The Conan Companion

The Conan Companion, edited by Wayne Warfield and published by Hall Publications in 1976, is a notable 24-page booklet that holds a special place in the history of Robert E. Howard (REH) and his iconic character, Conan. Originally sold for $2.75, the booklet now often commands a selling price of around $25, reflecting its value among collectors and fans.

Wayne Warfield begins the booklet with a brief introduction, sharing his inspiration for creating an all-Conan issue. He recounts how his enthusiasm for Conan persisted even after the fanzine he was editing ceased publication.

The booklet features several articles by various authors. Michael Resnick, a science fiction writer and editor known for his five Hugo awards and a Nebula award, contributes with "Conan - The Hairy Hero." Resnick, who ventured into REH territory with his novel Redbeard in 1969, wrote this article originally for a men's magazine called Rascal. He describes Conan as an "ignorant barbarian" adept with a sword and occupying roles such as a thief, murderer, mercenary, and sailor. Although Resnick's portrayal might ruffle some fans today, he enthusiastically promotes Conan as exciting literature, despite some inaccuracies, such as the mistaken claim that REH drove out into the desert to commit suicide.

David and Susannah Bates contribute with "The First Conan Comic?" where they explore the possibility that Gardner Fox's Crom the Barbarian was the first attempt to create a Conan-like comic book character. They suggest that while Crom the Barbarian might not be the first true Conan comic, it certainly serves as a prototype. Today, however, "La Reina de la Costa Negra," a Mexican comic, is recognized as the first Conan comic book.

In "Conan the Degraded," John Meyer delivers a critique against the pastiche Conan stories published in Fantastic magazine, particularly those by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter. Meyer argues that these pastiches capitalized on Howard's creation without matching the original's quality, though he concedes that de Camp has "some native talent." This article reflects the ongoing debate within REH fandom regarding the merits of Conan pastiches.

L. Sprague de Camp himself adds a somewhat humorous poem titled "The Barbarian," where he imagines that a modern civilized man, like REH, would find a barbaric life less adventurous and more mundane, yet would still cling to the romantic notion of living in another age.

The booklet also includes "Conan Unarmed," an analysis of how Conan might fare in unarmed combat. The piece suggests that Conan's fighting skills are likely derived from a life of continuous battle rather than formal martial arts training, highlighting practical fighting techniques over more dramatic but less effective moves.

The Conan Companion's collection of articles and artwork—contributed by Gene Day, Richard L. Farley, Ken Raney, Bot Roda, and Wayne Warfield—provides a snapshot of Conan scholarship and fandom from the mid-1970s. Though some of its content may seem dated compared to modern understandings of REH's work, the booklet remains a valuable piece for those interested in the evolution of REH scholarship and the broader Conan fandom.

Rereading this older fan publication underscores how much more we now know about Robert E. Howard's life and work, with aspects of Conan's skill level being quantified in game books and video games. Despite the advancements in REH scholarship, The Conan Companion stands as a testament to the enduring interest in Howard's creation and the passion it inspires among fans and scholars alike.

Credits