Conan Volume 6: Hand of Nergal Paperback – October 7, 2008

While this volume isn't as awful as you might think from reading many of the Amazon reviews, it is a relative low-point in the series. Besides the rather bland primary story arc of a mad priest raising an army of dead and trying to gain immortality from the death-god Nergal (which sounds epic on paper, but doesn't succeed well here), this book also fails in its handling of the Epic of Nestor and the feel of continuity with the rest of the series. Really none of the characters in this one are easy to sympathize with, and even Conan himself seems different and uninteresting here. Actually, a significant portion of this book seemed like useless filler, developing characters that aren't going anywhere, showing repetitive and obvious scenes, and concentrating mostly on Conan hacking apart the undead or showing the skimpy 'clothing' of the female characters come teasingly close to fallin off completely. Sort of a teen-age translation of a Conan epic.As for the art, I agree with the other reviewers. You really hope for more from this series, especially after the first four volumes, which were so vibrant and exciting as to make you want to actually spend a couple of minutes absorbing each frame and not just turn the pages to get through the story. Its not only the detail that is lacking here, but the muted tones and ugly characters that make it less attractive. After a battle and for the rest of the story (as the characters don't get to take a bath), Conan and friends are blood-splattered. This is fine, but the method of dabbing blotchy red speckles over all exposed skin results in ugly. Browns are the most-used colors here, and it just means this is a dreary and dark setting. While it may make sense for the story, it makes a less-enjoyable read. Hopefully things will improve in the next volumes.All that being said, this one is still enjoyable at some level. And it does continue the epic story of Conan as told by Dark Horse. I'd still recommend it to fans of the series, just temper your expectations.

I admit that the artwork and story in this book aren't as good as the previous ones, but it is still very good and these 1-star reviews are way too harsh. The story and dialogue are solid and honestly the drawing is great, it is just that the inking and coloring are a little too dark compared to Nord's colorful work. But the book is still great to look at. I have seen plenty of 1-star artwork, and this is certainly not 1-star work.I look forward to volume 7.

These are solid stories but I like Carry Nord and Robert E Howard original stories more

Conan #6 has the same writer as #5, and the story is good, but there is a different artist from the previous 5 books, and the art is NOT THAT GREAT! The shipping SUCKS. I ordered this book on the 1st (in stock), and these clowns did not sent it out until the 8th, and I did not get it until the 14th! If this is what Amazon considers "good services" I would hate to see what they consider "bad service"!

This series of the Conan graphic novels is incredible. I highly recommend investing in all 20.

I have been a fan of the REH series since a teenager and the Dark Horse graphic novel comics do it justice! I love the art and the inking - only complaint I have is that they don't make the series fast enough!

Art gets muddy at times but it's a good adaptation.

excellent

the recipient liked it

Nice copy at a very good price considering how hard this issue is to get hold of.

Covered in library stamps and has a magnetic strip stuck to the cover. Quality rating was not accurate. Great story and artwork though.