenagers or children actually were pretty cruel (another example is harry potter. harry finds out that his dad (who he looked up to) was kind of a prick in school, and that he had needlessly bullied the teacher who now hates his guts. Even sirius, who still hates the teacher, acknowledges that he and the others were needlessly cruel, and that "loads of people are idiots when they're 15.") In this case, something Conan thought of as a harmless laugh ended up being far more serious.<br /><br /><br />It needed more buildup (it's like Hush from batman except the friend tommy elliot was established before the big reveal) but the idea of looking back and realizing that you were kind of an ass in your teen years isn't at odds with hyboria.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-58299428616684382472013-04-21T03:09:55.610+01:002013-04-21T03:09:55.610+01:00At the same time Crom! blog and this present one a...At the same time Crom! blog and this present one are attacked by Wood 's minions.<br />A sophisticated Belit (isn't she supposed to be a merciless pirate queen?) developed in a 'believable' way as she is insulted by ill mannered cimmerian louts? The impostor story being 'clever' because reflecting actual behaving of real life (20th-21st century)children ?<br /><br />We're navigating through a sea of bad taste (if it isn't total lack of knowledge of the original QotBC story along with Hyborian Age mythos) and poor jokes.What's going on...noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-57676878102662595192013-04-19T01:53:41.635+01:002013-04-19T01:53:41.635+01:00I have the wandering star/cross plains version of...I have the wandering star/cross plains version of the comics Worms of the earth and it's already in full color compared to the SSOC b&w original stuff.<br />I guess the DH version is re-colorized and not the first time color job. <br />The wandering star edition is damn hard to get, i almost had to fight to get it plus it's a fine collectible probably more than the DH one. This being said , I prefer the b&w medium with Conrad and BWS (smith only did a few pages).Jainkhul Tamhairnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-39328971482520254672013-04-17T20:13:59.054+01:002013-04-17T20:13:59.054+01:00Likewise I loved the Akivasha story because it man...Likewise I loved the Akivasha story because it managed to balance human and monster; she was given sympathy yet at the same time it was clear that she was a demon. <br /><br />The sympathy comes from the fact that she wished for immortality for the most petty reasons; she couldn't stand loosing her beauty. Now, ten thousand years later (and no real companionship later) she realizes that unless you have someone who truly cares about you (rather than mindless sycophants and servants), life's pretty damn hollow.<br /><br /> She's a bloodsucking fiend, to be certain. But it isn't impossible to sympathize with her, since her motivations (or at least one of them) is understandable.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-77665853839712445802013-04-17T19:56:06.197+01:002013-04-17T19:56:06.197+01:00As out of character and silly as Cimmeria was, the...As out of character and silly as Cimmeria was, there were a few things I enjoyed. Cimmeria is indeed portrayed as a brutish hellhole that only the strong can survive in. It also developed Belit in a believable way. On the coast she was the master of her domain, respected and or hated (not to mention feared by all who crossed her. In Cimmeria, she's nothing. As far as the locals are concerned she's just some civilized girl he's brought home; for the first time she's completely out of her depth, so much that the cimmerians actually don't mind insulting her to her face. The fact that she ultimately endures enhances her bond with conan.<br /><br />And as stupid as the whole "Conan's old friend was the murderer", I can see why they did it. Mael'dun is an evil that Conan, whether intentionally or not, created through his immaturity and cruelty (even if it was the kind teenagers show each other). In the otherwise juevinile movie billy madison there is an actually compelling scene where Billy (having gained perspective) calls up a kid he tormented in school a decade earlier and apologizes, admitting that while he thought it was funny at the time in hindsight he realizes that he was kind of a douche. Barbarians may be different from civilized folk, but lets face it; we can all be kind of nasty as children.<br /><br />The death arc worked as well, because Conan is more than ready to fight a sorceror warrior or demon, and outmanuever it. A disease is a force of nature; either you die, or you endure long enough to beat it. As such, Conan is up against something that he has no way combatting. As such, I can easily see him feeling powerless.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-64404196859577013412013-04-17T02:18:53.613+01:002013-04-17T02:18:53.613+01:00It looks like they've given Xaltotun serpent e...It looks like they've given Xaltotun serpent eyes, too. Blargh. And yes, they use a mirror in the story.Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-68670602327493074152013-04-17T02:13:42.343+01:002013-04-17T02:13:42.343+01:00Indeed. Very mythological.Indeed. Very mythological.Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-19801496066818884072013-04-17T02:10:29.480+01:002013-04-17T02:10:29.480+01:00I defer to your superior knowledge, Jeff. I had c...I defer to your superior knowledge, Jeff. I had checked Howardworks, but for some reason I went away with "1963." While it is indeed post-Frazetta, it is at least another pre-Marvel Conan.Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-34079462361730270362013-04-12T14:36:00.321+01:002013-04-12T14:36:00.321+01:00Al, a minor correction. The issue of Star-Studded ...Al, a minor correction. The issue of Star-Studded Comics with "Gods of the North" (#14) was published in 1968 (the series began in 1963). So that illustration actually postdates the Frazetta. But excellent and informative essay as always!Jeffrey Shankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06506771948237755828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-5138894414179833502013-04-01T00:51:34.065+01:002013-04-01T00:51:34.065+01:00Truman is the best in a long time since Roy for me...Truman is the best in a long time since Roy for me. Even with his changes the moved well, read well and looked awsome with Gio's art. <br /><br />(note to Charles R: in issue 220 (I think) Mc Neill did the cover and internal Conan Solomon crossover, and I remember crying out loud when I saw SK with blond hair WTF!! lol).<br /><br />The new HotD looks again powerful, but already I have one gripe, Xaltotun (prob wrong spelling) does not use a mirror to see Conan the king, I believe in the original tale he used a mirror. (Been a while since I read it, but I am 90% sure I'm right). <br /><br />Athgulhttp://fantasy-unlimited.webs.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-52517216259080917892013-03-30T18:55:22.382+00:002013-03-30T18:55:22.382+00:00The hesterm stories were kind of interesting, and ...The hesterm stories were kind of interesting, and shallow thought it may be the idea of conan banging a goddess does have it's appealAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-23626254639686053422013-03-26T21:04:43.295+00:002013-03-26T21:04:43.295+00:00I think the crucial difference is that Truman'...I think the crucial difference is that Truman's been consistent in his changes, which doesn't result in too much jarring.<br /><br />I'm of two minds about the WotE adaptation: on the one hand, it is beautifully coloured, but on the other, I felt it worked better in Black & White. It was more noirish and hardboiled, at least in my opinion. It does follow the story very closely except for the depiction of Atla (who was beautiful from a distance and could pass for a human instead of the clearly half-inhuman thing), and while I do wish they didn't go that route, I still think it's one of the best REH adaptations ever.Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-81124075008957476112013-03-25T07:13:53.758+00:002013-03-25T07:13:53.758+00:00The Iron Shadows in the Moon is easily my favourit...The Iron Shadows in the Moon is easily my favourite of all the DH Conan adaptations. I kinda agree what you said about the changes but I'm willing to overlook them. The King Conan adaptations have so far been very good also but I didn't like the framing device. Maybe it could have been used once, say in the beginning of TPotS, and then dropped from the rest. But then they did The Scarlet Citadel first so.. I just hope there is not old Conan narration in the coming HotD adaption since its just going to waste pages.<br /><br /><br />And about Robert E. Howard's Savage Sword: The colored version of SSOC's The Worms of the Earth in #1 looks amazing! I don't recall how closely it follows the original story but the look and feel of it are just great. It features two my favourite double splashes I have seen in comics (the opening and the view of marshland). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-16744777590998952252013-03-24T18:12:54.441+00:002013-03-24T18:12:54.441+00:00I think Roy did a fine job a lot of the time, too....I think Roy did a fine job a lot of the time, too. Certainly I had my disagreements, like his alterations to "Rogues" and "Bowl," but he did his damnedest to make REH fit into a comic which was still dealing with censorship issues.Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-3817607881515533272013-03-24T18:10:47.111+00:002013-03-24T18:10:47.111+00:00Yes, you do!Yes, you do!Taranaichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176999342965850175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-206267705005771182013-03-24T13:13:38.728+00:002013-03-24T13:13:38.728+00:00I'll admit that I'm biased, since I first ... I'll admit that I'm biased, since I first came to Conan through Roy Thomas's Conan the Barbarian, but I think Roy nailed the pure adaptations in style and content, particularly in Savage Sword of Conan where he used mass chunks of REH's prose and did very little tweaking. And of course he had Big John Buscema to back his play. Their adaptations of The Devil in Iron, Slithering Shadow, People of the Black Circle, and Iron Shadows in the Moon remain definitive in terms of comics.<br /> I also think that Roy's non-adaptations had more of the feel of REH in many cases than any of the prose pastiches. Just my take of course. Charles R. Rutledgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14265387377510655973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-57516353532533447822013-03-24T11:11:26.282+00:002013-03-24T11:11:26.282+00:00Geoff Isherwood inked SSoC #233. Just sayin.Geoff Isherwood inked SSoC #233. Just sayin.Charles R. Rutledgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14265387377510655973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177193073415704349.post-15957139303939054872013-03-24T00:31:00.449+00:002013-03-24T00:31:00.449+00:00I need to check out the new SSoCs...I need to check out the new SSoCs...monkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13020515749401027033noreply@blogger.com