Pics from the Conan Booth at SDCC!

Just got back from San Diego Comic Con and I swung by the Conan booth and took some pics. Actually, it was pretty underwhelming compared to the other movie booths, so I didn't stick around for long. But I thought you guys would dig this anyway.

They had a big display where you could watch the trailer (which we can do on YouTube in our own homes)...

And this... ummm... big poster...

They did have a bunch of "barbarian" booth babes, but these chicks looked more like cheerleaders than wenches.

All in all, I think Lionsgate just phoned this in and didn't really try at all. Such a shame.

I then went over to the MAsters of the Universe section and hung out with Battleground Teela! Now we're talking... ;)

Yet Another Conan 3D Trailer! Now with 60% More Ron Pearlman!

NEW ~ CONAN the Barbarian 3D Movie poster!

This poster calls to mind the Harryhausen posters from Sinbad. My favorite of which was “Sinbad and the Eye of the tiger” when I was a little squirt I used to watch those movies and always thought to myself that they should do a Conan film or series of films just like this….shortly thereafter “ Conan the barbarian ” came out it was not exactly like I’d hoped but it was still Conan so I loved it. Even if they had some camp moments like camel punching and soup sleeping going on in there. I liked it anyway.



There were a few ways they could have made the film a bit better in my opinion. In the paperback movie adaptation when Conan finds the sword the skeletal giant gets up and he runs it through with the sword. There should have been a scene where we actually see him fighting off the wolves rather than just seeing their pelts on his back to keep him warm.
The giant snake was pretty fantastic but it was over too quickly…they could have created some suspense and have Conan almost crushed until he wriggles his knife free to spike the beasts mouth shut before he lops off the things head…( Great scene by the way ) We could also have used a scene where we actually see them nailing him to the tree and he fights on as the subdue and spike him.
The orgy fight sequence also could have used a little sprucing up. When he was going at it with Thorgrim they could have lost their weapons for a few minutes and had a brief battle of strength before they picked up their weapons again.
The giant guy stirring up the human stew could have had more of a role too. A brief bout with him using the ladle like a deadly mace would have been effective. I would have preferred a bit of swordplay between Doom and Conan as well. He tried to mesmerize him but it did not work and that should have turned into a climactic battle which ended with the head rolling down the steps.
I know I know…everyone’s a critic and everyone has their own idea as to how the movie could have been better…just sharing. The film did better at the box office than they originally expected so…it was a success. Good for CONAN!

New Conan Images hit the battlefield!

The last time we checked in with our favorite Cimmerian via the recently-released red-band trailer (which was too bloody and naked to post here on our family-friendly Splash Page), he was up to a few of our favorite Conan-brand tricks: sword-swinging, yelling barbarically, not wearing a shirt. (That last one is the only reason I watched said trailer, if I'm being honest. And I don't mind a bit that my appreciation for Conan is both superficial and stereotypical.)

Moving along... today we have some more of Conan to love via a set of new production stills, most of which involve Conan (Jason Momoa) gripping his trusty sword and flashing an appropriately barbaric grimace. See below for more of the glorious, semi-gory stills.

As was mentioned previously, there's a lot of sword. But also great glimpses of the other featured players in the film: Rachel Nichols, Stephen Lang and Rose McGowan, and Ron Perlman, who plays Conan's dad, Corin.


These new photos definitely give a good tease, particularly because of how excellent the production and costume design looks to be. One can never tell how it will look onscreen, but the photos are gorgeous, even if everyone in them is covered in dirt, grease, blood and/or crazy makeup and prosthetics.
We still have a little over a month before we get to see director Marcus Nispel's reinvention of Robert E. Howard's sword-swinging warrior in all of its R-rated, barbaric blood-and-guts glory, but I'm enthused about what I've seen so far.

"I lifted these images and the text from the MTV site splash page. In fact if you put the title of this post right into your search engine...it'll take you right to it." -Mikeyboy

Jason vs Arnold....why bother to compare?

What's to compare? Arnold was in THE GUINESS BOOK of world records as the worlds most perfectly developed man. A title only Charles Atlas and Steve Reeves can even partially come close to. But That being the case I feel it's unfair to try to compare Jason to Arnold.

Folks this is a movie , a film about our favorite broadsword wielding barbarian warrior it's not a body building competition. I myself will choose to leave my critique at the door after I've seen the movie. I watch these trailers and I like them. I like them with the Heavy Metal and without , I like them despite not having an Arnold running around as the infamous Cimmerian. I like them depsite the fact that there are people out there who don't. Know why? Because it's CONAN! You love CONAN you like CONAN whatever! They are putting together a movie for the people who love the character.

I know that Everyone has an image of CONAN in mind and Jason does not fit that said image. Many people like Arnold as CONAN because of his awesome physique and that's it. But in my humble opinion. Arnold treated CONAN as a joke. C'mon man..CONAN was not a buffoon.
He was not some guy who falls asleep in his gruel. He did not get drunk and walk into the chest of his enemy. He would not have said " Lot on your Knife ". That stuff was all campy nonsense in the spirit of the BATMAN tv show with Adam West. I prefer to remain diplomatic with the anticipation of this movie. I can't safely pass judgment and create a critique on a movie that has not come out. I had my apprehensions and reservations toward the movie when I first saw Jason...with his beard and his dreds. He was too thin and lanky. But then I saw some stills of him dressed up for the part and new hope blossomed in my heart.
In the spirit of giving a positive message for the fans of CROM and CONAN...please try to make an honest attempt to keep your mind open and look for the good in things surrounding this movie. Look at the glass as if it's Half full. There are too many critics in this world ready to bash and smash. But I am not going to sit here and compare physiques. Then take a look at Jason and judge the movie based on the fact he's not built like Arnold ( who happens to be a creep and an adulterer and I lost all respect for the guy ) NOBODY..can have a physique like that. That's a lot of training and a lot of juice. But the fact remains...I personally can't wait for this movie. The trailers...look good to me. I expect only good things.

NEW Conan 3D Trailer - Now with Less Heavy Metal!

Conan the Syndicated!

Recently I added a new book to my Conan collection. It is Conan the newspaper strips volume one. As I began reading the already familiar history I was astounded by the art I had never seen before. John Buscema and Ernie Chan and Alfredo Alcala along with a host of others all have taken part in CONAN'S syndicated adventures.

Most stories were written by Conan scribe Roy Thomas. I was giddy as I read along through 70 pages in one sitting. The reading is easy and Conan is a bit more talkative in the strips than he is in the pastiches or in the comic books. But that is mainly because in strip format you'd need Conan talking in order to keep the readers interest.
The book itself is a massive 8 and a half by 11 and a half and it is thick and loaded with all sorts of barbaric goodness. While I was reading it I had this feeling come over me. One like did not feel in a very long time. It was excitement. Although these little strip stories are taken from ( Mostly ) comic book scripts they were shortened and edited for content and did not leave you with a wanting feeling.
I waited maybe 30 years for this book and only discovered its existance 2 weeks ago. It's been out for a while now. But as soon as I found out about it I hit ebay and looked it up and in a buy it now deal I got a copy for 25 bucks plus shipping...29 dollars all worth every penny. To the rest of you Conan enthusists fans and obsessive compulsive collectors I highly recommend you get yourselves a copy.
As I said it's loaded with Conan art by the regular Conan staff we are all familiar with. It covers from the strips inception in 1978 to 1979 and I can't wait for volume two. Truthfully even though it had a very short stint as a syndicated strip I know it wasn't meant for the fluffy world of the daily comics scene. But while it lasted it gave us all something to cherish.
Everyone knows I seek out John Buscema art in comics and whatever other form I can find especially CONAN and to see hundreds of Conan panels I'd never seen before...well...you can understand my giddieness I'm sure. I was 7 again. From the first time I ever saw a Conan comic book it all came flooding back to me. Now I don't believe this book itself will have any real resale value in the future..it's already a whopping 35 bucks but it's sentimental value to me is priceless. PRICELESS! Go get one. OK?