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Conan (books)
Encyclopedia
The Conan books are sword and sorcery
fantasies
featuring the character of Conan the Cimmerian
originally created by Robert E. Howard
. Written by numerous authors and issued by numerous publishers, they include both novels and short stories, the latter assembled in various combinations over the years by the several publishers. The character has proven durably popular, resulting in Conan stories being produced after Howard's death by such later writers as Poul Anderson
, Leonard Carpenter
, Lin Carter
, L. Sprague de Camp
, Roland J. Green
, John C. Hocking
, Robert Jordan
, Sean A. Moore
, Björn Nyberg
, Andrew J. Offutt
, Steve Perry
, John Maddox Roberts
, Harry Turtledove
, and Karl Edward Wagner
. Some of these writers finished incomplete Conan manuscripts by Howard, or rewrote Howard stories which originally featured different characters. Most post-Howard Conan stories, however, are completely original works. In total, more than fifty novels and dozens of short stories featuring the Conan character have been written by authors other than Howard. This article describes and discusses notable book editions of the Conan stories.
(like "The Treasure of Tranicos"), including several non-Conan Howard stories, mostly historical exotica situated in the Levant
at the time of the crusades, which he turned into Conan yarns. The Gnome edition also issued the first Conan story written by an author other than Howard — the final volume published, which is by Björn Nyberg
and revised by de Camp.
The first comprehensive paperback edition, which compiled the existing Howard and non-Howard stories together with new non-Howard stories in chronological order, to form a complete account of Conan's life. Lancer Books went out of business before bringing out the entire series, the publication of which was completed by Ace Books. This version of the stories was the one that introduced Conan into popular culture. Its covers featured dynamic images by Frank Frazetta
that, for many fans, presented the "definitive" impression of Conan and his world. For decades to come, most other portrayals of the Cimmerian and his imitators were heavily influenced by the cover paintings of this series.
Undertaken under the direction of De Camp and Carter, this edition includes all the original Howard material, including that left unpublished in his lifetime and fragments and outlines. De Camp and Carter edited much of the material and completed the stories that were not in finished form. New stories written entirely by themselves were added as well. In the following list, volumes 6 and 10–12 do not contain any material by Howard. Of the thirty-five stories in the other eight volumes, nineteen were published or completed by Howard during his lifetime, ten are rewritten or completed from his manuscripts, fragments or synopses, and six are the sole work of De Camp and Carter.
While the Lancer edition has been criticized from a scholarly perspective for failing to present a pure version of the Howard tales, untampered with by other hands, the interest of those who oversaw it was not so much purist as practical; to popularize the corpus and ensure that it sold. That it has endured to become the subject of scholarly attention is ample evidence of their success.
. The Offutt stories, in combination with his Conan: The Sword of Skelos from the Bantam series, form a linked trilogy.
Age of Conan by Funcom
. These do not directly involve Conan himself, but take place against the same background.
, Gary Gianni, and Greg Manchess
, respectively.
Sword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery is a sub-genre of fantasy and historical fantasy, generally characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural...
fantasies
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
featuring the character of Conan the Cimmerian
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero that originated in pulp fiction magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, several films , television programs, video games, roleplaying games and other media...
originally created by Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard
Robert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
. Written by numerous authors and issued by numerous publishers, they include both novels and short stories, the latter assembled in various combinations over the years by the several publishers. The character has proven durably popular, resulting in Conan stories being produced after Howard's death by such later writers as Poul Anderson
Poul Anderson
Poul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories...
, Leonard Carpenter
Leonard Carpenter
Leonard Paul Carpenter is an American technical writer and author of fantasy and science fiction. An account identifying Carpenter as a pseudonym of a supposed Bulgarian author named Plamen Mitrev, appears to be false.-Works:...
, Lin Carter
Lin Carter
Linwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
, L. Sprague de Camp
L. Sprague de Camp
Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
, Roland J. Green
Roland J. Green
Roland James Green is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and editor. He has written as Roland Green and Roland J. Green; and had 28 books in the Richard Blade series published as Jeffrey Lord .- Early life and personal matters :Green was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1944...
, John C. Hocking
John C. Hocking
John C. Hocking is an American fantasy writer, the author of a Conan novel published by Tor Books and a number of short stories. One of his stories, "The Face in the Sea", won the 2009 Harper's Pen Award for Sword and Sorcery fiction....
, Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
, Sean A. Moore
Sean A. Moore
Sean A. Moore was an American fantasy and science fiction writer, and computer programmer. His primary significance as a writer is for his three pastiche novels featuring Robert E...
, Björn Nyberg
Björn Nyberg
Björn Emil Oscar Nyberg, born September 11, 1929, is a Swedish fantasy author best known for his additions to the series of Conan stories begun by Robert E. Howard. His primary contribution to the series was The Return of Conan , which was revised for publication by L. Sprague de Camp. He lives in...
, Andrew J. Offutt
Andrew J. Offutt
Andrew Jefferson Offutt is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He has written as Andrew J. Offutt, A. J. Offutt, and Andy Offutt. His normal byline, andrew j. offutt, has all his name in lower-case letters.-Life and family:Offutt has been married for over 50 years to Jodie McCabe...
, Steve Perry
Steve Perry (author)
Steve Perry is an American television writer and science fiction author.-Biography:Perry is a native of the Deep South. His residences have included Louisiana, California, Washington and Oregon...
, John Maddox Roberts
John Maddox Roberts
John Maddox Roberts is an author who has written many science fiction and fantasy novels, including his successful historical fiction, such as the SPQR series and Hannibal's Children....
, Harry Turtledove
Harry Turtledove
Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.- Life :...
, and Karl Edward Wagner
Karl Edward Wagner
Karl Edward Wagner was an American writer, editor and publisher of horror, science fiction, and heroic fantasy, who was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and originally trained as a psychiatrist. His disillusionment with the medical profession can be seen in the stories "The Fourth Seal" and "Into...
. Some of these writers finished incomplete Conan manuscripts by Howard, or rewrote Howard stories which originally featured different characters. Most post-Howard Conan stories, however, are completely original works. In total, more than fifty novels and dozens of short stories featuring the Conan character have been written by authors other than Howard. This article describes and discusses notable book editions of the Conan stories.
Gnome Press editions, 1950-1957
The Gnome Press edition of Conan was the first hardcover collection of Howard's Conan stories, including all the original Howard material known to exist at the time, some left unpublished in his lifetime. The later volumes contain some stories rewritten by L. Sprague de CampL. Sprague de Camp
Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
(like "The Treasure of Tranicos"), including several non-Conan Howard stories, mostly historical exotica situated in the Levant
Levant
The Levant or ) is the geographic region and culture zone of the "eastern Mediterranean littoral between Anatolia and Egypt" . The Levant includes most of modern Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and sometimes parts of Turkey and Iraq, and corresponds roughly to the...
at the time of the crusades, which he turned into Conan yarns. The Gnome edition also issued the first Conan story written by an author other than Howard — the final volume published, which is by Björn Nyberg
Björn Nyberg
Björn Emil Oscar Nyberg, born September 11, 1929, is a Swedish fantasy author best known for his additions to the series of Conan stories begun by Robert E. Howard. His primary contribution to the series was The Return of Conan , which was revised for publication by L. Sprague de Camp. He lives in...
and revised by de Camp.
- The Coming of ConanThe Coming of ConanThe Coming of Conan is a collection of eight fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery heroes Kull and Conan the Barbarian, together with the first part of his pseudo-history of the "Hyborian Age" in which the Conan tales were set...
(1953) - Conan the BarbarianConan the Barbarian (collection)Conan the Barbarian is a collection of five fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, first published in hardcover by Gnome Press in 1954. The stories originally appeared in the 1930s in the fantasy magazine Weird Tales...
(1954) - The Sword of ConanThe Sword of ConanThe Sword of Conan is a collection of four fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, first published in hardcover by Gnome Press in 1952. The stories originally appeared in the 1930s in the fantasy magazine Weird Tales...
(1952) - King ConanKing ConanKing Conan is a collection of five fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, first published in hardcover by Gnome Press in 1953. The stories originally appeared in the 1930s in the fantasy magazine Weird Tales...
(1953) - Conan the ConquerorThe Hour of the DragonThe Hour of the Dragon, also known as Conan the Conqueror, is a fantasy novel written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian. It was first published in serial form in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1935 through 1936; and in book form in 1950 by Gnome...
(AKA The Hour of the Dragon) (1950) - The Return of ConanThe Return of ConanThe Return of Conan is a 1957 fantasy novel written by Björn Nyberg and L. Sprague de Camp featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(1957) (by Björn Nyberg and L. Sprague de Camp) - Tales of ConanTales of ConanTales of Conan is a 1955 collection of four fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The tales as originally written by Howard were adventure yarns mostly set in the Middle Ages; they were...
(1955) (originally non-Conan Howard stories rewritten as Conan stories by L. Sprague de Camp)
Lancer/Ace paperback editions, 1966-1977
Frank Frazetta
Frank Frazetta was an American fantasy and science fiction artist, noted for work in comic books, paperback book covers, paintings, posters, LP record album covers and other media...
that, for many fans, presented the "definitive" impression of Conan and his world. For decades to come, most other portrayals of the Cimmerian and his imitators were heavily influenced by the cover paintings of this series.
Undertaken under the direction of De Camp and Carter, this edition includes all the original Howard material, including that left unpublished in his lifetime and fragments and outlines. De Camp and Carter edited much of the material and completed the stories that were not in finished form. New stories written entirely by themselves were added as well. In the following list, volumes 6 and 10–12 do not contain any material by Howard. Of the thirty-five stories in the other eight volumes, nineteen were published or completed by Howard during his lifetime, ten are rewritten or completed from his manuscripts, fragments or synopses, and six are the sole work of De Camp and Carter.
While the Lancer edition has been criticized from a scholarly perspective for failing to present a pure version of the Howard tales, untampered with by other hands, the interest of those who oversaw it was not so much purist as practical; to popularize the corpus and ensure that it sold. That it has endured to become the subject of scholarly attention is ample evidence of their success.
- ConanConan (collection)Conan is a 1967 collection of seven fantasy short stories and associated pieces written by Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. Most of the stories were originally published in various pulp magazines...
(1968) (by Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp, and Lin Carter) - Conan of CimmeriaConan of CimmeriaConan of Cimmeria is a 1969 collection of eight fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. Most of the stories were originally published in various fantasy magazines...
(1969) (by Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp, and Lin Carter) - Conan the FreebooterConan the FreebooterConan the Freebooter is a 1968 collection of five fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp, featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. Most of the stories originally appeared in the fantasy magazine Weird Tales in the 1930s...
(1968) (by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp) - Conan the WandererConan the WandererConan the Wanderer is a 1968 collection of four fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. Most of the stories were originally published in various fantasy magazines...
(1968) (by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp) - Conan the AdventurerConan the Adventurer (collection)Conan the Adventurer is a 1966 collection of four fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp, featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. Most of the stories originally appeared in the fantasy magazine Weird Tales in the 1930s...
(1966) (by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp) - Conan the BuccaneerConan the BuccaneerConan the Buccaneer is a 1971 fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Lancer Books, and has been reprinted a number of times since by various publishers. It has...
(1971) (by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter) - Conan the WarriorConan the WarriorConan the Warrior is a 1967 collection of three fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The collection is introduced and edited by L. Sprague de Camp. The stories originally appeared in the fantasy magazine Weird Tales in...
(1967) (by Robert E. Howard) - Conan the UsurperConan the UsurperConan the Usurper is a 1967 collection of four fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. Most of the stories originally appeared in the fantasy magazine Weird Tales in the 1930s...
(1967) (by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp) - Conan the ConquerorThe Hour of the DragonThe Hour of the Dragon, also known as Conan the Conqueror, is a fantasy novel written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian. It was first published in serial form in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1935 through 1936; and in book form in 1950 by Gnome...
(AKA The Hour of the Dragon) (1967) (by Robert E. Howard) - Conan the AvengerConan the AvengerConan the Avenger is a 1968 collection of two fantasy works written by Björn Nyberg, Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Lancer Books, and has been reprinted a number of times...
(AKA The Return of ConanThe Return of ConanThe Return of Conan is a 1957 fantasy novel written by Björn Nyberg and L. Sprague de Camp featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
) (1968) (by Björn Nyberg and L. Sprague de Camp) - Conan of AquiloniaConan of AquiloniaConan of Aquilonia is a 1977 collection of four linked fantasy short stories written by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The stories were originally published in Fantastic for August 1972, July 1973, July 1974, and...
(1977) (by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter) - Conan of the IslesConan of the IslesConan of the Isles is a 1968 fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Lancer Books, and has been reprinted a number of times since by various publishers...
(1968) (by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter)
Donald M. Grant editions, 1974-1989
A series of illustrated limited editions of the Howard Conan stories only, containing one or two stories per volume. The series ran out of steam before publishing the last five of the stories and three of the fragments.- The People of the Black CircleThe People of the Black Circle"The People of the Black Circle" is one of the original novellas about Conan the Cimmerian, written by American author Robert E. Howard and first published in Weird Tales magazine in three parts over the September, October and November 1934 issues...
(1974) - A Witch Shall be BornA Witch Shall be Born"A Witch Shall Be Born" is one of the original stories by Robert E. Howard about Conan the Cimmerian. It was written in only a few days in spring of 1934 and first published in Weird Tales in 1934. The story concerns a witch replacing her twin sister as queen of a city state, which brings her...
(1975) - The Tower of the ElephantThe Tower of the Elephant (collection)The Tower of the Elephant is a 1975 collection of two fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 1975 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. as the third volume of their deluxe Conan set. The title story...
(1975) (also includes "The God in the BowlThe God in the Bowl"The God in the Bowl" is one of the original short stories featuring the sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian, written by American author Robert E. Howard but not published during his lifetime. It is set in the pseudo-historical Hyborian Age and concerns Conan robbing a temple museum only to...
") - Red NailsRed Nails"Red Nails" is the last of the stories about Conan the Cimmerian written by American author Robert E. Howard. A novella, it was originally serialized in Weird Tales magazine from July to October 1936. It is set in the pseudo-historical Hyborian Age and concerns Conan encountering a lost city in...
(1975) - The Devil in IronThe Devil in Iron (collection)The Devil in Iron is a 1976 collection of two fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 1976 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. as volume V of their deluxe Conan set. The stories both originally appeared...
(1976) (also includes "Shadows in ZamboulaShadows in Zamboula"Shadows in Zamboula" is one of the original stories by Robert E. Howard about Conan the Cimmerian, first published in Weird Tales in 1935. Its original title was "The Man-Eaters of Zamboula"....
") - Rogues in the HouseRogues in the House (collection)Rogues in the House is a 1976 collection of two fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 1976 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. as volume VI of their deluxe Conan set. The title story originally...
(1976) (also includes "The Frost Giant's DaughterThe Frost Giant's Daughter"The Frost-Giant's Daughter" is one of the original short stories about Conan the Cimmerian, written by American author Robert E. Howard, but not published in his lifetime....
") - Queen of the Black CoastQueen of the Black Coast (collection)Queen of the Black Coast is a 1978 collection of two fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 1978 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. as volume VII of their deluxe Conan set. The title story originally...
(1978) (also includes "The Vale of Lost WomenThe Vale of Lost Women"The Vale of Lost Women" is one of the original short stories about Conan the Cimmerian, written by American author Robert E. Howard, but not published during his lifetime. The story was first published in The Magazine of Horror for Spring, 1967, and republished in the collection Conan of Cimmeria...
") - Jewels of GwahlurJewels of Gwahlur (collection)Jewels of Gwahlur is a 1979 collection of two fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 1979 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. as volume VIII of their deluxe Conan set. The title story originally...
(1979) (also includes "The Snout in the DarkThe Snout in the DarkThe Snout in the Dark is one of the original stories by Robert E. Howard about Conan the Cimmerian, a fragment begun in the 1930s but not finished or published in Howard's lifetime. It was completed by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter and in this form first published in the collection Conan of...
" fragment) - Black ColossusBlack Colossus (collection)Black Colossus is a 1979 collection of two fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 1979 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. as volume IX of their deluxe Conan set. The stories originally appeared in the...
(1979) (also includes "Shadows in the MoonlightIron Shadows in the Moon"Shadows in the Moonlight" is one of the original short stories starring the fictional sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian, written by American author Robert E. Howard and first published in Weird Tales magazine in April 1934. Howard originally named his story "Iron Shadows in the Moon"...
") - The Pool of the Black OneThe Pool of the Black One (collection)The Pool of the Black One is a 1986 collection of two fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 1986 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. as volume X of their deluxe Conan set. The title story originally...
(1986) (also includes "Drums of TombalkuDrums of Tombalku"Drums of Tombalku" is an American fantasy short story, one of the original ones by Robert E. Howard featuring Conan the Cimmerian, a fragment begun in the 1930s but not finished or published in Howard's lifetime. It was completed by L. Sprague de Camp and in this form first published in the...
" fragment) - The Hour of the DragonThe Hour of the DragonThe Hour of the Dragon, also known as Conan the Conqueror, is a fantasy novel written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian. It was first published in serial form in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1935 through 1936; and in book form in 1950 by Gnome...
(1989)
Berkley editions, 1977
Edited by Karl Edward Wagner, this series, like the Grant edition, included only the Howard Conan stories in their original published form, and included all the Conan stories in the public domain at the time (though their copyright status was not widely known). Wagner's introductions are openly dismissive of the editorial revisions done by de Camp and Carter on the Lancer/Ace editions.- The Hour of the DragonThe Hour of the DragonThe Hour of the Dragon, also known as Conan the Conqueror, is a fantasy novel written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian. It was first published in serial form in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1935 through 1936; and in book form in 1950 by Gnome...
(Aug. 1977) - The People of the Black CircleThe People of the Black Circle (collection)The People of the Black Circle is a 1977 collection of four fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The collection was edited by Karl Edward Wagner. It was first published in hardcover by Berkley/Putnam in 1977, and in...
(Sep. 1977) - Red NailsRed Nails (collection)Red Nails is a 1977 collection of three fantasy short stories and one essay written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The collection was edited by Karl Edward Wagner. It was first published in hardcover by Berkley/Putnam in 1977, and in paperback...
(Oct. 1977)
Bantam editions, 1978-1982
A series of non-Howard material continuing and supplementing the Lancer/Ace series.- Conan the SwordsmanConan the SwordsmanConan the Swordsman is a collection of seven fantasy short stories and associated pieces written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Björn Nyberg featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in August 1978....
(Aug. 1978) (by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter, and Bjorn Nyberg) - Conan the LiberatorConan the LiberatorConan the Liberator is a fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in February 1979; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books...
(Feb. 1979) (by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter) - Conan: The Sword of SkelosThe Sword of SkelosThe Sword of Skelos is a fantasy novel written by Andrew J. Offutt featuring Robert E. Howard's sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, the third and final volume in a trilogy beginning with Conan and the Sorcerer and continuing with Conan the Mercenary...
(May 1979) (by Andrew J. Offutt) - Conan: The Road of KingsThe Road of KingsThe Road of Kings is a fantasy novel written by Karl Edward Wagner featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in October 1979. Later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books and Tor Books 2001. The first...
(Oct. 1979) (by Karl Edward Wagner) - Conan and the Spider GodConan and the Spider GodConan and the Spider God is a fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in December 1980; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books and Tor Books...
(Dec. 1980) (by L. Sprague de Camp) - Conan the RebelConan the RebelConan the Rebel is a 1980 fantasy novel written by Poul Anderson featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in July 1980. It was reprinted once by Bantam and twice by Ace Books...
(Jul. 1980) (by Poul Anderson) - Conan the BarbarianConan the Barbarian (novel)Conan the Barbarian is a 1982 fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Catherine Crook de Camp featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, a novelization of the feature film of the same name. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books...
(May 1982) (adaptation by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter of the movie of the same title)
Sphere Paperbacks
Reprints of the Lancer/Ace and Bantam editions (not including the movie tie-in), as a single series.Ace Maroto editions, 1978-1981
A series of new material by Andrew J. Offutt and old Howard/de Camp collaborations, all illustrated by Esteban MarotoEsteban Maroto
- Career :Born in Madrid, he began his career in the 1960s with series like Cinco por infinito, published in English by Continuity Comics as "Zero Patrol" ....
. The Offutt stories, in combination with his Conan: The Sword of Skelos from the Bantam series, form a linked trilogy.
- Conan and the SorcererConan and the SorcererConan and the Sorcerer is a fantasy novel written by Andrew J. Offutt and illustrated by Esteban Maroto featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, the first in a trilogy continuing with Conan the Mercenary and concluding with The Sword of Skelos...
(Oct. 1978) (by Andrew J. Offutt) - The Treasure of TranicosThe Treasure of Tranicos (collection)The Treasure of Tranicos is a 1980 collection of one fantasy short story written by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, together with essays by de Camp on the title story and on Howard...
(Jul. 1980) (by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp) - Conan the MercenaryConan the MercenaryConan the Mercenary is a 1981 fantasy novel written by Andrew J. Offutt and illustrated by Esteban Maroto featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, the second volume in a trilogy beginning with Conan and the Sorcerer and concluding with The Sword of Skelos. It...
(Jan. 1981) (by Andrew J. Offutt) - The Flame KnifeThe Flame KnifeThe Flame Knife is a 1955 fantasy novella written by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp featuring Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was revised by de Camp from Howard's original story, a then-unpublished non-fantasy Oriental tale that featured Francis X. Gordon...
(Jul. 1981) by Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp)
Tor editions, 1982-2004
A series of new stories by various hands. Tor has also lately reissued most of the previous non-Howard volumes originally published by Bantam.- Conan the Invincible (Jun. 1982) (by Robert JordanRobert JordanRobert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
) - Conan the DefenderConan the DefenderConan the Defender is a fantasy novel written by Robert Jordan featuring Robert E. Howard's sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in 1982...
(Dec. 1982) (by Robert Jordan) - Conan the UnconqueredConan the UnconqueredConan the Unconquered is a fantasy novel written by Robert Jordan featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in April 1983, and reprinted on a number of occasions. The first British edition was published by...
(Apr. 1983) (by Robert Jordan) - Conan the Triumphant (Oct. 1983) (by Robert Jordan)
- Conan the Magnificent (May 1984) (by Robert Jordan)
- Conan the DestroyerConan the Destroyer (novel)Conan the Destroyer is a fantasy novel written by Robert Jordan featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, a novelization of the feature film of the same name...
(Jul. 1984) (adaptation by Robert Jordan of the movie of the same title) - Conan the VictoriousConan the VictoriousConan the Victorious is a fantasy novel written by Robert Jordan featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in trade paperback by Tor Books in November 1984; a regular paperback edition followed from the same publisher in December 1985,...
(Nov. 1984) (by Robert Jordan) - Conan the ValorousConan the ValorousConan the Valorousis a fantasy novel written by John Maddox Roberts featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in trade paperback by Tor Books in September 1985; a regular paperback edition followed from the same publisher in September...
(Sep. 1985) (by John M. RobertsJohn Maddox RobertsJohn Maddox Roberts is an author who has written many science fiction and fantasy novels, including his successful historical fiction, such as the SPQR series and Hannibal's Children....
) - Conan the FearlessConan the FearlessConan the Fearless is a fantasy novel written by Steve Perry featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in trade paperback by Tor Books in February 1986; a regular paperback edition followed from the same publisher in January 1987, and...
(Feb. 1986) (by Steve PerrySteve Perry (author)Steve Perry is an American television writer and science fiction author.-Biography:Perry is a native of the Deep South. His residences have included Louisiana, California, Washington and Oregon...
) - Conan the RenegadeConan the RenegadeConan the Renegade is a fantasy novel written by Leonard Carpenter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in April 1986. The first British edition was published by Sphere Books in August 1988.-Plot:The action...
(Apr. 1986) (by Leonard CarpenterLeonard CarpenterLeonard Paul Carpenter is an American technical writer and author of fantasy and science fiction. An account identifying Carpenter as a pseudonym of a supposed Bulgarian author named Plamen Mitrev, appears to be false.-Works:...
) - Conan the RaiderConan the RaiderConan the Raider is a fantasy novel written by Leonard Carpenter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in October 1986. It was reprinted by Tor in September 1987....
(Oct. 1986) (by Leonard Carpenter) - Conan the ChampionConan the ChampionConan the Championis a fantasy novel written by John Maddox Roberts featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in April 1987 and reprinted in January 1989...
(Apr. 1987) (by John M. Roberts) - Conan the DefiantConan the DefiantConan the Defiant is a fantasy novel written by Steve Perry featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in trade paperback by Tor Books in October 1987, with a regular paperback edition fissued simultaneously by the same publisher, and was...
(Oct. 1987) (by Steve Perry) - Conan the MarauderConan the MarauderConan the Marauder is a fantasy novel written by John Maddox Roberts featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in January 1988, and reprinted in 1992...
(Jan. 1988) (by John M. Roberts) - Conan the Warlord (Mar. 1988) (by Leonard Carpenter)
- Conan the ValiantConan the ValiantConan the Valiantis a fantasy novel written by Roland Green featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Oct. 1988) (by Roland GreenRoland J. GreenRoland James Green is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and editor. He has written as Roland Green and Roland J. Green; and had 28 books in the Richard Blade series published as Jeffrey Lord .- Early life and personal matters :Green was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1944...
) - Conan the Hero (Feb. 1989) (by Leonard Carpenter)
- Conan the BoldConan the BoldConan the Bold is a fantasy novel written by John Maddox Roberts featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in April 1989 and reprinted in June 1997.-Plot:...
(Apr. 1989) (by John M. Roberts) - Conan the GreatConan the GreatConan the Great is a fantasy novel written by Leonard Carpenter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in April 1990 . It was reprinted by Tor in August 1997...
(Apr. 1989) (by Leonard Carpenter) - Conan the IndomitableConan the IndomitableConan the Indomitable is a fantasy novel written by Steve Perry featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Oct. 1989) (by Steve Perry) - Conan the Free LanceConan the Free LanceConan the Free Lance is a fantasy novel written by Steve Perry featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in February 1990. It was reprinted by Tor in December 1997....
(Feb. 1990) (by Steve Perry) - Conan the FormidableConan the FormidableConan the Formidable is a fantasy novel written by Steve Perry featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in 1990.-Plot summary:...
(Nov. 1990) (by Steve Perry) - Conan the GuardianConan the GuardianConan the Guardian is a fantasy novel written by Roland Green featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in 1991.-Plot:...
(Jan. 1991) (by Roland Green) - Conan the OutcastConan the OutcastConan the Outcast is a fantasy novel written by Leonard Carpenter and published in April 1991, featuring Robert E. Howard's character Conan the Barbarian.-Plot:...
(Apr. 1991) (by Leonard Carpenter) - Conan the RogueConan the RogueConan the Rogue is a fantasy novel written by John Maddox Roberts featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Nov. 1991) (by John M. Roberts) - Conan the Relentless (Apr. 1992) (by Roland Green)
- Conan the SavageConan the SavageConan the Savage is a 1992 sword and sorcery novel written by Leonard Carpenter featuring Conan the Barbarian.-Plot synopsis:After cheating death with his escape from a Brythunian prison mine, Conan is badly injured in a fight with a bear. He is nursed back to health by Songa, whom he eventually...
(Nov. 1992) (by Leonard Carpenter) - Conan of the Red Brotherhood (Feb. 1993) (by Leonard Carpenter)
- Conan and the Gods of the Mountain (May 1993) (by Roland Green)
- Conan and the Treasure of PythonConan and the Treasure of PythonConan and the Treasure of Python is a fantasy novel written by John Maddox Roberts featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Nov. 1993) (by John M. Roberts) - Conan the HunterConan the HunterConan the Hunter is a fantasy novel written by Sean A. Moore featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in January 1994.-Plot:...
(Jan. 1994) (by Sean A. MooreSean A. MooreSean A. Moore was an American fantasy and science fiction writer, and computer programmer. His primary significance as a writer is for his three pastiche novels featuring Robert E...
) ISBN 0-8125-3531-6 - Conan, Scourge of the Bloody CoastConan, Scourge of the Bloody CoastConan, Scourge of the Bloody Coastis a fantasy novel written by Leonard Carpenter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in April 1994.-Plot:...
(Apr. 1994) (by Leonard Carpenter) - Conan and the ManhuntersConan and the ManhuntersConan and the Manhunters is a fantasy novel written by John Maddox Roberts featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Oct. 1994) (by John M. Roberts) - Conan at the Demon's Gate (Nov. 1994) (by Roland Green)
- Conan the Gladiator (Jan. 1995) (by Leonard Carpenter)
- Conan and the AmazonConan and the AmazonConan and the Amazon is a fantasy novel written by John Maddox Roberts featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books in April 1995...
(Apr. 1995) (by John M. Roberts) - Conan and the Mists of DoomConan and the Mists of DoomConan and the Mists of Doom is a 1995 sword and sorcery novel written by Roland Green, featuring Conan the Barbarian.-Plot synopsis:The story is set in the Kezankian Mountains and the borderlands of Turan. After Conan's time spent with the Afghulis begins to sour, he leads a band of tribesmen away...
(Aug. 1995) (by Roland Green) - Conan and the Emerald LotusConan and the Emerald LotusConan and the Emerald Lotusis a fantasy novel written by John C. Hocking featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Nov. 1995) (by John C. HockingJohn C. HockingJohn C. Hocking is an American fantasy writer, the author of a Conan novel published by Tor Books and a number of short stories. One of his stories, "The Face in the Sea", won the 2009 Harper's Pen Award for Sword and Sorcery fiction....
) - Conan and the Shaman's CurseConan and the Shaman's CurseConan and the Shaman's Curse is a fantasy novel written by Sean A. Moore featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Jan. 1996) (by Sean A. Moore) - Conan, Lord of the Black River (Apr. 1996) (by Leonard Carpenter)
- Conan and the Grim Grey GodConan and the Grim Grey GodConan and the Grim Grey God is a fantasy novel written by Sean A. Moore featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Nov. 1996) (by Sean A. Moore) - Conan and the Death Lord of Thanza (Jan. 1997) (by Roland Green)
- Conan: The Road of KingsThe Road of KingsThe Road of Kings is a fantasy novel written by Karl Edward Wagner featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in October 1979. Later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books and Tor Books 2001. The first...
(2001) (by Karl Edward Wagner) - Conan the RebelConan the RebelConan the Rebel is a 1980 fantasy novel written by Poul Anderson featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in July 1980. It was reprinted once by Bantam and twice by Ace Books...
(Oct. 2001) (by Poul Anderson) - Conan and the Spider GodConan and the Spider GodConan and the Spider God is a fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in December 1980; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books and Tor Books...
(2002) (by L. Sprague de Camp) - Conan: The Sword of SkelosThe Sword of SkelosThe Sword of Skelos is a fantasy novel written by Andrew J. Offutt featuring Robert E. Howard's sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian, the third and final volume in a trilogy beginning with Conan and the Sorcerer and continuing with Conan the Mercenary...
(Feb. 2002) (by Andrew J. Offutt) - Conan the LiberatorConan the LiberatorConan the Liberator is a fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in February 1979; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books...
(Jun. 2002) (by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter) - Conan the SwordsmanConan the SwordsmanConan the Swordsman is a collection of seven fantasy short stories and associated pieces written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Björn Nyberg featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in August 1978....
(Dec. 2002) (by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter, and Bjorn Nyberg) - Conan of VenariumConan of VenariumConan of Venarium is a fantasy novel written by Harry Turtledove and edited by Teresa Nielsen Hayden featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(Jul. 2003) (by Harry TurtledoveHarry TurtledoveHarry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.- Life :...
) - Sagas of ConanSagas of ConanSagas of Conan is a 2004 omnibus collection of three previously issued fantasy books written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Björn Nyberg featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books.-Contents:*Conan the...
(Jan. 2004) (by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter, and Bjorn Nyberg)
Age of Conan
Three trilogies have been released based on the MMORPGMMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
Age of Conan by Funcom
Funcom
Funcom Productions A/S is a Norwegian video game developer specializing in online games. It is best known for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game titles Age of Conan, Anarchy Online, and its The Longest Journey series of adventure games...
. These do not directly involve Conan himself, but take place against the same background.
- Age of Conan: Legends of Kern
- Blood of Wolves (2005) (by Loren L. ColemanLoren L. ColemanLoren L. Coleman is a science-fiction writer, known for having written many books for series such as Star Trek, Battletech/Mechwarrior, Age of Conan, Crimson Skies, Magic: The Gathering and others. Former member of the United States Navy, he has also written game fiction and source material for...
) - Cimmerian Rage (2005) (by Loren L. Coleman)
- Songs of Victory (2005) (by Loren L. Coleman)
- Blood of Wolves (2005) (by Loren L. Coleman
- Age of Conan: A Soldier's Quest
- The God in the Moon (2006) (by Richard A. KnaakRichard A. KnaakRichard A. Knaak is the author of Dragonlance novels, Dragonrealm, six novels for Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo series, and nine works in the Warcraft universe...
) - The Eye of Charon (2006) (by Richard A. Knaak)
- The Silent Enemy (2006) (by Richard A. Knaak)
- The God in the Moon (2006) (by Richard A. Knaak
- Age of Conan: Marauders
- Ghost of the Wall (2006) (by Jeff MariotteJeff MariotteJeff Mariotte is an author who currently lives in Arizona with his wife, author Maryelizabeth Hart, and family. As well as his own original work, he is best known for writing novels and comic books based on licensed properties.-Biography:...
) - Winds of the Wild (2006) (by Jeff Mariotte)
- Dawn of the Ice Bear (2006) (by Jeff Mariotte)
- Ghost of the Wall (2006) (by Jeff Mariotte
Gollancz editions, 2000-2006
A new edition of Howard's original stories purporting to feature all of Howard's Conan fiction in the two volumes, and to present only Howard's writings. Includes all the classic stories, apparently in their unrevised form (The Black Stranger is quite different from its De Camp cognate The Treasure of Tranicos); uncompleted or fragmentary tales have been left in that state. The two parts were put together in 2006 to form one stand alone Centenary Edition to celebrate the 100 years since the birth of Howard.- The Conan Chronicles, 1The Conan Chronicles, 1The Conan Chronicles: Volume 1: The People of the Black Circle is a collection of fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 2000 by Gollancz as eighth volume of their Fantasy Masterworks series. The book,...
(Aug. 2000) - The Conan Chronicles, 2The Conan Chronicles, 2The Conan Chronicles: Volume 2: The Hour of the Dragon is a collection of fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The book was published in 2001 by Gollancz as sixteenth volume of their Fantasy Masterworks series. The book,...
(2001) - The Complete Chronicles of ConanThe Complete Chronicles of ConanThe Complete Chronicles of Conan: Centenary Edition is a collection of fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian...
(2006)
Wandering Star/Del Rey editions, 2003-2005
A three volume collection of Howard's original stories, published by Wandering Star in the United Kingdom and Del Rey (a division of Random House) in the United States. These editions contain notes, rough drafts, and other miscellanea by Howard. Each volume is illustrated, by Mark SchultzMark Schultz (comics)
Mark Schultz is an American writer and illustrator of books and comics. His most widely-recognized work is his self-created and owned comic book series, Xenozoic Tales, about a post-apocalyptic world where dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures coexist with humans...
, Gary Gianni, and Greg Manchess
Gregory Manchess
Gregory Manchess is American illustrator from Kentucky. His illustrations have appeared in magazines, digital murals, illustrated movie posters, advertising campaigns and book covers including sixty covers for Louis L’Amour. His work had appeared on Major League Baseball World Series Programs,...
, respectively.
- Conan of Cimmeria: Volume One (1932-1933) (2003; vt The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian - US, 2003)
- Conan of Cimmeria: Volume Two (1934) (2004; vt The Bloody Crown of Conan - US, 2005)
- Conan of Cimmeria: Volume Three (1935-1936) (2005; vt The Conquering Sword of Conan - US, 2005)
2011 movie tie-ins
Both Del Rey Books and Berkley Books have issued Conan books as tie-ins with the 2011 remake of the 1982 Conan the Barbarian film.- Conan the Barbarian (2011 collection)Conan the Barbarian (2011 collection)Conan the Barbarian is a collection of six fantasy short stories written by Robert E. Howard featuring his seminal sword and sorcery hero of the same name, first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine Books in July 2011 as a tie-in with the movie of the same title. The stories originally...
(2011) (by Robert E. Howard) - Conan the Barbarian (2011 novel)Conan the Barbarian (2011 novel)Conan the Barbarian is a fantasy novel written by Michael A. Stackpole featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero of the same name, a novelization of the feature film of the same title. It was first published in paperback by Berkley Books in 2011. An earlier novel of the same title...
(2011) (by Michael A. StackpoleMichael A. StackpoleMichael A. Stackpole is a science fiction and fantasy author best known for his Star Wars and Battletech books. He was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, but raised in Vermont...
)