This is an archive of past discussions about Conan the Barbarian. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.

The Character

Conan as Howard's Alter Ego

Somebody wrote this: Unlike the modern, stereotypical view of a brainless barbarian (mainly from his appearances in movies and comics), Howard originally created Conan as a thoughtful but melancholic figure who often battled with depression, much like Howard himself (the writer eventually committed suicide). However, Howard's Conan is unaffected by such feelings. Can anybody confirm that "thoughtful but melancholic figure who often battled with depression" character in Conan? (just a reference to the story and place would be fine). This characterisation strikes me as better describin Kull, than Conan, indeed, there's evidence showing that Howard created Conan because Kull did not sell, being too thoughtful and melancholy for the tastes of the public, which wanted an action hero. This bit might be better rewritten and transported to the Kull article. --Svartalf 01:24, 5 January 2006 (UTC)

From The Phoenix on the Sword, we have a conversation between Conan and Prespero: "Then I think you are like them (referring to the Aesir)," laughed Prospero. "You laugh greatly, drink deep and bellow good songs; though I never saw another Cimmerian who drank aught but water, or who ever laughed, or ever sang save to chant dismal dirges." I will try to dig up some quotes directly from REH. --Kortoso 20:37, 30 January 2006 (UTC)

But The Phoenix on the Sword was the very first Conan story...and indeed, it was even a modified version of a Kull story called By This Axe I Rule. I don't think Conan had another actual discussion like that ever again.71.225.102.120 08:31, 12 December 2006 (UTC)Fronzel

That's true; but the above conversation is not in the original "By This Axe I Rule!" Howard added it when he rewrote the story into "The Phoenix on the Sword". This pretty clearly implies that Howard meant that description to apply specifically to Conan. By the way, Howard did not create Conan "because Kull failed to sell"; the Kull stories sold well, and Weird Tales readers were still asking for more Kull stories years after Howard stopped writing them. The same is true of his other character Solomon Kane. Apparently Howard just stopped writing Kull stories because he got bored with them. Fumblebruschi (talk) 18:19, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Miscellaneous

Low Fantasy

The following edit has recently been made:

(Rm OR: intro paragraph claimed (1) "Sword and Sworcery" being "Low Fantasy", and (2) Conan being "Low Fantasy")

Is this really "original research". I doubt I'll be able to easily find a reference to back it up but I've always take it for granted that the Hyborian Age was a low fantasy setting. In fact, the Conan stories are my definition of what "low fantasy" means. Conan has been removed from the Low fantasy article as well. Should it be reinstated or left as it is? I might be able to get some sort of reference eventually but it might take a while. - AdamBMorgan (talk) 18:55, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

I was surprised by that edit as well. Almost all Howard scholars and Conan fans deem the Hyborian Age to be a Low Fantasy setting. Howard's Conan tales do meet the generalized criteria listed in the Low Fantasy article. Nevertheless, I suppose acquiring references would be helpful in proving the case. -- Flask (talk) 06:25, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

Technicalities

Separate Article for Conan the Barbarian film

I am considering moving most of the movie-related section to its own article, probably Conan the Barbarian (film). It would be the peer of Conan the Destroyer and resemble the German version. Any objections? --Meegs 18:54, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Excellent idea. --Tearlach 13:45, 3 December 2005 (UTC)

Seconded. --Kortoso 20:33, 30 January 2006 (UTC)

Excellent idea, this page needs a trim. Please move the movie quotes as well. --JG 04:13, 10 February 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. SpartanGlory1983 (talk) 06:16, 29 March 2008 (UTC) SpartanGlory198

Other

Conan the Cimmerian

This is supposed to be an encyclopedia article about a fictional person, and given such a context we need to use the most formal name as the title of the main article, adding redirects where necessary. I'm sure that the name Richard the Lionheart is more recognizable to the general audience due to its appearance in certain Robin Hood stories, yet the appropriate wiki article is nevertheless entitled "Richard I of England". "Conan the Cimmerian" is the most formal of Conan's titles, given the lack of a proper last name, and that is why it should be used as the title of the article. I couldn't move the page since a page entitled "Conan the Cimmerian" already exists, but I strongly suggest to administrators reading this to transfer the page. PointDread 20:27, 29 September 2007 (UTC)

Please note that I reverted a cut & paste move earlier this month related to this topic. I don't really have a strong position on a move; I will note that the move has been discussed before (above, last year), and there are around 300 pages linking here, so the move could potentially be controversial. I would prefer to see a discussion here from the regulars, and once a decision is made, I would be delighted to delete the existing page at Conan the Cimmerian and we can do a history move. Also, another option might be Conan (fictional character). Kuru ^talk 23:59, 29 September 2007 (UTC)

I agree that Conan the Cimmerian would be a more suitable title for this article. -- Flask 03:08, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

I think there needs to be a Conan the Cimmerian (dis) page. Obviously referencing this page, but also the upcoming comic, and various collections, etc going by that name. Opinions? Duggy 1138 (talk) 04:30, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

history

he died by falling over a bone and landed in a well. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.129.70.61 (talk) 11:30, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

who? Nathraq (talk) 18:24, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Obama

The fact that Conan is Obama's favorite superhero, and that he collects Conan comic books ([1], though there are other sources out there) seems noteworthy and should be mentioned in this article (though I hesitate to put it in the Obama article).radek (talk) 07:50, 29 November 2008 (UTC)

This is an archive of past discussions about Conan the Barbarian. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.