Conan and the People of the Black Circle #4 Review

Can our strong Cimmerian warrior stand up to this vile magic? Read on to find out.

The official description from Dark Horse:

To rescue the captive Devi Yasmina, Conan will have to overcome the malicious magicks of the Black Seers of Yimsha. But even if he can defeat the foul sorcerers in their own mountain fortress, he must still contend with their even more formidable master!

This particular entry in our barbarian’s legacy comes to an end, while the creative team strives to finish on a strong note. But don’t worry my fellow fanboys and fangirls there’s plenty of action to be had, as violence lights the way toward some bone-splitting truths.

Fred Van Lente pens the script and the author does a fantastic job letting the narration and dialogue play a role but one that’s never overbearing. Instead we have a body of text that knows when to pull back on its proverbial reigns in favor of the greater good. Still, what we’re given may be rather light and brisk but enough context bubbles to the surface in order to sell the final moments of this arc. Everything that happens fits within what followers have come to expect, but I did find a few of the more predictable tropes to be far too forced in a way that acted as a detriment to these proceedings.

What can be said about the art by Ariel Olivetti? For starters the visualizations and renditions found within the confines of these pages are nothing short of beautiful. We see the wide range of an illustrator that perfectly captures the essence of Conan, and by Crom I never found myself disappointed by what I saw. Exquisitely realized panels gave this tale sturdy legs to stand on even as some of the more cornier elements threatened to derail it.

Conan and the People of the Black Circle #4 is a crowd pleasing affair that should easily garner the attention of even the most discerning fans. If you’re into adventure, powerful warriors and the seeds of a forthcoming conquest than this comic book is for you. Recommended.

3.5/5