COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK – “Conan the Barbarian” #100 (July 1979)

'Conan the Barbarian' #100 (July 1979)

This week’s “Comic Book of the Week” is “Conan the Barbarian” #100, which was published by Marvel Comics in July 1979. This issue was titled “Death on the Black Coast!” and was based on the story “Queen of the Black Coast” by Robert E. Howard.

This issue’s creative team included Roy Thomas, scripter and editor; John Buscema and Ernie Chan, illustrators; Joe Rosen, letterer, G. Roussos, colorist; and Jim Shooter, consulting editor. Buscema and Chan were the cover artists for this issue, which sold for 60 cents at newsstands.

This 48-page issue begins aboard the pirate ship, The Tigress, which is captained by the she-pirate, Belit. Belit, Conan and the rest of the crew have just arrived at an island that has haunted the dreams of Belit for the past several nights. She tells Conan that she believes a city filled with riches down the River Zarkheba, which means “Death,” if they’re only brave enough to seek it out.

They set off down the river and see weird animals. Later that night, while Conan and Belit discuss their lives together, a giant snake ambushes Laboto, the guard on deck watch. Conan pulls his sword, nearly cleaves the snake in two with a big swing, and the snake disappears (along with Laboto) into the river’s dark waters.

N’yaga, the shipboard witchdoctor, tells Conan and Belit that now is their chance to turn back. Conan puts the question to the crew, and they agree to forge ahead to the city. Conan assumes guard duty himself, and they all eventually arrive to find the city a deserted ghost town.

They also arrive in time to watch a large winged ape creature take flight from the city’s tallest spire. They go ashore and find the Temple of the Old Ones, which comes complete with a crumbling, bloodstained altar. When crewmen look for treasure beneath the altar’s lid, the roof collapses and kills four of the crew.

When they clear the debris, they find a treasure horde beneath the old altar, and Belit is particularly fond of a long string of crimson stones. While all this is going on, one of the crewmen looks back at the ship to see the winged ape taking off from its deserted decks. Conan rushes back to the ship to find that the casks containing their supply of fresh drinking water has been destroyed.

The river water is poisonous, so Conan’s got to lead a party to find fresh water. While he does that, Belit takes charge of getting all the treasure aboard. Conan gets the idea that they’re being followed, so he sends the main body of men ahead while he lingers behind hoping to catch their pursuit unawares. Conan passes out soon thereafter when he finds himself deep in a patch of black lotus.

To find out what happens next, you’ll need to buy the comic…

This comic (unless I’ve sold it) and others are available for purchase through Peacock’s Books on Amazon.com. If you’re interested in buying it, search for it there by title, issue number and date of publication.