CONAN THE BARBARIAN #16, by Titan Comics on 10/23/24, ends the tale of the Frost Giant’s Daugther when Conan is attacked by the Aesir, who believe he isn’t worthy of being touched by Atali.
Credits:
- Writer: Jim Zub
- Artist: Doug Braithwaite
- Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
- Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
- Cover Artist: Colleen Doran (cover A)
- Publisher: Titan Comics
- Release Date: October 23, 2024
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 34
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #16:
First Impressions:
The final chapter in writer Jim Zub’s adaptation of The Frost Giant’s Daughter comes to a close with a brutal fight, deep introspection, and a choice that only a man in search of his faith can make. Conan the Barbarian #16 trades deep, thought-provoking ideas for bold spectacle, but this finale is no less powerful.
Plot Analysis:
When last we left the Cimmerian in Conan the Barbarian #15, Conan pursued the beautiful daughter of the Aesirmen’s god, Ymir, after this bloody battle against the rival Vanir clan. Before Conan’s lust drove him mad, the princess’s father intervened. The issue ended with Niord and the Aesir tribe finding Conan with proof that the princess was real.
In Conan the Barbarian #16, we pick up with Conan resting in the Aesir war camp after he was found wandering in the icy wastelands. He still holds the gossamer scarf taken from Atali, and his mind wanders back to his time as a boy when his father taught him about Crom’s presence in the world.
Jim Zub starts the issue on a pensive note when Conan begins to complete the picture in his troubled mind about the existence of a spiritual world. His memories of his father’s teaching about faith as an empowering choice take on a new light.
Gorm approaches Conan with a bowl of stew to help the barbarian regain his strength. The older Aesir recalls catching a glimpse of Atali during a heated battle, but to touch the princess of a god is a prize to envy by all the Aesir. Conan agrees and leaves the circle of fire to contemplate Atali’s memory, which still clings to him.
Unsurprisingly, touching the divine has a deep impact. Zub doesn’t try to gloss over the encounter or the lasting weight of Conan’s encounter with Atali. Conan’s brush with gods profoundly changes him and his worldview in a fundamental way, as it would with anyone, so Zub’s choice to have Conan linger on the memory makes him a deeper character.
Suddenly, Conan is hit on the back of the head by the drunken Osmin. The Aesir warrior believes Conan isn’t as worthy as himself and his men to have contact with Atali. Enraged at the perceived slight, Osmin attacks Conan with an axe. Fueled by the knowledge that the answers he seeks are within reach, Conan challenges Osmin to do his worst, leading to a brutal fight to the death.
The issue ends with the proclamation of a curse, Conan’s father relaying the reality of faith, and Conan making an informed choice.
Overall, Conan the Barbarian #16 ends Conan’s search for faith with a thought-provoking message about the meaning of life and the choices we make. Jim Zub masterfully maintains the spirit of Robert E. Howard’s original story about the Frost Giant’s Daughter while adding a fresh perspective that bristles with lasting ideas and rich complexity.
Artwork and Presentation:
Doug Braithwaite’s art style immaculately portrays the deep internal struggle felt by Conan (and his father in flashbacks) as stern, hard men who look for answers to the mystical aspects of life. To pull this finale off, Braithwaite has to make you believe every moment, particularly between young Conan and his father, when their questions of faith are shared and examined. Braithwaite’s talent for detailed figure work and beautiful landscapes is still on full display, but the saddened look in Conan’s father’s eyes hit the high point of this issue.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Historical Context:
If it wasn’t obvious from the description, this third arc in the Conan the Barbarian series is a loose adaptation of the original story, The Frost Giant’s Daughter, published by Robert E. Howard. That said, the “daughter” in question was not named Atali in the story’s first published iteration. The first version of this story was titled The Gods of the North, and the ethereal woman Conan pursued was named Amra.
Final Thoughts:
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CONAN THE BARBARIAN #16 ends the loose adaptation of The Frost Giant’s Daughter as Conan comes to terms with his brush with divinity. Brimming with fantastic art from Dough Braithwaite and deeply inspired ideas from Jim Zub, this series has yet to miss the mark.
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