Item Report
Bronze Age Marvel Conan the Barbarian #44 Comic Book
By: Marvel Comics Group; cover art most likely by John Buscema or a known Marvel staff artist of the period; writer Roy Thomas
Style: Bronze Age American Comic Book
Origin: United States
Materials: Paper, colored ink
Age: 1974
Condition: Very Fine/Near Mint (bright colors, sharp corners, minimal spine stress; not officially graded, appears raw)
Value: $30–$60 (raw, ungraded copy in very fine to near mint condition at auction); value drops significantly with notable defects
Maker's Marks / Writing: Cover: 'CONAN THE BARBARIAN', 'MARVEL COMICS GROUP', price (25¢), issue number (44), publication date (NOV), code (02498), 'THE FIEND AND THE FLAME!', Comics Code Authority stamp.
Date: 2025-06-29 20:50:25.951955
Description:
This is an original issue of 'Conan the Barbarian' #44, published by Marvel Comics in November 1974. The vibrant cover artwork features Conan and Red Sonja standing atop a giant skull, surrounded by flames and blue hands, with the headline story 'The Fiend and the Flame!'. This issue belongs to the Bronze Age of comics, recognized for its adventurous storytelling and distinctive art style. The front cover displays the 25¢ price, issue number, and full-color printing. The back shows a period-typical educational advertisement.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A highly collectible Bronze Age comic, popular with Conan and Marvel fans. If this copy is as clean as shown—bright colors, no major spine ticks, and sharp corners—it would appeal to both readers and collectors. A word about fakes... Comic book facsimiles are increasingly common, but this appears to be an original based on wear and period-typical cover gloss. No signs of reprinting or forgery are present.
Individual Images:
- The second image (back cover) displays a yellow La Salle Extension University advertisement with period fonts and ad styles
- common for mid-1970s Marvel comics
- further supporting authenticity. No subscription creases or heavy soiling seen. Staple placement looks appropriate for the period.
Provenance:
No provenance documents provided; authenticity is based on visual evidence only.
Condition:
Very Fine/Near Mint (bright colors, sharp corners, minimal spine stress; not officially graded, appears raw)
Identification Score: 99%
The cover art, format, publisher, and all identifying text match verified records for Marvel's Conan the Barbarian #44 (November 1974). No ambiguity in identification.
Authenticity Score: 90%
Strong evidence of authenticity: price box, original publication details, correct ad on reverse, and typical age-related wear all support this being a genuine 1974 issue. No indicators of facsimile or reprint, though absolute certainty would require close examination for paper stock and staples.
Image Memory Note
Front cover: Large CONAN THE BARBARIAN logo in green and white, with Conan (muscular, dark-haired, wielding a sword) and Red Sonja (red-haired, chainmail bikini, sword) on a large human skull surrounded by yellow and orange flames with blue hands rising from below. Upper left: 25¢, issue #44, NOV, 'Marvel Comics Group', 'Conan the Barbarian' character box. 'Approved by the Comics Code Authority' seal in the upper right. Cover text: 'THE FIEND AND THE FLAME!'. Back cover: Large yellow and red La Salle Extension University mail-away ad, including numerous boxed checklists for correspondence courses, address: 417 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605. No inscriptions, stamps, or unusual interior writing visible. Corners are sharp, colors vivid, spine shows minimal wear, no apparent tears or markings. Overall appears to be in exceptional surface condition for a 1974 comic.
Keywords
Conan the Barbarian, Marvel Comics, Bronze Age comic, 1970s, Roy Thomas, John Buscema, Red Sonja, collectible comic, United States
Comparables (Similar Items)
No archived comparables matched this report yet.
Share: