The End of an Era: The Fabled Demise of Conan
For generations, the legendary tales of Conan the Barbarian have enthralled readers with his brutal adventures, epic battles, and unyielding spirit. But as with any hero, the question inevitably arises: who kills Conan the Barbarian? The answer, much like the character himself, is not as straightforward as one might expect. Conan's ultimate demise is a complex tapestry woven through various continuities and interpretations of his life, leaving fans to ponder his final moments.
Conan's Long and Varied Life
Conan the Cimmerian, born in the brutal, savage lands of Cimmeria, lived a life defined by conflict. He rose from a simple warrior to a powerful sorcerer, a cunning thief, and eventually, the King of Aquilonia. His adventures spanned continents, pitting him against monstrous creatures, wicked sorcerers, treacherous kings, and even the gods themselves. Given his prowess and resilience, the idea of him being definitively "killed" by a single entity feels almost improbable to many fans.
The Fate in Robert E. Howard's Original Stories
It's important to differentiate between the original stories penned by Robert E. Howard and the later interpretations and continuities. In Howard's own vivid and often bleak universe, Conan's life doesn't conclude with a grand, definitive death scene at the hands of a specific villain. Howard's stories often leave Conan in his later years, still a formidable presence, hinting at a long and full life rather than a sudden, violent end orchestrated by a single antagonist.
Howard’s Conan is portrayed as aging, still powerful, but eventually succumbing to the natural wear and tear of a life lived to the absolute fullest. There isn't a single, named character who achieves the ultimate victory over the barbarian king in Howard's original works. Instead, the implication is that age and the cumulative toll of his many battles and arduous journeys would eventually claim him.
The Marvel Comics Interpretation and "The Death of Conan"
However, for many modern fans, their first introduction to Conan might have been through Marvel Comics. In this expansive and often quite literal interpretation of Conan's saga, a more definitive ending was presented. The pivotal event, often referred to as "The Death of Conan," occurred in 1977 within the pages of Conan the Barbarian #202, written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by John Buscema, a legendary duo in the world of Conan comics.
In this storyline, an aged Conan, now King of Aquilonia, is depicted facing his final battle. He is ambushed and ultimately slain by a coalition of his enemies, a fate befitting a monarch who had made as many foes as friends throughout his reign. This was a significant moment for fans, providing a concrete, albeit tragic, conclusion to the hero’s story within that specific narrative.
Specific Antagonists in Other Continuities
Beyond Marvel's iconic portrayal, other comic book publishers and authors have taken their own creative liberties with Conan's life and eventual demise. Each iteration often introduces new villains or revisits old ones, creating different scenarios for the barbarian's end.
- The Serpent Men: Throughout Conan's history, the ancient and insidious Serpent Men have been recurring antagonists. In some interpretations, it is believed that these ancient evils, with their sorcery and primal power, could be the ones to finally overcome the Cimmerian.
- Dark Sorcerers and Demonic Entities: Conan's life was a constant struggle against the forces of dark magic. It's highly plausible that a supremely powerful sorcerer or a demonic entity, capable of wielding unimaginable power, would be the one to finally bring him down.
- Betrayal and Political Intrigue: As King of Aquilonia, Conan was a target for those who craved his throne. Betrayal from within his own court, a carefully orchestrated assassination, or a coup d'état fueled by greed and ambition are all strong possibilities for his downfall in certain storylines.
The Enduring Legacy
Ultimately, the question of "who kills Conan the Barbarian" depends heavily on which version of his story you are following. Robert E. Howard left his fate somewhat ambiguous, suggesting a natural decline. Marvel Comics provided a definitive, albeit tragic, end at the hands of multiple enemies. Other interpretations offer their own unique antagonists.
What remains undeniable is Conan's enduring legacy. Whether he met his end in a blaze of glory, a quiet fade, or a cunning assassination, the spirit of the barbarian hero lives on in the countless stories that continue to be told, inspiring a sense of adventure and defiance in readers worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Conan the Barbarian die in Robert E. Howard's original stories?
Robert E. Howard's original stories do not provide a specific, definitive death scene for Conan. Instead, they imply that as he aged, the cumulative effects of his long and incredibly violent life, filled with battles and hardships, would eventually lead to his demise. There isn't a named antagonist responsible for his final moments in Howard's canon.
Why is there no single answer to who killed Conan the Barbarian?
The lack of a single, universally accepted answer stems from the fact that Conan's character has been interpreted and expanded upon by numerous creators across different mediums and time periods since Robert E. Howard's passing. Each writer and artist has had the freedom to craft their own narrative arcs, including their own conclusions to Conan's life.
Who were Conan's main enemies that might have killed him?
Conan faced a vast array of enemies throughout his adventures. These included powerful sorcerers and their dark magic, ancient demonic entities, monstrous creatures, treacherous kings, and ambitious nobles vying for power. Any one of these, or a combination thereof, could be considered a potential killer depending on the specific story.
Was Conan's death in the Marvel comics a definitive end to his character?
In the Marvel Comics continuity that concluded in issue #202 of Conan the Barbarian, his death was presented as a definitive end to that specific storyline for King Conan. However, it's important to remember that the character has since been revived or re-imagined in subsequent Marvel series, and other comic publishers have also told new Conan stories, often placing them before his supposed demise.
