Conan the Barbarian #23 (Marvel: 1972) | The Shadow of the Vulture | 34

The Hyrkanian War rages on, and Conan faces his most cunning foe yet! In this episode of Hither Came Conan, Steeven delves into Conan the Barbarian #23, The Shadow of the Vulture, the legendary tale that introduces the fiery Red Sonja!

Sent to deliver a message to the king of Pah-Dishah, Conan finds himself fighting his way through palace guards, surviving fiery betrayals, and clashing with the fearsome warrior known as the Vulture. Decked out in bizarre wings and deadly with a blade, the Vulture is tasked with hunting down Conan, but when Red Sonja enters the fray, the stakes are raised, and sparks fly!

Steeven unpacks this issue’s intense battles, the dynamics between Conan and Sonja, and the fascinating origins of this story, adapted from Robert E. Howard’s historical fiction. Learn how the creative team wove this into the Hyborian tapestry, the controversy over Conan’s less-than-stellar behavior with a puppy, and why the Vulture’s wings remain a mystery for the ages.

Will Conan triumph against overwhelming odds, or will the Vulture claim his head for the Turanian prince? Tune in for swords, schemes, and the unforgettable debut of the she-devil with a sword!

Conan the Barbarian #23: The Shadow of the Vulture by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor Smith, Dan Adkins, Chic Stone and Sal Buscema was published by Marvel Comics in October, 1972.

Enjoy!

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