The Savage Sword of Conan, #53
Published: June 1980
Cover
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Issue Contents:
The Sorcerer Steals a Soul!
Characters
- Conan
- Hisarr Zul
- Isparana
Credits
- Pencils: Earl Norem
- Inks: Earl Norem
- Colors: Earl Norem
Storyline
Conan, with a bloody dagger in his upraised right hand, clinging to the back the man-ape Thak.
Characters
- Conan
- Thak
Credits
- Pencils: Pat Broderick
- Inks: Pat Broderick
Story Notes
The man-ape is Thak, the Red Priest's pet from "Rogues in the House" (confirmed by Roy Thomas in Introduction of Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus (Marvel, 2019 series) #4).
Table of Contents
"Conan was born on a battlefield, during a fight between his tribe and a horde of raiding Vanir."
Story Notes
Includes a map of The Hyborian Age of Conan.
The Sorcerer and the Soul
"The Maul: A filth-strewn warren of low, greasy-dens..."
Storyline
Young Conan is plying his trade as a thief in Arenjun when he learns of a talisman known as the Eye of Erlik, in the possession of the wizard Hisarr Zul. As Conan breaks into the wizard's stronghold, he encounters unexpected rivals; Ajhindar, in the employ of the king of Iranistand, along with Isparana and Karamek, working for the true owner of the talisman, the Khan of Zamboula. Isparana escapes with the talisman while Conan is left to face the wrath of Hisarr Zul, who imprisons Conan's soul in a mirror and tasks him with retrieving the talisman.
Characters
- Conan
- Isparana (introduction)
- Karamek (introduction)
- Ajhindar (introduction)
- Kiliya (introduction)
- Kagul (introduction)
- Stahir (introduction)
- Hisarr Zul (introduction)
- Zul's soulless servants
Credits
- Script: Roy Thomas
- Pencils: John Buscema
- Inks: Rudy Nebres
- Letters: Joe Rosen
Story Notes
Adapted from the novel Conan and the Sorcerer by Andrew J. Offutt, continued next issue. This adventure takes place not long after "The Tower of the Elephant". Joe Rosen credit from Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus (Marvel 2019 series) #4.
The Hyborian Reporter
"It was a Halloween party, right?"
Characters
- Conan (photo of Roy Thomas)
- Red Sonja (photo of Danette Couto)
Credits
- Script: Roy Thomas
- Pencils: Alfredo Alcala
- Pencils: Bill Warren
- Inks: Alfredo Alcala
- Inks: Bill Warren
"At long last--and well worth the wait! Robert E. Howard's Almuric."
Characters
- Almuric
Story Notes
House ad for Almuric starting in Epic Illustrated (Marvel, 1980 series) #2.
The Legend of Solomon Kane
"Born around 1530 and reared as an orthodox Puritan..."
Characters
- Solomon Kane
Credits
- Pencils: John Reece
- Inks: John Reece
Wings in the Night
"Mystery spreads before the cold, light eyes of Solomon Kane."
Storyline
Kane kills a cannibal and is captured by a bat-man.
Characters
- Solomon Kane
- cannibal (introduction
- death)
- bat-men (introduction)
Credits
- Script: Don Glut
- Script: Robert E. Howard
- Pencils: John Reece
- Inks: John Reece
Story Notes
Adapted from the short story "Wings In the Night" by Robert E. Howard. Continued next issue.
"Take a barbarian to lunch!"
Characters
- Conan
Credits
- Pencils: Kerry Gammill
- Inks: Kerry Gammill
Story Notes
Includes a subscription form for black and white Marvel magazines.
"Are you a comics fan...?"
Story Notes
Subscription ad for The Comics Journal.
Credits
- Pencils: John Buscema
- Inks: Ernie Chan
Story Notes
Letters from Barbara Taylor, Scott Gilbreath, Adrian Colston, and Leighton Ku. Illustration from the splash page of Conan Annual (Marvel, 1973 series) #5.